Photo Credit: Lou Murray
South Christian and East Grand Rapids, two of the state’s most storied programs, squared off on Friday night with another treat for their loyal fanbases. There were seventy total points in this contest, including 29 in the fourth quarter alone. In the end, it was South Christian who would stand tall in a 42-28 victory.
East Grand Rapids delivered the first two blows, scoring twice in the first quarter. They reeled off a nine-play, 77-yard drive on their first march, capped off by a 5-yard carry by Tyler Blake. Josh McCune would double the Pioneers’ margin with his own 1-yard plunge, putting East ahead by 14.
South Christian would respond, as Carson Vis led an 11-play, 80-yard touchdown attack. He found Jake DeHaan for a 4-yard toss, drawing the Sailors within seven. EGR’s Carson, Carson Thornton, would not be outdone, pairing up with Isaac Mulder on a responding 21-yard touchdown.
South Christian would find the end zone one more time before the half, as a 67-yard pass to Brinks set up a short touchdown toss to Burness. This allowed South to draw within six, 20-14, at the break.
In the third quarter, there was just one touchdown. Vis and DeHaan paired up again after recovering an EGR fumble. This touchdown gave South Christian their first lead, 21-20, with seven minutes to go in the frame.
The Sailors’ lead would increase to nine on the opening play of the final quarter. Carson Vis used his legs for this one, securing a 15-yard touchdown run after a couple of key passes to move South downfield.
Trailing 29-20, the Pioneers would not waver. Instantly, they struck back. Thornton and Gavin Buck linked up 21-yard touchdown, before Thornton and McClune connected on the two-point try. With just over eight minutes to play, the Pioneers were back within one, 29-28.
South Christian, a program known for shutting the door, did exactly that, scoring a pair of touchdowns to ice it. First, Vis and Nate Brinks provided a 31-yard aerial attack. Finally, Osterhaven ripped off a 17-yard touchdown run, after South converted a key fourth and two. This fourteen-point edge would be the final margin, 42-28.
South Christian is now 2-0 on the season. Next week, they travel to West Catholic. East Grand Rapids, now 1-1, faces another longtime foe in Grand Rapids Christian next Friday.
