What was projected to be a gritty conference championship winning game certainly followed the mantra through the first half. What happened in the second half? The Cardinals seized their trophy outright in their most dominant second half performance of the season, outscoring Tri-County 28-0 in the second half to secure a 35-6 victory.

The Cardinals scoring started behind a strong first drive, capped off by a Jack Bollman 18-yard touchdown run three minutes into the game. Big Rapids would force a Viking punt but would come up short on their next possession, missing a 34-yard field goal on the heels of the first quarter ending.

Tri-County would answer following a long 16-play, 86-yard drive with their own 18-yard touchdown run by Chase Keller. A missed extra point would keep the Cardinal lead at one. An exchange of interceptions, a Cardinal punt, and a Viking fumble on the next four possessions would take the teams into the half with a one-point different on the scoreboard.

In the second half, Tri-County would move the ball down the field to the Cardinal 23-yard-line but would be held short on fourth and two. The Vikings would get the ball back three plays later after a fumble by Garrett Foster, but the Big Rapids defense would stand tall and get an interception by Riley Vennix.

The Cardinals would then march down the field for their second touchdown of the night, courtesy of an 11-yard run by Foster. Following a Viking punt, Vennix would take it himself on the first play of the drive 65 yards for seven more. With the lead at 21-6, the Cardinals defense would bring them home with three shut down drives going into the fourth quarter. They would also add two more scores from Foster to finish the job by a final score of 35-6.

Total offensive stats showed the Cardinals with 360 yards on the night, with 277 of them coming on the ground. The Cardinals were led by Vennix with 106 yards on 13 carries with one touchdown, followed by 105 yards and a score for Bollman and 23 yards and three scores for Foster on the ground. Vennix went 6 of 9 passing for 83 yard and one interception. Foster was the leading receiver with 39 yards on three catches with Skiera adding two catches for 20 yards.

Defensively, Bollman led with 14 tackles followed by Phillip Wilber with 11 and Vennix with seven and adding two interceptions. Jace Heck also added a pass break up for Big Rapids.

Tri-County offensively was led by Owen Behrenwald with 112 yards on 24 carries, preceded by Keller with 64 yards on 11 rushes. Behrenwald had his troubles throwing the ball, finishing 4 of 14 for 59 yards and two interceptions. Cole Plotts paced the Vikings receiving with two catches for 35 yards.

On the defensive side, Preston Piter led the Vikings with nine tackles followed by Jayden Button with five and Cole Plotts with four. Keller forced a fumble and Behrenwald picked up an interception.

Big Rapids will host Morley Stanwood next Friday while Tri-County will face Chippewa Hills at home next week. For more sports, subscribe to the Big Rapids Daily News on wbrn.com.