HILLSDALE COUNTY — Week 7 brought heartbreaking losses, but it also ignited the season for a few football teams in Hillsdale County.
While 11-man programs were shut out once again, local 8-man teams rose to the occasion, earning four victories before the Friday night lights were powered down. Below are Week 7 recaps for all the major matchups that happened across the county and in neighboring areas.
Onsted 26, Hillsdale 12
A few missed opportunities and a late 47-yard touchdown reception on a third-and-long was all it took for the Hornets to drop a winnable game against Onsted.
Evan Towne scored two touchdowns for Hillsdale, one on a touchdown pass to Thayden Welch (84 total receiving yards). The other was on a designed quarterback run. Towne rushed for 150 yards on 15 carries. The defense was led by Nolan Francis’ two sacks. Brody Arnold, Mason Brown and Brayden Happ also earned sacks. Towne had one interception. Hillsdale (0-7) faces Hudson on the road in Week 8.
Columbia Central 27, Jonesville 26
After a 7-0 halftime lead for CC, the two teams broke out with consecutive scores in the third quarter. The Comets took a late third-quarter lead 13-12. Columbia Central would lead 21-20 with eight to go in the fourth and got on the board again wtih a 10-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth.
Jonesville scored as time expired in the game. Coach Frank Keller’s squad would go for the 2-point conversion and win, but it came up short. The Comets drop to 4-3 overall on the season and fall to third in the Cascades West standings. Jonesville faces Vandercook Lake at home in Week 8.
Union City 32, Reading 8
The Rangers hung tough with the Chargers early in the first half, but Union City kept powering its way to a win.
Reading’s offense capitalized on a 21-play drive in the first half with a Connor Trott 2-yard touchdown run. The Rangers trailed just 14-6 at the half. Markis Tucker led the team with 13 carries for 45 yards. Reading looks to regroup for a home game against the surging Bronson Vikings, who are 6-1 after dismantling a 6-1 White Pigeon team 32-6.
Pittsford 44, Camden-Frontier 0
Pittsford controlled this SCAA-B rivalry game from the start, scoring 24 in the first and then 20 in the second quarter.
Ethan Pickford scored two touchdowns for the Wildcats, running up 49 yards on the ground. Quarterback Jake Drawe had five carries for 71 yards. He completed nine of 16 passes for 182 yards and two passing touchdowns. The Wildcats had four interceptions — from Mondale Kneffler, Brendan Nave, Jake Drawe and Hunter Peiffer. Peiffer led the defense with eight tackles. Pickford had a sack. Aiden Jones had a big night leading the Wildcats with four catches, 109 yards and three touchdowns. Nave had four catches for 62 yards and a touchdown.
Pittsford (6-1) takes on Waldron for the SCAA-B division title in Week 8. Camden-Frontier (3-4) faces North Adams-Jerome (2-5).
Litchfield 22, Burr Oak 12
Litchfield (3-4) continues to play its best football of the season. It was a breakout night for sophomore playmaker Gavin Gutting. He picked off the Bobcats twice, including an 80-yard return and a 36-yard pick six. Gutting finished the game with 11 1/2 tackles. Also earning interceptions were Hayden Thacker and Quinton Smith. Brayden Bradley had 68 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown. Litchfield takes on Tekonsha in Week 8.
North Adams-Jerome 58, Tekonsha 42
Despite facing several injuries to starting seniors, the Rams overcame the odds for their second win on the season. The Rams (2-5) earned their first win since Week 2 and broke a stretch of four games in which they allowed 50-plus points. The Rams look to keep momentum going with a visit to Camden-Frontier in Week 8.
Lenawee Christian 63, Waldron 22
The Spartans (5-2) could not take down the perennial powerhouse Cougars, and they will have to regroup to take on Pittsford for the SCAA-B division title next week. The Spartans’ loss to LCS means they will have to, likely, win out in order to make the postseason. Troy Shamplo had 16 carries for 176 yards and one touchdown. Isaac Fether had eight carries for 58 yards, one touchdown. Both scored conversion tries. Seth Williams and younger brother Silas Williams led the defense with nine and six solo tackles, respectivley.
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This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Week 7 Hillsdale County area football sees 8-man teams again shine as playoffs approach
Reporting by Joseph Flaherty, Hillsdale Daily News / Hillsdale Daily News
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