The 4-4 Grandville Bulldogs and 4-4 Caledonia Fighting Scots each entered Friday night’s week 9 clash with very different things at stake. The Bulldogs found themselves already locked into the D1 playoffs courtesy of their tough schedule. Caledonia, meanwhile, even with a win would likely be unable to qualify for the D2 playoffs – But, would need to ruin the Bulldogs senior night if they would have any chance of playing on.

The night started with senior night festivities and then a video production and tribute to veterans on military appreciation night, and even featured a post national anthem flyover with a pair off classic military aircraft from the Hooligan Flight Team.

The Bulldogs would start with the ball and jumped out front right away, first Jayden Terry went 71 yards to the house for the first score of the night less than 90 seconds in to the game. Then after a 3-and-out was forced, the Bulldogs would score from 70 yards out on a weaving TD screen pass from Ethan Newville to Easton Suidinski – 14-0 Bulldogs with 6:50 in the 1st.

Caledonia would put together a long drive thanks to a couple of drive-saving defensive penalties and opportune runs from senior QB Brody Betser. Before Betser would hit his sophomore WR Aaron Collins from 13 yards out on an acrobatic grab to bring the Scots within 7 with less than a minute to go in the 1st.

It would be all Grandville in the second as the defense came up with multiple stops, including a first interception of two from junior Josh Crater. And, the Offense would find the end zone on the ground twice – once more with Terry (for his 24th of the year) and later with junior Brayden Haney.

Bulldogs led 28-7 at the half.

The only score of the third would be a 30 yard field goal from Grandville senior Jake Keranen, on the back end of the second pick of the night by Crater – 31-7 Bulldogs after 3.

In the fourth, both teams would open it up, especially late. First Suidinski would race to the outside and score on a 32 yard rush to put the ‘Dawgs up 39-7 in the first minute of the fourth. Then after a stop, Keranen would drill a 43 yard FG that would have been good from much longer to give Grsandville a 35 point lead and start the running clock with 5:43 to go (42-7).

With the clock running, there would be a total of 20 points scored in the final 1:19. First Caledonia and back sophomore QB and touted prospect Bryce Backus would find Aaron Collins for the sophomore’s second TD of the night from 45 yards out against the. Bulldogs second defensive unit.

Grandville would then answer as senior Miguel Rojas would return the ensuing kickoff from 80 yards  to lead 49-13. And if that wasn’t;t enough late action, Backus would then connect with senior TE Reed Vogeler, who raced down the sideline for a second straight week with a 70 yard score to close his high school career and give us a 49-20 final.

Caledonia will finish the season at 4-5 and 2-5 in the OK-Red. Grandville heads to the division one playoffs at 5-4 and 5-2 in then ‘Red’.

 

KEY STATS and SCORERS

 

GRANDVILLE – 49

RB – Jr – Jayden ‘Tank’ Terry: 21 carries, 202 yards – 2 Rush TD

RB – Sr – Easton Suidinski: 8 carries, 66 yards – 1 Rush TD | 2 receptions, 90 yards – 1 Receiving TD

RB – Jr – Brayden Haney: 2 carries, 5 yards – 1 Rush TD

QB – Sr – Ethan Newville: 3 completions, 155 yards – 1 Pass TD | 1 carry, 10 yards

DB – Jr – Josh Crater: 2 INT

KR – Sr – Miguel Rojas: 80 yard kick return TD

K – Sr – Jake Keranen: 2/2 FG (30, 43)

 

CALEDONIA – 20

QB – Sr – Brody Betser: 9 Completions, 98 yards – 1 Pass TD / 2 INT | 10 carries, 31 yards

QB – So – Bruce Backus: 6 Completions, 144 yards – 2 Pass TD

WR – So – Aaron Collings: 7 Receptions, 113 yards – 2 Rec. TD

TE – Sr – Reed Vogeler: 3 Receptions, 86 yards – 1 Rec. TD