Chelsea High School Football record through week 11: 22-7 (1-0 week 11; 15-6 SEC; 2-0 playoffs).

Poor Jerry Niehaus Field caught a break after the muddy Carleton Airport game: there was no rain during the week.  Of course, it was cold, so there was a bit of snow.  The cold temperatures did not let the field dry so much as they hardened it enough to be playable, with a minimum of mud.

Chelsea hosted two special guests for the game: the University of Michigan Navy ROTC, and the Ball State University marching band.

Prior to the game, the Navy ROTC presented the colors at midfield.  It was a very nice touch; thanks should go out to the ROTC for agreeing to honor us with their presence. 

The marching band was in town for Ball State’s football game against Michigan the next day, so it was no stretch to make a visit to Chelsea.  They played at halftime, and the drum line entertained the Chelsea students in the second half.

(As the band picture shows, in an effort to keep the field playable as long as possible, neither band stepped foot on the field.)

To start the game, Chelsea kicked to Gibraltar Carlson; Bulldogs fans became nervous when the Marauders returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown.  But that would prove to be Carlson’s only score of the first half; Chelsea trailed only once in the game.  The offense quickly tied the game with a touchdown pass to Connell, and after a quick Carlson three-and-out, the rout was on: at halftime, the Bulldogs had a comfortable 34-7 lead.

That margin allowed the second string some playing time in the second half; still, Carlson was able to muster only one touchdown run and another kickoff return, and Chelsea claimed a 48-21 victory.

The Bulldogs celebrated their convincing victory as coach Brad Bush accepted the trophy.  That led to a slightly bittersweet moment: Bush immediately handed the trophy to Seelbach.  And as Gibraltar Carlson contemplated the end of its season, Chelsea continued to enjoy the victory.

Next up: Fowlerville.  And, since Chelsea has more playoff points, the battered turf at Jerry Niehaus Field will have to last for one more game.  But who would argue with a third home playoff game?