The Zeeland West Dux were back at Ford Field on Saturday morning, making their fifth visit in the twenty-year history of the program and their first since 2015. Their opponent, Detroit King, was playing on the final weekend for the tenth time, and their third try in four years. It truly served as a battle of state heavyweights.
Known for their patented T-offense, the Dux once again flexed their muscle on the ground. A historic day from Keaton Hendricks allowed the Dux to capture their fifth State Championship in a 42-22 win.
After forcing a punt on the opening drive of the game, Zeeland West began their drive near midfield. The Dux needed just three plays to cover 51 yards, thanks to an explosive burst from Hendricks. Keaton Hendricks turned a third-and-eight into a 49-yard touchdown run. After a successful two-point pass, the Dux led 8-0.
Zeeland West’s defense forced a quick four-and-out turnover on downs, and the Dux offense trotted out in plus territory. West took advantage of this short field by handing the ball to their star tailback. Hendricks ran the football the final two plays of the drive, finding the end zone again from fourteen yards out. A failed conversion left it 14-0 in favor of the Dux as the first quarter wound down.
The Dux had the football as the second quarter started, but they lost possession on a costly fumble. King took over at the ZW 22 yard line and capitalized on a short field. Michael Dukes ran the final five yards for a Crusaders score, brining King within eight, 14-6.
Zeeland West responded with an 11-play, 65-yard touchdown march. Isaac VanderZwaag set the tone early with three straight positive carries. Facing third-and-goal from the King six yard line, Trey Sloothaak took to the air, finding Hendricks for a short score. Another failed conversion left it 20-6 in favor of the Dux.
On the ensuing King drive, the Crusaders committed a costly turnover. Unsurprisingly, it was Keaton Hendricks who provided the highlight. While chasing down Darryl Flemiste downfield amidst a 15-yard carry, Hendricks forced the football loose. Drew Albrecht pounced on the ball, giving West the football back again.
After a quick carry by Sloothaak, Keaton Hendricks broke free for a thirty-yard touchdown carry. This fourth total touchdown, paired with a VanderZwaag conversion run, gave Zeeland West a 28-6 lead.
Detroit King would embark on a rapid drive over the final 75 seconds of the half. Darryl Flemiste found David Calmese on a 10-yard pass as time expired on fourth-and-goal, trimming the halftime deficit to fourteen, 28-14.
Zeeland West began the third quarter with the football, and they found the end zone yet again. After Brandon Holman provided an explosive kick return, the Dux took over at the King 32 yard line. Sloothaak and Hendrick paired up once more, this time on a 11-yard touchdown toss.
King would quickly rally, needing just 8 plays to provide their response. Michael Dukes punched it in again, this time on a 14-yard carry that brought the Crusaders within twelve, 34-22.
In need of a drive that slowed the pace of the contest down, Zeeland West went back to the ground. The Dux ran the football ten straight times to reach the King 8 yard line. On third and goal, Sloothaak found the trusty Hendricks on an 8-yard toss. This score pushed the lead back out to 20, 42-22, the game’s final tally.
In the fourth quarter, after forcing a fumble at the goal line, Zeeland West took over with 8:53 to go at their own 20. The Dux iced the game by taking 12 plays and all of the remaining time off of the clock.
Keaton Hendricks was the star in this game, providing a spark in every facet of the contest. In addition to forcing a fumble on defense, he had six total touchdowns, a new MHSAA State Championship record. Hendricks had sixteen carries for 129 yards and three scores, and he also caught all three Dux completions for 25 yards and three more touchdowns.
With the win, the Dux are now a perfect 5-0 in State Championship games. That is the most wins by any team in the State Finals without suffering a defeat in the final game.
