The No. 1 ranked Ferris State football team clinches the GLIAC outright and claims the inaugural Calder City Classic with a victory over the Davenport Panthers
Ferris extends its winning streak against Davenport with a 24-9 triumph, marking the Bulldogs’ ninth straight win over the Panthers.
This will be the Bulldogs’ 13th GLIAC championship and the first since the 2021-22 season.
The conference and playoff clinching win means a lot to head coach Tony Annese
“What we have done here is beyond my comprehension, we have been in the playoffs every year since 2014 and that is incredible.” Annese said, “The kids have been amazing, we will take a deep breath here and just enjoy this and reflect on the season we have had.”
Although starting slow, the Ferris offense was able to turn it up in the second half to sprint by the Panthers.
The first quarter was a struggle for Ferris. After scoreless drives from both teams, the Panthers got on the board first with a field goal to take a 3-0 lead late in the first quarter. The Bulldogs ended the first quarter scoreless.
After a long touchdown from senior receiver Emari O’Brien was called back due to a taunting penalty, Ferris was able to strike with a short toss to junior wide receiver Brady Rose from junior quarterback Trinidad Chambliss to give the Bulldogs a 7-3 lead.
Although Davenport was moving the ball well in the second quarter, Ferris was able to hold them to two more field goals in the first half, to go into halftime down 9-7. This marks the first time the Bulldogs have trailed at the half since week one versus Pittsburg State.
The second half was much better on offense as the defense continued their dominance.
A long drive to start the third quarter allowed the Bulldogs to take the lead with a touchdown run, courtesy of junior quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.
Ferris held a 14-9 lead going into the fourth and extended that quickly with a 42-yard touchdown run from junior running back Kannon Katzer to make it a two-score game.
The long run iced the game for the Bulldogs, as they held Davenport to zero second-half points and sealed the game with an interception from senior linebacker Jalen Jones and a field goal to close it out and finish the game with a victory.