The Big Rapids Cardinals entered Friday in the pole position in the CSAA Red standings, with a perfect 3-0 record. Tri-County, 1-1 in league play, was hoping to cause some disruption. Instead, Big Rapids was able to defeat the Vikings for the third season in a row, this time a 48-12 rout that keeps them atop the table in conference play.
The first quarter was quiet offensively. Big Rapids scored the only touchdown of the frame, a 20-yard touchdown run by Cole Haist. This was paired with a Taavi Toivanen extra point to push the Cardinals ahead 7-0.
The ground game for Big Rapids capped off their second touchdown drive as well. This time, it was Garrett Foster who powered across the goal line from five yards out.
Trailing 14-0, Tri-County would respond. Vaughn Veltman found Bryce Reed, who broke free from the Cardinals’ defense, sprinting to the end zone on a 75-yard touchdown. This would be the only touchdown that the Vikings would have until midway through the fourth quarter.
Big Rapids scored twenty-one unanswered points to create some separation from their foes. Jack Bollman found the end zone twice, on carries of 8 and 10 yards. Sandwiched in between was a touchdown drive that culminated in a 2-yard touchdown carry by Garrett Foster.
Tri-County snapped the run with another touchdown pass from Veltman, this time a 5-yard toss to Chase Keller.
Ahead 35-12, Big Rapids would ice the game with two final scores. First, Cole Haist took to the air, connecting with James Brandt on a 13-yard touchdown. Just moments later, Liam McLaughlin stepped in front of a Tri-County pass and sprinted 40 yards to the end zone.
Big Rapids rushed for 311 yards as a team, with Jack Bollman pacing the crew with 146 yards. They are now 5-1 on the season, with a perfect 4-0 CSAA Red record. Next week will be their biggest test yet in conference play, as they take on Newaygo. Tri-County, now 4-2 on the year, will battle Chippewa Hills.
