The Mendon Hornets shook off their humbling defeat to Bridgman, rallying on Friday night to defeat Blanchard Montabella, 46-22.
In the first quarter, Montabella scored first. Caleb Theisen got the Mustangs on the scoreboard with a 3-yard run. The lead would hold for seven minutes, before Chris Dupree kept the football for a 1-yard scamper. He would add the two-point conversion, giving Mendon an 8-6 lead after one quarter of play.
Mendon’s offensive roll continued in the second quarter, as they scored the first twenty-two points of the frame. Chris Dupree reeled off touchdown runs of 1 and 25 yards, adding a two-point conversion attempt as well. Evan Lukeman scored the next touchdown, sprinting 65 yards through the Mustangs’ defense for a score. Mason Wilczynski added a two-point conversion. Montabella would get a late touchdown, a 70-yard run from Dakota Dykuis, to trim the halftime deficit to 16, 30-14.
In the second half, Mendon outscored Montabella 16-8. Chris Dupree had a 2-yard run and conversion, while Evan Lukeman added a 45-yard sprint and conversion. Sandwiched in between was Cooper Bolton hauling in a Chase Burggren pass of 19 yards.
Mendon rushed for 490 yards in this victory. Evan Lukeman had 26 carries for 279 yards, Chris Dupree turned 19 carries into 158 yards, and Connor Oatley had 12 carries for 54 yards. On defense, Isaiah Ibison led the Hornets with 10.5 tackles. Lukeman and Dupree added 7.5.
Mendon is now 4-1 on the season. The Hornets will return to SWMFL-I action on Friday, when they face Marcellus. Montabella, 3-2, will play Onekama.
