It was week one of the Michigan High School Athletic Association Football playoffs. As was announced on the Football Playoff show Sunday evening, the Indians were put into tough Division six. Week ten took the Indians on the road for the playoff opener, where they traveled to Constantine to take on the Falcons. The Falcons, much like the Indians, came into the game 8-1, coming off their third straight win against Colon the week before.
   Much of the thought was this game could be a classic. And it was no short of that. But the game ended with disappointment for Hartford. Chris Cook went 13 of 25 passing for 214 yards and two touchdowns, but three interceptions and a rushing attack that only was able to get 110 total yards cost the Indians down the stretch, as the Indians suffered a emotional 33-28 loss.
   The first quarter saw the Indians outscore the Falcons seven to six. After Constantine was forced to turn the ball over on downs and Hartford punted, Constantine struck first. It was courtesy of their run, the first of five rushing touchdowns on the evening. A ferocious rushing attack led them down field and they scored from seven yards out. The PAT Kick was blocked, so the Falcons led 6-0. It didn't take but a short time and the Indians would strike. Justin Barden, in between three defenders, caught a beautiful pass from Chris Cook, ran up the middle of the field and scored from 71 yards out. It wasn't Barden's longest catch of the season, the longest, a 75 yarder. The extra point was good and the Indians led 7-6. That's the way the score would be after one quarter.
   The second quarter saw the Falcons win the quarter six to zero. The only score of the quarter occurred on a carryover drive from the first quarter. The Falcons struck on a six yard run giving them a 12-7 lead. The extra point later failed. The quarter ended with some potent drives for both teams. Hartford drove to midfield in the middle part of the quarter, but was forced to punt. The very next Constantine drive saw them drive inside the Indians 20 yard line. However, a false start penalty cost them and George Allen picked off the Falcon pass two plays later, their final pass of the evening, at around the 10 yard line. After being run on for almost 270 yards in the first half, the Indians were glad to go into the locker room down just 12-7.
   The third quarter saw both teams score touchdowns, as the quarter ended seven all. Constantine struck on its opening possession of the third, scoring their third rushing touchdown of the evening from four yards out. For the first time all evening, Constantine converted the point after try, a kick, to make the score 19-7. Hartford, possibly facing falling out of contention, on it's next drive, struck back. On fourth and long from the Constantine 24, Cook, having tried the pass the previous two plays with no success, threw one up. And it was caught by Johnny Ruggio, a 24 yard catch, for the touchdown. Ruggio made a great catch considering he was covered tightly and he was right along the sideline. The extra point was good and the game was 19-14 after three quarters.
   The fury of scoring continued in the fourth, which saw both teams score 14 points a piece in the final stanza. The Falcons struck first, scoring from one yard out on the run. The Falcons used exclusively the run all the second half, not making a single pass and tiring the Indian defense along the way. The extra point was good and Constantine held a 26-14 lead. The next Indian drive ended in controversy, as it appeared the Falcons committed a pass interference penalty, but wasn't called. After returning the ball to the Indian 30, Constantine made its second blunder of the night. The quarterback hit the center, the ball popped loose and the ball was recovered by Justin Barden, who then marched 70 yards for the touchdown. The extra point was good and the Indians only then trailed 26-21.
   The Falcons scored the "put away" touchdown with just over six minutes remaining on the clock, courtesy of a 2 yard run by the fullback. The extra point was converted and the Falcons led 33-20. The Indians took too much time off the clock the next possession, using over five minutes of precious clock, but scoring. That's because Chris Cook rushed in from a yard out on second and goal. The extra point was good and the Indians trailed just 33-28 with 2:10 remaining. The Falcons next possession saw them turn it over on fourth down with just :21 remaining in the game. The Indians had too large of a field in front of them and a late desperation pass from Cook was intercepted, ending the game.
   In addition to Cook, Rory Short ended his stellar Indian football career with just 42 yards rushing on seven attempts to lead the rushing core. Justin Barden's four catches for 111 yards and a touchdown ended his stellar career, as well. Senior Ronnie Kinchen ended his season with 16 tackles, a Hartford high, followed by Chris Cook with 15 and George Allen with 10 and an interception.
   The Indians end the season at 8-2 overall. They won the Southwestern Athletic Conference overall and the South Division, as well. The 2008 Indians will begin their season on August 29, when they travel to Covert.