Bulldogs Outlast Tecumseh for 31-28 Homecoming Victory

With the game hanging in the balance, the seniors delivered for the Chelsea High School varsity football team on Friday.

A big night from Berkley Edwards, several key plays from Michael Hovater and a game-sealing interception by Alex Maloney lifted the Bulldogs to a wild 31-28 homecoming victory over the Tecumseh Indians in a SEC White Division game at Jerry Neihaus Field.

Chelsea (4-3, 4-1 SEC) extended its winning streak to four games and kept its playoff hopes alive. Tecumseh (6-1, 4-1 SEC), off to its best start in over 20 years, fell for the first time this season.

Zach Rabbitt booted a 42-yard field goal to open the fourth quarter, putting the Bulldogs up 31-21, then Chelsea forced the Indians to go three and out. However, the Bulldogs lost a fumble on the ensuing possession, and Tecumseh capitalized. Ben Dreslinski hit Spencer Adams for a 14-yard touchdown pass with 4:14 remaining, bringing the Indians to within three.

After the Bulldogs went three and out, the Indians drove to the Chelsea 22-yard line in the final minute. Hovater came up with a big tackle on third down, then Maloney intercepted Dreslinski in the end zone on the next play to secure the win.

"After the loss to Bedford, our whole program committed to getting better, and the guys have competed like champions," Chelsea coach Brad Bush said. "We made one more play in the game, and this is a great win against a good team. Hovater made a great play on the screen on third down, and Maloney came up huge on fourth down."

Chelsea scored on a pair of bizarre plays at the end of the first quarter. With 1:10 left in the frame, Colton Platt lobbed a halfback pass to Kyle Koseck for a 52-yard touchdown. On the ensuing kickoff, Tyler Fullerton stripped the ball from Adams and ran back an 18-yard score, putting the Bulldogs up 14-0.

Tecumseh fought back in the second quarter. Dreslinski capped a long drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Spencer Hite midway through the quarter. After stopping the Bulldogs on the ensuing drive, the Indians pulled to within one when John Terry scored on a 1-yard plunge with 1:36 remaining. Hovater blocked the extra point, keeping Chelsea in the lead.

"(Hovater) played great at middle linebacker, and he's a great kid," Bush said. "He's one of our leaders on defense."

Edwards broke loose for a 61-yard run on the next drive, then scored on a 1-yard run in the final minute, giving Chelsea a 21-13 lead at halftime.

The Indians drove to the Chelsea 24-yard line on the first drive of the third quarter, but the Bulldogs' defense stopped Terry short on fourth down. On the next play, Edwards exploded for a 76-yard touchdown run, putting Chelsea up 28-13.

Caleb Bentley recovered the onside kick, giving the Bulldogs the ball, but they went three and out. Later in the quarter, Dreslinski scored on a 2-yard keep, and Terry ran in a two-point conversion, making it 28-21.

Edwards finished with 232 yards on 29 carries to lead the Bulldogs, while Platt had 54 yards on eight carries. Logan Brown was 5-of-11 passing for 31 yards. Hovater led the defense with seven tackles, while Ricky Kolman and Jay Szcodronski each added six tackles.

"We've seen offenses like Tecumseh in the SEC, and their receivers are underrated," Bush said." We had a good week of preparation, and we have to continue working to get better."

Dreslinski was 17-of-30 passing for 270 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for Tecumseh. He also ran 15 times for 35 yards. Casey Hunt had five catches for 100 yards, while Eric Eldred had three catches for 73 yards.

The Bulldogs will host area rival Dexter on Oct. 12.