It was tough sledding in the season opener for Coyote football, as Kingsley outmatched Reed City by a final score of 46-12 on their home field Friday night.

The Stags started the night with a strong presence in the run game, breaking two 40+ yard runs by Isaiah Cosgrove and Skylar Workman to set-up their first two scores in the first 14 minutes of action, making it a 14-0 game early on. Eli Groves would later add to the Stags' tally, adding a three yard score to give Kingsley a commanding 20-0 lead.

Reed City came close on their second possession, as a near touchdown fell through the hands Jack Deitsch on fourth and goal passing play. They would respond with their own 50-yard-run on a QB keep by senior Max Hammond. Sophomore Andrew Kianus would later punch it in on third and goal from one yard out to cut the Stags' lead to 20-6 just before halftime.

Coming out of halftime, Kingsley continued to dominate the trenches. The Stags would stall three straight drives against Reed City by closing up the Coyotes' traditionally strong run game. Kingsley would open the second half scoring virtue of a third touchdown run by Workman set up by a 40-yard play-action pass play. A sailed snap on fourth down would add to Kingsley's lead, creating a safety and eventual 22-yard field goal by Evan Trafford to extend Kingsley's lead to 33-6. Myles McCarthy would add a three-yard score before the conclusion of the third making it 39-6.

Coyote Country would have something to cheer about early in the fourth, thanks to an 83-yard kickoff return by Jack Deitsch to cut the lead down to 39-12. The Stags would cement their victory later in the fourth on another three-yard score to make it 46-12 before the final horn.

The Stags totaled over 400 yards rushing, one of the highest given up by Reed City defensively in recent memory. The Coyotes finished the game with 126 yards on 27 carries.

Hammond led Reed City with 51 yards rushing on six carries, followed by John Ondrus with 50 yards on 10 touches. Zach Erickson added 13 yards as well as Kianus earned the Coyotes' lone offensive score. Hammond finished the game with three pass attempts and zero completions.

Sophomore Tyler Woodside led the Coyotes with seven tackles up front, followed by Ondrus with six and Deitsch and Spencer Hansen each accumulating five. Senior JC Contreras tallied the Coyotes' lone tackle for loss with Kianus and Ondrus adding a pass-break up.

What was a tough night for Reed City fans comes with understanding, as the team's young, talented players earned immediate learning and will hope to improve in next week's contest.

The Coyotes will begin their CSAA slate in a rematch of last year's dogfight against the Tri-County Vikings on Friday, Sep. 1 at Alumni Field at 7:00 P.M. Pregame coverage will begin at approximately 6:45 P.M. on Y102 on 102.3 FM, the WYBR app, and WYBR.com.