(Publisher’s note: Please enjoy the photo gallery from the game by Burrill Strong.)
Chelsea varsity football ran its record to 3-0 Friday night with hard-fought 27-14 win over Ann Arbor Huron. As predicted, the game was a defensive struggle for both teams early on as they traded punts through most of the first half.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Bulldogs scored first on a 46-yard TD reception from Justice Staton to Bailey Edwards. Graham Kuras added the point after making it 7-0 Chelsea. On the next series, Kuras snared his first of three interceptions on the evening halting a River Rat drive near mid-field.
The Bulldogs drove down to the Huron 3 yard line but on third and goal, a Staton pass was tipped in the end zone and pick off ended the drive just before half.
Chelsea kicked off to start the second half and on the second play from scrimmage, Kuras stepped in front of a River Rat pass and returned it 28 yards for the touchdown. The Bulldogs were stopped on an attempted two-point conversion and the score stood at 13-0.
The Bulldog defense continued its dominance holding Huron to 3 and out and the offense mounted a 10-play drive leading to its next score – a 10- strike from Jack Bush to Noah VanReesema who made a leaping catch in the corner of the end zone.
VanReesema added the point after, moving the score to 20-0.
Huron finally got on the board after a 43-yard catch a run. The point after was good and the Rats were back in the game as the third quarter ended with Chelsea up 20-7. On its next possession, the Bulldogs marched 80 yards on 11 plays capped off with a 25 score from Staton to Edwards. The extra point was good and Chelsea went up 27-7.
But the Rats were not ready to roll over and on their next possession they scored on a 58-yard pass play cutting the lead to two scores. However, Chelsea’s defense stepped up and shut down Huron the rest of the way and Kuras intercepted his third pass of the night to end the game.
Huron was held to 42 yards rushing in the game.
Chelsea opens SEC play Friday at home against Ypsilanti at 7 p.m.
