A week after a stunning defeat against rival Montague, Whitehall was back in action against Oakridge in their West Michigan Conference finale. The Vikings were in a battle with the Eagles early, but a 20-0 third quarter edge helped carry the team to a 32-18 victory.
In the first quarter, the Eagles got on the board first with a field goal kick of 26 yards by Bryce Kartes. Whitehall would respond with a touchdown run by Alec Pruett. This eight yard rumble gave the Vikings a 6-3 edge after twelve minutes.
Jacob Danicek put Oakridge back in front when he plunged across the goal line from a yard out. Pruett would respond with his second touchdown run, this one from nine yards out. Whitehall took their 12-10 lead to the locker room.
Coming out of the half, Pruett continued to shine. He ran for his third score on a nineteen yard dart through the Eagles’ defense. Five minutes later, Andrew Durbin and the passing game got in on the fun, as he found Nate Bolley for a twenty-three yard toss. Just eleven seconds of gameplay later, Jake Haynes made an interception for the Vikings and he returned it to the end zone. This plethora of scoring extended Whitehall’s lead to 32-10 as the game entered the final twelve minutes.
Oakridge scored the only touchdown in the fourth quarter on a short run by Danicek, but it would not be enough.
Andrew Durbin led the offense for Whitehall with 103 passing yards and 109 rushing yards. Alec Pruett added 76 rushing yards and those three touchdowns. The scoring presence is what gives Pruett the nod for the Redi Rental Viking of the Night.
Oakridge and Whitehall will both be in the playoffs next Friday. Their opponents and the locations of those games will be finalized on Sunday by the MHSAA. The information will be available on Michigan Sports Radio Sunday as well.
