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Minster's Michael Wendeln (38) and Colby Niemeyer (15) chase Coldwater's Hugh Hemmelgarn.
MINSTER - For most of the first half, neither the Coldwater Cavaliers nor the Minster Wildcats could generate any points with their offenses.
But the Wildcats got the offense when they needed it as Carson Kaylor scored in the final quarter to help the Wildcats get a 24-21 win over the Cavaliers in a battle of unbeatens at Memorial Field.
Coldwater started out the game hot with an 89-yard kickoff return touchdown by John Pohlman.
"We've been really good on our returns this year," explained Cavalier coach Chip Otten. "We knew their kicker doesn't kick it real deep. Johnny's fast, and he popped it free, kind of like Bergman did on that run to start the second half."
After five combined empty possessions by the two teams, Minster answered when Tyler Bergman forced a fumble, recovered it and returned the ball 40 yards for the score to even the contest at 7-7.
"Tyler Bergman played like a man possessed tonight," admired Wildcat coach Seth Whiting.
Coldwater's Johnny Pohlman (14) eludes a trio of Minster defenders.
A pumped-up Minster defense forced another stop of the Coldwater offense, then the Wildcat offense put together the only scoring drive of the half. Minster moved the ball 54 yards on nine plays until they were stopped at the Cavalier three-yard line. Beckhem Stephey connected on a 20-yard field goal for a 10-7 Wildcat halftime lead.
"For those guys to run the opening kickoff back and then for our kids throw a shutout the rest of the half, that was unbelievable," added Whiting.
The second half was a tense affair with shifting momentum. Bergman opened the period with a 30-yard kickoff return, then on the first play from scrimmage he took the ball on a jet sweep and weaved through the Coldwater defense for a 62-yard score. The play almost matched the 78 yards of total offense Minster compiled in the first half.
The Wildcats followed with a low, hard kickoff which bounced off a Cavalier player in the front line and was then recovered by Colby Niemeyer for an accidental, but successful, onside kick. Already down 17-7, the Coldwater defense held firm and forced a Minster punt. Eight runs by Karsyn Homan highlighted a 13-play Cavalier drive which was capped off by a Braxton Taylor 3-yard scoring plunge. Coldwater was still behind 17-14 but had reclaimed the momentum.
The next Cavalier drive was more of the same, as they pushed the Wildcat defense backwards until Taylor scored from two yards out to give Coldwater a 21-17 fourth quarter lead.
Minster's Taylor Fancher looks for running room during Friday's game with Coldwater at Memorial Field.
With their backs against the wall, the Minster offense responded with the best drive of the evening. After Kaylor connected with Brandon Halpin for 24 yards and Bergman for 27 more, Kaylor ran to paydirt from four yards out to give the Wildcats a 24-21 advantage with 5:31 remaining.
The Cavaliers also came right back, as Homan connected with Karter Freed for a 30-yard pass and Derek Dues ran for 19 yards to the Minster 21-yard line. Coldwater would face fourth down and 6 from the Wildcat 17, when a Minster penalty reduced the distance needed for a first down to just one yard. Taylor took the handoff, but Ty Hein crashed through the line to force a three-yard loss and secure the Wildcat victory.
"Our kids just keep fighting," admired Whiting. "I'm really, really proud of them."
Homan led all Cavalier rushers with 72 yards on 14 carries, after only running once in the first half. Bergman led Minster on the ground with 63 yards on just two runs.
Passing yards were also few as Homan and Hugh Hemmelgarn combined for 160 Coldwater passing yards, with Kaylor throwing for 125 yards for the Wildcats. Bergman led all receivers with five catches for 88 yards.
Minster, 5-0 for the first time since 1991, travels to face Delphos St. John's next Friday. Coldwater returns home to face Parkway.
Minster students get into the spirit of the game during Friday's contest against Coldwater.
