By John Raffel
Correspondent
PAW PAW – It was a nice way for Paw Paw to kick off its football season with a 34-13 win over Big Rapids at home on Friday.
Big Rapids led 7-0 after the first quarter and 13-0 in the second quarter. But Paw Paw scored 14 straight unanswered points in the second quarter to lead 14-13 at halftime and outscored Big Rapids 8-0 in the third and 12-0 in the fourth.
PJ DeYoung had 176 yards rushing on 24 carries, three touchdowns rushing and a two-point conversion run. Gunnar Goodell had 86 yards passing and one touchdown passed.
Nathan LaMere had one touchdown receiving and 14 tackles, plus 10 unassisted tackles
Ben Miller had 69 yards rushing on 13 carries and one touchdown. PP had
311 yards rushing as a team and 397 yards total offense.
Eli Sonnenberg and Fisher Edwards had one interception apiece and Colin Campbell one sack.
“Big Rapids jumped out to a 13-0 lead on their first two possessions,” Paw coach Dennis Strey said. “Paw Paw’s defense tightened up and the offense owned time of possession holding the ball for 32 of 48 minutes and scoring 34 unanswered points.”
They were strong up front and did a good job moving us,” Big Rapids coach Mike Selzer said. “We need to do a better job of winning first downs.”
BR plays at Berrien Springs on Aug. 31.
Lowell 56, Mattawan 28
Mattawan fell to 0-1 with Friday’s loss to Lowell in the season opener.
Mattawan is home against Marshall on Aug. 31.