Suffering its first loss of the season a week ago, the Macomb High football squad aimed to get back on track as it hosted LincolnLand West Division foe Farmington Friday night at The Tarmac.
The Bombers responded with a dominant performance in all phases on the way to recording a 45-2 victory.
It was the West Division opener for MHS, who improved to 5-1 on the season.
Farmington dropped to 3-3 overall, 1-1 in LincolnLand West play.
It was the first win for MHS over Farmington since 2022 when the Bombers romped to a 58-7 win.
The Farmers had won the last three meetings, including last year’s 30-16 victory at Macomb.
Farmington also won 26-20 in overtime in 2024 and by a 26-8 decision in 2023.
“After three years of losing close games to Farmington it was nice to come out on top,” said MHS coach Tanner Horrell.
“I thought our defense came out and set the tone allowing less than 100 yards,” he added. “After Highland went 7-of-10 on third down, we flipped the script not allowing a third down conversion to Farmington (0-of-8).”
Macomb’s defense throttled the Farmers, allowing just 43 yards of total offense on 23 plays in the opening half. Four of Farmington’s drives ended in three-and-outs and the visitors managed just two first downs in the initial 24 minutes.
Offensively, the Bombers turned the ball over on downs on their first possession, but scored the next four times they had the ball in building a 28-0 lead by halftime.
Taking advantage of a short punt, Macomb began its second possession of the contest at the Farmington 48.
After three running plays neted 16 yards, the Bombers went to the air. Quarterback Kaden Knupp connected with Carter Havens for a 32-yard touchdown strike that put Macomb on the board with one minute and 55 second left in the first period.
Hayden Katz added the first of his six point-after- touchdown kicks that gave the home team a 7-0 lead.
Recovering a Bomber on-side kick attempt at the MHS 49, Farmington recorded one first down on its next possession. But the Farmers gained one yard before two incomplete passes by Farmer QB Carson Noy turned the ball over on downs at the Macomb 38.
The Bombers struck on the next play as Knupp and Havens connected again, this time for a 62-yard score that doubled Macomb’s lead to 14-0 after the PAT with 11:39 left before halftime.
The MHS defense forced another three-and-out with the Bombers getting possession at their own 44.
A 35-yard run by Drake May and a 15-yard run by Colby Martin set up May’s six-yard TD score. Katz’s PAT gave Macomb a 21-0 lead with 9:05 remaining.
May sacked Noy for a four-yard loss on Farmington’s next drive that ended in another Farmer punt.
Taking over at its own 22, Macomb drove 78 yards in nine plays.
A 40-yard pass play from Knupp to Havens keyed the drive. May also added four carries for 23 yards before Knupp scored on a one-yard sneak with 2:40 to go before the break.
Farmington reached the Macomb 38 as time wound down in the half. But May sacked Noy for an eight-yard loss before Noy was intercepted by Kellen Martin at the Bomber 17.
Macomb opened the second half with a 16 yard kickoff return by Tyler Schulz that gave the Bombers possession at their own 43.
Eight plays later, May scored on an 11-yard run that upped Maocmb’s lead to 35-0 at the 6;38 mark.
Knupp and Nick Elbe combined for a 22-yard pass play on the drive, while May also had a 10-yard run.
Farmington’s next offensive play from scrimmage was a Noy pass that was intercepted by Havens at the Bomber 41.
On Macomb’s next offensive play, May took the handoff from Knupp and did not stop until scoring the touchdown, completing the 59-yard run.
Katz’s PAT made it 42-0. Katz added a 29-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, while Farmington recorded a safety for its only points.
Macomb out-gained Farmington in total yardage by a 406-85 margin. That included a 245-59 advantage in rushing.
May recorded 176 yards and three TDs on 16 carries.
Knupp finished 4-of-8 passing for 156 yards and two TDs. Havens had three grabs for 134 yards while Elbe had one catch for 22 yards.
“Offensively the O-line did a great job of winning the battle up front, and allowing Drake to make plays in space,” said Horrell. “I was really happy to see Carter Havens have a huge night both offensively and with an INT on defense. Carter had three big catches that really helped us take control of the game.”
May topped the tackle chart with 101 total tackles, along with three quarterback sacks. Jeshua McPheeters added five total tackles, while Martin, Gavin Livermore and James Liebsack added four apiece.
Noy was 4-of-13 passing for 26 yards and two interceptions for Farmington. Hayden Sary had three catches for 26 yards.
“We did an outstanding job of getting pressure on their QB,” said Horrell. “Our defensive backs did a good job of covering their wide receivers and not allowing them to get behind us. Kellen Martin stepped up and made a really nice interception before the half.”
Bradyn Brewer recorded 41 yards rushing on 10 carries, while Tristan Hendy added 41 yards on four carries. But the rest of the team finished with seven carries for minus 22 yards.
The Bombers will head to Jim Repplingwer Field in Hamilton this week to face West Hancock (2-4, 0-1) for a LincolnLand West Division contest.
The Titans have given up an average of 45 points per game in their four losses.
“They a have a couple of really nice pieces in WR Hunter Froman and RB Chandler Guadet that we will have to stop on offense,” said Horrell.
