Lakers 18, Cass City 13
Lakers Stave Off Red Hawks, Secure 3rd Win of Season
September 12, 2025 — Week 03 — Cass City, Michigan
In a game with more tempo changes than an Italian opera, the Elkton Pigeon Bay Port Lakers utilized big plays to erase an early deficit and defeat the Cass City Red Hawks, 18-13, for the first time since 2022 on Friday, September 12, 2025 in Cass City, Michigan.
Cass City received the opening kick and found the endzone just three plays later on a 62-yard run from Braxton Kolacz. However, aside from that defensive breakdown, it was the Lakers that took advantage of big plays throughout the game, in particular Ben LeVasseur connecting with Kade Wisenbaugh on a 79-yard catch for Lakers’ first score of the night. A missed extra point allowed Cass City to retain the lead, 7-6, but after a three-and-out punt from Cass City, Lakers would connect again for their second touchdown on a 13-yard run from Kade Wisenbaugh. The two-point conversion failed, but the drive put the Lakers ahead for good, leading 12-7 at halftime and entering the fourth quarter. The Red Hawks did have a touchdown in the waning moments of the third quarter that was called back due to a penalty: ineligible receiver downfield. Cass City’s drive ended with an interception on fourth down at the Laker 20-yard line.
Both teams would score in the fourth quarter; Lakers just two minutes into the final act with Grant Buchholz breaking free on a 31-yard run, followed quickly by a 14-yard touchdown carry to make it 18-7. Cass City responded with its second and final score of the night, a 46-yard touchdown pass from Preston Dorland to Ryker Wallace, bring the Red Hawks back within five points with eight minutes to go, 18-13 in favor of Lakers.
The Green Machine’s final drive of the night ended in a punt, one of 10 in the game between the two teams, which gave Cass City one final shot to take the lead. The Red Hawks would run out of time and momentum, throwing an interception as time expired inside of the red zone.
Despite such a close score and nearly an equal number of drives from both teams, Cass City ran 33 more plays than Lakers (Cass City: 69 plays, Lakers: 36 plays) and outpacing them by 102 yards. Cass City held the ball for 31 minutes and 25 seconds to the Lakers’ 16:35 time of possession.
Lakers’ Ben LeVasseur threw for 151 yards and one score on 4 of 15 passing. Kade Wisenbaugh caught two passes for 115 yards and one score. He had two carries for 29 yards and a rushing touchdown. Grant Buchholz had the other Laker touchdown, a night that he finished with 10 carries for 63 yards.
Cass City was led by Ryker Wallace’s 25 carries for 130 yards; he also had two receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown. Kolacz carried the ball four times for 57 yards and the game’s first score, a 62-yard scamper. His other three carries totaled -5 yards. He also caught four balls for 63 yards. Preston Dorland threw seven completions of 15 attempts for 128 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
The Green & White improve to 3-0 with the win and 1-0 in divisional play. Cass City falls to 1-2 and 0-1 in the Big Thumb-White.