Photo Credit: Lou Murray
The Josh Shattuck era entered its third game on Friday night, as they hosted the Northview Wildcats. The first-year leader of the Pioneers recorded his first victory on Friday night, capturing a 24-18 win over Northview in the OK White opener.
Visiting Northview struck first, as Mike Murphy found the end zone from four yards out. They would maintain this 7-0 lead throughout the first quarter.
East Grand Rapids responded with a field goal, a 31-yard boot from Nick Collins. This was the third successful field goal on the season for Collins. The Pioneers would take a 10-7 lead when Drew Caswell broke off a 5-yard touchdown run. Kevin Landers booted a field goal for the Wildcats to even the score at 10.
The Wildcats would jump back ahead 18-10 when Armaan Irving connected with Jacob Szurna on an explosive 80-yard touchdown just twelve seconds into the third quarter. The resilient Pioneers would respond with fourteen unanswered points to capture a victory.
First, it was Preston Bergstrom who found Ian MacKeigan on a 16-yard touchdown. East lined up for the tying two-point attempt, but they were unsuccessful.
Trailing 18-16 with just under nine minutes to go, East Grand Rapids recaptured the lead. MacKeigan powered through the Wildcats’ defense on a 7-yard scoring run, giving the Pioneers a 22-18 edge. The victors would add a safety to their final tally.
With a victory, East Grand Rapids moves to 1-2 on the season, and 1-0 in the OK White. They will try and get back to .500 when they face Forest Hills Central next week. Northview, now 1-2, will square off against Grand Rapids Christian next Friday.
