The season opener on the grid iron featured a CARR show in the town of Saline Michigan. The Hornets of Saline hosted the Eagles of Hudsonville in a rematch of last year’s week one matchup. Both teams feature Senior Quarterbacks with the same last name CARR. The similarities do not end with the names of the play callers. The offensive and defensive sides of the ball featured a very similar approach to the game. Pass first offenses and opportunistic defenses are what make these two teams so much fun to watch. The only real difference between the two squads would be the special teams play. The edge here has to go to the Hornets.
So here is the breakdown of the game. The Eagles started with the ball, drove the field, and scored the first 3 points of the game. They were propelled by the arm and hands of the QB and his favorite target #1 Sr Elijah VanderVeen. Trey Carr hit Elijah in stride for a 53 yard completion in the opening drive.
The Hornets would start near the midfield stripe thanks to a great return of the kickoff. The special teams started hot for Saline. Next it was time for the Notre Dame commit, C.J. Carr to take the field. He promptly moved the Hornet offense inside the red zone on what looked like it would be a 7 point drive. Hudsonville was able to force a fumble and take the sting out of the Hornets opening possession. Eagles 3 Hornets 0
The two teams would continue to battle back and forth. Both offenses shining brightly behind their respective strong armed quarterbacks but both defenses also creating turnovers at very critical times. Saline fumbled twice and threw an interception, the Eagles were victims of the turnovers as well. Hudsonville had chances to take the lead late in the 4th quarter, but fumbles on consecutive drives took the wind out from under the Eagles wings.
For Hudsonville, Trey Carr scored twice, but not as a passer. He had carries from the 2 and the 1 yard lines for TD’s. Soph K Ian Munoz was successful with a 14 yard field goal on the games 1st drive however a missed extra point and a blocked field goal attempt were points the Eagles eventually could not afford to miss. Hudsonville tally would total 15.
The Hornets would also put points on the board via the legs of their QB. C.J. scored from 14 and 1 yard while Sr RB Ryan Niethammer ran it in from 4 yards late in the game. Sr K Riley Behrman added a 21 yard field goal. Saline tally would eventually total 24, giving the home team a 9 point victory.
Anyone who has either of these teams on their schedule, be warned. These are two very good football teams that will fix the minor issues that keep them and many like them from greatness…Turnovers and Penalties.
Final score Saline Hornets 24 Hudsonville Eagles 15. Next week the Eagles are again on the road to OLSM (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s) and the Hornets will also be on the road, but considerably closer taking on Ann Arbor Huron.
