Cassopolis improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2010 with a 49-12 BCS Athletic Conference non-divisional victory over visiting New Buffalo at William F. Scott Field Friday night.

The Rangers outgained the Bison 289-102 as they scored all 49 points in the first half.

Cassopolis was already up by 14 points just 28 seconds into the game.

Senior Nick Baker opened the scoring for the Cassopolis on a 74-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the game. New Buffalo fumbled on its first offensive play of the game and Baker scored again on a 23-yard fade pass from junior quarterback Shane Los.  Sophomore Brandon Anderson scored on a 15-yard run to finish up the scoring in the first quarter.

“(Brandon) Anderson got the start today in the backfield,” Cassopolis coach Dan Purlee said. “(Nick) Baker got off to great start. He is one of the guys that often times gets overlooked. I was very happy to see him with some big plays in the first half.”

The Rangers continued the dominance in the trenches in the second quarter by not allowing New Buffalo any room to run the ball and making some key tackles for loss. New Buffalo fumbled on one possession and punted on the other possessions deep in their own territory which gave Cassopolis great field position to start each drive.

Anderson scored his second touchdown of the game four four yards out.

The run of the game came from Cassopolis junior Marquise Curtis the drive after New Buffalo fumbled. Curtis ran the ball to the outside, nearly lost his balance, broke four tackles and juked out another defender to score on a 54-yard run.

Cassopolis finished the scoring on runs on of 3- and 3- yards from seniors Bryce Saxton and Deion Gatson respectively.

With a running clock to start the third quarter, Purlee put his backups in to get some game experience and playing time.

New Buffalo, however, kept most of its starters in which in turn created different second half of the quarter.

Cassopolis lost two fumbles on consecutive offensive plays and had only three total plays for seven yards.

New Buffalo had the ball for the entire fourth quarter on what was their best drive of the game, but could not get a snap off in time to get a final touchdown.

“I told the guys after the game it was a tale of two halves,” Purlee said. “We came out strong the first half, had some big plays on special teams. We made some quick stops defensively and the offense moved the ball well in the first half. In the second half we went with a whole different unit and didn’t execute very well on offense and I would have liked to see out defense be a little stronger as well.”

The Rangers travel to Berrien Springs Friday night, which Purlee sees as a huge game for the Rangers.

“I told my guys that we have a big one next week in Berrien Springs,” he said. “They are an extremely tough opponent. They are big, they are physical and fast and we have our hands cut out for us but it is a great challenge and I told them (the team) that this is why you suit up and play the game for opportunities like this.”

Baker finished with 112 yards on three carries, a reception and a pair of touchdowns. Green finished with 72 yards on five carries and Curtis 70 yards on a pair of totes.

Los was 2-for-4 for 30 yards and a touchdown.

 

CASSOPOLIS 49, NEW BUFFALO 12

At Cassopolis

New Buffalo   0          0          12       0 – 12

Cassopolis      21       28       0          0 – 49

C – Nick Baker 74 kickoff TD (Matt Locke kick)

C – Baker 23 pass from Shane Los (Locke kick)

C – Anderson 15 run (Locke kick)

C – Brandon Anderson 4 run (Locke kick)

C – Marquise Curtis 54 run (Locke kick)

C – Bryce Saxton 3 run (Locke kick)

C – Deion Gatson 34 run (Locke kick)

NB – Andrew Coffeen 1 run (conversion failed)

NB – Jarvis Tarnowski fumble recovery (conversion failed)