The Grand Rapids Catholic Central Cougars are looking for their fourth straight State Championship. This week, they began their journey with a first round game against Kalamazoo United. The Titans were making their sixth straight playoff trip, looking to score a historic upset.
The dreams of an upset were quickly quieted, as the Cougars struck on their first drive. Connor Wolf found Nate VanTimmeren on an 18-yard touchdown toss. Jack Cook was on the receiving end of the next Wolf touchdown pass, a 19-yard connection.
GRCC pushed their lead out to 28 points with a pair of early second half scores. First, Wolf and VanTimmeren paired up again, on a 19-yard scoring pass. Next, Cook used his legs to bowl across the goal line from a yard out.
Kalamazoo United finally broke the drought with a 13-yard touchdown toss from Nathan Fetterley to JJ Manion. The Cougars responded with a 15-yard pass from Wolf to Jami Williams that allowed them to take a 35-7 lead into the locker room.
On the first drive of the third quarter, Wolf used his legs for a touchdown. He kept the football and rumbled 13 yards for a score. The final United score of the night came on the ensuing kick return. Brice Brown fielded the kick and raced 94 yards past the oncoming Cougars’ kick team for a touchdown.
GRCC would add two late third quarter touchdowns. First, Brayden Sweeney found Kellen Russell-Dixon for a 20-yard passing touchdown. Finally, Sweeney used his legs for a 21-yard keeper.
Next week, the Cougars will look to capture a District Championship against Berrien Springs.
