Photo Credit: Lou Murray
In Week 7 of the regular season, South Christian lost to Unity Christian 50-21 in an OK Gold showdown. Four weeks later, these two teams met up again in the District Championship. The Sailors were able to flip the script and upset the undefeated ‘Saders on Friday night, 35-28, punching their ticket to the Regional Finals.
Unity got on the board first, when Jackson DeHoop found Luke VanderZwaag on a 24-yard touchdown pass. This was a quick drive, taking just two plays and twenty-six seconds of game time. With 11:34 left in the first quarter, it was already 8-0 Unity, and you could almost hear the collective groan for South Christian that they were in for another long night.
South Christian would respond, going on a 10-play, 80-yard touchdown march that took up over six minutes of game time. In the end, a 37-yard pass from Carson Vis to Tyler Brinks set up a short 6-yard touchdown run by Vis to draw the Sailors back within one, 8-7.
With about ninety seconds left to play in the opening quarter, Unity found the end zone again. Isaac Stienstra capped off an 8-play march with a 6-yard touchdown carry. Another successful two-point try gave Unity a 16-7 lead.
South Christian would respond with two touchdowns to open the second quarter. First, Carson Vis and Charles DeHaan paired up for a 15-yard touchdown. Later in the quarter, Vis used his legs for another short keeper that gave South Christian a 21-16 advantage.
Unity Christian would regain the lead before halftime, as Nolan Vis powered his way across the goal line from a yard out. A failed two-point try left it 22-21 in favor of the ‘Saders as the game went to halftime.
In the third quarter, South Christian scored the only touchdown. After the Sailors’ defense forced a punt, Unity only booted the ball six yards downfield, giving South the ball at the Unity 36-yard line. Seven plays later, Carson Vis was back in the end zone with his third rushing touchdown of the game.
Trailing 29-22, Unity Christian had one more scoring drive in them. A six-minute drive that covered 75 yards in 12 plays, the ‘Saders found the end zone on a 13-yard touchdown run by Max VanKoevering. Within a point, Unity elected to go for two points and the lead. That conversion attempt failed, leaving South Christian ahead.
Over the final eight minutes, South Christian went on a seven minute touchdown drive to ice the game away. They covered 80 yards in 15 plays, bleeding clock and methodically moving the ball downfield. The final blow once again came from Carson Vis, who carried the football the final two yards for a clinching touchdown.
It was another strong night for the Sailors’ signal-caller. Vis finished 12/16 passing for 182 yards and a touchdown, while also adding 129 rushing yards on 20 carries.
This victory secures South Christian’s fifth straight District Championship. They will now face Whitehall in next week’s Regional Finals. The Vikings have been road warriors themselves, besting Forest Hills Eastern and Big Rapids in the past two weeks.
