The battle for the top of the OK-Gold is going to be raging all year long, but Unity Christian has earned a big early advantage, as they were able to win in a battle of unbeatens vs. Zeeland West and grab the solo top spot in the Gold with FHC’s win over South Christian.

Friday night was homecoming for Unity Christian for Craig Tibbe’s Crusaders and they made their mark from the jump in the battle of two of the state’s top Power T offenses. The ‘Saders defense was able to stymie Zeeland West after only one first down for the Dux on the first drive and immediately chunked the ball down the short field quickly before Isaac Stienstra plowed his way into the end zone just before the six minute mark in the first.

After a longer West drive the next time out that lasted into the second quarter, Unity was able to make another stop and get the ball after a solid stop around mid field following a near 20 yard loss on an offense-recovered fumble by Dux QB Trey Sloothaak, who returned from injury this week after missing the last 6+ quarters of play. Stienstra would strike again on this quick drive, going 74 yards to set up a first and goal right away – Before he would then find his way into the end zone just a few plays later from three yards out. QB Jackson DeHoop would then find Stienstra on a two-point conversion pass to make the lead 14-0 (after a missed two-pointer after the first score).

West got the ball back with 6:04 remaining in the half and used up almost all of that to grind their way up the field, before coach Shillito reached into his playbook and dialed up a pass to a streaking Isaac VanderZwaag from Sloothaak with 18 seconds left on the first half clock, The Dux would add the 2 after the score with Sloothaak running it in for a 14-8 deficit heading into the locker room for halftime.

Defense would take over in the 3rd quarter with both teams struggling to break through, Unity would get the ball first and punt, West would use a variety of looks, including a shotgun T look direct snapping to Sloothaak in the middle of two split backs, but they also would fail to score. That set up another long U.C. march, ending in Stienstra’s third score of the night from three yards out again with 6:39 left – 20-8 after a missed 2 point try.,

West would struggle to move the ball quickly on the ensuing drive, slowly moving the ball before getting backed up on a. fourth and long in their own end, where U.C.’s Max VanKoevering would put the cherry on top of his incredible defensive night, as the speedy backer broke through and sacked Sloothaak to turn the ball over on downs and seal a statement Crusaders win.

Unity Christian stays unbeaten at 5-0 and now sits alone atop the OK-Gold at 2-0, Zeeland West falls to 1-1 in the Gold and 4-1 overall.

 

Stat Leaders:

UNITY CHRISTIAN – 20

RB – Sr – Isaac Stienstra: 3 Rush TD, 11 carries, 128 yards

FB – Sr – Max VanKoevering: 3 carries, 6 yards, Sack on defense

RB – Sr – Nolan Vis: 6 carries, 39

QB – Sr – Jackson DeHoop: 2 Completions, 28 yards (Both to VanKoevering) / 12 Rush Yards

 

ZEELAND WEST – 8

RB – Sr – Isaac VanderZwaag: 1 Reception, 25 yards, TD / 8 carries, 23 yards

FB – Sr – Keaton Hendricks: 14 carries, 49 yards

RB – Jr – Jonah Leslie: 8 carries, 24 yards

QB – Sr – Trey Sloothaak: 17 carries, 14 yards (incl. -18 on 2nd drive fumble) / 2 completions, 39 yards, passing TD