Photo Credit: Lou Murray

 

The South Christian Sailors and Whitehall Vikings met on Friday night in the most highly-anticipated game on the West side this postseason. Throughout the year, fans had penciled these two in for a collision course at some point in the playoffs. These two got the chance to square off with a regional championship on the line at East Kentwood on Friday. In a thrilling back-and-forth affair, South Christian captured a 28-21 victory.

In the first quarter, just one touchdown was scored. With forty-six seconds left in the frame, Jake DeHaan kept the football, powering across the goal line from a yard out. South Christian took a 7-0 lead into the second quarter.

Whitehall would respond, as they struck with a big pass play. Kyle Stratton aired it out, connecting with Camden Thompson on a 46-yard touchdown strike. After Landon Howe converted the extra point, the teams went into halftime even at 7.

South Christian snagged the lead back when DeHaan and Nate Brinks connected on a 15-yard touchdown. Whitehall would once again draw even, this time after a Jackson Cook touchdown run of 5 yards.

Two minutes into the fourth quarter, Whitehall seized their first lead. Nate Bolley broke off a 4-yard touchdown run to push Whitehall ahead. South Christian would rally three minutes later, when DeHaan and Seth Ritsema paired up for a 16-yard touchdown.

With the game even at 21, South Christian got the football back. With fifty-four seconds to play, DeHaan capped off the winning drive with a one-yard touchdown toss to Brinks.

DeHaan finished this game 13/24 passing for 148 yards and three scores. He added the fourth touchdown on a run, finishing the game with 24 carries for 88 yards. Nate Brinks had 45 rushing yards and 18 receiving yards, accounting for two touchdowns.

Whitehall saw Kyle Stratton finish 10/17 passing for 151 yards. He added 79 yards rushing. Nate Bolley had 86 receiving yards and 40 rushing yards for the Vikings.

Next week, South Christian will square off with Edwardsburg for a trip to Ford Field. The Eddies defeated Hastings 24-14 on Friday night.