The South Christian Sailors and Middleville Trojans slogged their way through a rainy night at East Kentwood on Friday. In the end, the Sailors were able to walk away with a 29-20 victory, keeping their sights on the OK Gold championship heading into next week’s battle with Grand Rapids Catholic Central.
Grant Middleton got Middleville started with a 2-yard touchdown plunge. This capped off a 5-minute, 75-yard touchdown march for the Trojans. Charlie Schreuer responded for South Christian with a 14-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, evening the score at 7.
Middleville would take the lead again, as Middleton found Drake Snyder on a 7-yard touchdown pass. This capped off a 73-yard touchdown march that featured a pivotal fourth down conversion. The Trojans took their 14-7 lead into the locker room.
After halftime, the Sailors got on the scoreboard on their opening drive. Carson Vis paired up with Austin Tiesma on a 7-yard touchdown, but the failed PAT left South Christian down a point.
The tenacious Trojans had an answer again, this time a touchdown run by Brody Wiersma. Middleville held a 20-13 lead with less than three minutes to go in the third quarter.
South Christian would ultimately win this football game for their performance in the fourth quarter. First, it was Carson Vis finding Jake Vermaas on a short touchdown toss. Nate Brinks caught a two-point conversion that put South ahead 21-20. They would add an insurance touchdown when Vis and James VanderArk connected for a 7-yard score.
South Christian improves to 6-1 with this win, and maintains their undefeated OK Gold record. Next week, they will face Grand Rapids Catholic Central in the OK Gold title game. Middleville will take on Forest Hills Eastern next week, entering that contest with a 1-6 mark.
