By DOUG DONNELLY

OTTAWA LAKE – Whiteford needed a fourth quarter comeback Friday to beat Jonesville, 32-20, and win the first Division 7 regional title in school history.

The Bobcats (10-2) got two fourth quarter touchdown runs from Brek Ruddy to pull away from Jonesville. A Hunter Massingill interception was key to the victory.

Ruddy rushed for 259 yards, the most ever for a Whiteford player in the playoffs. He also scored three touchdowns and set the single season Monroe County record for touchdowns in a season (38) and points in a season.

The Bobcats led 16-12 going into the fourth quarter but a touchdown by the Comets made it 20-16. The Bobcats put together a scoring drive to go up 24-20. Jonesville got into Whiteford territory on its next drive, but Massingill picked up the Jonesville quarterback, giving the ball back to the Bobcats.

Ruddy then broke free for a 73-yard touchdown run to put the game out of reach. Whiteford recovered the onside kick and two a knee to run out the clock.

Whiteford will face the winner of Ravenna and North Muskegon next Saturday, Nov. 21 at a site to be determined.

It will be Whiteford’s first-ever appearance in the Division 7 semifinals.

Jonesville 12 0 0 8 – 20

Whiteford 8 0 8 16 – 32

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

J – John Milks 3 run (conversion failed)

W – Brek Ruddy 51 run (Tre Eitniear run)

J – Milks 18 run (run failed)

Third Quarter

W – Elijah Vance 14 run (Andy Trejo run)

Fourth Quarter

J- Milks 5 run (Kash Keller 3 run)

W – Ruddy 8 run (Ruddy run)

W – Ruddy 73 run (Eitniear run)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – Jonesville: John Milks 42-238, Max Young 2-15, Cole Graves 2-8, Carson young 4-5. Totals: 50-266. Whiteford: Brek Rudy 23-259, Tre Eitniear 7-31, Hunter Massingill 3-28, Elijah Vance 4-23. Totals 37-341.

PASSING – Jonesville: Carson Young 2-8-0 43 yards, Kash Keller 0-1-1 0 yards. Whiteford: Tre Eitniear 2-6-0 38 yards.

RECEIVING – Jonesville: Max Young 1-33, Kash Keller 1-10. Whiteford: Brek Ruddy 2-38.