**ARTICLE BY JOSH LONGSTRETH**
The Newaygo Lions fell victim to a tight battle with Kent City last week. But it was a game in which the Lions could build from as the Eagles are typically a team that has a shot at the playoffs each season. This week, however, Newaygo would take a step back in the realization that there is still a lot to clean up.
Big Rapids would really have their way early on in the game. The Cardinals would get on the board first on a Jackson Bollman 14-yard touchdown run early in the quarter. Big Rapids would get their offense going again midway through the quarter when Riley Vennix took one in from 5-yards away. A Vennix pass to Kaleb Dubowski would give the Cardinals a 14-0 advantage. With just 1:55 remaining in the quarter, Garrett Foster would find the endzone on a 1-yard run. It was all Cardinals after one, 21-0.
It would be the Big Rapids offense finding yet another score to begin the second quarter scoring. Foster would break free, this time from 9-yards out to give his team a 28-0 lead. The Cardinals offense wouldn’t let up as they were really able to set the edge for much of the opening half. Bollman found his second score on the night on a 9-yard touchdown run. It was all Big Rapids to this point, 35-0. But the Lions would finally find some momentum as the kickoff found the hands of Damone Moore who would take it all the way back for a Newaygo score. It would still stand with Big Rapids having a comfortable lead at the half, 35-8.
The Cardinals offense was off and running again to begin the second half as Vennix hit Dubowski again from 9-yards away to up the lead. A good PAT would give Big Rapids a 42-8 lead and that’s where things would stand heading into the final quarter of play.
Newaygo would find the final score on the night as they put together a strong fourth quarter to give themselves a boost. Blake Kerr would hit Isaiah Lopez on a 30-yard touchdown pass. Big Rapids wouldn’t find the endzone but they go on to take this one, 42-14.
Aaron Garza led the Lions offense with 58 yards rushing on 15 carries.
Big Rapids had their ground game working to the tune of 326 yards rushing on the night. Jackson Bollman led the ground game with 103 yards on 15 carriers and 2 touchdowns. Garrett Foster finished with 94 yards on 11 carries and added 2 touchdowns of his own. Vennix ran 11 times for 88 yards on the night with a touchdown. He added another through the air.
Bollman led the Cardinals defense with 7 tackles. Jordan Holm led the Lions defense with 7 of his own.
Newaygo will look to pick up the pieces next week when they take on Morley Stanwood who is coming off a tough loss to Kalkaska. The Lions will need to be much better on both sides of the ball as they took a big step backward this week.
Big Rapids bounced back in a big way after falling to Paw Paw in week one. This should be a big step forward for their football team when they take on a Central Montcalm team that is looking to bounce back after losing to Kent City.
