Photo Credit: Southerington Sports Shots
The Cougars of Grand Rapids Catholic Central have a lengthy tradition and history of success. They have taken that level of sustained success to the highest peak, as Todd Kolster has built a perennial State Championship contending program. For the fourth time in five seasons, GRCC left Ford Field with a championship trophy. This year, in their first season in Division 5, they dismantled Frankenmuth 48-21.
On their opening drive, Catholic Central marched eighty yards down the field. Joey Silveri found Nolan Ziegler on an eleven-yard touchdown strike to put them ahead by seven. After a quick defensive stop, Silveri led another scoring drive. He found Jace Williams for a thirteen-yard touchdown pass that gave Grand Rapids Catholic Central a 14-0 lead.
After a Cougars’ fumble, Frankenmuth found the end zone. With two seconds to go in the opening quarter, Daniel Barger powered across the goal line from four yards out. This score trimmed the lead in half as the first quarter came to a close.
In the second quarter, Grand Rapids Catholic Central outscored the ‘Muth 14-0. Joey Silveri and Nolan Ziegler connected for another score on the ensuing drive. This time, it was a thirty-five yard touchdown connection. The Cougars’ final score of the half came on a quarterback keeper. Joey Silveri used his legs to score from two yards out, lifting GRCC to a 28-7 halftime edge.
Much like the first half, it took very little time for Catholic Central to find the end zone. They needed just three plays and thirty-eight seconds of game time to add seven points to their tally. Silveri scored his second rushing touchdown, this time on a one-yard plunge.
Davin Reif led a responding touchdown march for the Eagles, as he capped off an eighty yard march with a seven-yard score. Joey Silveri powered a quick score for the Cougars, as his twelve-yard touchdown run was just their third play of offense on the drive. Konnor Roche found the end zone for Frankenmuth before the quarter ended to bring the tally to 42-21.
In the final frame, there was only one scoring play. Nick Hollern got into the scoring column with a one-yard burst to move the score to its final tally of 48-21.
Hollern led GRCC in rushing with 192 yards on 26 carries. Jace Williams (55 yards, 1 TD) and Nolan Ziegler (46 yards, 2 TD) showed their strengths as Division 1 talents, serving as reliable targets for Joey Silveri. Speaking of the junior quarterback, he was phenomenal. Silveri completed 9/15 passes, tallying 172 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed eighteen times for 104 yards and three scores, giving him six total touchdowns in this victory.
