The Grand Rapids Catholic Central Cougars were back at the CAT on Friday, with a Week 2 home opener against St Thomas More. The Canadians returned after a 34-7 defeat against GRCC back in 2024. This season was not much different, as the Cougars captured a 35-10 win over St Thomas More to move to 2-0.
Midway through the first quarter, GRCC struck first. Moses Brown powered across the goal line from a yard out to give the Cougars a 7-0 lead. St Thomas More would answer back in the final seconds of the quarter, when Adrian Klindzic Dovial booted a 26-yard field goal.
Grand Rapids Catholic Central had an explosive second quarter to expand their lead. Moses Brown got things rolling with a 10-yard touchdown carry, his second of the game. Two minutes later, Odin Spencer took to the air, finding Dale Gant Jr on a 50-yard touchdown strike. Finally, Gant bowled across the goal line on a 1-yard carry to give the Cougars a 28-3 lead heading into the locker room.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, but they exchanged touchdowns in the fourth quarter. St Thomas More scored first on a touchdown pass from Marcus Perri to Noah Cannon. GRCC would round out the scoring with an eight-yard touchdown run from Carter Burgin.
Odin Spencer was 15/27 for 216 yards in this game. Owen Tietema led the receivers with 83 yards on six catches. Defensively, Keith Jandernoa led the way with 11 tackles, while Tanner Snip added 10 for the victors.
Next week, GRCC will take on Jackson Lumen Christi in a road game between perennial powers. This is a fantastic test for the Cougars before they begin OK Black play.
