Photo Credit: Nate Zastow, Swan Valley Athletic Trainer
The Cedar Springs Red Hawks started their 2021 season with a home game against the Vikings of Swan Valley. This is the rubber match in their series, as both teams won a single game in the past two matchups. Cedar Springs overcame the elements and their patented power rushing attack propelled them to a 48-16 victory.
Midway through the first quarter, Antwuan Nicholls got Cedar Springs on the scoreboard with a 41-yard touchdown run. Aiden Brunin and Alex Ream paired up for the conversion that gave Cedar Springs a 8-0 edge. Later in the quarter, Brunin kept the football and bolted seventy-four yards for a touchdown, extending their lead to fourteen points after one quarter.
Alex Ream joined the touchdown party with a 6-yard plunge early in the second quarter. The Red Hawks’ halftime lead would sit at twenty-eight points when Nicholls darted through the Swan Valley defense for a 69-yard touchdown run.
In the third quarter, Antwuan Nicholls added to his impressive first half with his third touchdown of the night. This run was a 13-yard sweep through the Vikings’ defense. Ryan West became the fourth Red Hawk to rush for a touchdown when his 5-yard rumble in the closing seconds of the third quarter gave Cedar Springs a 42-0 edge.
Swan Valley finally got on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter, as Brandon Brandt rushed around the left side for a 4-yard touchdown. Cedar Springs would respond with another punishing drive on the ground, as Carter Falan reeled off a 30-yard touchdown. With just over thirty seconds to play, Swan Valley would score the final time on a Matt Stark run.
Cedar Springs attempted one pass in this game, but it fell incomplete. Their entire offensive attack was accomplished on the ground. The Red Hawks ran 38 times for 406 yards, scoring seven rushing touchdowns in the process. Aiden Brunin led the way with 132 yards, while Antwuan Nicholls added 128. Alex Ream led Cedar Springs with seven tackles, while Brunin chipped in five.
Swan Valley was led offensively by Matt Stark’s 104 rushing yards. Three turnovers in this game proved costly, as they stalled scoring chances and flipped the field position. Drew Kaeckmeister led the Vikings defense with five tackles.
Cedar Springs will travel to Rockford next week for their first game against their former Tri-River Conference foe since 1981. Swan Valley will travel to Frankenmuth to take on the Eagles in a TVC contest.
