Bulldogs Special Season Ends

Brookfield's undefeated run and dreams of a district title came to a bitter end with a 26-14 loss to Mid-Buchanan.
The Dragon scored first on a 46-yard TD pass, but the Bulldogs answered with a Trayce Switzer to Hayden DeJong hookup to tie the score, 6-6. The Dragons scored on a 11-yard TD run to lead 12-6 at the half.
Mid-Buch managed to do what no other team had accomplished all season - move the ball against the 'Dogs highly vaunted defense. The Dragons rushed for 270 yards and accumulated 368 total yards, keeping the 'Dogs "D" on the field and controlling the clock. They scored again early in the fourth quarter, and the Bulldogs faced elimination, down 18-6.
However, Brookfield mounted a quick drive, capped by a Kendrell Carter TD. The two-point conversion cut the margin to 18-14, and the Bulldogs were still in the game with over nine minutes to play.
The 'Dogs had a chance to get the ball back when the Dragons, facing 4th-and-10 at the Brookfield 24, scored on a TD pass to the right front pylon. It appeared the Dragons' receiver pushed off to make the catch, but no flag flew.
The Bulldogs special season was over.
Carter finished his high school career with 75 rushing yards on 14 carries and a TD, while senior Trayce Switzer passed for 120 yards and a TD and ran for 56 yards.
Hayden DeJong caught three passes for 60 yards and a score, and fellow senior Peyton Parn and Coldon Parrent each caught two passes for 18 yards.
Cooper Holland (1 Tackle for Loss) and Devan Parn (3 TFL) each led a senior-laden defensive unit with 13.5 (11 solo) tackles.
Siope Pulu collected 10.5 (8 solo, 4 TFL), while Lucky Poston (7 solo, TFL, Pass Break-up) and Peyton Parn (5 solo) recorded 8.5 and 6 tackles, respectively. Ross Ehrich added 4.5 (3 solo) tackles.
The Grand River Conference champions finished the remarkable and memorable season at 10-1.

​-- Dennis Hughes