The Lawton Blue Devils, the state’s leading offensive club, captured their ninth straight victory. By doubling up Saugatuck 42-21, they enter the playoff without a blemish on their record. This 21-point win was the closest game that Lawton has played this fall.
Lawton scored on the opening play of this game, as Carter Cosby fielded the opening kick and raced 90 yards to the end zone. Saugatuck would respond as Ben Drew caught Brogan Kelley‘s pass for an 11-yard score. The Blue Devils would take the lead back as Jake Rueff scored on a 2-yard touchdown.
In the second quarter, Lawton extended their lead. Cooper Geib added a 20-yard touchdown run early in the frame. Jake Rueff returned to the end zone with a 3-yard carry, giving Lawton a 28-7 halftime edge.
Jake Rueff continued his fantastic scoring season with two more touchdowns in the third quarter. He scored on runs of 9 and 64 yards to put the running clock into effect. Ben Drew got the Trailblazers back on the scoreboard when he rushed for a 3-yard touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Brogan Kelley rushed for a 2-yard quarterback keeper.
Jake Rueff had 15 carries for 165 yards and four touchdowns. The Blue Devils tailback now has 37 total touchdowns (36 rushing, 1 receiving) on the season. This is tied for 30th all-time in MHSAA history. The current record is 53 touchdowns by Pewamo-Westphalia’s Jared Smith (2015).
Lawton has scored 497 points in nine games, good for a 55.2 PPG average. For those keeping track at home, they are just 0.06 points behind pace of the 1999 Orchard View team that holds the state scoring record at 774 points. These two record pursuits will be something to track as Lawton plays in the Division 7 playoffs.
