The Forest Hills Central Rangers enter the 2021 season with an extra chip on their shoulder after last year’s controversial exit. A team that is perhaps more talented in 2021, FHC started their season with a strong showing, winning 29-14 against the Jenison Wildcats.
On their opening drive, the Rangers got on the scoreboard. Jake Bonnett got free on a jet sweep and ran five yards for a touchdown, though a missed extra point left the lead at 6-0. On Jenison’s ensuing possession, they committed a turnover on downs when FHC’s Sam Sneider tackled the Wildcats’ punter on the Jenison five yard line. JT Hartman capitalized on the short field, running four yards to give the Rangers a 13-0 lead.
Defense again flipped the field, as Ben Scholler intercepted Jenison and gave the Rangers great field position. They would turn it into three points as Luke Gustafson booted a thirty-yard field goal, and FHC took a 16-0 lead into half.
On their opening drive of the second half, Forest Hills Central continued to extend their lead. Justin Osterhouse and Conner Milton paired up for a deep touchdown pass that extended the Rangers’ lead to 23-0. After another defensive turnover on downs, Bonnett scored FHC’s final touchdown with a sixty-yard sprint to the endzone.
In the final quarter, there was a thirty-minute lightning delay and two Jenison touchdowns. Caleb Dean broke free for a 40-yard score, the biggest offensive highlight for Jenison.
Jake Bonnett led FHC with 117 rushing yards and two touchdowns on seven carries. JT Hartman added 46 yards on twelve carries, and he also recorded six tackles. Justin Osterhouse was 6/12 passing for 81 yards and a touchdown, and he added 68 rushing yards on seventeen carries.
This is the ninth straight time that FHC defeated Jenison, all occurring within the last ten seasons. The Rangers will play host to Grand Blanc next Friday. Jenison meanwhile, begins 0-1 for the eighth straight year. They will hit the road next week to square off with Forest Hills Northern.
