The Reed City Coyotes, champions of the CSAA-Gold, hosted Whitehall, champions of the West Michigan Conference. This battle of 7-1 teams lived up to the hype, with Reed City securing a 38-28 victory.
On the first possession of the game, Whitehall scored. Kyle Stratton found Nate Bolley on a 17-yard touchdown pass. Reed City would respond in a matter of plays, as Bryson Hughes reeled off a 45-yard touchdown and a two-point conversion. At the end of the quarter, Xavier Allen and Seth Jackson connected on a 23-yard touchdown. Hughes’ conversion gave Reed City a 16-7 lead.
Kyle Stratton used his legs for another rushing touchdown. A 24-yard carry brought Whitehall within two. They would not draw any closer in the first half, training 16-14 at the break.
Reed City started the second half with a bang, moving efficiently down the field. Dylan Schebil was wide open on a play-action pass, hauling in a 13-yard catch rom Xavier Allen. Bryson Hughes converted another two-point try, pushing Reed City out to a ten-point lead. Alec Pruett would respond with a Whitehall touchdown, punching it in from eight yards out after multiple Reed City personal fouls. The Vikings trailed 24-21 with twelve minutes to go.
Noah Morgan provided a cushion for Reed City when he powered across the goal line from five yards out. Zack Erickson‘s conversion gave the Coyotes an eleven-point lead. Erickson added a touchdown of his own to give Reed City a 38-21 advantage. On the final play of the game, Alec Pruett broke off a 47-yard touchdown.
Reed City improves to 8-1 with this victory. They have a great position for multiple home games in the Division 6 playoffs. Whitehall, 7-2 on the year, should have a chance to host a playoff game next week as well.
