Royals’ season ends when lead at halftime vanishes

11/3/2012

HILLSDALE, Mich. — Blissfield led by nine points at halftime, but the Royals couldn’t keep that momentum going in a 28-9 loss to Hillsdale in Michigan’s Division 7 playoffs on Friday night.

Blissfield (6-5) struck first with a 24-yard field goal by Tyler Watters about nine minutes into the game. The Royals added a touchdown 1 minute, 35 seconds before halftime when Zech Bostick scored on a three-yard run to make it 9-0. They missed the extra point.

Hillsdale (11-0) took command from there, though. Kenton McCosh found Jimmy Chase for 10- and 21-yard touchdown passes, and Brandon McMullen added two short touchdown runs as part of a 22-carry, 123-yard performance. Chase completed 5 of 6 passes for 70 yards, and added eight rushes for 50 yards.

The Hornets pulled within two points with the first of McCosh’s two touchdown passes, then took the lead for good on McMullen’s first score with 16 seconds left in the third quarter, which made it 14-9. They continued to pull away from there.

The Royals ran 38 times for 118 yards and were outgained overall 268-164.

Hillsdale finished the game with 37 carries for 198 yards.

Brad Lietzke led Blissfield with 11 attempts for 30 yards. Luke Cassaubon completed 6 of 9 passes for 46 yards.