By Cris Greer, WKTV Managing Editor
South Christian Coach Danny Brown said it best after his team beat Grand Rapids Christian 42-7 in a Division 4 playoff opener Friday night at East Kentwood.
“You need your best players to play the greatest when the lights are the brightest,” said Brown, of his standout quarterback Jake DeHaan. “He definitely answered the bell tonight; it was another stellar performance by Jake.
“I think at this point in the season you need your best players to step it up when the pressure’s on.”
Once again, DeHaan led the way for the Sailors with four touchdowns through the air and one on the ground, completing 12 of 18 passes for 216 yards and rushing for 84.
“You have to credit our receivers,” Brown said. “Our guys were just making moves and getting open and Jake was putting it in there. I think they were really putting a ton of focus on stopping Carson Vis, so other people were open and Seth (Ritsema) was the winner of that.”
Ritsema led with six receptions for 125 yards and three TDs, while Vis caught the other TD. Nate Brinks had 9 carries for 74 yards and one TD.
Coach Brown said his OK Gold champs have done a great job of settling into games quickly this year.
“Every game, we have played really well right from the beginning,” Brown said. “To be 10-0, you have to be talented.”
Grand Rapids Christian Co-Coach Rueben Riley said it came down to South Christian executing and being more physical and the score indicated that.
“We continue to build a culture of love, tenacity, pride and purpose, and hopefully it shows in the wins and losses column, but right now we’re just making sure that our culture is strong so these young men know that the things they learn in football will take them wherever they want to go and be bigger than football.”
Quarterback Alek Wickstrom led the Eagles in passing with 14 of 22 for 135 yards and one INT, while Noah Funk completed 3 of 6 passes for 92 yards and one TD to Dono Thames. Grand Rapids Christian finished the season at 3-7 overall.
South Christian (10-0) faces Hudsonville Unity Christian (6-4) in a Division 4 district final next week.
