By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
Led by a big effort from its defense, the East Kentwood football team defeated host West Ottawa to remain undefeated in the OK Red and set up a showdown with Hudsonville Friday at Falcon Stadium.
With the defense coming up with several big stops and the offense stepping up with big plays when needed, the Falcons came away with a 21-7 win at West Ottawa. The win improved East Kentwood’s record to 3-1 overall, 2-0 in the OK Red. The win also sets up a showdown with Hudsonville, also 2-0 in the conference, this Friday at 7 p.m. at Falcon Stadium.
“This was already going to be a big game for us,” said East Kentwood Coach Tyrone Spencer. “We already had it circled on the schedule. Now it is even a bigger game for the fact that they beat Rockford.”
Sets up showdown of OK Red unbeatens Friday
Hudsonville remained unbeaten in the conference last Friday when they handed previously undefeated Rockford a 28-21 defeat at Hudsonville setting up the showdown between the conference unbeatens this week.
East Kentwood kept its conference record perfect with a strong all-around effort at West Ottawa.
“It was a really great team win for us,” Spencer said. “Our defense made the stops when we needed them too. We had a lot of big fourth-down stops when we had to make them. For us, the way we play, we do not want to give up the big play on defense. We will let a team dink and dunk, but we do not want to give up the big play.”
East Kentwood took the initial lead in the game in the first quarter. The Falcons struck through the air for their first score when quarterback Kayd Coffman connected with Ahman Edmunds on a 35-yard touchdown pass. Jayden Garcia kicked the first of three extra points during the game giving the Falcons a 7-0 lead.
East Kentwood doubled the lead in the second quarter. The Falcons again struck through the air for their score, with the second touchdown coming on a 35-yard passing play from Coffman to Caiden Holt. Garcia tacked on the extra point putting the Falcons up 14-0.
West Ottawa scored its lone touchdown of the game later in the second quarter on a three-yard pass play cutting the Falcon lead to 14-7.
East Kentwood scored the final points of the game during the third quarter. The Falcons final touchdown came on a one-yard touchdown run by Jesse Phillips.
From there, the Falcons turned the game over to the defense.
“Our defense made some big plays down the stretch,” Spencer said. “The defense made a big stop on a fourth and goal that if they (West Ottawa) made it would’ve made it a one-score game. Donavan Jones also had a big interception and we had some more fourth-down stops.”
Terrence Kabanda and Donavan Jones 7 tackles apiece
The Falcon defense was led by Terrence Kabanda who totaled seven tackles and a tackle for loss. Along with his interception, Jones also racked up seven tackles and two assisted tackles. Silas Mitchell added five tackles and an assist, followed by Tyler Meeuwsen, five tackles and one for a loss, Major Barnes, four tackles and two assists, and James Jones had a pair of tackles for loss.
On offense, the Falcons received a big game from Coffman who completed 10-of-16 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns. Caiden Holt caught a pair of passes for 65 yards and a touchdown while Ahman Edmonds caught two passes for 58 yards and a score and Chris Ware hauled in six passes for 64 yards. Elijah Jones led the Falcons in rushing with 99 yards on 11 carries.
“We had a balanced effort on offense,” Spencer said. “Kayd threw two touchdowns and Elijah Jones ran for 99 yards so we were able to have a good, balanced attack.”
The Falcons will count on another balanced effort in Friday’s contest with Hudsonville.
“We know they are well coached and play smash-mouth football,” Spencer said. “We have to be really locked in and be prepared to do a great job. We had a great effort against West Ottawa and got the win but we have to keep building.”
