The Grandville Bulldogs and Caledonia Fighting Scots played an absolute thriller in 2022, with 90 combined points on the scoreboard. This season, the schools treated their fans to another classic, though this time it was late-game heroics that will be remembered. A score with two seconds to play gave Grandville a 38-34 victory.

On the opening kickoff, Grandville shot in front. Miguel Rojas fielded the opening kick and raced through the oncoming tacklers for a 95-yard touchdown. A failed conversion left the ‘Dawgs ahead by 6. In the final minute of the quarter, Braylen Haney doubled the lead with a 1-yard touchdown plunge.

Caledonia responded in the second quarter with their aerial attack. Quarterback Brody Betser captained a pair of scoring drives using his arm. On the first score, Betser found Maddox Greenfield for a 28-yard touchdown strike. Later in the frame, Betser paired up with Brock Townsend for a 21-yard score. A pair of successful PATS after the touchdown gave Caledonia a 15-12 advantage with a half to play.

Early in the third quarter, Grandville jumped back in front. Jayden “Tank” Terry showcased his breakaway speed with a 76-yard touchdown run. Caledonia responded with a pair of touchdowns. Betser used his legs on the first score, a 14-yard carry. He followed that up with his second touchdown connection with Greenfield, a 34-yard toss. This gave Caledonia a 28-19 advantage.

Miguel Rojas provided a second jolt for Grandville, as he fielded the kick and found a seam on his way to a 90-yard touchdown return. Before the quarter ended, Brock Townsend used his legs for a 35-yard touchdown carry. With twelve minutes to go, Caledonia led 34-26.

Cash Ruff was able to chip away at the Caledonia lead with a 16-yard touchdown run. A failed conversion left Grandville behind by two points with five minutes to play.

On the ensuing kick, Grandville elected to pooch it. Their special teams unit executed perfectly, recovering the football on the Caledonia 37 yard line. The ‘Dawgs used a methodical approach to churn down the field, leaving themselves with a third-and-goal at the Caledonia 3 with 11 seconds to play. Cash Ruff took it from there, powering across the goal line with two seconds to play.

 

Grandville improves to 6-1 on the season. Their path to the OK Red championship remains alive as they enter their Week 8 battle with Rockford. The victor of that game will clinch at least a share of the conference title. Caledonia, meanwhile, slides to 5-2 on the season. They will look to rebound next week against East Kentwood.