By Cris Greer, WKTV Managing Editor
With a 56-22 win over host Forest Hills Eastern Friday, South Christian continued checking off the boxes of its flawless football season.
Going undefeated at 9-0 during the regular season campaign, check. The Sailors last went undefeated in the regular season in 2004.
Winning the OK Gold conference outright, check. The Sailors finished 7-0 atop the conference, one game ahead of rival Grand Rapids Catholic Central, and the first time since 2014.
Reaching the playoffs again, check. And this time as the No.1 seed in Division 4 earning three-straight home games. Last year the Sailors reached a D-4 regional final.
“Until you’re a part of something like this season it’s really hard to explain,” South Christian Coach Danny Brown said. “Before the game we knew we had a chance to accomplish something to talk about the rest of our lives.
“It was a pretty special night with a pretty special group. You want to be playing your best football at the end of the season and this was our best, but now we’re starting a whole new season at 0-0.
South Christian quarterback Jake DeHaan had a “career night,” according to Brown. DeHaan had eight touchdowns agains Forest Hills Eastern, six through the air and two on the ground.
He completed 21 of 28 passes for 348 yards with no interceptions and rushed 12 times for 87 yards.
On DeHaan’s shoulders, the Sailors jumped out to a 21-0 lead to end the first quarter and a 42-7 halftime margin.
“The first half offensively and defensively we were just clicking on all cylinders,” said Brown, whose team had 580 yards overall. “It was crazy, unbelievable execution tonight. Hands down it was our best offensive game of the year.”
Carson Vis had 10 receptions for 169 yards and four TDs, while Seth Ritsema caught three passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Ritsema also led with five tackles, while Cam VanSolkema and Austin Tiesma added four apiece.
Forest Hills Eastern quarterback Brendan Thompson completed 8 of 20 passes for 230 yards and one TD to Jake Heemstra (80 yards).
Bryson Kuzdzal led the Hawks with 9 rushes for 47 yards and two TDs.
Hawks playoff bound as well
Forest Hills Eastern dropped to 6-3 overall, 4-3 in the Gold, but is most likely playoff bound in Division 4.
“The announcement of the qualifiers and first-round pairings for both the 11 and 8-player playoffs will take place at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, on the “Selection Sunday Show” on Bally Sports Detroit and its website. The playoff qualifiers and pairings will be posted to the MHSAA Website following the Selection Sunday Show.” (MHSAA.)
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