ADRIAN — Following a 50-14 win in their season opener against Dundee, Luke Bruggeman, Landunn Branch and Jaxon Dowling combined for seven touchdowns as Adrian posted a 53-25 non-league win over Jackson Northwest on Sept. 3.
The Maples improved to 2-0, while Northwest fell to 0-2.
“Our defense has played fairly well so far,” Adrian coach Joel Przygodski said. “Cooper Howard, Dominic Bryan, and Noah Yatzek have all stood out with their play in the first two games.”
Bruggeman opened the scoring for Adrian with touchdown runs of 24 and 37 yards in the first quarter, and he opened the second quarter with an 84-yard touchdown run. He finished with six carries for 225 yards for the Maples.
The Maples rushed for 486 yards against an overmatched Northwest defense.
“Our running game has been strong so far this season,” Przygodski said. “Our offensive linemen have been solid at executing their assignments.”
Branch, who added 215 yards on 19 carries, had touchdown runs of 14 and 29 yards, while Dowling, who chipped in four carries for 38 yards, added a 4-yard run after Bruggeman’s third score in the second quarter, giving Adrian an early 27-0 lead.
Dowling added a 6-yard TD run in the third quarter, and later, he threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Prince Russell, taking a 53-19 lead into the fourth quarter.
“We have a good amount of experience in the line group, and they are all very athletic,” Przygodski said. “Our backs have done a nice job of reading their keys and finishing runs.”
Adrian hosts Chelsea on Friday.
Addison at Manchester: The host Dutchmen managed a 44-0 Cascade Conference crossover win over Addison on Sept. 3. The Panthers dropped to 0-2 and travel to Hanover-Horton in a Cascade South matchup on Friday.
Britton Deerfield at Climax-Scotts: The host Panthers outscored Britton-Deerfield in the second half and recorded a 36-26 non-league win on Sept. 3.
BD dropped to 1-1, while Climax-Scotts improved to 2-0.
The Patriots held a 20-14 lead after 24 minutes as Cayden Allshouse connected twice with John Johnson. He had a 42-yard touchdown in the first quarter and later added a 12-yard touchdown in the second. Carson Roe sandwiched a 2-yard TD run between Johnson’s TD passes. Elijah Fortune caught the 2-point conversion pass from Chase Stetler.
But it was a different story in the second half as Climax-Scotts managed three scores and held BD to just Johnson’s third TD catch of the game, a 19-yard reception from Stetler. It pulled BD within two points, but a late Climax-Scotts score and 2-point conversion sealed the win.
Allshouse rushed for a team-high 63 yards on 13 carries, while Roe and Ethan Thornton added 23 and 21 yards, respectively. Allshouse was 4-of-7 passing for 70 yards and two scores. Johnson caught five passes for 89 yards. Defensively, Johnson recorded 8½ tackles, while Elijah Fortune added 3½ and Jake Hatfield and Edgar Hazlett each managed 3 tackles.
Britton Deerfield travels to Bellevue on Friday.
Clinton at Blissfield: The Redwolves hit the road and posted a 44-6 Lenawee County Athletic Association win over Blissfield.
Clinton improved to 2-0 and 1-0 in the LCAA, while the Royals fell to 1-1 and 0-1.
Braxton Randolph opened the scoring for Clinton with a 5-yard touchdown run, as Bronson Whelan converted the 2-point conversion run for an early lead. Gradyn Whelan connected with Bronson Whelan for a 37-yard touchdown strike as Clinton took a 14-0 lead into the second quarter.
Bronson Whelan snared a 44-yard TD pass from Gradyn Whelan, as Randolph converted the 2-point run for a 22-0 lead. But Blissfield answered as Jack Vanetten caught a 13-yard TD pass from Preston Iffland. Jake Halchishak closed out the first-half scoring with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, and Jacob Pope caught a 2-point conversion pass from Whelan for a commanding 30-6 lead at halftime.
Bronson Whelan caught a 35-yard pass from Gradyn Whelan, and Jaxon Speth kicked the extra point, and Randolph concluded the scoring in the third quarter with a 41-yard rushing touchdown, as Speth tacked on his second PAT for the Redwolves.
Randolph gained 115 yards on 10 carries for Clinton, while Bronson Whelan caught six passes for 154 yards. Gradyn Whelan was 7-of-14 for 168 yards. Defensively, Noah Jenkins intercepted a pass and made 4½ tackles. Randolph had a team-high 6½ tackles, and Bronson Whelan added 4 tackles.
Eli Echols rushed for 48 yards on 17 carries for Blissfield, while Carter Love added 46 yards on eight attempts. Ashton Ausmus led Blissfield with 8 tackles, while Landon Siefert added 7 tackles and Alton O’Brien recorded 4 tackles.
Clinton goes to Dundee, while Blissfield travels to Hudson on Friday.
Hudson at Onsted: The Tigers traveled to Onsted and came away with a dominating 54-6 LCAA win. Hudson improved to 2-0 and 1-1 in the league, while Onsted fell to 0-2 and 0-1.
The Tigers host Blissfield, while the Wildcats travel to Ida on Friday.
Lenawee Christian at Colon: The Magi earned a slim 40-35 win over the Cougars on Sept. 3. Lenawee Christian fell to 0-2 and hosts Climax-Scotts on Friday,.
Dundee at Madison: The host Trojans dominated LCAA opponent Dundee, taking a 41-20 win over the Vikings. Madison improved to 2-0 and 1-1 in the LCAA and hosts Hillsdale on Friday.
Morenci at Mendon: The Bulldogs traveled to Mendon but fell 58-6 in non-league action. Morenci fell to 1-1 and will host Carsonville-Port Sanilac on Friday.
Sand Creek at Carson City-Crystal: The Aggies made the long trip to Carson City and came away with a commanding 50-8 non-league win. Sand Creek improved to 1-1 and travels to Pioneer (OH) to face North Central in a Great Lakes Conference matchup.
Tecumseh vs. Pinckney at Brighton High School: The Indians traveled to Brighton for their 42-15 Southeastern Conference White Division opener against the host Pirates. Tecumseh improved to 2-0 and 1-0 in the White Division and hosts Ypsilanti Lincoln on Friday.