COLDWATER – Friday night’s Interstate 8 conference contest at Coldwater’s Cardinal Field featured two vastly different programs in terms of offensive production.
Coldwater has changed in recent years to an air raid type offense thanks in large part to the emergence of start junior quarterback Dracyn Foster while Hastings continues to pound the ball on the ground with a tough and dominant run game.
Friday night the two teams, leaning on their respective offensive personalities, combined for 823 yards on the night as Coldwater dropped a nailbiter to the visiting Saxons by the score of 40-37 on Senior Night.
Coldwater’s offensive philosophy coming into Friday’s game was to air it out, and things worked as the Cardinals out gained Hastings 294-90 through the air while Hastings controlled the ground, out gaining Coldwater 337-102.
What Happened?
Hastings was able to control things early, scoring the first two touchdowns of the night, starting with a 36-yard touchdown run by Tyler Frazer followed by a score through the air as the Saxons hit paydirt thanks to a 35-yard touchdown pass from Mason Tossova to Trevin Russell, giving Hastings the 14-0 lead late in the first quarter.
Coldwater finally got on the board on the final play of the first quarter as Foster went to the air, finding Bennett McDonald for a 50-yard touchdown pass, closing the score to 14-7 after one quarter.
The two squads traded scores in the second quarter, as Hastings hit on a Frazer 18-yard touchdown run while the Cardinals found the scoreboard on the ground as Foster called his own number for a 2-yard touchdown run, giving Hastings the 22-15 lead heading into the half.
Both teams were able to put up a pair of scores in the third quarter, beginning with Hastings, who hit through the air as Tossava connected with Trevin Russell on a 37-yard touchdown.
Coldwater answered back with a rushing touchdown of their own as Foster once again called his own number, scoring on a 1-yard touchdown dive.
Hastings held serve, scoring on their next drive on a 10-yard touchdown run by Cardale Winebrenner. Coldwater was able to answer that drive with one of their own as a penalty on the final play of the third quarter led to one untimed play for Coldwater. The Cardinals took advantage as Foster hit Dayton Ennis for a 21-yard touchdown pass, closing the score to 34-29 after three quarters.
The Coldwater defense badly needed a stop, but it was Hastings answering the call as Russell scored on an 11-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, only to see the Cardinals answer with the second touchdown connection between Foster and Ennis from 21-yards out, closing the score to 40-37 with 9:40 left in the game.
Hastings was able to run out the rest of the clock with their very physical running attack as it was the Saxons taking the three-point victory, winning 40-37.
Top Performers
Dracyn Foster, QB, Coldwater – Foster once again highlighted why he is one of the best the state has to offer at the quarterback spot, completing 20 of 33 passes for 294 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. Foster also added 10 carries for 44 yards and two touchdowns as the junior accounted for six total touchdowns to lead the Cardinal effort.
Bennett McDonald, WR/DB, Coldwater – McDonald was the leading wideout for Coldwater, pulling in nine catches for 124 yards and a touchdown.
Dayton Ennis, WR/DB, Coldwater – Ennis had another explosive day for the Cardinals, pulling in four catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns.
Royale Flemming, Ath, Coldwater – Flemming showed off his tremendous all-around athleticism, combining for 113 all-purpose yards on three catches for 55 yards and seven carries for 58 yards. Flemming also led the Coldwater defense with nine tackles.
Cody Morrison, Ath, Coldwater – Morrison helped lead the Coldwater defensive effort with nine total tackles.
Trevin Russell, Ath, Hastings – Russell had a pair of receiving touchdowns for 72 total yards while also adding 20 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown.
Tyler Frazer, Ath, Hastings – Frazer had 14 carries for 124 yards and two touchdowns while also adding an 18-yard reception. Frazer also led the Hastings defense with five tackles.
What Next?
Coldwater falls to 6-2 overall on the season and 3-2 in the Interstate 8 conference with the loss. The Cardinals will close out their regular season schedule next Friday when they travel to Marshall.
Hastings improves to 6-2 overall on the season and 6-1 in the Interstate 8 conference. Hastings will close out the 2025 regular season next week with a visit from Wayland.
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Coldwater drops nailbiter to Hastings on Senior Night; Foster notches 6 touchdowns in loss
Reporting by Troy Tennyson, The Daily Telegram / Coldwater Daily Reporter
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