By Greg Chrapek
Wyoming-Kentwood News Today Contributor
greer@wktv.org
South Christian capped the regular season in a big way by beating Grand Rapids Catholic Central 42-26 in a game that was played at Hope College in Holland. The Sailors, who clinched the OK Gold Conference title last week with a win against Zeeland East, ended the regular season with an 8-1 overall record.
A big fourth quarter and solid defensive play throughout the game was key to the win over the Cougars who, like South Christian, came into the game with a 7-1 record.
“It was a fun one,” said South Christian Coach Danny Brown. “It was a really cool atmosphere. The game was at Hope College and the weather was beautiful. We competed hard for four quarters and found a way to pull it out.”
South Christian advances to play Marshall (8-1) in the first round of the Division 4 playoffs at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at Hudsonville.
South Christian led the game 28-26 heading into the fourth quarter. That was when the Sailors scored a pair of touchdowns to seal the victory. Midway through the final quarter the Sailors upped the lead to 35-26 when Austin Burgess tossed a four-yard touchdown pass to Charlie VerMass. Hudson Kerstetter tacked on the extra points. South Christian added an insurance touchdown with just under three minutes remaining in the game when Jesse VanderGriend ran in from 22-yards out. Kerstetter added the final point of the game.
Defense also was key for the Sailors, who kept Catholic Central off the scoreboard in the second half.
“I thought our defense really stepped up,” Brown said. “We limited them in the fourth quarter. Our defense also set up our offense with some good field position in the fourth quarter.”
Traded touchdowns early on
The game opened with the two teams trading touchdowns in the opening quarter. Catholic Central opened the scoring midway through the opening quarter when Brady Berkemeier tossed an 18-yard touchdown pass to Ethan Burrel. Noah Zainea added the extra points putting the Cougars up 7-0.
South Christian answered five minutes later when Austin Burgess ran in for a touchdown from 13-yards out. Kerstetter added the extra point to tie the game.
Each team scored three TDs in the third
Both offenses took the game over in the second quarter as each team scored three touchdowns.
Catholic Central took a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter when Berkemeier scored on a one-yard run. Two minutes later, South Christian’s Brody Shilts matched that score when he ran in from a yard out with Kerstetter’s extra point tying the game at 14-14.
Late in the first half it was South Christian’s special teams that stepped up. That was when Burgess boomed a punt 43 yards down to the Catholic Central 10-yard line. The punt was then fumbled and South’s Easton Raak picked up the loose ball and ran it in 10 yards for a touchdown. Kerstetter added the extra point giving South a 21-14 lead.
South upped the lead to 28-14 when Burgess connected with Carson Buist on a 26-yard touchdown pass.
Catholic Central quickly answered on the next possession when Berkemeier hooked up with Carter Burgin on a 74-yard touchdown pass. The extra-point try was missed, leaving South with a 28-20 lead.
The Cougars added another score before halftime when Berkemeier fired a 24-yard scoring pass to Burrell. Catholic Central attempted a two-point conversion, but that was unsuccessful.
The third quarter was scoreless as the Sailor defense began to take the game over in the second half.
“Our defense got the job done,” Brown said. “Our defense put them (Catholic) in some third and longs. They executed some big plays in the first half, but in the second half we stopped them and kept them from getting any big plays.”
Brody Shilts led South with seven tackles
Shilts led with seven tackles, followed by Cole Tibbe, six; Jack Buist and Jared Geelhoed, five apiece and Liam Feyen, Cameron In’tHout, Gavin Bouma and Cody Jones, four each.
The Sailor defense also totaled five quarterback sacks with Jacob Lobbezoo leading the way with 2.5 sacks.
Jesse VanderGriend led the Sailors with 82 yards on the ground, while Austin Burgess added 72.
Burgess connected on 11-of-16 passes for 99 yards and two touchdowns. Raak led the receivers with five catches for 46 yards, followed by VanderGriend, two catches for 40 yards and Carson Buist, two for 32 yards.
“I’m really happy for the kids and the program,” Brown said. “We won a tough conference which was huge and we finished out the regular season with an 8-1 record. We also did a good job winning close games. We were 3-1 in tight games and that is a credit to the kids. In the close games they stayed with it.”