The Grand Rapids Catholic Central Cougars are looking to get back to Ford Field for the second straight season, and last week they needed every second to defeat West Catholic. That victory earned them a shot with Kalamazoo United in this week’s Regional Final.
Kalamazoo United has become a consistent player in the Division 5 playoffs, with berths in each season since 2017. The Titans, a combination program of Kalamazoo Hackett and Kalamazoo Christian, have seen strong levels of success until they play the traditional state powers such as GR Catholic Central, Lansing Catholic, Olivet, Portland, and Unity Christian, who have all ended their seasons in recent memory. The 2022 defeat against the Cougars was lopsided (56-14), leaving many to believe that this Friday would be much of the same.
With that expectation swirling around media circles, it was a bit of a surprise when the Titans struck first. Late in the first quarter, Jackson Herder found Keegan McCue on a 5-yard touchdown toss. A Charlie Fox extra point gave United a 7-0 lead that they would hold throughout the quarter.
On the first play of the second quarter, the Cougars found their response. Odin Spencer took to the air, pairing up with his favorite target, Jami Williams on a 20-yard touchdown strike. This dynamic duo brought the score back to even, 7-7.
At the midway point of the second quarter, United seized the lead back once again. Herder and McCue paired up again, this time on an 8-yard touchdown strike. Fans at the CAT were stunned as the vaunted Cougars trailed 14-7 entering the locker room.
Both defenses dug their feet in and grinded throughout the opening drives of the third quarter. Finally, with about three minutes left in the frame, GRCC found the equalizer. Odin Spencer used his legs to find the end zone, a short 3-yard keeper.
In the fourth quarter, United put together a phenomenal drive. They made it all the way down to the GRCC 5 yard line, before they turned the football over on downs. With 8:28 to go, the Cougars began a lengthy march down the field.
Amidst an impressive drive, Catholic Central reeled off a big run to take the lead for good. Dale Gant Jr broke free, racing past oncoming tacklers for a 17-yard gain. This put GRCC ahead 21-14, a lead they would not relinquish. United would reach the GRCC 40 yard line, but their drive ended there.
After a sluggish start in the first half, the Cougars defense buckled down in the second half. They shutout the Titans and punched their ticket to next week’s semifinals. GRCC will square off with Frankenmuth, who continued their undefeated season with a 35-0 thrashing of Gladwin. This semifinal is a rematch of the 2020 State Championship game, 2021 semifinal and 2023 semifinal, all Cougars victories.
