The Coopersville Broncos began their 2023 campaign up against the Otsego Bulldogs. After three straight trips to the postseason, Coopersville is looking to extend a streak that has not been matched since their 10-year run between 1999 and 2008. In a game that began on Thursday and concluded on Friday, the Broncos had little trouble in securing a 49-6 win.
On the first offensive play of the season, Nick Gordon shot through the Otsego defense for a 70-yard touchdown run. After recording a quick stop, the fast-hitting Broncos attack reloaded for another score. On their second play of the night, they found again a long touchdown strike. This time, Beau Harris paired up with Luke Stanton for a 60-yard score. With 9:30 remaining in the first quarter, it was already 14-0 Coopersville.
Mother Nature would put a temporary pin in this game on Thursday night, forcing a Friday resumption. After the break, it continued to be all Coopersville. A 6-yard touchdown run by Lemieux to push the Broncs ahead by 21.
Beau Harris would return to the air for the next two scores of this game. On both occasions, he would find Nick Gordon on his way to the end zone. The first score covered 12 yards, while the final tally was from 33 yards out. Two successful PATs from Olsen gave Coopersville a 35-0 lead just forty-five seconds into the second quarter.
Coopersville would not stop there, as Harris threw his fourth touchdown of the half. This time, a 31-yard toss to Arnold made it a 42-0 Coopersville edge. Otsego would finally respond on a touchdown pass from Jack Holmes to Kole Engleright, but a missed PAT left them down 36.
Lemieux’s second touchdown run, this time a 65-yard sprint to paydirt, would prove to be the final scoring play of the night. This gave Coopersville an insurmountable lead, and with the running clock in effect during the second half, the Broncos were able to cruise to victory.
This is the third straight season that Coopersville will start the year 1-0. Next week, they look to move to 2-0 when they face the Spartans of Sparta High School.
