The South Christian Sailors entered Friday’s contest on a three-game losing streak. It was must-win time for the Sailors, if they had any hopes of making the postseason. Coach Danny Brown’s Sailors were dialed in from the opening kick, dispatching Wyoming 54-0.
Early on in this one, South Christian raced out to a 21-0 first quarter lead. Brady Shilts got the scoring started with a 1-yard plunge after a 44-yard run by Dax Blackport set the Sailors up for success. On their next drive, Kyle Naklizki raced across the goal line from five yards out. Finally, the quarter’s scoring concluded with a 42-yard sprint for Jeese VanDeGriend.
VanDeGriend returned to the end zone early in the second quarter, after Brady VanNoord recovered a Wolves fumble. Blackport and Austin Burgess added to the tally with two more rushing touchdowns, the second of which was aided by a fumble recovery from Dylan Quist. As the teams broke for halftime, it was 40-0 South Christian.
The running clock limited the possessions in the second half, but South managed two more scores. Another key defensive play gave the Sailors their next score. Cam In’tHout stepped in front of a Wyoming pass, racing for a pick six. Finally, VanDeGriend completed the hat trick with his third rushing score.
South Christian outgained Wyoming 276-142. The Sailors completed just one pass, a 34-yard toss. Otherwise, they relied on defense and running the football to secure this victory. Jesse VanDeGriend finished with 93 yards and three touchdowns on six carries.
With the win, South Christian improves to 2-3 on the year. Next week, they will face Forest Hills Central in a pivotal OK Gold game. Wyoming slides to 2-3 with this loss. They will battle with Zeeland East next Friday.
