The Forest Hills Central Rangers took their undefeated record into Friday’s playoff opener against Reeths-Puffer. After a close start, the Rangers raced out to a 32-6 victory.
Justin Osterhouse got FHC started with a 2-yard touchdown carry. That was the only scoring play of the first half, giving the Rangers a 7-0 lead.
Puffer responded with an early second half touchdown march. Tayte Vanderleest capped it off with a 9-yard carry that brought the Rockets within a point. A missed extra point left them behind by one.
Forest Hills Central countered on the final play of the second quarter with a 36-yard field goal from Andrew Novay. This gave FHC a 10-6 lead going into the locker room.
Early in the third quarter, FHC got another touchdown run from Osterhouse. In the final frame, they got a pair of touchdown runs from Mason McDonald and JT Hartman.
JT Hartman led the offensive attack with 148 rushing yards on 19 carries. Osterhouse added 80 rushing yards on 10 carries. Defensively, Brady Drueke and Chase Robinson each had an interception.
Next week, the Rangers will welcome Mona Shores to town for a playoff rematch. The Sailors took down Traverse City Central in a playoff opener.
