↓ INKSTER SURVIVES TRIP TO BC CENTRAL

By: Matthew A. Anderson

Michigan QB recruit Devin Gardner and the Inkster Vikings came into town looking for a tune-up and instead left glad they escaped with a victory, in their 27-20 win over Bay City Central.

To view the Extended Photo Gallery Archive from the Big Game, follow this link - Legends Photo Archives

The Vikings were up for most of the game thanks in most part to the turnover bug that keeps haunting Bay City Central. The Wolves fumbled on their first two possessions. The first, deep in their own territory and the 2nd, deep in Inksters territory, which allowed a score for the Vikings and prevented a sure one for the Wolves.

Inkster struck first after converting the turnover into 7 points but the Wolves answered in the 2nd quarter with an 80 yard drive that ate almost 11 minutes off of the clock. The drive was capped off by a 4 yard TD run by Lorenzo Acosta. Inkster regained the lead before halftime on a Gardner to Jonathan Taylor pitch and catch for the score but missed the extra point, going into the lockers up 13-7. The score was made possible on a re-do play on the last play of the half. Inkster had 4th and goal at the 31 and got a gift when Central was flagged for holding, giving them another crack at the endzone.

Inkster scored the next two TDs, giving them a 27-7 lead, just 30 seconds into the final quarter, including a rushing TD from Devin Gardner. Just as they have all season, Central never gave up and they gave Inkster all they could handle up until the final whistle. They got back into the game on a 62 yard Darion Lopez rushing TD and another Acosta score with just over two minutes to go in the game, now down just 27-20. The Wolves could not recover the onside kick however and Inkster ran out the clock.

It was another heart-breaking loss for the Wolves but I believe the foundation is being laid for a strong '10 campaign. That and they have three games upcoming that won't be gimmes but will have a great shot at winning in. They go to Flint Northern and Midland Dow before finishing with Bay City Western at home. All tough games but games they will be in, nonetheless.

Devin Gardner finished with 227 total yards and 2 TDs, a good day but an even better day by the Wolves defense for the most part to contain him from going wild. Central was led by Lopez's 172 yard rushing performance to go along with Acosta's 2 scores.

To view the Extended Photo Gallery Archive from the Big Game, follow this link - Legends Photo Archives