The Oakridge Eagles and Whitehall Vikings looked to be two of the heavyweights in the West Michigan Conference this year, especially after the opening week of the season. The schedule gods graced us with a fantastic Week 2 matchup between the teams, and it did not disappoint. In the end, Oakridge pulled out a 32-19 victory.
Trever Jones got the scoring started for the Eagles, as he scored from 5-yards out to give Oakridge a 6-0 lead. They would double their advantage after the first quarter, when Ethan Jozsa intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown.
With three minutes to play before halftime, Whitehall finally got on the board. Alec Pruett broke off a 39-yard touchdown run that put the Vikings within six. Brendon Raymond would respond for the Eagles, as his 5-yard score gave Oakridge a 20-6 lead at halftime.
As the second half began, the Eagles went on an impressive touchdown march. Brendon Raymond’s second touchdown run, an 8-yarder, extended Oakridge’s lead to twenty points.
Whitehall then began to rally, as the Vikings scored thirteen unanswered points to get back in the mix in this game. Kyle Stratton and Nate Bolley paired up for a 56-yard strike in the third quarter, before Bolley used his legs on a 4-yard scamper in the final frame.
Oakridge would respond with a lengthy touchdown drive, culminating in the third touchdown run of the game for Brendon Raymond. His 2-yard score moved the game to its final count.
Corey Vanderputte was held out of the end zone, but he led Oakridge with 111 yards rushing. Brendon Raymond added 77 yards on his three scores. Whitehall was led by Alec Pruett, who tallied 120 rushing yards, and Nate Bolley, who finished with 76 total yards of offense.
Next week, Oakridge is slated to take on Mason County Central. Whitehall will continue WMC play with a game against Ravenna.
