DEWITT — Here is reaction from DeWitt football holding on for a 44-37 victory over Mason in a matchup of Greater Lansing’s two winningest programs since the start of 2020 and teams that reached the Division 3 state semifinals last season.
Player of the game
TRAVERSE MOORE, DEWITT: The Central Michigan commit ram for 248 yards and three scores and completed 6 of 9 passes for 58 yards and a touchdown while leading the Panthers’ offense. His final touchdown run — a 47-yard scamper early in the fourth quarter — wound up providing the winning margin for DeWitt.
Key moment
DeWitt relied on a final stand on defense to hang on for the victory and it started with Brendan Mensing delivering a punt that pinned Mason at its own 5-yard line with 36.2 seconds to play. Everett Cooper ended things for DeWitt by delivering a sack to end the game and a comeback attempt for Mason, which faced a 31-14 deficit at halftime.
What it means
The victory marked another strong early season one for DeWitt following its Week 1 home victory over Haslett. It was a second straight over a league title contender with Haslett and Mason being viewed the frontrunners in the CAAC Red. The victory also pulls the Panthers even with Mason for the most wins in Greater Lansing since the start of the 2020 season with 54. Despite the loss, Mason was encouraged by its fight in the second half behind Troy Peters as it gets ready to start defense of its CAAC Red title in Week 3 against Williamston.
Quotable
“We just all came together as one. It’s a brotherhood from playing together since fourth grade. We just had to make it happen on that last play. That’s the expectation.” — DeWitt’s Everett Cooper on the defense making final stand.
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway and BlueSky @briancalloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Four downs from DeWitt football fending off Mason in showdown of area powers
Reporting by Brian Calloway, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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