The East Kentwood Falcons and West Ottawa Panthers met on Friday night both winless in 2021. After four quarters, East Kentwood left with a one in the win column, capturing a 37-20 victory.
Casey Joppie got the scoring started with an explosive passing play. He found Reginald Brown, and the duo paired up on an 88-yard scoring play. Andrew Welch booted a 31-yard field goal to push the Falcons’ lead to 9-0. West Ottawa got on the board late in the opening frame, as Ryan Stam trimmed the lead on a 4-yard carry.
Late in the second quarter, East Kentwood extended their lead. Joppie and Brown paired up again, a 5-yard scoring strike. West Ottawa returned the deficit to two points with a reception from Cole Tulgetske to Bryce Baldwin.
In the third quarter, East Kentwood scored a pair of touchdowns to extend their lead. Jeff Perry got on the board with a 17-yard sprint midway through the frame. Robert Durr scooped up a loose fumble in the final minute of the quarter, and he raced to the end zone from 58 yards. This gave the Falcons the 30-14 lead with twelve minutes to play.
In the fourth quarter, each team scored once. West Ottawa struck first on a pass from Tulgetske to Evan Janetzke from eight yards out. East Kentwood capped off the night with a 67-yard sprint by Perry.
Next week, East Kentwood will take on Hudsonville. West Ottawa’s search for a victory will continue as they face Caledonia.
