Princeton Can’t Hold On

Midway Scores 20 Unanswered To Close Game

For three quarters, the Princeton Tigers hung right with the visiting Midway Vikings. But a costly Princeton fumble and a pair of late Midway scores took the intrigue out of the Tigers’ home opener at Eddie Allen Field as Princeton fell to 0-2 on the season with a 34-16 loss.
“Tonight was a frustrating one,” Princeton head coach Nathan Powell said. “We had ourselves in a position to regain the lead and literally fumbled it away. Our kids played hard and we were able to sustain drives offensively, but we made too many mistakes to overcome.”
Midway opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 38-yard pass that dropped the Tigers in a 6-0 hole. But Princeton responded, getting in the end zone on a 43-yard pass from Logan Smith to Talan Holt. Andrew Rhoades carried in the conversion and the Tigers had their first lead of the season at 8-6.
Smith would find Luke Kelly in the third quarter for a second passing touchdown. This one came from 22 yards out and Kelly caught a 2-point conversion pass from Rhoades to give Princeton the lead back after Midway answered the initial score with one of their own.
“We focused on our spread look quite a bit this week because we felt like we had some opportunities with our kids in space,” Powell said. “When we were able to operate within our comfort zone running the ball and mixing in some play action, the offense really was putting together consistent drives for us.”
Princeton’s 16-14 lead wouldn’t hold, though, as Midway answered again and again and again. The Vikings scored 20 unanswered points to close the contest and return home with the victory.
Rhoades led Princeton with 80 yards rushing on 14 attempts and caught three balls for 31 yards. Smith completed 8-of-21 passes for 116 yards and his two scores. He was also intercepted twice. Holt’s 43-yard touchdown pass was his only reception of the game. Kelly finished with three catches for 36 yards and his score.
Princeton’s defense struggled to contain Midway running back Harrison Kalinka, who had 207 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. The Tigers also finished the night with four turnovers while Midway gave the ball away just once.
“We simply gave the ball away multiple times and you’re rarely going to find success doing that,” Powell said.
Now, at 0-2, Princeton will hope to get back on track when Grand River Conference play begins on Friday. The Tigers will travel to Trenton to take on the Bulldogs, also 0-2 on the season, at C.F. Russell Stadium.