Box Score ALMA,Mich. — With the 2020 college football season cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alma head coach Jason Couch has had a long time to think about what a successful 2021 season might look like.
Saturday's season opening game fulfilled those expectations, as the Scots scored 17 unanswered points in the second half to to top Bluffton (Ohio), 24-6.
"It's been a long time coming. Although we played two games in the spring, it didn't feel the same as today. The team went through a grueling four weeks of camp and you saw today what hard work, determination and fortitude can do for you," Couch said. "Getting that win today reminded them that the things you work for have the sweetest rewards.
"We talked a lot before the game about one of our key principles of 'Kiltstyle,' which is kinship. In other words, it will take a team to win the game, not an individual. Today's game displayed that — all aspects of the game were good, from our special teams to our defense to our offense."
Alma and Bluffton spent the first half feeling each other out in a back and forth match. The Scots kept pace with a touchdown from senior running back
Keegan Benkhardt, who made his first career start. Benkhardt scored with an 11-yard run, making the Scots the first to score.
"Keegan is the epitome of something we talk about a lot, 'next man up.' A couple of weeks ago, we faced a situation where our two starting running backs were no longer on the team. Keegan filled that role and did an extremely good job of doing it. I guess you could say that practice paid off," Couch said.
The Scots came out of halftime with momentum and never looked back. Sophomore wide receiver Brody Crim surprised the Bluffton defense by turning a jet sweep into a pass to fellow sophomore wideout
Noah Janssen that went for a long 42-yard gain. Junior quarterback Joseph Fosmore connected with sophomore tight end Nathaniel Webb to finish the drive with a score.
Junior defensive back
Jack Kretzschmar returned an interception for a touchdown, effectively closing the door on the chances of a Bluffton comeback.
"I give my coaching staff a lot of credit. They have waited a long time for this to take place, amid all the turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic, and they had a great game plan. It's an outstanding group of men whom i able fortunate to work with every day," Couch said.
Couch added that while it bodes well for the Scots' fortunes to start the season out with a win, he would not let the team get overconfident going into its next game.
"I have always said, the time between games one and two is the time that needs to be your greatest improvement. Your next opponent will show you things you haven't seen. We have a hard week of practice lined up ahead of us and we're going to face it head-on," he said.
Alma will travel to take on Manchester (Ind.) next week, followed by a return home to play Anderson (Ind.) in the Scots' Hall of Fame Game on September 18th.
