The Grand Rapids Catholic Central Cougars and East Grand Rapids Pioneers have long been two of the state’s premier programs, with 19 State Championships in the playoff era. Their on-the-field history has been scattered, with just 17 meetings since 1987, but several matchups have been extremely memorable. This Friday’s battle was no different, as the Pioneers needed every point they could get to hold off a furious Catholic Central rally, securing a 31-28 victory.
In the first half of this game, East Grand Rapids dominated in all facets of the game. Defensively, they held GRCC scoreless, continuing a frustrating offensive attack that we saw last week against Northview. On the offensive side, they put three touchdown drives together, and they even converted a field goal.
East Grand Rapids scored on their opening drive when Leighton Kolk powered across the goal line from four yards out. After securing a stop, Carson Thornton and Josh McCune paired up for an explosive 30-yard touchdown pass, pushing the Pioneers ahead by 14.
The scoring would continue into the second quarter, as Kolk returned to the end zone. This time, the scoring play was a display of endurance, as he covered 30 yards on his way to the end zone. Finally, as a late second quarter drive was winding down, Daniel Klein booted a 23-yard field goal to give EGR a commanding 24-0 lead at halftime.
Coming out of the locker room, East Grand Rapids somehow found another dial to crank it up to. Asa Cox fielded the opening kickoff and burst through an onslaught of Cougars’ tacklers. Ninety yards later, he was standing in the end zone, extending the Pioneers lead to 31 points.
Not overcome by this cavernous margin on the scoreboard, Grand Rapids Catholic Central went to work. After their own big plays, Kamall Hillard capped off a quick scoring drive with a 7-yard touchdown carry. This put the Cougars on the board, trailing by 24 with one quarter to play.
Early in the fourth quarter, GRCC found the end zone again. This time, it was Cameron Maley who rumbled across the goal line from 3 yards out. After a quick stop, Odin Spencer found Jami Williams on a 16-yard touchdown strike. With just six minutes to go, the Cougars were back within ten, 31-21.
The defense again held the Pioneers at bay, giving Catholic Central a chance to draw closer. With about thirty seconds to play, Spencer and Williams paired up again. This 15-yard toss brought the Cougars within three, but their second half surge could not overcome the final three points on the scoreboard.
Grand Rapids Catholic Central slides to 5-3 with this defeat, their most losses in any season since 2014. They will conclude regular season action next week against South Christian before beginning the postseason. For East Grand Rapids, this was a huge victory to improve to 5-3. This win all but secures a postseason berth, though they close the regular season out against Forest Hills Central next week.
