High Schools

COLDWATER — Two people walked out of Cavalier Stadium possibly the happiest of all on Friday, Sept. 12.

The man who won $4,119.50 in the

50/50 drawing and Coldwater High School quarterback Cory Klenke.

Klenke overcame a pair of first-quarter interceptions that Marion Local returned for touchdowns, leading the Cavaliers to a 33-14 win in front of about 4,000 spectators at Cavalier Stadium.

The win kept Coldwater undefeated at

4-0 and atop the Midwest Athletic Conference standings. Marion dropped to 3-1 in a match-up of state-ranked No. 1's — Coldwater in Division IV and Marion in D-V — and defending state champions.

"Last year, we wanted this game a lot," Klenke said of the 35-14 loss to Marion. "To win the MAC, it starts with this. Last year's players and the whole program wanted to see us win this just as much if not more."

It got off to a rough start. Marion's Troy Prenger and Marcus Moeller returned interceptions 42 and 33 yards for TDs in the first eight minutes.

"I just rushed my throws. I didn't stay calm in the pocket," said Klenke, who bounced back to throw a pair of TDs and caught another from backup QB Keith Wenning on a trick play. "As quarterback you have to show poise in there. (Marion) got to me a little bit. But my teammates never let me get down once."

Immediately after going down 14-0, Coldwater stormed back. Running back Tony Harlamert ripped off a 99-yard kickoff return to halt the Flyers' momentum.

The Cavs defense also did its part. Despite intercepting Klenke two more times — including two more by Prenger — the Flyers couldn't capitalize.

"I think in all four games our defensive line has been our strength," said Coldwater coach John Reed.

Marion can attest to that. The Cavs recovered a pair of Marion fumbles and came up with several key sacks. Harlamert also added a pair of interceptions at defensive back.

Unofficially, the Flyers finished with 144 yards in total offense including 113 on the ground. Coldwater produced 231 yards, including 126 rushing.

Klenke completed 10-of-23 passes for about 77 yards.