A second-quarter offensive outpouring boosted White Pigeon to a 34-8 victory on the road against St. Joseph Valley League opponent Bronson. The Chiefs improved to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in conference play. They’ll travel to Mendon next Friday for a shot at the league crown.
Photo by John Gentry at wpchiefs.com
Dylan Hochstetler rushed for a 61-yard touchdown to put White Pigeon up 6-0 after the first stanza. Cahil Krajniak found daylight for a 32-yard score and Hochstetler connected with Donavon Gremore for an 82-yard strike in the second quarter.
Bronson (1-5, 0-2 SJV) connected on 30-yard pass in the second frame for its only points of the game. Krajniak picked off the Vikings and returned it for a touchdown to give White Pigeon a 28-8 halftime lead.
Chas Rathburn capped the night for the Chiefs with a five-yard rushing TD in the third quarter.
White Pigeon coach Joseph Morsaw could not be reached Friday night or Saturday morning for a reaction to his team’s victory.
The Chiefs, which lost one fumble, put up 388 yards of total offense and limited Bronson to 145. White Pigeon averaged 8.3 yards per play, had a 58.3-percent completion rate on third down (7 for 12) and was penalized six times for 70 yards. Hochstetler was 5-of-9 passing for 107 yards and a TD. Rathburn ended the night with 57 rushing yards on eight carries, Hochstetler tacked on 89 yards on 10 takes and Krajniak led the team with 95 yards on 11 rushes. Gremore pulled in three catches for 99 yards.
Rathburn also had a team-high 12.5 tackles (10 solo and a sack), and Hunter Rummler and Shaun Harmon each finished with 10.5 stops.