Football: Meridian junior varsity suffers setback against Bobcats

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A spirited last-minute effort from the Mustangs was not enough to make up for mistakes early in the game as they were defeated by Houghton Lake 15-6 Thursday at Meridian High.

The Mustangs offense looked shaky to start the first quarter as quarterback Chad Larsen threw a pick just a minute and a half into the game. The Bobcats capitalized on a long run up the sideline for the score. A successful PAT gave the Bobcats a 7-0 lead just under three minutes in.

A Larsen fumble on the next possession was recovered by the Mustangs, but not for long as he threw his second interception of the game on a tipped pass. A few plays later the Bobcats ball carrier broke the plane of the goal for a score, only to have it called back due to an illegal procedure penalty.

Meridian’s defense struggled to contain Houghton Lake’s outside rushing game all night, but the defense managed to give the Mustangs a little spark as they intercepted a pass with 6:13 to go in the first. Once again, however, the Mustangs’ offense failed to capitalize.

The Bobcats scored again on yet another interception which was returned all the way down the field for a touchdown. A well-executed pass gave Houghton Lake a 2-point conversion and a 15-0 lead.

Offensive drives for the Mustangs stalled repeatedly as Meridian struggled with fumbles. With just a few seconds to go in the half, Larsen made a beautiful interception around midfield and looked to have running room but was hit and fumbled right back to the Bobcats in another key turnover.

Meridian’s confidence looked shaken after the half as the Bobcats offense seemed to grind out first downs in the third quarter despite several penalties and a few stops in the backfield for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs finally got the offense clicking with just less than two minutes to go in the fourth. Larsen led the team down the field with a nifty pass to Jacob Hoyt and a great quarterback draw play for a huge gain. After being turned aside several times, Meridian finally managed to score with 22.2 seconds remaining on a shovel pass right up the middle to Peyton Marshall.

An attempt to run the same play again for two was stuffed, effectively ending Meridian’s hopes, and an unsuccessful onside kick put the final nail in the coffin.

Photos by Brent Riley