**ARTICLE BY JOSH LONGSTRETH**
The Newaygo Lions and Kent City Eagles would square off in week one of the 2023 football season. With Newaygo looking to start strong under new head football coach Ralph Munger, they would look to take down an Eagles team that has had big time success over the last several years. This one would shape up to be a thriller.
After a scoreless first quarter where both defenses would set the tone, that would only continue in the second quarter. Kent City’s Gabe Rusnell would pounce on a Lions loose ball in the endzone to open the scoring and taking a 6-0 lead. Newaygo would put some things together late in the quarter, however. With 3:00 left to go in the half, Newaygo would grab the lead after a 5-yard rushing touchdown by Aaron Garza to make it a 7-6 game. That’s where things would stay heading into the half.
Defense would continue to be the story here. Both teams wouldn’t let either offense get much going in the third quarter. Kent City would put together their biggest drive of the night as Caden Hartzell punched it in from 4-yards out to regain the lead at 14-7. The Lions weren’t about to fold here, however. Newaygo would muster their own offense to keep themselves right in the game. After driving deep into Eagles territory, Garza would find the endzone again, this time from 4-yards away. They would make it a 14-13 game, but the extra point would come up short and that would seal the deal. Kent City goes on to take this one in a thrilling week one matchup.
Kent City opens the season at 1-0 as they look to give their defense some more help next week. They’ll head to Central Montcalm to take on a Hornets team that came away with a 53-0 win over Morley Stanwood in week one.
Newaygo battled all game to give themselves a shot to pull this one off but it wouldn’t be enough. The Lions will look to see if they can get their offense going next week when they head over to Big Rapids. The Cardinals fell to Paw Paw to start their season on Friday night.
