Football: Freshman Chemics trounce Trojans

by Cory Butzin

The Chemics found the Trojans Achilles’ heel Wednesday, using a staunch defensive attack to shut down Saginaw High’s offense and three touchdowns by Tyler Kuehne to build an early lead before coasting to a 41-0 win at Midland Community Stadium.

“I’m really proud of the defense,” said Midland coach Tim Kipfmiller. “This is the second week in a row that they’ve had a shutout. They’re playing better and better each week.”

That defense opened Wednesday’s contest swarming to the ball and didn’t yield a first down through the Trojan’s first several series, which gave the Chemics’ offense enough time to get going.

“In the first half we came out kind of flat,” Kipfmiller said. “We made a lot of mental mistakes and struggled a little bit.”

After a couple possessions, Midland seemed to gain some composure, though, which led to Kuehne’s first touchdown from 12 yards out to put the Chemics on the board. Garrett Wallen’s extra point made it 7-0.

Their defense gave the offense a chance to add to that lead after recovering a forced fumble at midfield on the next possession, but the Chemics weren’t able to take advantage.

However, they were able to take advantage five minutes later when Jeff Swartout recovered another Trojan fumble with a minute remaining in the first. David Walter broke a 23-yard run down the sideline, down to the Saginaw two. And on the first play of the second quarter, Kuehne plunged in from two yards out to make it 14-0 following Wallen’s PAT.

From there, both offenses seemed to stagnate and it seemed like Midland was going to head into the half leading a close contest.

But then the Chemics’ defense stepped up and the Trojans imploded in the waning minutes of the second. Saginaw’s offense was forced to punt again late in the half, and a fierce Midland rush forced a bad snap.

Lex Hollenbeck made the Trojans pay with just over two minutes remaining when he bullied his way in from two yards out for a score to make it 21-0.

Less than thirty seconds later, Midland defense forced another Saginaw turnover and Matt Smith recovered the fumble giving the Chemics excellent field position at the Trojan 27-yard line. With 50 seconds remaining in the half, Kuehne’s 3-yard touchdown run pushed Midland’s lead to 28-0.

“I’m really pleased with the defense,” Kipfmiller said. “They’re flying to the ball, and our tackling is much better than it was in the beginning of the year. It makes the offense’s job a little easier when they have a short field.”

The Chemics kept up their defensive pressure in the second half, and it resulted in another short field for the offense and a 15-yard touchdown run by Walter at 7:23 of the third to make it 35-0. Avery Chatman added a 5-yard score a few minutes later to complete the scoring for Midland.

The Chemics (3-1) will look to push their winning streak to four games Wednesday, September 24 when they travel to Saginaw Nouvel to take on the Panthers. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Photos by Cory Butzin