March 18, 2024

CMB caps program, season with win over South Hardin

ELDORA — Collins-Maxwell/Baxter’s football team held South Hardin to 159 total yards and won the final game of the season and in program history.

Senior Blake Coughenour gained 282 total yards, the Raider defense forced three turnovers and CMB put a cap on its program with a 27-13 win over South Hardin on Friday night during Class 2A District 3 play.

The Raiders led 21-0 at halftime and went up 27-0 in the third quarter.

Coughenour scored two second-quarter touchdowns that came after senior Hunter McWhirter found senior Brady Kemp for a 19-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter.

Jeff Thompson scored two second-half TDs for the host Tigers, but CMB’s early lead was too much to overcome. South Hardin (3-6, 2-5) ended the season with four straight losses.

Coughenour’s first two TD runs covered two and nine yards, respectively. He added a third touchdown run in the third quarter. That was another 2-yard TD run.

Both teams threw an interception, but South Hardin lost two fumbles. The Raiders had an 18-11 advantage in first downs, averaged five yards per carry and had 421 total yards.

Coughenour rushed for 120 yards and three TDs. He grabbed six catches for 162 yards, too.

Junior Braydon Aker was 9-of-14 through the air for 179 yards. McWhirter was 11-for-13. One of those incompletions was picked off and one completion went for a touchdown.

Kemp hauled in nine catches for 78 yards and a touchdown.

Senior Ben Gunderson had six tackles and an interception to lead CMB’s defense. Seniors Dalton Birchmier and Jason Hillgren each had four tackles. Sophomore Will Clapper recorded a sack.

The Raiders finished their final season at 4-5 overall and 4-3 in 2A District 3 play.