**ARTICLE BY HUDSON HARKNESS**
A slow start for Big Rapids allows for Whitehall to prevail in the 1st round of the playoffs, 42-12.
The only score the 1st quarter came at the 6:45 mark when Jackson Cook ran up the middle from 2-yards and gets Whitehall on the board. Landon Howe’s PAT was good. After 12-minutes, Vikings 7, Cardinals 0.
The 2nd quarter was more of Whitehall. 2-minutes into the quarter, Kyle Stratton would drop back from the 11-yard line and find Ca’mar Ready for 6. Howe’s PAT was good. Stratton would end the half with another touchdown pass, this time from 49-yards out and finding Trannon Aylor. Howe’s PAT was good. At the half, Whitehall 21, Big Rapids 0.
Whitehall took that momentum they finished the 1st half with straight into the 2nd half. That momentum came in the form of an opening kickoff return to the house from Aylor for 93-yards. Howe would make the PAT. The Vikings would put one more score on the board before the Cardinals would sniff the endzone. 4-minutes after the break, Cook would score on a 19-yard rush. Howe would make his PAT. Big Rapids would score before the end of the 3rd with the 20-yard completion from Wil Strickler to Brody Sleeper. At the end of 3, Whitehall 35, Big Rapids 6.
Big Rapids would score quick in the 4th with another Strickler pass this one to Riley Vennix from the 3-yard line. The final score of the game would come at the 8-minute mark with a 42-yard pitch and catch from Stratton to Aylor. Howe would make the PAT. Whitehall would come out on top 42-12.
Big Rapids’ season ends with a 7-3 record. Whitehall moves to 10-0. They will host Fruitport in week 11.
