The Tri-County Vikings hosted Central Montcalm in a pivotal CSAA-Gold ballgame. Tri-County entered Friday night still alive in the league title race, while Central Montcalm was looking to shake off two defeats in their previous three games. The Hornets got out to a strong start, but their inability to score over the final three quarters cost them. Tri-County secured a 16-6 win in this game.
In the opening frame, Kaleb Crooks, the signal-caller for Central Montcalm, made the big play. He kept the football and ran five yards past the Vikings’ defense for the game’s opening score. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful.
Tri-County would respond in the second quarter, with a scoring drive of their own. Trent Behrenwald sprung free, and he made his way downfield, covering 38 yards on his trip to the end zone. Tyler Tompkins would add the two-point run, giving the Vikings an 8-6 halftime edge.
In the third quarter, the duo of Tompkins and Behrenwald helped extend the lead. Tompkins found Behrenwald on a pass play that went for a 24-yard touchdown. On the conversion run, it was the tailback, Behrenwald, that would punch it in. This ten-point insurance cushion would prove to be enough for Tri-County.
With the win, Tri-County is now 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the CSAA-Gold. Next week, they face Big Rapids. The winner of that game will finish no worse than second in the league, but they have a shot at a share of the title. In order to capture a share of the crown, they would need Fremont to upset Reed City. As for Central Montcalm, they slide to 4-3 overall. They conclude CSAA Gold play against Grant.
