The final week of the regular season kicked off a night early in Zeeland, with a non-conference clash between a couple of teams that could very likely make a ton of noise starting next week in the MHSAA playoffs – as the Dux hosted West Catholic on Zeeland West senior night. And, it was a final regular season statement made for Zeeland West, as they came from behind at the half to pull out a 14 point win over the Falcons.

West Catholic would start with the ball and effectively drive into ZW territory, before a fumble on a reverse that West Catholic would be able to fall on put them behind the chains leading to a forced punt. Zeeland West then took over with just over half the 1st quarter clock remaining and slowly drove all of that time out before plunging the ball into the end zone with junior RB Jonah Leslie on the second play of the second quarter – after a failed two-point try the Dux would lead it 6-0.

West Catholic would answer right back, as junior QB Grady Augustyn dialed uo a 24 yard passing strike over the defense to senior Jack Zegunis with 7:02 left in the half. The Landon Smith PAT attempt was blocked by the Dux to knot the game at 6-6.

The half then closed with a pair of familiar scores, first Leslie would score again, this time from 8 yards out, for the Dux – 12-6 after another missed two-point try. Then Augustyn dropped a 17 yard pass over the defense that Zegunis ripped away from a pair of defenders – Smith would hit the XP this time – giving West Catholic a 13-12 lead at the half.

Zeeland West started with the ball and after a false start penalty on 4th and one in their own end would be forced to punt it away. Catholic then rode the legs of their standout senior running back David Britenfeld down the field in the power run game, before he was able to find the end zone. PAT from Smith would make it an eight point Falcon lead with 6:22 in the 3rd.

Zeeland West then took over, after a long drive senior QB Trey Sloothaak would  score with :26 in the 3rd from 8 yards out – on a 4th and 4 play. The Senior QB would also plow his way into the end zone to tie the game at 20 heading to the 4th.

It was in the 4th that Zeeland West would come up with their second stop of the game deep in their own territory before driving up to the Falcon 46 yard line. There, senior FB Keaton Hendricks would break free for a 46 yard TD, to give the Dix the lead for good – 26-0 after no good tee-point try from Sloothaak.

West forced another stop on the next West Catholic drive, and then Zeeland West would kill the clock with a grinding drive down the field, before Leslie plunged into the end zone again and a Sloothaak to McLaren 2 point pass would give the Dux a 34-20 win.

Zeeland West finishes the regular season at 7-1 and will begin the D3 playoffs as a 1 seed in their district next week. West Catholic finishes the year at 6-3 and OK-White Champions, they open up the D5 playoffs as either a 1 or 2 seed next weekend.

 

 

STAT & SCORING LEADERS

 

ZEELAND WEST – 34

QB – Sr – Trey Sloothaak: 12 carries, 106 yards – 1 TD | 3 completions, 45 yards

RB – Jr – Jonah Leslie: 10 carries, 43 yards – 3 TD

RB – Sr – Isaac VanderZwaag: 9 carries, 41 yards

FB – Sr – Keaton Hendricks: 13 carries, 139 yards – 1 TD

 

WEST CATHOLIC – 20

QB – Jr – Grady Augustyn: 16 completions, 158 yards – 2 TD | 9 carries, 52 yards

RB – Sr – David Britenfeld: 19 carries, 111 yards – 1 TD

WR – Sr – Jack Zegunis: 3 receptions, 46 yards – 2 TD

WR – Jr – Aaron Ricord: 5 receptions, 43 yards