Caleb Richard and the Dow Chargers elude Western. (MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar) Dow's Multifaceted Attack Downs Western, 41-20
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Dow's Brennan Miller throws for 293 yards and 3 TDs while rushing for 110 yards and a TD.
Western entered the game knowing they had an uphill climb if they wanted to qualify for this year's playoffs. In their way was a talented Midland Dow squad led by a very athletic Brennan Miller with a strong supporting class. Neither the tough Warrior defense nor the late second quarter rain could slow down the Chargers as they racked up 41 points in three quarters then coasted to a 41-20 victory.
After each team shared possession of the ball, Dow was able to score first. Dow drove the ball to the Warrior eight yard line. Just when the Western defense appeared to have held, QB Brennan Miller dropped back to pass and seeing all his receivers covered, he eluded tacklers to scramble for an eight yard score. Max Kidd's kick made it 7-0.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Forcing a three and out, punt returner Mason Hayes stepped up on the punt and nearly broke it for a touchdown being hauled down at the Warrior 25 yard line. Western's defensive line shut down the first two rushing attempts prompting Dow to turn to the halfback pass. The throw to an apparent open receiver was thwarted by free safety Bruce Mann as he stripped the ball in the end zone. On fourth and five, Miller threw a strike to Mason Hayes on a post pattern good for 19 yards to the Warrior four. After the Warriors defense stiffened between the tackles, Miller hit wide out Travis McNally in the flats for a 1 yard touchdown pass and Dow was up 14-0 to end the first quarter.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Western's Alex Mudd put a spark in the Warrior offense when he returned the kickoff 35 yards up the middle nearly breaking it all the way. From midfield, Cameron Pine directed his team on a scoring march. A screen pass to Simon Klida saw the speedy back break his way down the sidelines to the Charger's 24 yard line. Then Pine found Alex Mudd open down the middle and connected on a 22 yard touchdown pass. With Rob Vennix kick, Western was back in the game at 14-7.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
The score seemed to inspire Dow not to let Western gain any momentum. Starting from around their 15 yard line, the Chargers went on the attack. Dow utilized a variety of quick outside passes allowing the receivers to use their skills to gain yardage. On this drive, Miller hit Michael Robb on the right side. Then he eluded tacklers to carry the ball to the Warrior 34. Then Mason Hayes carried the ball off the left side, cut back across the field picking up blockers and raced to the right corner for a 40 yard touchdown run. Western's Devon Baldwin blocked the extra point attempt making it 20-7.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
After another solid kickoff return by Mudd, Western seemed poised to respond to Dow's last touchdown. But a holding penalty pushed them back stalling the drive and Dow took over following the punt.
Dow started on their 25 and pulled out every play from their playbook. Miller threw a swing pass good to the 37. Then Dow threw a reverse pass that was almost a touchdown but Mann dove knocking the ball away. The drive seemed to stall at midfield with just over a minute to play when an interference call put the ball at the Warrior 25. Down to the last play of the half, Miller threw a 15 yard jump ball pass to his 6 foot 6 inch receiver, Michael Robb who went up and got the ball for a clock beating touchdown sending Dow into the locker room leading 27-7.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
As the rains descended onto the game, Western started the second half on the ground. Slowly moving the ball, a dropped third down pass ended the drive and Dow received the punt on their 19. While the rains continued, Dow provided the lightning as junior running back Caleb Richard took a swing pass to the left, cut back across the field and out ran the Warrior defense to the right corner of the end zone for an 81 touchdown play. The extra point kick sailed just wide right and Dow was in control 33-7.
Western would turn the ball over on their next possession. After reaching midfield, a quick pass to the right went through the hands of the receiver bouncing off his shoulder pads and into the arms of a Dow defender. The Chargers kept their foot on the gas as they went right after the Warrior defense. Miller dropped back to pass and finding no receivers open, he scrambled down the left side line to the Western 9. Strong defense and a penalty pushed the Chargers back to the 25 where Miller hit Robb on a 21 yard pass to the Warrior four. Then Dow ran a halfback pass with Richard taking the pitch right then toss four yards to Robb for a touchdown. Not satisfied with a 32 point lead at the end of the third quarter, Dow ran for the two point conversion extending the lead to 41-7.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
The fourth quarter saw Western come back with two touchdowns. Bruce Mann punched it in from the four and with under a minute to play, it was Mann again breaking loose for a 47 yard touchdown run making the final 41-20.
Brennan Miller orchestrated the Dow attack throwing for 293 yards and three touchdowns on 17 for 23 passing. He also ran for 110 yards on 20 carries. Caleb Richard complimented the attack rushing for 68 yards on 15 carries, making 6 catches for 157 yards and a touchdown and throwing for a touchdown as well. Michael Robb hauled in 7 balls for 103 yards and two touchdowns.
For Western, Cameron Pine connected with his receivers 10 times for 96 yards and a touchdown. Five of those receptions went to Alex Mudd for 51 yards to go with some solid kickoff returns. Simon Klida was held to 41 yards on 11 carries while Bruce Mann added 124 fourth quarter yards on four carries and two touchdowns.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Western takes on league leader Mt. Pleasant next week. Dow takes on Saginaw Heritage in a one loss each battle to keep pace with Mt. Pleasant.
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