The Spring Lake Lakers have been a solid team this season, but their task loomed large as they faced the Allendale Falcons, who entered this game without a loss. As a result of a 28-0 run in the middle of this game, the Lakers were able to emerge victorious on this Friday night.
Andrew Von Wahlde got the scoring started for Spring Lake with a fourteen yard touchdown run. The extra point by Aidan Parker made it 7-0 Lakers. Before the first quarter concluded, Cole Dipiazza rushed for an Allendale touchdown, and he also found Josh Gunneson on a two-point conversion pass to put Allendale ahead 8-7 after the first quarter of action.
In the second quarter, Spring Lake started the scoring again. Aidan Parker booted a 30-yard field goal to put them back in from. Allendale would respond yet again, as this time Lukas Kuiper tossed a touchdown pass of sixty-one yards to Matthew Joziak. Dipiazza again added a conversion to make it 16-10.
At this point Spring Lake embarked on that 28-0 run to take control of the game. Zach Mitchell tossed his first touchdown to Joel Westhoff, and Parker’s extra point put the Lakers ahead by a point 17-16. They would score one more time in the second quarter on a pass from Mitchell to Christian Folkert, a twenty-yard connection to give them a 24-16 halftime edge.
Folkert opened the second half scoring with a one-yard touchdown run. He would add a third consecutive touchdown when he scooped up a fumble and ran fifty-eight yards to the end zone for a touchdown. The extra point made it 38-16 in favor of the Lakers as the third quarter clock continued to tick.
Allendale turned the tide and began embarking on a remarkable comeback. Cole Dipiazza got things rolling when he ran ten yards for a score, and also kept the football and got across the goal line on the two-point try. This made it 38-24 Spring Lake as the fourth quarter started.
Dipiazza would score yet again, this time a three yard scamper, but the two-point handoff was unsuccessful, leaving Allendale eight points behind. Mathew Vinton scored a touchdown on a four-yard run to put the Falcons within two, but once again Spring Lake stopped the two-point attempt. Allendale wouldn’t get another shot to win this game.
Offense was plentiful in this game, as Allendale outgained Spring Lake 431-430. Zach Mitchell led Spring Lake in passing with 38 yards, while Lukas Kuiper led Allendale with 112. The real stars in this one, came on the ground. Cole Dipiazza paced Allendale with 30 carries for 261 yards and three touchdowns. For Spring Lake, Steve Ready logged 47 carries for 338 yards, and though he never found the end zone, he really set the pace in this game.
Allendale (3-1) will travel to West Catholic next week in a game that will be broadcast LIVE on Michigan Sports Radio. Spring Lake (2-2) will travel to Holland Christian.
