It had the makings of a great film and it was a great film.

Friday night from Frank A. Schafer Field, the Beal City football team lost by an 18-14 final to Reed City in what was a hard-hitting non-conference contest between two top-ranked teams.

Reed City freshman running back Kason Coppick scored on a 5-yard run with 2:14 left in regulation to give the Coyotes their first lead of the night, then the defense stepped in and forced a three-year-out of the Aggies.

Beal City closes the 2024 regular season at 7-2 while Reed City improves to 7-2. Beal City is ranked third in the statewide AP Division 8 rankings, while Reed City is ranked fifth in D6.

The Aggies led the game for 46 of its 48 minutes and set the tone from the start when senior running back Owen McKenny completed a 75-yard run to the Coyote 1 on the second offensive play of the game. Drew Block then hit to give the hosts a 6-0 lead before Kyle Martin kicked the PAT to increase the lead to 7-0.

Reed City drove down to the Beal City 10-yard line on the ensuing offensive possession before the drive stalled. The Coyotes missed a 30-yard field goal attempt and the game was 7-0 at the end of the quarter.

Beal City punter Eric Elias had a huge night pinning Reed City deep in his own court three times.

The Coyotes got on the board on the first drive of the second half as Preston Wayne plunged in from a yard out to make it 7-6. The PAT hit the left pillar and was of no use.

The Aggies took a 14-6 lead at the 8:21 mark of the fourth quarter when quarterback Cuyler Smith hit Drake Gatrell with a 7-yard TD pass.

Once again, Reed City responded immediately by driving 67 yards in eight plays, culminating with a 17-yard TD run by Coppick. The runtime conversion attempt was padded at the line level.

The Aggies and Coyotes will compete in the MHSAA playoffs next week. The MHSAA playoff field will be announced Sunday afternoon.