The Cedar Springs Red Hawks welcomed the Wayland Wildcats to town on Friday for their latest OK Gold clash. It was a one-sided game early, as Cedar Springs scored the opening three touchdowns on their way to a 62-22 victory.
Two and a half minutes into the action, Carter Falan burst through the middle of the defense for a 15-yard touchdown. Ryan Mitchell added the conversion run. Three minutes later, Ryan West ran for a 12-yard score, with Falan adding the conversion carry. With thirty seconds left in the opening frame, Alex Ream chipped in a 12-yard score and a two-point conversion. This gave Cedar Springs a 24-0 first quarter lead.
Wayland opened the second quarter with a score, as Ian Thompson took an option for a 30-yard scoring burst. They failed the conversion, and Cedar Springs’ scoring onslaught continued. Carter Falan returned to the end zone with an 8-yard run. After forcing a punt, the Red Hawks blocked it, and Ryan Mitchell recovered the punt for a score. Aiden Brunin, who passed on the conversion after the punt to Blake Scheer, tossed for a touchdown before halftime, a 12-yard completion to Ryan West. Cedar Springs took a 48-6 lead into the locker room.
Midway through the third frame, a big burst pushed Cedar’s lead even further. Carter Bayink shot through the center of the Wildcats’ defense, racing 58 yards to the end zone. With twelve minutes left, it was 54-6 Red Hawks.
Wayland would win the fourth quarter, 16-8, but it was far too late to stop the running clock, let alone contend in this game. Dustin Loomans rushed for a 1-yard quarterback keeper early in the frame, before Kevin Vanderhaag shot down the field on a 73-yard roll to pay dirt. With seventy-five seconds left, Cainon Fenn concluded the day’s festivities with a 1-yard plunge.
Carter Falan led Cedar Springs with 119 yards on 10 carries. Kevin Vanderhaag chipped in 76, as Cedar Springs raced for 439 yards. Cainon Fenn (93 yards) was the top offensive producer for Wayland.
Now 6-1 on the year, with a lone blemish against Rockford, the gauntlet begins for Cedar Springs. Next week, the Red Hawks will face GRCC. On the following week, they see South Christian. This is surely one of the most-difficult two-week finishes around. Wayland will look to snap an 8-game skid against Middleville.
