The Caledonia Fighting Scots travelled to Holland for a Friday night battle with West Ottawa. On paper, it was a mismatch, as the Fighting Scots were unbeaten and the Panthers were winless. For over three quarters on the actual gridiron, Caledonia got all they could handle. A strong fourth quarter aided in the Fighting Scots’ 45-22 victory.
On the opening kickoff of the game, Caledonia got on the scoreboard. Brock Townsend fielded the opening kick and weaved his way through the oncoming kickoff team for a 94-yard touchdown. West Ottawa would quickly respond, as Cole Tulgestke and Evan Janetzke paired up for a 16-yard score. The Fighting Scots would retake the lead on their next possession, as Mason McKenzie and Justice Reed connected for a 38-yard touchdown, pushing Caledonia ahead 14-7.
West Ottawa would even the score in the opening minute of the second frame. The duo of Tulgestke and Janetzke struck again, as they capped off a drive with a 2-yard scoring toss. Once again, Caledonia would respond. Mason McKenzie used his legs on a 25-yard touchdown run, giving the Fighting Scots a 21-14 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, scoring was at a premium. The lone scoring play came on special teams, as Caledonia’s Connor Beach booted a 21-yard field goal. This pushed the Fighting Scots’ lead to 10 points.
The scoring run continued as the fourth quarter got underway. Just six seconds into the frame, McKenzie used his legs once again, scoring on an 11-yard touchdown run. Caledonia ran it up to 24 unanswered with a 39-yard touchdown pass from McKenzie to Nick Fox.
West Ottawa finally snapped the run with Tulgestke’s third touchdown pass, this time a 22-yard toss to Kobe Haglund. Caledonia would round out the scoring with a touchdown pass from McKenzie to Derrick Pennington Jr.
The Fighting Scots doubled up West Ottawa 404-210. Mason McKenzie was extremely efficient, completing 8/9 passes for 170 yards and three scores. McKenzie added 11 carries for 100 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Brock Townsend added 72 rushing yards to his kickoff return. Nick Fox paced the Scots with 82 receiving yards, while Justice Reed added 70. Luke Mandsager led Caledonia with 8.5 tackles, while Owen Graham recorded an interception.
West Ottawa was led by Cole Tulgestke, who was 22/35 passing for 210 yards and three scores. Kayden Flores was the team’s leading rusher with 25 yards. Evan Janetzke paced the receiving room with 93 yards and 10 receptions, while Kobe Haglund added 67 yards on 7 catches.
With this victory, Caledonia is 6-0 for the first time since 2008, when the team finished the regular season unbeaten. Next week, the OK Red lead is on the line as Caledonia and Rockford will square off. Both teams are undefeated overall and in league play. West Ottawa, now 0-6 and on a 23-game losing streak, will look to turn it around against Jenison next Friday.
