Photo Credit: Eric Walstra
The Cedar Springs Red Hawks started their playoff journey in Division 3 at home on Friday against the Petoskey Northmen. After a strong start with touchdowns on both sides of the football, Cedar Springs emerged with a 52-8 victory over Petoskey.
Midway through the first quarter, this game was scoreless and Petoskey was knocking on the door at the Cedar Springs ten yard line. The Red Hawks’ defense forced a fumble and Derek Dymerski ran ninety yards the other way for the game’s first touchdown. On the final play of the first quarter, Aiden Brunin ran in a one-yard touchdown. Jeremy Campione and Blake Scheer connected on the two-point pass to make it 14-0 Cedar Springs.
Campione started the scoring in the second quarter, as he made an impressive play with his legs. He kept the football and ran seventy-nine yards to the end zone for a touchdown. With less than a minute to go before half, Petoskey would finally get on the board. Patrick Leavy ran to the left and powered in from two yards to make it 22-8 at the half.
The final two quarters were dominated by Cedar Springs, as they outscored Petoskey 30-0. Brunin got things rolling with a twenty-one yard touchdown run. Campione and Josh Kriekaard connected for a two-point pass. Later in the third, this duo would connect for six points. Their sixteen yard touchdown made it 36-8 in favor of the Red Hawks.
In the fourth quarter, Alex Ream (three yards) and Kyle Hoort (eight yards) each got in on the scoring action for Cedar Springs.
Cedar Springs rushed 37 times in this game, and they racked up 338 yards. Campione was the leader with 119, while Antwuan Nicholls added 72. Defensively, Brennen Porter led the way with eight tackles, while Alex Ream and Dylan Greenland added seven each.
Next week, Cedar Springs will take on the winner of Saturday’s contest between Muskegon and Greenville. If the Big Reds win, Cedar Springs will travel to Muskegon. If Greenville pulls off the upset, then Cedar Springs would host Greenville. That Muskegon and Greenville game will take place at 1:00 this Saturday.
