Hastings and Middleville, longtime rivals, have begun the season against each other in every campaign since 2017, with exception of the COVID year. Over the years, we have seen epic battles, and the series has experienced long runs of dominance. Middleville won three straight from 2017-2019, then Hastings has won every meeting since the pandemic, winning each of the five meetings. In this year’s regular season opener, Middleville squandered a 29-20 lead late in the fourth quarter, allowing a game-winning field goal at the buzzer in a 31-29 loss after the Saxons recovered a fumble and drove 72 yards to set up a 33-yard kick. For a moment this season, it felt as if this loss could potentially keep Middleville out of the postseason. But thrilling wins over Northview and Holland Christian sent the Trojans to the playoffs for the first time since 2020, and the MHSAA gave them a chance for revenge against their neighboring foes.
Friday night’s rematch was equally as thrilling, with back-and-forth action throughout. In the end, Middleville was able to take a 28-20 lead late in the third quarter, and this time, they held on.
In the opening quarter, Middleville got things started with a pair of scoring drives. Debo Robinson capped off both touchdown marches on the ground, rushing for scores of 2 and 16 yards respectively. After a quarter of play, the Trojans led 14-0.
Hastings would respond back early in the second quarter, as Jonah Hamp took a hand-off 51 yards for a Saxons score. They failed their two-point try, leaving them behind by eight. Almost instantly there was a response, as TK’s Malachi Vanengen broke free, sprinting past the oncoming Hastings’ defenders for a 74-yard touchdown run. This pushed the Trojans back ahead by two scores, 20-6.
Before the half, Hastings trimmed the lead back to six points. Cardale Winebrenner rushed for a 9-yard touchdown, then completed the Octopus with a conversion run. At the break, it was 20-14 in favor of Middleville.
Early in the third quarter, Hastings found their equalizer. On just their second play from scrimmage, Jonah Hamp showed an impressive display of speed as he got loose for a 71-yard touchdown carry. A failed PAT kick left the game even at 20.
Middleville would respond with an offensive drive that would make legendary coach Bob White proud. The Trojans took 12 plays to cover 75 yards, with Zach Eldridge delivering the final blow with a 7-yard touchdown run. Debo Robinson chipped in the conversion, and the Middleville lead was back up to eight, 28-20.
Over the final quarter and change, Hastings could not put together a complete drive to find that tying score. Instead, the Saxons season came to a close with a frustrating defeat to their rivals. Hastings rushed for 261 yards in this game, 60 yards less than the victorious Trojans. Debo Robinson had 138 rushing yards and two scores on 17 carries, while Malachi Vanengen added 122 ruhing yards on seven carries. In defeat, Jonah Hamp rushed for 170 yards for Hastings.
This is the first playoff win for Middleville since the 2020 COVID season. Given that some people find some “asterisks” in that campaign, their last non-COVID playoff win came back in 2004, so regardless, it’s been a long time coming for Middleville. They will try to capture the school’s first District Championship since 2001 next Friday against Lowell.
