Photo Credit: Lou Murray
The South Christian Sailors and Grand Rapids Christian Eagles have played at least one time in each season dating back to 1972 when Grand Rapids Central Christian and Grand Rapids East Christian merged into Grand Rapids Christian. If you add East Christian to the streak, this series spans to 1969. However you split it, these two are longtime rivals. On Friday night, the Sailors had one of the more comfortable victories in this series, securing a 42-7 win, their fourth straight in the series.
In the first quarter, South Christian found the end zone twice. Jake DeHaan used his legs on the first touchdown, a 14-yard run. This was set up by an interception from the Sailor defense that gave South the ball at the GRC 17. Later in the quarter, DeHaan found Nate Brinks on a 6-yard toss to give the Sailors a 14-0 lead.
DeHaan continued his strong play early in this quarter, putting together a three-minute touchdown drive. He capped off the march with a 22-yard strike to Carson Vis. Grand Rapids Christian would find the end zone on an Isaiah Caviness touchdown run of 49 yards. In the closing seconds of the half, after a big sack gave the ball back to South Christian, DeHaan powered across the goal line. At the half, it was 28-7 South Christian.
The second half saw a pair of Sailor scores, both completed in identical format. Jake DeHaan found Carson Vis twice for scores after halftime. First, it was an 8-yard catch. Later, it was a 7-yard score.
Jake DeHaan finished 16/19 passing for South Christian, racking up 241 yards through the air. Carson Vis hauled in six of those balls for 115 yards and three scores. Isaiah Caviness paced the Eagles in defeat with 69 yards rushing on eight carries. Alek Wickstrom was under heavy pressure at the quarterback position, finishing 9/18 for 49 yards.
Next week, South Christian will face East Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids Christian will look for their first victory of the year when they face Fruitport.
