Video: Can you Randall it? Hastings runs past Caledonia 32-14.

I’ve got one question for you, Can you Randall it?

Caledonia (1-3) had hoped to keep their sights set on Hastings’ Alex Randall, and they did… as they watched him go by for three touchdowns and 306 rushing yards. Hastings (4-0) defeated Caledonia for the first time in nine years 32-14.

Three games into the 2010 season, and no one showed they could contain the senior running back. Going into last night’s game against Caledonia, Randall had already picked up 543 rushing yards. And his performances were amazingly consistent. In Hastings’ first three games, he ran for 121 yards on 13 carries, then 198 yards on 19 carries, then 244 yards on 26 carries. But last night’s 306 yards on 27 carries shook the high school football world. (Well, at least the state of Michigan as Randall now leads the state in rushing with 869 yards.)

To the Fighting Scots credit, they kept the visually acute running back to just 78 yards on 24 carries, but it was those three other touchdown carries for 228 yards that hurt ‘em.

“[It’s] most likely our biggest test so far,” said Randall before the game. “We are fired up every day at practice and always focused to help ensure that we will be ready come Friday night. The difference maker in my opinion will be defense.”

He was right. Two interceptions by Sean McKeough, another by Anthony Veltre, and a fumble caused by Randall stalled the Caledonia offense.

Sean McKeough’s interception for a TD against Caledonia from Varsity News Network on Vimeo.

McKeough put Hastings ahead 8-0 on a 23-yard interception for a touchdown with 5:46 left in the first quarter. The senior defensive back was playing zone and anticipated the pass well when he leaped for the under-thrown ball.

But what I couldn’t understand was why Caledonia completely changed offensive schemes between their second and third possessions. On their second possession, Cal played their token wishbone offense led by fullback Tyler Polmanteer. Their collection of backs weren’t breaking free with Hastings’ defensive line crashing hard, but Polmanteer was still pounding away at the middle. He’d finish with 24 yards on five carries, but virtually all of those carries came before the offensive switch.

On the Fighting Scot’s third drive, quarterback Hayden Hoogerhyde lined up in shotgun. And he’d stay that way the rest of the game. Outside of Hoogerhyde’s 11 rushing attempts, Cal ran the ball 30 times and passed 24 times. I’m still pondering the drastic change. Regardless, the Fighting Scots first got on the ‘board in the second half with a one-yard quarterback sneak by Hoogerhyde to put the score at 14-8. With 2:38 left in the first quarter, Hoogerhyde connected with Justin Dixon for a 45-yard touchdown pass to trim Hastings’ lead to 16-14 with less than three minutes left.

But Alex Randall would only need the ball once to bust a 60-yard touchdown run with 17.2 seconds left in the half.

Next week is an even bigger test for the Saxons as they travel to Grand Rapids Catholic Central (3-1). Caledonia is home against South Christian (2-2) who came off a big win against Ottawa Hills (1-3).