By David Fleet
dfleet@mihomepaper.com
Atlas Twp. — The Haslett Vikings would keep it close for just one quarter before the Martian defense would stiffen and the offense exploded for 28 points en route to a 42-13 win and a Regional crown.
“This game was won on the grit and toughness of this team,” said Head Coach Tom Alward. “It’s about getting off the ball and attacking. This team just keeps coming at people, it’s not a real complicated process. All year it’s been, ‘here we are, come and stop us.’”
The Martians defeated Haslett last season 24-17 also for the Regional title.
The Martians rolled up 22 first downs and 25:34 in possession. The Martians tallied 402 yards of offense with 325 on the ground and 77 in the air.
The Martians scored on six of their nine possessions.
The Martian defense held the Vikings to just 159 yards of total offense which included just 65 yards on the ground.
“Our defense has been stingy all year,” he said. “The kids know their job and they execute the assignment.”
A 28 point second quarter took the starch out of the Vikings, he said.
GHS #16 Tanner Mazich opened the scoring in the first quarter with a six yard rush. HSH #24 Jon Quavion Thomas responded just five minutes later to tie the score at seven with a four yard run.
That’s as close as the score would be as the Martians exploded for 35 unanswered points over the second and third quarters.
GHS #25 Chase Burnett rushed for 23 yards and a TD, GHS #24 Jakoby Lagat followed with two TDs to increase the margin to 27-7. GHS #20 Colton Roe would pick up a fumble and return it five yards for a TD. The score was 35-7 at halftime.
The Martians were not done.
In the third quarter GHS #25 Chase Burnett would score his second TD of the night with a one yard run to increase the score to 42-7. The Vikings would get a TD by #16 Erik Lardie with six minutes to go in the fourth quarter.
GHS #32 Gavin Valley and GHS #23 Colton Roe each had six tackles and #25 Chase Burnett had three.