The Unity Christian Crusaders hosted Cadillac in a regional final on Friday night. The Vikings were back in the Regional Finals for a second straight year, as they lost in last year’s Division 4 State Championship game. Unity Christian entered this game with 18 straight wins on the field, a COVID loss denying their chance at a run last fall. The ‘Saders’ high-powered offense propelled them once again, as a second-half burst carried them to a 53-22 victory.

In the first quarter, it was all Unity. Cam Chandler reeled off a 55-yard sprint to the end zone on the ‘Saders’ first drive, allowing them to jump ahead 6-0. Cadillac marched down the field, only to be stonewalled at the two-yard line. This allowed Unity to go 14 plays and 98 yards to extend their lead. This time, Drew Chandler carried the football across the goal line, a 3-yard run. Cam Chandler added the conversion to give the ‘Saders a 14-0 lead.

Cadillac responded with an 80-yard drive, this time capping it off with a score. Aden Gurden kept the football on a 3-yard carry, trimming the lead in half. Unity took just five plays to answer, as Cam Chandler bowled into the end zone from a yard out. The Vikings would move within seven at halftime, 22-15, when Collin Johnson reeled off a 63-yard sprint past the Unity defenders for a score.

The third quarter was instrumental to Unity’s success. After forcing Cadillac to punt on their opening possession, the ‘Saders took over at their own 46 yard line. Seven plays later, they had six more points on their side of the scoreboard. Cam Chandler capped off the drive with a 5-yard score, extending the lead back to thirteen. This was the first of three Unity Christian touchdowns in the third quarter. Drew Chandler (a 3-yard carry) and Abe Rappuhn (a 5-yard run) also found the end zone. With twelve minutes to play, the ‘Saders led 40-15, feeling much more comfortable than at the start of the half.

Unity Christian continued their run with 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Drew Chandler’s 42-yard gain got things rolling, before Noland Schuitema broke off a 29-yard touchdown sprint. Cadillac would stop the bleeding, scoring the game’s final touchdown on a Keenan Suminski carry.

The ‘Saders scored on all eight of their drives in this game. Unity outgained Cadillac 401-332, with all 733 combined yards coming on the ground. Drew Chandler led the way with 155 yards for Unity, while Cam Chandler (85 yards) and Micah Bush (79) added strong days. Cadillac was paced by Collin Johnson’s 139 yards, while Aden Gurden chipped in 59.

Unity Christian has now scored 693 points in 12 games this year. This puts the ‘Saders in seventh place on the all-time single-season scoring list (see below). They need 82 points in their remaining playoff games to set a new record. This will be put to the test in next week’s Semifinals against Edwardsburg, who advanced after defeating South Christian 28-14. The Eddies’ defense has yielded just 56 points in 12 contests this fall, with 14 being the single-game high.

 

SINGLE-SEASON SCORING LEADERBOARD

1. 1999 Orchard View–774

2. 2017 Ottawa Lake Whiteford–737

2. 2013 Beal City–737

4. 2017 Muskegon–722

5. 2013 Ithaca–710

6. 2018 Edwardsburg–705

7. 2021 Unity Christian–693

8. 2014 Detroit Loyola–684