The “Battle for Barry County” kicked off the 2022 season again for Hastings and Middleville. These two rivals have played many epics over the years, and this fall was no exception. A close game throughout, Hastings was able to hold off the Trojans for a 30-20 victory.
Neither team could get anything going in the first quarter. In the second frame, the two clubs matched each other score-for-score. Middleville struck first, as Drake Snyder powered across the goal line from a yard out. Four minutes later, the Saxons responded. Lanny Teunessen rumbled into the end zone on a two-yard carry. A failed conversion left Hastings down a point.
The Trojans pushed their lead back out to eight points when Carsen Burbridge kept the football for a 3-yard scamper. Their deficit would be erased with one minute left in the half. Robby Slaughter found a hole in the Middleville defense and reeled off a 78-yard sprint to the house. Teunessen’s conversion run was successful, bringing the game to a 14-14 draw after one half of action.
On their opening drive of the third quarter, Hastings took their first lead of the night. Again, Robby Slaughter took advantage. He found an opening and raced 38 yards past the oncoming Trojan tacklers. Teunessen’s conversion gave the Saxons an eight-point edge. Middleville wasted no time, striking back nearly instantly. Carsen Burbridge found Jaxan Chatman, and the duo’s connection went 23 yards for a score. Zackary Gibson attempted the two-point equalizer, but he was stopped short of the goal line.
In the fourth quarter, Hastings iced the game with a 25-yard touchdown run by Robby Slaughter, his third of the night. He would also tack on the two-point conversion. Hastings outgained Middleville 422-301 in this game, with the Saxons racking up 353 yards on the ground. Robby Slaughter set the pace for the victors, turning 16 carries into 242 yards and three scores. In defeat, Carsen Burbridge finished 6/9 passing for 121 yards. He also led the Trojans’ rushing attack with 66 yards and a score.
Next week, Hastings will have a tall task with Whitehall in their non-league showdown. The Vikings delivered a statement victory over Unity Christian on Thursday night. Middleville will look for their first victory in 2022 when they travel to Lowell to face the Red Arrows in the annual ‘Pink Arrow’ game.
