St. Joe Bears Football - Bears 20, Portage Northern 18

Akins kicks Bears to Division title
Akins hits two field goals that help Bears defeat Portage Northern

(St. Joseph) -- With most of the accolades during the season has been given to running back Jamaal Jackson, it was probably one of the most unexpected players on the Bears roster that help lead the Bears to a third consecutive Big 16 West Division title.

Kicker Josh Akins was 2-for-2 on extra points, but his two long field goals from 42, and 41 yards out, really helped the Bears to a 20-18 win over Portage Northern in the regular season finale at Dickinson Stadium.

Akins first field goal of the game came on the Bears opening possession as he made his 42 yard field goal to give the Bears a 3-0 lead.

The Bears would find the endzone on their next possession as Sean Guinane threw a 60 yard touchdown pass to Devonte Jones with :03 seconds remaining in the first quarter to put the Bears up 10-0 after Akins' PAT.

The Huskies would find the endzone on their next drive as Antonio Hutchins caught a 12 yard touchdown pass from Jack Livingston, the extra point was blocked and the Bears held a 10-6 lead going into halftime.

The Huskies grabbed the lead on the first play of the second half as Hutchins would return the second half kickoff for an 87 yard touchdown, with the extra point missed again. Northern took a 12-10 lead.

The Bears grabbed the lead again at the midway point of the 3rd quarter as Akins connected on a 41 yard field goal to put the Bears ahead 13-12.

With under three minutes left in the 3rd quarter, the Bears would up their lead once again, being setup at the one yard line by Nick Piggee who made a diving catch, Jamaal Jackson would take it in on the next play as St. Joe took a 20-12 lead.

Northern would find the endzone on their next drive when Ben Hutchins caught a 34 yard touchdown pass to pull the Huskies within two points, but the conversion pass attempt would fail.

Neither team would score again as the Bears would run out the clock to secure St. Joe's fourth consecutive playoff berth and third straight West Division title.


SCORING SUMMARY

P. Northern    0  6  6 6 -- 18
St. Joseph     10 0 10 0 -- 20

SJ � Josh Akins 42 yard field goal
SJ - Devonte Jones 60 yard pass from Sean Guinane (Josh Akins Kick)
PN - Antonio Hutchins 12 yard pass from Jack Livingston (kick blocked)
PN - Antonio Hutchins 87 yard kickoff return (kick short)
SJ - Josh Akins 41 yard field goal
SJ - Jamaal Jackson 1 yard run (Josh Akins kick)
PN - Ben Hutchins 35 yard pass from Jack Livingston (pass failed)

Elsewhere around the Big 16

	Portage Central 34, Lakeshore 31 - 3 OT - McCamley Field, Portage Spencer Munson's second effort on a 1-yard touchdown run in the third overtime gave Portage Central a share of the West Division title with a 34-31 triple overtime win over Lakeshore. The Lancers played without starting quarterback Eric Lemon who suffered a concussion the previous week.
	Niles 29, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 19 - Viking Field, Niles Running back Kevin Gross scored two rushing touchdowns while wide out Aaron Davis had two touchdown receptions in the Vikings 29-19 victory over Kalamazoo Loy Norrix.
	Mattawan 38, Benton Harbor 0 - Filstrup Field, Benton Harbor Mattawan's Zack Moore scored three touchdowns while Tyler Gardner and Justin Ely each added a score in Mattawan's 38-0 win over Benton Harbor at Filstrup Field
	Jackson Lumen Christi 44, Kalamazoo Central 20 - Thomas Stadium, Kalamazoo Rafe Bellers and Conor Sullivan had two touchdowns each and the Titans defense caused two safeties as Jackson Lumen Christi won the Big 16 East Division with a 44-20 win at Kalamazoo Central
	Battle Creek Lakeview 28, Battle Creek Central 0 - C.W. Post Field, Battle Creek Lakeview's John Ayers had two touchdowns in the Spartans 28-0 win over cross-town rival Battle Creek Central. It's Lakeview's first win over the Bearcats since 2000.
	Harper Creek 42, Coldwater 14 - Harper Creek Stadium, Battle Creek Harper Creek earned their 4th playoff appearance in five years as the Beavers defeated Coldwater 42-14, Zac Johnson had 148 yards rushing and two touchdowns for Harper Creek.
	Marshall 39, Sturgis 20 - Trojan Field, Sturgis Jamar Wimberly had four rushing touchdowns (97, 54, 22, 3 yards) and finished with 286 yards rushing on 14 carries as Marshall defeated Sturgis 39-0. Sturgis got a touchdown from Garrett Woods and a David Warble 23 yard fumble return.

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