The Zeeland West Dux and Zeeland East Chix met for the second time this season, as the postseason began on Friday night. The OK Gold rivals met back in Week 4, a 28-13 Dux win. Friday saw more of the same, as Zeeland West was able to secure a 32-6 victory.
It was a big night for Isaac Vanderzwaag, as he contributed to all three of Zeeland West’s opening half scores. In the closing seconds of the first quarter, Vanderzwaag powered his way across the goal line from a yard out. Early in the second quarter, he showed a burst of speed with a 46-yard dash to the end zone. Finally, he was on the receiving end of a Trey Sloothaak 15-yard touchdown toss. This gave the Dux a comfortable 24-0 advantage at halftime.
Zeeland East would start the second half scoring, but it came late in the third quarter. Eli Walcott used his legs for a touchdown, his lone score on a 27-carry evening. Brandon Holman provided the final scoring action in this one, as his 13-yard touchdown run gave Zeeland West their 26-point victory.
Isaac Vanderzwaag finished with 8 carries for 76 yards and two rushing touchdowns, in addition to two receptions for 52 yards and that third score. Trey Sloothaak completed all three of his passes in this game, accumulating 69 yards through the air. Brady Maas was a stalworth on defense, recording 1.5 sacks to go along with five quarterback pressures.
This is the ninth straight victory for Zeeland West over their crosstown rivals, dating back to the 2019 season. The last victory in the Bird Bowl for the Chix came in the 2018 District Championship game. Zeeland West will now face St Joseph, who easily disposed of their rivals, Stevensville Lakeshore, in Friday’s opening round action.
