The Grand Rapids Catholic Central Cougars had little trouble in their District Championship game on Friday night. After a 42-6 win over Benton Harbor in the opening round of the postseason, GRCC followed that up with a 49-7 win over Berrien Springs in the District Finals.
Kellen Russell-Dixon got the scoring started with a 4 yard touchdown run. Later in the quarter, Brock Jones added a 1-yard plunge to double the lead to 14-0.
The Cougars pushed their lead to 35 at the break with a trio of second quarter scores. Jones scored on a 6-yard carry, before Lucas Thelen scored on an 11-yard run. Russell-Dixon returned to the end zone with a 6-yard touchdown run.
With the running clock in effect, scoring chances were limited out of the locker room. GRCC managed a single third quarter scoring drive. Kamall Hillard finished that drive with a 1-yard touchdown.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Berrien Springs finally got on the scoreboard. Andru Gonzalez ended the drought with his 3-yard touchdown carry. With ninety seconds to go, Cameron Maley wrapped up the scoring with a 3-yard score.
GRCC had 406 yards of offense in this game, including 150 on the ground. Connor Wolf finished 16/23 passing for 256 yards.
With this win, GRCC advances to next week’s regional finals. They will travel to their longtime City rival West Catholic, who rolled to a shutout victory over Oakridge on Friday.
