The Grand Rapids Catholic Central Cougars enter 2021 as winners of two straight State Championships, and three titles in four years. This week, they began their quest for a third straight championship with a matchup against Division 1’s Lapeer Lightning. This game saw both teams travel to Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. An offensive affair resulted in a Cougars victory by the final tally of 43-21.
Lapeer struck first in this game with a quick touchdown. GRCC would even the score with a pass from Joey Silveri to Nolan Ziegler. After a defensive stop, the duo set up the Cougars for a go-ahead score. Silveri used his legs to push the team in front, a 1-yard quarterback sneak. GRCC took a 14-7 lead into the second quarter.
The Lightning scored two straight touchdowns to open the second quarter, jumping ahead 21-14. GRCC would counter with a 57-yard dash from Ronin Russell-Dixon, but a missed extra point left the Cougars down by one.
Silveri and Ziegler connected for their second touchdown of the game, this time a 23-yard pass. A successful two-point conversion put the Cougars ahead 28-21, a lead they took to the locker room.
John Passinault got into the action, tossing a touchdown pass to Nolan Ziegler. A safety by the Cougars’ defense extended their lead to 37-21 with one quarter to play. In the final quarter, Silveri returned to the scoring column. He used his legs on a one-yard quarterback keeper to move the game to its final count at 43-21.
Grand Rapids Catholic Central continues its regular season next week at home against Merrillville Andrean, a school from Indiana. Lapeer, meanwhile, will take on Midland.
