Photo Credit: Lou Murray https://www.flickr.com/photos/45681226@N02/albums/72177720301808683
The South Christian Sailors traveled to the shores of Reeds Lake on Thursday night for a thrilling non-league battle. South Christian fell behind early, but they scored 28 unanswered points to capture a 35-6 victory.
Nick Collins got the Pioneers started offensively with a 33-yard field goal kick. This successful boot gave EGR a 3-0 lead with four minutes left in the opening frame. South Christian would respond with a 2-minute touchdown drive, as Jake DeHaan found Carson Vis for a 32-yard score.
Early in the second quarter, East Grand Rapids got back within a point. Again, it was Nick Collins who would successfully boot a 32-yard field goal. This would be the final scoring play for the Pioneers.
South Christian scored three touchdowns in the second quarter to put this game out of reach. First, DeHaan found Brady Nitz on a 50-yard touchdown strike. Next, DeHaan connected with Jake Vermaas on a 14-yard touchdown. Finally, DeHaan and Nitz paired up again for an 8-yard score. This gave South Christian a 28-6 halftime advantage.
There was no scoring play in the third quarter, but South Christian would tack on one more touchdown in the fourth. Nate Brinks rushed for a 14-yard score, before booting his fifth extra point of the evening.
Jake DeHaan finished 16/20 passing for South Christian. He racked up 314 yards and 4 touchdowns through the air, while also adding 91 yards on 16 carries. Brady Nitz (108 yards) and Jake Vermaas (102) were century club receivers for the Sailors.
South Christian, now 2-0 and outscoring opponents 77-13, will start OK Gold play against Ottawa Hills. East Grand Rapids, who slides to 0-2, starts OK White action against Northview.
