The West Ottawa Panthers had a special evening planned, as they closed the doors on a stadium that treated fans to sixty years of football. It was a close battle against a tough Grandville team early, but the Bulldogs eventually pulled away in a 45-14 win.
Neither team scored in the opening quarter of this game. In the first minute of the second quarter, Donnie Osborn snapped the drought. The Grandville ball carrier bowled across the goal line from a yard out, giving the ‘Dawgs a 6-0 lead. On the ensuing drive, West Ottawa responded with their own score. Cole Tulgestke paired up with Evan Janetzke on a 11-yard strike. Theo Borgman booted an extra point, giving the Panthers a 7-6 advantage.
Grandville scored twice in the final seven minutes of the first half to regain the lead. First, Damian Merrick broke off a 48-yard touchdown run, his first of the 2021 campaign. With a minute to go, Ian Sanders found Cade Pilczuk on a 32-yard touchdown toss that was paired with an Osborn conversion run. As a result, Grandville led 22-7 at halftime.
The Bulldogs’ offensive run continued in the second half. Osborn returned to the end zone with a 37-yard touchdown carry at the midpoint of the third quarter. On their next drive in the frame, Cade Pilczuk powered across the goal line from a yard out. This pushed Grandville ahead by 31. Early in the fourth quarter, Trey Johnson carried the football three yards for a score. This stellar offense was paired with stout defense, as the Bulldogs stopped West Ottawa on downs on four consecutive possessions.
West Ottawa would finally break through in the fourth quarter when Tulgestke found Lucas Lester on a 15-yard toss. This pass was on fourth down, snapping the fourth down stop streak for the Grandville defense.
Damian Merrick paced the Grandville rushing attack with 135 yards on 7 carries. Donnie Osborn added 73 yards on 9 carries. As a team, Grandville rushed for 296 yards in this win.
Grandville will be in the postseason next week. Their opponent in Division 1 will be announced on Sunday. West Ottawa finishes with a third consecutive winless campaign, as their winless streak extends to 26 games.
