Photo Credit: Jamie Harkness

The Tri-County Vikings hosted Kent City in a CSAA crossover battle on Friday night. Points were plentiful, and in the end, Tri-County was able to secure their fourth victory in a 40-22 contest.

On the opening drive of the night, Tri-County raced out to a lead. Bryce Reed reeled off a 70-yard touchdown sprint, giving them a 6-0 lead. It would quickly disappear, as Kent City scored on their ensuing drive. Andre Meade capped off the drive with a 24-yard touchdown carry, and a missed conversion left the scores tied at 6.

Tri-County was able to take the lead, 12-6, as Vaughn Veltman bolted past the oncoming Eagles’ tacklers for a 41-yard touchdown. They would maintain this lead into the second quarter, when they found the end zone again. It was Veltman again, using his legs for a 1-yard bowl across the goal line, pushing the Vikings lead to 12.

Kent City found a response once again, putting eight points on the board. Meade scored his second touchdown of the night, a 2-yard score. Before the half, #4 completed his touchdown hat trick. His three-yard carry, paired with a conversion attempt, gave Tri-County a 26-14 lead at the break.

The Vikings continued to extend their lead as the third quarter got underway. Veltman was once again the hot hand, scoring from four yards out. Kent City desperately needed a touchdown, and Logan Thompson provided that spark for them. He reeled off a 34-yard touchdown sprint, and there was still life for the Eagles down 32-22.

Tri-County put the game on ice early in the fourth quarter. #24’s 4-yard touchdown carry put this one out of reach, securing the Vikings’ first win in this series since 2015.

Bryce Reed finished with 21 carries for 197 yards, as well as 143 receiving yards on seven catches for the victorious Vikings.

Next week is a tremendously tall test for Tri-County. They will square off with Big Rapids, who is a real threat in the CSAA title race. Kent City has another tough battle next week, when they face Central Montcalm with the inside track of their CSAA division on the line.