Almont’s Jacob Fuller intercepts a pass in last Friday’s game against Richmond.
ALMONT — The Almont varsity football team inched that much closer to a likely Division 6 state playoff appearance, accomplishing the feat with a 39-29 road triumph against host and Blue Water Area Conference counterpart Richmond last Friday night.
With the result, Almont raises their mark to 5-3 and 5-2. Richmond falls to 4-4 and 3-4.
“It was a crazy night with a delay due to the lights going out and rain during most of the first half,” Almont Coach James Leusby commented. “The kids had to fight through a week with almost everyone being sick but they got the job done,” he noted.
“Our fans travelled well despite the weather and helped us through another tough game. I am proud of the way we finished our BWAC schedule with two wins against two of our rivals. Now we have to get healthy and finish strong going into the playoffs.”
In Friday’s encounter, Almont spotted Richmond a 7-6 edge after one quarter was over with.
Almont then fought back with a 12-7 second quarter advantage, going up 18-14 at the half.
When the action resumed, Richmond struck with a 9-7 third quarter edge. That made it 25-23, Almont, with 36 minutes elapsed.
Almont then outscored Richmond 14-6 the rest of the way, closing out a 39-29 win.
The winning Almont side generated their 39-point total thanks to a Blake Bunch 59-yard touchdown run (followed by a successful extra point kick courtesy of Kaiden SaintOnge); a Matthew Measel 44-yard touchdown run; a Bunch 62-yard touchdown run; a Bunch 71-yard touchdown run; a Measel 46-yard touchdown run; and a Brock Conger one-yard touchdown run (followed by a Conger PAT tote).
On the night, Conger completed was zero of one passing as Almont’s quarterback.
The Almont ground attack wound up with 410 yards on 44 totes.
Bunch (12 rushes for 210 yards) and Measel 153 yards on 11 totes) put up Almont’s best numbers. The remaining 21 Raider totes netted a combined 47-yard gain.
Ayden Ferqueron (three solos and 13 assists) provided Almont’s highest tackle output. Brandon Hunsaker (three solos and three assists) made his presence felt as well.
The Almont defense also registered a pair of takeaways. Jacob Fuller and Measel (an interception each) furnished those.
Almont returns to action this Friday when it hosts non-league foe Goodrich The regular season finale lists a 7 p.m. starting time.
Kevin Kissane
Kevin Kissane has been covering high school sports for the Tri-City Times since 1985. When not standing on a field or court with his camera and notepad, he enjoys golf, travel and family. Kevin is a 1980 graduate of Capac High School, and is also a grad of St. Clair Community College and earned a degree in journalism from Central Michigan University.
