Van Buren makes first playoffs ever, Cardinal loses to West Branch

For the first time in school history, the Warriors are in the playoffs.

Van Buren (5-4) won at Danville by the score of 44-8. Senior Aaron Clemens led the Warriors on offense with 145 yards rushing and two touchdowns. This is the first season that Van Buren has made the playoffs in the history of the football program.

?To be the first team to make the football playoffs is quite an accomplishment,? Van Buren coach Mike Hurley said. ?The kids have worked their tails off all season and the assistant coaches have done a great job.?

Casey Jones led the squad in tackles with 14. Dakota LaRue had 12 and Hunter Coffman made 11. LaRue, Garrett Saunders and Wyatt Cole each had an interception.

Van Buren will go on the road to play BGM in the first round.

?BGM will be tough to play on the road,? Hurley said. ?But we have seen that kind offense and defense before, so we will be ready.?

Cardinal

Cardinal traveled to West Branch and was defeated 47-0 to finish the season. West Branch led 41-0 at halftime.

The Comets (1-8) had a rough stretch run to the season, losing seven straight. Cardinal will lose 10 seniors for next year.

?This group has been through a lot throughout their careers,? coach Adam Hadenfeldt said. ?They deserve a lot of credit for continuing to show up day in and day out. Each of them has brought a positive aspect to our program.?