Photo Credit: Eric Tuori

The South Christian Sailors started their 2022 OK Gold campaign against Ottawa Hills at East Kentwood on Friday night. From the opening kickoff, South Christian set the tone in their 51-12 victory.

Charlie Schreur fielded the opening kickoff at his own 14 yard line, and he raced 86 yards through the oncoming Bengals tacklers for a kick return touchdown. Another special teams miscue cost Ottawa Hills two more points, as their punt snap sailed out of the back of the end zone. After the free kick, Nate Brinks capped off the scoring drive with a 15-yard touchdown run. This gave the Sailors a 16-0 lead.

A third special teams play turned into South Christian points early in the second quarter. A blocked punt by the Sailors, recovered by Ben Mulder gave them seven more points. The Bengals would finally snap the drought on a pass from Tyreez Buchanan to Willie Slot. Nate Brinks’ second touchdown run gave South Christian a 30-6 halftime edge.

In the second half, Charlie Schreur found the end zone on consecutive possessions. His carries of 10 and 15 yards respectively padded the Sailors’ lead. Keymarion Gibson found the end zone for the Bengals, before South Christian running back Jackson Halk‘s maiden voyage to the end zone wrapped up the scoring.

It was another efficient night for Jake DeHaan. He was 12/17 passing for 177 yards, though he did have two interceptions. Nate Brinks led the rushing attack with 62 yards and two scores, while Charlie Schreur added 31 yards. In defeat, Ottawa Hills’ Keymarion Gibson rushed 15 times for 128 yards.

The 3-0 Sailors will have their hands full next week against 0-3 Cedar Springs, the MHSAA’s best winless team. Ottawa Hills, now 0-3, will take on Middleville.