The Grand Rapids Catholic Central Cougars defeated their longtime rival Bengals of Ottawa Hills on Friday evening. It was a much closer result than many expected, our friends at Goosepoop projected it to be a 58-point contest. In the end, Grand Rapids Catholic Central defeated Ottawa Hills 34-15.
Kellen Russell-Dixon started the scoring with a 3-yard carry in the first quarter. It was the lone play that resulted in points, and the Cougars led 7-0 twelve minutes in.
In the second quarter, Sean Sullivan doubled the Cougars’ lead. Sullivan powered across the goal line from two yards out. Prior to the half, Connor Wolf and Sullivan paired up on a short touchdown pass. This allowed GRCC to take a 21-0 lead into the locker room.
It was more of the same from the Cougars in the third frame. Brayden Sweeney scored on a short rushing touchdown. Quickly after their offense touchdown, the defense joined the scoring column. David Koepke scooped up a loose fumble and rumbled into the end zone. A failed conversion gave the Cougars a 34-0 lead.
Ottawa Hills rallied in the fourth quarter. Keymarion Gibson got the Bengals on the scoreboard when he ripped off a 49-yard sprint past the Cougars to the end zone. Later in the frame, Tyreez Buchanan and Willie Duke linked up for a 13-yard score. With only two minutes to go, the Bengals could not overcome the difference.
Grand Rapids Catholic Central improves to 6-1 on the year. The Cougars will take on Wayland next week. Ottawa Hills, now 0-7, will look for their first victory against Forest Hills Eastern.
