Eagles Ride Strong Third to Victory Over Sailors

The Sailors of South Christian played a strong first half of football against the visiting Grand Rapids Christian Eagles, allowing just seven points and forcing two turnovers, but in the end they just couldn’t hold on, apparently running out of gas, as the Eagles exploded for 21 third quarter points, en-route to a 31-21 victory in Friday night’s season opener.

Excitement was high as both teams took the field at the start of the evening—so high, in fact, that the game was moved to East Kentwood, to accommodate the anticipated large crowd.  Fans from both sides mingled before kickoff, sharing friendly stories of rivalry.

South Christian pulled out some trickery to start the game, successfully converting a fourth down on a fake punt.  The Sailors’ drive stalled a short while later as a pass on third and thirteen fell incomplete, forcing South Christian to punt, for real this time.  Grand Rapids Christian was held in check on their first possession, which also ended in a punt.

The Sailors struck first blood, with Hayden Youngs completing a 30 yard pass to bring South Christian within the Grand Rapids Christian 20, and later smashing through the goal line on a quarterback keeper up the middle.  Just over two minutes into the second quarter, the Eagles responded with a touchdown of their own, as senior Kavon Frazier rumbled into the end zone.  South Christian bobbled the ensuing kickoff, with Grand Rapids Christian’s DJ VanderBaan recovering the ball, but they regained possession a few plays later, as junior quarterback Alex VanDeVusse fumbled the ball away.

South Christian now looked poised to take the lead, with Youngs connecting with senior Brian Heidmann for a 60 yard completion, but the Eagles defense held strong, keeping the Sailors out of the end zone.  A 29 yard field goal attempt missed, and the game remained knotted up at seven.

Both teams traded possessions without score as the second quarter dwindled down to under two minutes left.  A Grand Rapids Christian drive was brought to an immediate halt when an Alex VanDeVusse pass was picked off by senior Jordan Burgess.  South Christian began a drive down the field, ending with a 23 yard touchdown pass by Hayden Youngs, giving them a 14-7 lead with just over 42 seconds left in the first half.

The Eagles got things going to start the second half, scoring a fourth and goal touchdown with 8:45 left in the third, tying the game at 14.  Barely a minute later Grand Rapids Christian took their first lead of the game, when Robert Cuba (senior) intercepted a Hayden Youngs pass, bringing it all the way to the house, giving his team a 21-14 lead.

Grand Rapids Christian wasn’t done yet, however, after another stalled South Christian possession, Alex VanDeVusse connected with sophomore wide receiver Drake Harris for a 67 yard touchdown, opening up the lead to 28-14, with 5:42 still remaining in the third quarter.  On the Sailors’ next possession Hayden Youngs was once again picked off, this time by Christian Benn.

Both teams traded punts to end the third quarter.  Grand Rapids Christian appeared to score on a 35 yard Kavon Frazier rush on their first full possession in the fourth, but a holding penalty brought things back.  The South Christian defense, energized from this call, forced a fumble, recovering the ball on their own 32 yard line.

The Sailors appeared to have some momentum at this point, starting a drive down the field, capitalized by a slick play that saw running back Brian Heidmann toss a 32 yard pass to Jordan Mulder, but things stalled once again, and a fourth and four pass fell short, ending things at the Eagles’ 31 yard line.  Grand Rapids Christian took over possession, and immediately went to work driving down the field, ending the possession with a field goal, making the score 31-14.

Showing they wouldn’t go down without a fight, South Christian responded with a last-minute drive of their own, which saw Hayden Youngs throwing his second touchdown pass of the night, this one on a 44 yard strike to  Jordan Mulder.  The score was now 31-21, but after a failed South Christian onside kick, Grand Rapids Christian was able to run the clock dry, earning a hard fought victory.

DJ VanderBaan breaks up a pass along the sideline.

Davis DeJong finds a hole in the defense.

Hayden Youngs is brought down hard by Davaris Collier.

Tight Sailor defense caused this pass to fall incomplete.

Wes Johnson charges in on the quarterback.

Hayden Youngs connected for two touchdowns.

The Eagle defense stuffs the runner at the goal line.

Jordan Mulder makes a leaping grab.

Alex VanDeVusse looks for an open receiver.

Alex DeVries wraps up the ball carrier for a tackle.

The Eagles flood the pocket.

Jordan Burgess lays a hit on the runner.

Matt Philpott Photography was proud to cover tonight’s action.  Please visit his website to check out additional photos!