Cassopolis football coaches shook hands and congratulated each other after Thursday’s game against Mendon.

The Rangers deserved to be jubiliant after what took place against the Hornets. Cassopolis rolled past its nemesis and perennial power Mendon, 41-6, in BCS Athletic Conference Red Division action.

Cassopolis, which is off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2010, had lost five straight times to Mendon dating back to 2007. The Rangers were outscored in those games by the 10-time state champion, 197-58.

“That’s a huge win for our program,” said Cassopolis football coach Dan Purlee. “Mendon has owned us over the last several years. Our kids respect Mendon and they understand what that program has done over the years.”
For most of the game, the Rangers dominated on both sides of the ball. Cassopolis outgained Mendon, 353 yards to 153.

The Rangers rushed for 258 yards with Marquise Curtis leading the way with 118 yards on the ground on 11 carries.

Curtis had touchdown runs of 16 and 34 yards in the third quarter, which gave Cassopolis a commanding 27-6 lead.
Curtis’ 59-yard touchdown off an interception gave the hosts a 41-6 lead with 9:20 left in the game. The rest of the game was played under a mercy-rule running clock.

“I thought this week we executed much better (against Mendon),” Purlee said. “We had a great game plan coming into this game. Our kids played hard and we got better as the game went on. I didn’t know that was going to happen. I sure was happy with the effort that our kids gave.”

Mendon’s defense also had no answer for Cassopolis’ passing game as the Rangers got two touchdown receptions from Micha Welch. His 33-yarder from Bryce Saxton gave the Rangers a 14-0 lead with 7:20 left in the second quarter. Welch’s 21-yarder from Shane Los increased Cassopolis’ lead to 34-6 with 2:28 left in the third quarter.

 

CASSOPOLIS 41, MENDON 6

At Cassopolis

Mendon          0          6          0          0 – 6

Cassopolis      0          14       20       7 – 41

C – Nick Baker 5 run (Matt Locke kick)

C –Micha Welch 33 pass from Bryce Saxton (Locke kick)

M – Wyatt Cool 1 run (run failed)

C – Marquise Curtis 16 run (Locke kick)

C – Curtis 34 run (kick blocked)

C – Welch 21 pass from Shane Los (Locke kick)

C – Curtis 59 interception return (Locke kick)