By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
The Wyoming Godwin Heights football team has jumped off to a 2-0 start in non-conference action — and has piled up 88 points on offense against Hamilton and Hesperia. But both games were on the road.
This week, the Wolverines will treat their home fans to a little of that offensive prowess, and a special “Community Tailgate” event, in the team’s OK Silver Conference opener as WKTV video crew will be at Godwin for a home game against Calvin Christian, on Friday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m.
So far this year, the Wolverine scoring machine has been keyed by senior quarterback Suriya Davenport, who has scored eight touchdowns in the two games; junior running back De’Amontae Clark, who is averaging nearly 13 yards a carry; and junior tight end Marshawn Kneeland, who leads the team with nine catches for 144 yards.
Kneeland, one of several players who play both ways, is also a standout on the defense, where senior linebacker James Bennett leads with 24 tackles and senior lineman Sixto Cruz is also in double-figures in tackles.
But second-year Godwin Head Coach Carlton Brewster says the reason for the good start goes back further than two weeks.
“It is all about the seniors on this football team, these guys spent so much time in the off-season getting bigger, stronger and faster,” Brewster said to WKTV this week. “These guys carry chip on their shoulder on the feeling of being 5-5 last season.”
Last year, the Wolverines finished 3-3 in conference, 5-4 overall and in the state playoffs, but that “chip on their shoulder” was that the team lost in the first round of the playoffs at Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 43-0.
And that “chip” will not go away however well the team has started, Brewster said.
“We must continue to push each other every day of the week, don’t get complacent and continue to hold each other accountable,” he said. “I will not let them get complacent because I am constantly challenging them each and everyday.”
WKTV will broadcast the Calvin Christian at Godwin Heights game Friday at about 11 p.m. on WKTV Comcast Channel 25, repeating it on Saturday at 11 a.m. on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood.
‘Community Tailgate’ event planned prior to the game
In what started as a collaboration with police officers of the City of Wyoming Department of Public Safety and Godwin Heights Public Schools, the athletic department will continue to offer its Community Tailgate event prior to the game.
“Twice a year, once during football season and once during basketball season, the district hosts a Community Tailgate that allows free entry to the game and food to families of Godwin Heights students,” Godwin Heights Athletic Director Rob Hisey said to WKTV. “Anyone who lives in the Godwin Heights Public School District, School of Choice students and their families, previous graduates, and anyone employed by Godwin Heights.”
The event runs from 6-7 p.m. (after that the normal $5 entry fee will be charged).
“The goal of holding the Community Tailgate is to provide a friendly and safe environment where our community members can enjoy the companionship of the entire Godwin Heights educational community,” Hisey said. “This community consist of community members, students, parents, Godwin Heights employees, friends and relatives of our students.”
