The South Christian Sailors entered Friday night just one win away from a ginormous football game. They avoided a potential upset at the hands of the Middleville Trojans, winning 28-7, and as a result, they have their dream showdown against Grand Rapids Catholic Central next week for the OK Gold conference title.
South Christian scored just over five minutes into this game when Ty Rynbrandt found Eli Smith for a five yard touchdown pass. Sam Meengs booted the extra point to give the Sailors a seven-point edge. They would double that lead when Rynbrandt and Elliot Grashuis connected on a eight yard touchdown. On the final play of the first quarter, Middleville drew closer as Reese Garbrecht and Mitchell Middleton paired up for a thirty-three yard touchdown. The Sailors would take the 14-7 lead into the second quarter, and ultimately into halftime.
Coming out of the locker room, South Christian’s defense continued to stifle the Middleville offense. The Trojans finished this game with 190 yards of offense, but they committed three crucial turnovers. Middleville was also 2/8 on third down and 0/3 on fourth down in this game.
The Sailors would pad their lead and increase the final margin with two second-half touchdowns. First, Rynbrandt and Grashuis connected for their second touchdown of the evening, this time it was on a nineteen yard pass. In the fourth quarter, Daniel Possett ran for a one-yard touchdown.
Rynbrandt had another standout night at quarterback for the Sailors. He finished 20/28 for 209 yards, tossing for three touchdowns. Daniel Possett added thirty-two yards on the ground as South’s leading rusher, while Elliot Grashuis and his eighty-three yards and two receiving touchdowns in seven catches led the team.
Mitchell Middleton was the offensive leader for Middleville, as he turned fourteen carries into seventy-nine yards. He also led the team in receiving yards with thirty-three, all on that one touchdown catch.
Next week, Middleville concludes its regular season against Forest Hills Eastern. South Christian, meanwhile, will take on Grand Rapids Catholic Central in one of the biggest games in the area. The winner of that game will be crowned OK Gold champions. GRCC comes in on a seventeen-game winning streak, as they are the defending Division 4 State Champions.
