The Forest Hills Eastern Hawks entered Week 9 holding onto the 28th position in the Division 4 playoffs. As they faced Wayland, there was no margin for error. A victory in this game was absolutely necessary to secure a playoff bid. The Hawks did exactly that, capturing a 55-6 victory against the Wildcats.
The Hawks jumped out to a hot start in this game, scoring on their first drive. Bryson Kuzdzal hauled in a 78-yard pass from Brayden Stratbucker, just the second play from scrimmage. On their ensuing defensive drive, Collin Fridsma scooped up a blocked punt and gave FHE a 14-0 lead.
Wayland responded with a touchdown pass from Dustin Loomans to Payton Moore covering 27 yards. FHE would respond on the ensuing kickoff return, as special teams guru Collin Fridsma fielded the kickoff and raced 85 yards for a score. This put FHE ahead 21-6 after the first quarter.
Over the final three quarters, the Hawks scored all 34 points. Half of those points came in the second quarter. Kuzdzal scored on a 18-yard touchdown run on the Hawks’ opening drive. Collin Fridsma scored his third touchdown in a third unique way, hauling in a 12-yard pass from Stratbucker. Clune VanAndel booted a 31-yard field goal on the final play of the half.
In the second half, Jacob Snell rushed for a score before VanAndel converted another field goal (27 yards). With twelve seconds to go, Dillon Wieschhorster found Owen Hardy for a 24-yard touchdown to round out the scoring.
Forest Hills Eastern outgained Wayland 311-165 in this ballgame. It was a balanced attack for the Hawks, as they passed for 173 yards and rushed for 138. Stratbucker finished 5/7 passing for 107 yards. Bryson Kuzdzal was the leading reciever with 78 yards. Max Ferrick had 38 rushing yards to lead the Hawks.
On Sunday, Forest Hills Eastern will learn their playoff fate. It is expected that the Hawks will secure a playoff berth, but their fate becomes official on Sunday night. As for Wayland, they finish the year winless at 0-9. This is their tenth straight defeat, and it clinches the eighth straight losing season for the Wildcats.
