The River Cities Alliance has provided fans with several great matchups in its inaugural fall campaign. This Friday, another classic unfolded with Kenowa Hills and Coopersville.
In the opening quarter, Coopersville got things rolling early. Beau Harris used his legs to keep the football, carrying it four yards for the opening touchdown. Lundon Hampton responded for the Knights, as he powered across the goal line from a yard out.
Coopersville would take a 14-7 lead into the second quarter, thanks to a late touchdown pass from Harris to Sam McDonald.
Quarterback Grayson Fellows would help Kenowa Hills take the lead in the early stages of the second quarter. He used his legs from a yard out, before assisting in a successful two-point conversion. This gave the Knights a 15-14 edge.
Fellows would help extend the lead with another quarterback run in the closing seconds of the half. His 8-yard carry with 21 seconds to play gave Kenowa Hills a 22-14 lead entering the locker room.
The Knights continued to build a lead in the later stages of the third quarter. Hampton returned to his powerful ground attack, and a short carry extended the lead to 15 points, 29-14.
Coopersville would rally, with Brooks Hadden hauling in a 48-yard touchdown pass from Harris. This brought the Broncos within nine as we entered the final quarter of play.
Though Beau Harris is known for his arm, his legs would provide an explosive highlight early in the fourth. He sprinted past the entire fleet of Knights’ defenders, racing 72 yards for the score. A successful PAT kick made the score 29-27 with 8:45 left to play.
Needing an answer to calm the Coopersville momentum, Grayson Fellows seized control. He took to the air, pairing with William Fussman for a 27-yard touchdown strike.
The Broncos would put together one last touchdown drive, a 67-yard run from Beau Harris, but it would not be enough to overcome the early deficit.
This loss by Coopersville creates some chaos and excitement in the RCA standings entering the final weeks of league play. Coopersville currently sits at 4-1 in RCA action, and they will step out of league play next week against Big Rapids. Cedar Springs and Lowell are each 3-1 in the league. Coopersville will play Cedar Springs in Week 9, after the Red Hawks face Allendale next week. Lowell will finish with Sparta and Greenville in their pursuit for the inaugural RCA crown.
