Coldwater Handles Minster, 34-6

By Bruce Monnin

MINSTER — Last year the Coldwater Cavaliers traveled to Minster where they lost to the Wildcats for the first time in 18 years. This year they returned and refused to allow history to repeat itself, defeating Minster decisively by a 34-6 score.

A Minster incomplete pass on the first play back from the lightning postponement led to a Wildcat punt. Afterwards, Coldwater needed just six plays to cover the 57 yards they needed for their first touchdown. Quarterback Austin Bruns completed three passes and ran the ball twice, the last time for a one-yard score.

Minster responded by driving deep in Coldwater territory on the ensuing drive. But in what was perhaps the defining play of the game, Korey Schultz lost control of the ball at the Coldwater 15-yard line, and it fell into the waiting arms of Cavalier Josh Huber. Huber saw open field and would not be caught, traversing the 85 yards needed for the defensive touchdown and the 14-0 Coldwater lead.

It was the turn of the Cavalier offense next, as this time they put together a seven play, 70-yard touchdown drive to make the lead 21-0 early in the second quarter. Bruns connected with Kyle Post for the 28-yard touchdown reception.

The Wildcat offense tried to cut into the Coldwater lead on their next series, using eleven plays to work their way down to the Coldwater two-yard line. But once again, Minster fumbled away the ball and with it their last scoring opportunity of the half.

“We got off to a good start on defense,” commented Coldwater coach Chip Otten after the game. “But without those two Minster turnovers as they were going in for scores it might have been 21-14 at the half.”

The Cavaliers put the game away in the third quarter. Three plays after stopping the Wildcats on fourth down in their own territory, Bruns found Caleb Siefring deep for a 48-yard touchdown pass. Coldwater would tack on a last score late in the fourth quarter when Drew Otten ran seven yards for the touchdown to increase the lead to 34-0.

Both quarterbacks were effective on the day. Bruns completed 16 of 21 passes for 190 yards while Minster’s Adam Niemeyer connected 18 times in 31 attempts for 193 yards. While the passing of the two teams was similar, the Cavaliers were able to amass over 200 yards on the ground while their first team defense held the Wildcats to just 18 rushing yards. Coldwater was also able to sack Niemeyer four times. “We felt we would win the game on the offensive and defensive lines,” added Otten.

There were only a few highlights for Minster. One came in the final two minutes when Scott Sekas ran free for an 80-yard touchdown run to make the final score 34-6. The other was the eight receptions by Devon Poeppelman, tying a Minster single game record held by four past Wildcats.

Coldwater, now 5-0, returns home to host an important MAC game against rival St. Henry (4-1). 3-2 Minster will travel to face 3-2 Anna in a huge computer points matchup for both teams.

Score by quarter 1 2 3 4 Total

Coldwater 14 7 7 6 34

Minster 0 0 0 6 6