Last week was another example of what the Zeeland West Dux have been doing to teams early on in the 2023 season. The Dux were able to cruise again last week over the Wyoming Wolves, 54-8. This week West would be tested early, before a big third quarter turned the tide.
The Dux found themselves in a battle early on in this one. For an offense that has been rolling on all cylinders, West wouldn’t be able to put anything on the board in the early goings. Things would change early in the second quarter, however, when Parker Holman found the endzone to make it a 6-0 game. It was a methodical drive as the Dux put together an 11 play, 92 yard drive to grab the first score of the game. Later on in the quarter, Holman found his way again to give West some breathing room at 12-0. Union put together a big drive of their and paid it off with just seconds remaining in the half. Ja’Quari Tyler found Jersey Brown on a touchdown strike that made it 7-12 heading into the half.
Zeeland West felt some urgency to begin the second half. They would find the endzone on just a three play drive when Rolando Robelin found some daylight from 50-yards away. He would pay off the two-point try as well to make it a 20-7 Dux lead. It wouldn’t take much longer for Robelin to find another. This time finding space from 45-yards away and heading all the way in. This gave West some big momentum by taking a 28-7 lead. They would take a little more time to find the endzone again in the quarter but would late when Holman ran one in from 12-yards away. The Dux started to feel it a bit as this upped the lead to 36-7. That’s where things would stand after three.
Early fourth quarter, Holman would find the endzone for the fourth time on the night on a 15-yard touchdown scamper. This would make it a 42-7, Dux advantage. Another quick drive midway through the quarter found Trey Sloothaak taking one in from 52-yards away. In a game that West found themselves tested early, they cruise the rest of the way by defeating the Red Hawks 48-7.
The West offense piled up 368 rushing yards on the night. Their defense was strong again by limit the Union offense to just under 200 yards in the game. Parker Holman finished the night with 23 carries for 161 yards and 4 touchdowns. Rolando Robelin added 11 carries for 160 yards and 2 touchdowns. Trenton Bolhouse picked off two Red Hawks passes on the night.
Grand Rapids Union will fall to 1-3 on the young season. The Red Hawks will have a chance to bounce back when they take on a Wyoming team that continues to struggle. The Wolves welcome them in next Friday night.
For quite possibly the first time this season, it wasn’t as easy in the early goings for the Dux. It wouldn’t take long, however, as they improve to 4-0 on the season. They will have a big test in week five as they take on rival Zeeland East. The Chix have found themselves in the win column all season and impressed again against Wyoming. This big time battle will find the two squaring off next Friday at East High School.
