(Chelsea Update would like to thank Daniel Rhodes, Larry Merx and Jared Beaver for the information in this story.)
7th grade blue
The 7th grade blue football team got its first victory Tuesday with a 28-14 win over Ypsilanti.
The Bulldogs were down 14-8 at half and made a great comeback in the second half led by 2 defensive touchdowns.
The first occurred when Mason Meads, Mason Poulter and Drake Booker pressured the quarterback, causing him to fumble and Donovan Fisk picked up the loose ball and returned it for a touchdown. That touchdown gave the Bulldogs the lead 22-14.
Ypsilanti then mounted a potential game tieing drive. Ryan Donajkowski had an interception, but it was overturned by a questionable call. Donovan Fisk then caused a fumble, but that was also overturned by a questionable ruling saying the runner was down.
The Bulldogs defense overcame these hurdles when with 1:30 left in the game and the Ypsilanti offense 20 yards from tieing the game, Reagan Plank caused a fumble and returned it 75 yards for a victory-sealing touchdown. Plank also had two rushing touchdowns and two successful 2-point conversions.
Other Bulldogs who played well were Mason Meads with several good runs and lead blocks, Braden McKenzie with a couple good runs and Andrew Bowles making a couple key tackles.
Next week, the Bulldogs host the Adrian Maples.
7th grade gold
The seventh grade Gold football team hosted the Pinckney Pirates Tuesday and captains Keegan VanBatavia and Nick Vosters, both turned in exceptional performances on both offense and defense.
VanBatavia had two key pass receptions, while Vosters made several key tackles, scored a TD, ran for a critical first down and ran in the winning extra points. Quarterback Luke Anstead had several good carries and improved significantly in running the offense and also made several important tackles defensively.
Good defensive performances were also turned in by Tyler Cox and Seth Anstead. The most exciting part of the game happened in the last two minutes, as the Pirates with a 20-14 lead drove to the Bulldogs’ 10-yard line before the Dogs stopped them. Chelsea then took over and wasted no time – giving the ball to Max Herter who took a counter play for a 90-yard TD jaunt. (Herter’s second TD. He also converted a PAT for two points.) That made the score 20-20 with less than two minutes remaining.
The Dogs took the field with their extra point team and play caller, Keegan Montgomery, called for a quarterback sneak with Nick Vosters at QB. The points were good: Chelsea 22 – Pinckney 20.
The Pirates tried to move the ball on the Dogs’ fired-up defense on their last possession but were stymied and then put away when Thomas Shemwell intercepted their fourth-down pass attempt – Thomas’ second interception of the night.
Tuesday, 7th-grade gold travels to Tecumseh to take on the Indians.
8th grade blue
The Chelsea Bulldogs 8th Grade Blue football team traveled to Ypsilanti to tangle with the Grizzlies. The game was a tough fought battle from the starting kick off to the game ending horn.
Will Wihelm and Dominic Searl were tapped for the bulk of the ground carries for several hard-earned yards behind the embattled offensive line.
Lucas Dawson completed multiple passes to Searl and Jason Skoczylas, which resulted in acrobatic completions and drive saving first downs.
Defensively, the Bulldogs battled a highly talented and athletic ground game from Ypsi. The D line lead by outstanding play of Liam Duncan, Conor Grimm and Calen Thomas worked restlessly to limit the Grizzlies drives. Linebackers Jack Roberts and Alex Wickman flew all over the field making great tackles.
Unfortunately, the Bulldogs ended up on the short end of the score and fell to the Grizzlies 38-0.
8th grade gold
The 8th Grade Gold team lost to Pinckney Tuesday night.
The defense forced two big interceptions, one in the red zone by Jake Lee and the other by Hunter Sciackitano, who also made a clutch open field tackle. Linebackers Carter Alexander and Gabe Anstead provided leadership and a never give up attitude while showing maximum effort.
Offensively, Hayden Westcott made a nice catch early in the game to pick up a key first down. Jeffrey Pond made a huge block on the perimeter to set up a big run.
Other key performances were made by Braylon Rosario on defense and big punts by Matt Gietzen.
The team travels to SEC Rival Tecumseh next week, where the game will be a very exciting one.
