The Grand Blanc Bobcats travelled to Ada on Friday night for a date with the Forest Hills Central Rangers. This was an incredible battle by both sides, but in the end, Grand Blanc will return home winners, 38-34.
Elijah Jackson-Anderson, a commit to Eastern Michigan, got the scoring started with a short touchdown run early in the first quarter. This was the lone score of the opening frame, leaving Grand Blanc ahead 7-0.
Special teams would aid the Bobcats in extending their lead, as they blocked a punt and scooped the loose ball. Grand Blanc returned the football to the end zone, and they led 14-0 just seconds into the second quarter.
FHC would finally respond with a quarterback keeper by FHC’s Justin Osterhouse. They would tie the game three minutes before halftime, as Osterhouse and Conner Milton connected for a passing score. FHC would jump ahead just before the half, when Jacob Bonnett took the end around and smashed his way into the end zone. The Rangers led 20-14 with two quarters to play.
Neither team would score in the third quarter, leaving FHC just twelve minutes from victory. Dylan Hertzberg would cut the Grand Blanc deficit in half with his field goal of 38 yards in the opening minute of the fourth quarter.
After forcing a punt, Grand Blanc zoomed down the field. Elijah Jackson-Anderson’s second touchdown, a 2-yard plunge, gave the Bobcats a 24-20 lead with just under eight minutes to play. That lead was short lived, as just twenty seconds of game time later, FHC regained control. Osterhouse and Jacob Bonnett connected on an 80-yard explosion, giving FHC a three-point edge once again.
Grand Blanc would block another punt, setting the Bobcats up with great field position. Elijah Jackson-Anderson would restore order on the scoreboard, as he went 15 yards across the goal line, giving Grand Blanc a four-point lead with four minutes left.
After two crucial personal foul penalties, FHC quickly maneuvered down the field. With just fifty seconds to go, Conner Milton hauled in a touchdown pass from Osterhouse, and the score gave FHC a 34-31 edge.
Grand Blanc lined up on their own twenty-six yard line with 41 seconds to play, and four receivers spread out wide. The two receivers flanked to the left crossed routes about ten yards downfield, leaving a hole in the Rangers’ defense. Nasir Carson slipped through and he was wide open down the left side. He hauled in the pass from Hunter Ames, and eighty yards later, the Bobcats would regain the lead for good. FHC had one last chance, but they could not convert.
Justin Osterhouse had a strong game as the Rangers signal caller, finishing 14/24 for 236 yards and three touchdowns. He added 2o carries, totaling 75 rushing yards and a touchdown. Jacob Bonnett has 197 yards of total offense, to go along with two touchdowns, on only twelve touches. Tyler Weaver paced the FHC defense with 12 tackles.
Elijah Jackson-Anderson paced Grand Blanc with 118 yards on 15 carries. Hunter Ames finished with 199 passing yards, and Dylan Hertzberg scored eight points as a kicker.
Next week, FHC will start OK White play against Northview. Grand Blanc remains in non-conference action, as they square off with Midland Dow.
