BRIGHTON — For the Brighton football team, Friday’s goal was to eliminate the problems that hurt the Bulldogs in a 20-10 loss at Northville.
And, as the 45-19 win over Westland John Glenn would indicate, Brighton did just that.
“We were really prepping hard to eliminate the loose ends the last couple of weeks,” Brighton coach Brian Lemons said. “We did a good job on special teams and on ball security. We struggled there last week and really improved.”
The Bulldogs (2-1) took a 26-7 lead at the half, with Rudy Ramirez kicking two field goals and regularly kicking the ball off into the end zone for touchbacks.
Drew Billig scored twice, on a punt return and a pass reception, and quarterbacks Cameron Tullar and Will Jontz each threw for a touchdown.
“We executed well on offense, and our defense did a pretty good job,” Lemons said. “Our second unit did a good job, too. It struggled on defense, but they haven’t had much time on the field. It was a good chance to evaluate and make ourselves better.”
Livonia Churchill 25, Howell 21
HOWELL — The Chargers scored with 4:13 remaining to take the lead, then held off the Highlanders (2-1) down the stretch.
“They hit on some big plays, but we moved the ball,” Howell coach Aaron Metz said. “It was really back and forth the whole game. We traded blows and got up a couple of scores, and they hit some big plays on us. That was our downfall on defense. Offensively, we moved the ball a little bit. We just didn’t get one final drive.”
Quarterback Ryan Brennan rushed for 231 yards and all three Howell touchdowns.
“We moved the ball, and I think that was a good sign and a little bit of relief for us,” Metz said. “That was a good thing.”
Portland 33, Fowlerville 0
PORTLAND — The Red Raiders shut down the Gladiators, holding them to 166 yards in total offense in the CAAC White opener for both teams.
“We got outcoached, outphysicaled, outplayed,” Fowlerville coach Bret Shrader said. “I don’t think we stopped any of their drives in the first half. They’re a really good football team.”
The Glads (2-1) went into the game riding their best start since 2009.
“It’s definitely going to be a game that tells us where we’re at,” Shrader said. “We found out we have a lot of work to do.”
Canton 35, Hartland 28
HARTLAND — Canton was victorious in a battle of winless teams at Hartland High School.
“It was a good game between teams whose records don’t reflect how good they are,” Hartland coach Brian Savage said. “It was a typical Canton game with that offense of theirs. Take away four big plays and they don’t score. We need to quit giving up those big plays and continue playing as a team.”
Brad Ekonen and Reece Potter split time at quarterback. Ekonen threw for more than 200 yards and Potter was effective as a runner for Hartland (0-3).
