Football: Freshman Chemics roll in 54-0 win over Nouvel

by Cory Butzin

The Midland High freshman football team scored 35 points in the first quarter Wednesday and coasted the rest of the way as the Chemics improved to 6-0 on the season with a 54-0 victory on the road against Saginaw Nouvel.

Six different Chemics scored touchdowns in a game that was never really in doubt after Andrew Jones picked up the opening kickoff, slipped past several Panther defenders, and sprinted into the end zone for a 73-yard touchdown.

“We didn’t know what to expect coming into the game,” said Midland coach Keith Schulte. “We just wanted to pound the ball. We came out and started off with the kickoff return and that was huge.”

After the touchdown on the opening kickoff, Midland’s defense forced a three-and-out giving the Chemics the ball back at midfield. That’s when quarterback Chris Schreiber busted through several would-be tacklers and sprinted 52 yards for the score. The two-point conversion gave Midland the 14-0 lead.

Two minutes later, it was Thomas Dunn’s turn as he took the handoff 53 yards for the touchdown. By the time the quarter was halfway through, Paulo Balanza had recorded a 50-yard score as Midland held a 28-0 lead with 6:21 to go in the first quarter.

“Everything seemed to click,” Schulte said of the first quarter offensive explosion. “We keep telling the kids if you go as hard as you can on each play good things happen.”

Saxdon Miller would later score from a yard out as Midland extended its lead to 35-0 after the game’s first 12 minutes.

From that point on, the Chemics were basically in cruise control as they added single scores in each of the final three quarters. Schreiber scored again from 17 yards out in the second to give the Chemics a 42-0 halftime lead. Balanza added a 58-yard run in the third, and Jordan Kraut scored from seven yards out in the fourth to complete the scoring.

But while Midland’s offensive showing was the story of the game, Schulte says the Chemics’ defense was equally impressive as they forced three turnovers and shut down the Panther’s attack all night.

“We had two interceptions and a fumble recovery,” Schulte said. “I think the kids were really pumped about getting their first shutout.”

The Chemics will be in action again next Wednesday when they host Flint Southwestern. They will close out their season a week later when they host cross-town rival Midland Dow.

For more photos from Wednesday’s game, click on “Photo Slideshow” in the top right corner of this article.

Photos by Cory Butzin