A blackout, the weather, and most importantly, the Grinnell Tigers were too much for the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks to overcome Friday night as they dropped their 2018 opener on the road at T.T. Cranny Field 27-12.

In a game heard on KCII, it was Grinnell that struck first, midway through the first half on a double pass as Drew Coffman swung the ball out to Cole McGriff who went downfield to Owen Coffman for a 35 yard touchdown. Mid-Prairie found the answer on their first play from scrimmage following the Tiger score as Brad Tornow went up top to Grant Boyse on a 53 yard scoring strike to make it six all after a failed extra point. That’s where the score stood after one. The Golden Hawks took their first and only lead of the night at the 10:04 mark of the second quarter when Grant Boyse took a toss sweep 30 yards around the right side for six.

With the Hawks leading 12-6, Grinnell found their stride offensively. The Tigers pounded quarterback draws and sweeps with the 6’7 Drew Coffman under center and with 4:09 to go in the first half he capped a four play 38 yard drive with a five yard touchdown run, with the PAT the Tigers retook the lead at 13-12. Grinnell would squeeze in one more score before the end of the half as Gavin McFarland pulled in a 19 yard touchdown pass from Coffman with just 14 second left in the second quarter and things went to the half with Grinnell on top 20-12.

The Tigers extended their lead in the third quarter with Drew Coffman hitting Owen Coffman on a 23 yard touchdown pass on third and 17 to make it 27-12. With Mid-Prairie driving at the 4:07 mark in the third quarter the stadium suffered a power outage, losing the east bank of lights first, then the west, followed by a weather delay due to lightning that lasted more than an hour. When the teams and fans returned to the field, Mid-Prairie had a promising drive snuffed out by the Tiger defense. The Hawks would put together two final pushes that ended on turnovers as the Tigers secured the win.

Statistically, each team ended with 16 first downs. Grinnell outgained the Hawks 304-282, and the Tigers were three of four in the red zone while Mid-Prairie did not make a visit. Drew Coffman led the Tigers on the ground with 17 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown. He was 12 of 20 through the air for 97 yards a score and a pick. Owen Coffman hauled in four passes for 70 yards and two scores. Mid-Prairie was led by Justin Schwartz with 18 carries for 95 yards. He also had seven catches for 66 yards. Brad Tornow was 13 of 31 for 143 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. With the loss, Mid-Prairie is now 0-1, they travel to Pekin Friday.