Photo Credit: Lou Murray
For pictures of the game click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/45681226@N02/albums/72177720302738517
The Forest Hills Northern Huskies and East Grand Rapids Pioneers each entered the 7th week of the season with hopes of qualifying for the postseason. Given their records, and what lies ahead, it was going to be a pivotal game for both teams in furthering their aspirations. Each squad played like it, as they went score-for-score throughout the night. In the end, the game went to overtime. FHN was able to secure a 20-17 victory, their fourth of the campaign.
After a scoreless first quarter, FHN got on the scoreboard. Drew Dabaja powered across the goal line for a 6-yard score. East Grand Rapids would need their special teams unit to get them back to equal. Ian Mackegian fielded a Huskies punt and raced 71 yards for the score. At halftime, it was 7-7.
Once again, the Huskies yielded points to the Pioneers’ special teams units in the third quarter. EGR recorded a safety on an errant punt attempt by Forest Hills Northern. With four minutes left in the period, FHN booted a 27-yard field goal. A successful kick by TJ Silvernale put the Huskies ahead 10-9 with one quarter to play.
East Grand Rapids recaptured the lead in the first few plays of that final frame. Scotty Millman powered across the goal line from a yard out. The Pioneers also added a two-point conversion on a pass to Mackegian.
Trailing 17-10, Forest Hills Northern got their equalizer with three minutes remaining. Logan Hertstein bolted past the oncoming Pioneers’ defenders for a 55-yard touchdown. This sent the game to overtime.
In the extra frame, Forest Hills Northern won the game with a 27-yard field goal from TJ Silvernale. East Grand Rapids was unable to score on their possession in the extra frame.
Forest Hills Northern is now 4-3 on the season. Next week, they will take on Byron Center. East Grand Rapids slides to 2-5 with two games to play. They will face Lowell next week in their annual rivalry game.
