WAPAK — Hopewell-Loudon beat defending D-VI state champion Coldwater 20-18 on Thursday night to advance to the state final for the third time in program history.

The teams met for the first time ever, with Coldwater entering at 10-4 and Hopewell-Loudon 12-1. The Chieftains opened the scoring on their second drive before Coldwater answered late in the first quarter when Karsyn Homan connected on a moon ball to John Pohlman, setting up Derek Dues’ 4-yard rushing touchdown. Coldwater led 10-6 at halftime.

Coldwater extended the lead in the third quarter when Homan kept a drive himself for a touchdown and converted the two-point try, pushing the score to 18-6.

Hopewell-Loudon rallied in the fourth quarter, scoring twice to take a 20-18 lead. Coldwater had a chance to retake the lead late but missed a field-goal attempt, and the Chieftains held on for the victory.

Coldwater falls 20-18, while Hopewell-Loudon moves on to the state final.

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