The DeWitt Panthers entered the 2021 season as the reigning State Champions in Division 3. After their dominant performance on Saturday, they will have a chance to defend their crown. DeWitt cruised past St Joseph, 43-7, to punch their ticket to Ford Field.
Offensively, this game was a lot of DeWitt very quickly. The Panthers scored two touchdowns in each of the first three quarters to create a 43-0 lead. St Joseph wrapped up the game with the lone fourth quarter touchdown.
In the opening frame, Ty Holtz tossed a pair of touchdowns. He found Nick Flegler on a 10-yard score on their opening drive, before connecting with Tommy McIntosh on a 61-yard heave. Holtz added a conversion run, and the Panthers were ahead 15-0.
Flegler found the end zone midway through the second quarter, this time using his legs. He carried the football 8 yards across the goal line to extend the lead. Before the half, Holtz and McIntosh paired up again. Their 40-yard touchdown gave the Panthers a commanding 29-0 advantage.
In the second half, Nick Flegler broke off another touchdown run. His 38-yard sprint set the running clock into effect, as DeWitt led 36-0. In the final minute of the third quarter, Bryce Debri plunged into the end zone with a 2-yard carry.
St Joseph finally found the end zone on their eighth and final drive of the game. An 80-yard touchdown march was capped off with a 2-yard touchdown run by Trey McGinnis.
DeWitt outgained St Joseph 451-184 in this game. The Panthers were balanced, with 263 passing yards and 188 on the ground. Ty Holtz finished 14/19 passing for 248 yards. Tommy McIntosh hauled in five passes for 130 yards. Nick Flegler had a 53-yard receiving day to go along with 89 yards on 9 carries.
St Joe had 158 of their 184 yards on the ground. Joron Brown led the way with 56 yards, while Trey McGinnis chipped in 51. McGinnis was the team’s leading receiver with 20 yards.
Next week, DeWitt will face Detroit King in the Division 3 State Championship game. The Crusaders dominated Mason 46-7 in the semifinals. The championship game will kick off at 7:30 PM on Saturday at Ford Field.
