Calvin Christian Football

Godwin Heights secures a 16-12 victory over Calvin Christian in the season finale. (WKTV)

By Zach Fanko, WKTV Contributor

With several players leaving the game due to injury, including star QB Jamarion Collins, Godwin Heights found a way to hold on for a 16-12 victory over Calvin Christian on Friday night.

Collins injured his ankle in last week’s loss to Belding and he started the game despite being less than 100 percent.

“He didn’t practice really all week,” Godwin coach Brandon Kimble said. “I had him go through yesterday’s walk-through and I would say he was about 70-80 percent.”

Led by their senior leader, the Wolverines jumped out to a 16-0 first quarter lead, but the Squires fought their way back into the game with two touchdowns of their own to make it 16-12 at the half.

That’s when things took a turn for the worse for Godwin as Collins was unable to finish the game with his injury, as well as its starting tackle, tight end and halfback.

From then on, the Wolverines’ defense took over in the second half with three interceptions, including what would end up being the game-winning pick by safety Jace Reid-Anderson.

Johnny Horrell and Miguel Ocampo also secured interceptions for Godwin.

“We were really limping to the finish line tonight,” Kimble said. “Sometimes you have to win ugly, but it doesn’t make it any less sweeter.

“Proud of our guys and happy we could get the win for our seniors.”

Godwin Heights finishes the season at 4-5 overall, and 3-3 in the OK Silver, while Calvin Christian finishes 4-5 and 1-5 in the OK Silver.

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Home field makes all the difference for Kelloggsville in 36-21 win over Calvin Christian. (WKTV)

By Zach Fanko, WKTV Contributing Writer

Friday night’s 36-21 win over Calvin Christian was more than just Kelloggsville’s first win of the season.

It was the first time the Rockets had celebrated a victory on their new home turf installed in 2019.

Both teams came out firing offensively as each team scored on each of its three drives in the first half. Kelloggsville carried a slim 22-21 lead into the locker room.

And then the Rockets’ defense took over in the second half.

“Our defense just got after it in the second half,” Kelloggsville coach Brandon Branch said. “We really shut down what Calvin was trying to do in bend, but don’t break fashion.

“They got some yards, but we kept them off the scoreboard.”

Brendan Tuinstra came up with a key interception in the second half and had 60 rushing yards and two touchdowns. While quarterback Jeremy Tsoumou, filling in for injured starter Zach Zerfas, completed 8 of 9 passes for 208 yards and three TDs.

Wide receiver Cam Townsend was the beneficiary of Tsoumou’s efficient night with six receptions for 190 yards and two TDs.

Despite not being available to play, Zerfas contributed with a couple of his own play calls in the win.

“We needed a first down in the third quarter and Zach said if we run a quick hitch it will be open,” Branch said. “Sure enough, it was open. Great call by our quarterback.”

Later on, Branch described the Rockets first win at home in nearly four years and on that new turf as “cathartic.”

“I actually took the guys after out on the field and took a picture in front of the scoreboard,” Branch said. “Definitely going to hang this one up in the office.”

Kelloggsville (1-4) will travel to Sturgis next Friday night.