HASLETT - The homecoming festivities were in full swing as Haslett hosted the undefeated Dewitt Panthers Oct. 2.
The Panthers were the first to strike, scoring early on a run by ShonQuise Trainor. Haslett would block the PAT to make it 6-0.
Haslett struggled on special teams all game, but their biggest blunder came in the second quarter when Dewitt blocked a Haslett punt in Viking territory, giving Dewitt the ball on the Haslett 11 yard line. It only took two plays for Dewitt to score when quarterback Will Nagel connected with tight end Evan Conn in the endzone, Dewitt would take a 13-0 lead.
Haslett finally got on the board with a great run by quarterback Jake Tahaney, capping off a 7 play 62 yard drive for the vikings. The made PAT made the game 13-7.
A golden opportunity came for Haslett near the end of the first half when Tahaney, on defense, intercepted Nagel giving Haslett the ball in Dewitt territory. However, Dewitt's defense came up huge, getting a big sack on 2nd down creating a long 3rd and 17 that Haslett couldn't convert. The Vikings brought out the field goal team for the attempt but that was also blocked.
The Dewitt defense kept the momentum from the end of the 1st half and played an impressive second half. The only second half points for Haslett came early in the third when Haslett made a field goal, making it 13-10 Dewitt.
While Dewitt was able to hold Haslett, Haslett couldn't hold Dewitt. Trainor added another rushing touchdown for the Panthers making it 20-10. Dewitt would then go on to add another touchdown, making the score 27-10, and it would stay that way the remainder of the game.
However the story surrounding the game happened after the clock struck zero. During the final handshake, a scuffle and some words were exchanged involving coaches, causing Haslett players to hold back head coach Charlie Otlewski, who was visibly upset.
Dewitt remains undefeated while Haslett moves to 3-3. The Vikings now need to win the remainder of their games to qualify for the playoffs.