DOWAGIAC — Short-handed South Haven could not keep up with host Dowagiac in a 45-0 Wolverine Conference football victory for the Chieftains Friday night.

The Rams dressed 14 players for the contest and were down to just 12 available bodies by the end of the first half.

South Haven asked for a running clock in the second quarter as it try to make sure it finished the contest with enough players.

By that points, the Chieftains had completely taken control of the contest, which was played in a steady rain.

Dowagiac (4-4) scored 21 first quarter points on touchdown runs of 31 yards by Andrew McIntosh, seven yards by Duan Simpson and three yards by Dashawn Brooks.

By halftime, the lead had reached 35-0 as Alex McIntosh caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Cailyn Murphy and Nico Linares scored on an eight-yard run.

In the second half, Nick Turnbow scored on a 19-yard run and Drew Davis kicked a 27-yard field goal.

Dowagiac finished the night with 348 yards of total offense, while it held South Haven to minus five yards.

Andrew McIntosh had 54 yards rushing, Turnbow 52 yards and Kade Schreiber 50 yards.

Murphy was 4-of-5 for 49 yards.

Cody Dorman led the team with six tackles, including one for a loss.

Hunter Williamson finished with four tackles. Four other Chieftains had three tackles.

Alex McIntosh recovered a fumble. Brooks and Linares each had an interception.

Dowagiac coach Mike Stanger was proud of the way his team played following a tough loss against Otsego the previous week.

“We talked about it,” he said. “We talked about being building character was more important than the wins and loses. We learned about who we are as individuals and coaches. And to the kids’ credit, they came out this week and practice hard and everyone was at practice.”

Dowagiac heads to Paw Paw for the regular season finals. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday night.