Tag Archives: South Christian football

South Christian playing for a D-4 district championship against Unity Christian Friday

City of Kentwood, Sports, West Michigan, , ,

South Christian Quarterback Jake DeHaan earlier this season. (Courtesy, Eric Walstra)



By Cris Greer

WKTV Managing Editor

greer@wktv.org



South Christian hopes to stay perfect at 11-0 and grab a Division 4 district title in the process in Week 2 of the MHSAA playoffs.

The Sailors (10-0) will have to go through Hudsonville Unity Christian (6-4) to get the job done at 7 p.m. Friday in Falcon Stadium.

In their playoff opener last Friday, South Christian beat Grand Rapids Christian 42-7 at East Kentwood, while Unity Christian defeated Forest Hills Eastern 46-20.

Once again, quarterback Jake 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 84 rushing.

 South Christian Coach Danny Brown said it best after their win over the Eagles.

“You need your best players to play the greatest when the lights are the brightest,” said Brown, of DeHaan. “He definitely answered the bell tonight; it was another stellar performance by Jake.”

DeHaan has posted some incredible numbers this season, totaling 37 touchdowns; 26 through the air and 11 on the ground.

Seth Ritsema led with six receptions for 125 yards and three TDs against GR Christian, while Carson Vis caught the other TD. Nate Brinks had 9 carries for 74 yards and one TD.



Check out these highlights from South Christian’s 42-7 playoff win over Grand Rapids Christian last Friday. (WKTV/Bill Rinderknecht)

South Christian stays perfect at 10-0 with 42-7 win over Grand Rapids Christian in playoff opener

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Sports, West Michigan, , ,
Check out the highlights from South Christian’s 42-7 win over Grand Rapids South Christian in a Division 4 playoff opener Friday. (WKTV/Bill Rinderknecht)



By Cris Greer, WKTV Managing Editor

greer@wktv.org



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.”


South Christian Quarterback Jake DeHaan earlier this season. He has a total of 37 touchdowns this year; 26 through the air and 11 on the ground. (Courtesy, Eric Walstra)



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.”


South Christian knocked off Grand Rapids Christian 42-7 in a Divison 4 district semifinal playoff game Friday. (WKTV/Mike Farage)



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.

South Christian, East Kentwood preparing for football playoffs; see other area teams that advanced as well

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Sports, West Michigan, , ,
Jenison lines up against a tough East Kentwood defense during a WKTV Game of the Week in September. The Falcons beat Jenison 16-0. (WKTV/Nathan Piers)



By Cris Greer, WKTV Managing Editor

greer@wktv.org



Two teams in our WKTV viewing area, South Christian and East Kentwood, are playoff bound and in action on Friday night.

East Kentwood (5-4 overall, 4-3 in the OK Red) travels to Rockford for a 7 p.m. Friday game in Division 1. Rockford is tied for second in the state in D-1 with Macomb Dakota and boasts a 9-0 overall record. The Rams finished atop the OK Red at 7-0.

EK Coach Tony Kimbrough said he’s very proud of what his team accomplished with the strength of their conference and schedule.


In a 34-21 loss to Grandville last Friday, East Kentwood quarterback Ben Cash had 141 yards in the air and 93 on the ground. Stellan Bowman led with 17 tackles.

Getting back to the playoffs was a goal for the Falcons after a 2-7 season in 2021.

South Christian the team to beat

South Christian, No.1 in the state in Division 4, hosts Grand Rapids Christian (3-6 overall) at 7 p.m. Friday at East Kentwood.

The Sailors won the OK Gold Conference this year at 7-0, finishing one game ahead of rival Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Their last undefeated regular season was in 2004.

Check out our story on South Christian quarterback Jake DeHaan, who posted some incredible numbers this season, at wktvjournal.org

DeHaan has a total of 32 touchdowns this year; 22 through the air and 10 on the ground. He has completed 129 of 184 passes for 1,883 yards with six interceptions, and leads the team in rushing with 710 yards on 109 carries.



South Christian Quarterback Jake DeHaan. (Courtesy, Eric Walstra)



“Statistically, he is having one of the best seasons any QB has ever had at South,” said Coach Danny Brown, in his fourth year as coach. “His leadership and drive to be great is the thing that has impressed me the most.”

As far as the playoffs go, Brown said their goal is pretty simple; “We want to win a state championship.”

WKTV is sending a cameraman and reporter to both games to get highlights and interviews with coaches and players. Look for our stories late Friday night and Saturday morning on wktvjournal.org

Other Grand Rapids Area playoff teams

Division 1

Grandville (7-2) at Caledonia (8-1, sixth in state) (at East Kentwood) 1 p.m. Saturday


Division 2

Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (6-3) at Forest Hills Central (9-0, fourth in the state) 7 p.m. Friday

Portage Northern (6-3) at Byron Center (7-2) 7 p.m. Friday


Division 3

East Grand Rapids (4-5) at St. Joseph (8-1) 7 p.m. Friday
Lowell (6-3) at Zeeland West (8-1) 7 p.m. Friday

Sparta (6-3) at Muskegon (7-2) 7 p.m. Friday

Cedar Springs (5-4) at Coopersville (6-3) 7 p.m. Friday


Division 4

Forest Hills Eastern (6-3) at Hudsonville Unity Christian (5-4) 7 p.m. Friday


Division 5

Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep (5-4) at Grand Rapids Catholic Central (8-1) 7 pm. Friday


Division 6

Watervliet (6-3) at Grand Rapids West Catholic (8-1) 7 p.m. Friday

South Christian stays perfect at 9-0 with 56-22 win over FHE; Jake DeHaan tallies 8 TDs

City of Kentwood, Sports, West Michigan, ,
South Christian senior Seth Ritsema grabs one of his two receiving touchdowns. (WKTV/Nathan Piers)



By Cris Greer, WKTV Managing Editor

greer@wktv.org



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 earlier this season. (Courtesy, Eric Walstra)

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.)

Quarterback Jake DeHaan and the Sailors on offense against Forest Hills Eastern. (WKTV/Nathan Piers)


WKTV Game of the Week

Our Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. If you don’t have cable, visit our website at WKTV.org to watch the livestream. Watch at home on your Smart TV in brilliant HD.

South Christian beats Kenowa Hills 37-7; needs one more win for a perfect 9-0 regular season

City of Kentwood, Sports, West Michigan, , ,
South Christian Quarterback Jake DeHaan rushes the ball earlier this season. (Courtesy, Eric Walstra)



By Cris Greer, WKTV Managing Editor

greer@wktv.org



The wins keep coming and the pressure keeps mounting for the South Christian football team, which knocked off Kenowa Hills 37-7 Friday to stay undefeated at 8-0.

The Sailors have a chance to go undefeated in the regular season for the first time since 2004 with a win at Forest Hills Eastern next Friday, and hope to stand alone atop the OK Gold for the first time since 2014.

They are currently 6-0 in the conference, one win ahead of Grand Rapids Catholic Central with a 36-34 win over them earlier this year.

“An undefeated regular season would be really cool,” said South Christian Coach Danny Brown, whose team reached a Division 4 regional final last year. “We’re playing a really good Forest Hills Eastern (4-2, 6-2 overall) team that is well coached with good players next Friday.

“We want to roll into the playoffs on a good note.”

Jake DeHaan stands tall again

Once again, quarterback Jake DeHaan led the way for the Sailors, completing 15 of 23 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown throw to Carson Vis. DeHaan added 51 yards on the ground with two more TDs.

“He threw the ball really well,” Brown said. “He was taking what the defense was giving him. We ran a lot of swing passes to our running backs, and our receivers did an awesome job of blocking downfield this week.”

(Image Courtesy of South Christian)

Cayden Dykema led the Sailors with 6 tackles, while Sawyer TenHaaf added 5.

“We played really good on defense tonight,” Brown said. “We were flying around everywhere and good at the point of attack. We did a good job of putting pressure on the quarterback and made it tough on them.


“The kids seem to answer the bell every week.”


Nate Brinks “all over the place”

Brown said Nate Brinks had a great game as well, rushing 10 times for 50 yards and a TD and five receptions for 72 yards, plus handling all the kicking duties.

“He kicked a field goal and nearly puts every kickoff into the end zone,” Brown said. “He had a lot of touches today; was all over the place.”

Seth Ritsema had four catches for 99 yards.

Kenowa Hills Coach Rory Zegunis said the Sailors are very impressive.

“They are as advertised, that’s for sure,” said Zegunis, whose team fell to 1-7 overall. “I was super impressed with their defense. They are big, strong and fast. It’s hard to find a place to attack them.

“And offensively, the quarterback is so dynamic. He can throw, he can run, he’s just a smart kid back there and is dangerous.

“With a team like that, I was overall happy with how our defense played. We just couldn’t do anything on offense.”

WKTV Game of the Week

Our Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. If you don’t have cable, visit our website at WKTV.org to watch the livestream. Watch at home on your Smart TV in brilliant HD.

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South Christian edges Catholic Central 36-34 in battle of unbeatens, ends Cougars’ 42-game winning streak

City of Kentwood, Sports, West Michigan, , ,



By Cris Greer, WKTV Managing Editor

South Christian ended Grand Rapids Catholic Central’s 42-game winning streak with a 36-34 roller-coaster victory on its home turf at East Kentwood’s Falcon Stadium.

If you’re a high school football fan, this game had everything you want.

It was a battle of two No.-1 ranked teams in the state; South Christian sits atop the state in Division 4, while Grand Rapids Catholic Central is on top in Division 5.

Both teams were unbeaten at 5-0 entering the contest, and Catholic Central had a 42-game winning streak on the line, all the way back to the 2019 season. To top it off, the Cougars have won five state titles in the last six years.

South Christian quarterback Jake DeHaan led his team by scoring four different ways: rushing, passing, receiving and a Pick 6.

“He was Superman for us tonight; he was unbelievable,” said South Christian Coach Danny Brown, whose Sailors improved to 6-0 overall. “We’re glad he’s on our side. You count on your great players to step up in big moments and he did.

“He said, ‘Coach, put the ball in my hands, I want to win it for us tonight. What a heck of a performance.”

South Christian quarterback Jake DeHaan helped the Sailors beat Grand Rapids Catholic Central. (WKTV)

DeHaan completed 19 of 28 passes for 168 yards and one TD and had 19 carries for 181 yards and another TD.

Catholic Central quarterback Connor Wolf completed 26 of 42 passes for 335 yards and three TDs and had 17 carries for 105 yards and two TDs.

South Christian led 7-6 at the half and the game was knotted at 14 to end the third quarter, and then the real roller coaster ride began in the fourth in a back and forth battle.

After trading touchdowns to reach 21-all, South Christian’s Jackson Haik returned a kickoff 93 yards to give the Sailors a 28-21 lead with 4:59 remaining.

The Cougars punched another score in on the ground from nine yards out with 1:52 left in the game. After a blocked kick, South Christian led 28-27.

The fans enjoyed the game between two top-ranked unbeaten teams in South Christian and Grand Rapids Catholic Central. (WKTV/Nathan Piers)



DeHaan scored on an 83-yard run with 1:30 remaining to give the Sailors a 36-27 lead, but Catholic Central had one more drive in them as Wolf threw a 27-yard TD pass to J. Williams to end the scoring.



“I feel exhausted, but I have a little energy because we won,” Brown said. “It was a fun game to be a part of.

“We still have three more games and want to win our conference; you have to keep your focus. It was a great program win against an unbelievable football team, but it can’t just be about beating Catholic Central. We have other things we have to chase.”

Seth Ritsema led South Christian with seven tackles and had a 32-yard TD catch as well.

 

South Christian quarterback Jake DeHaan lines up behind his team in the third quarter. (WKTV/Nathan Piers)

WKTV Game of the Week

Our Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. If you don’t have cable, visit our website at WKTV.org to watch the livestream. Watch at home on your Smart TV in brilliant HD.

South Christian stays undefeated with 43-2 win over Thornapple Kellogg Friday

City of Kentwood, Sports, West Michigan, ,
Quarterback Jake DeHaan threw three touchdown passes and ran one in for the Sailors. (WKTV)



By Cris Greer, WKTV Managing Editor

South Christian continued rolling this season, this time with a 43-2 victory over host Thornapple Kellogg on Friday.

The Sailors scored 23 points in the second quarter to grab a commanding 30-0 halftime lead.

“We scored a lot of points in a hurry in the second quarter to grab that lead,” said South Christian coach Danny Brown, whose Sailors improved to 5-0 overall.

Senior quarterback Jake DeHaan passed for three touchdowns and rushed for one in the win.


“He was just throwing the ball right on the money tonight,” Brown said. “He was reading the mismatches we had and just putting the ball where it needed to be.

“You could see it this week in practice; he was throwing the ball great all week. Jake has been very efficient this year.”

DeHaan completed 12 of 15 passes for 174 yards. Carson Vis had nine receptions for 117 yards and three touchdowns. Both Nate Brinks and Sam Baar had one TD apiece.

“We’re really good up front and have some strong kids and controlled the line of scrimmage,” Brown said. “Our defense set us up to have a lot of short fields and we just executed in those situations.”

Strong “D”

The Sailors held TK to 33 yards passing and 107 rushing.

“Our defense was really good,” Brown added.

Cam Post led South Christian with seven tackles, followed by Cayden Dykema, six and Sawyer TenHaaf, four.

Cam Post led South Christian with seven tackles, while Cayden Dykema chipped in six. (WKTV)



TK Coach Jeff Dock said he was expecting a tough game from the Sailors.

“They were undefeated coming in so we knew they were going be a great opponent,” said Dock, whose team fell to 2-3 overall. “Coach Brown does a great job with his team.





“They’re really big upfront and their skill kids are big and they’re super athletic. And their quarterback is very quick and accurate.”

WKTV Game of the Week

Our Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. If you don’t have cable, visit our website at WKTV.org to watch the livestream. Watch at home on your Smart TV in brilliant HD.

South Christian brothers strike early in team’s 28-6 win over Cedar Springs

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Sports, West Michigan, ,
South Christian QB Jake DeHaan completed 8 of 15 passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns and rushed three times for 78 yards. (WKTV)

By Cris Greer, WKTV Managing Editor

One minute into the game, senior quarterback Jake DeHaan threw a 76-yard touchdown pass to sophomore brother Charlie DeHaan to give South Christian the early lead in a 28-6 win over Cedar Springs Friday.

DeHaan completed 8 of 15 passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns and had three rushes for 78 yards.

It was his brother Charlie’s first TD as a wide receiver on varsity for the Sailors. DeHaan filled in for the injured Jake Vermaas.

Despite South Christian’s big play to start the game, coach Danny Brown said his team didn’t get the explosive plays it had in the first three weeks.

“It was kind of a grind-it-out game for us,” said Brown, whose Sailors improved to 4-0 overall. “We had to execute at a high level. I’m just really proud of the kids. It was a hard fought battle.”

“Senior Nate Brinks really carried us in the run game,” continued Brown, whose running back had 15 carries for 102 yards and two TDs. “Our offense was humming along in the first half. We were converting and making plays.”

The Sailors led 21-6 at halftime.

Brown had much to say about Cedar Springs performance.

“They are probably one of the best 0-4 teams in the state,” Brown said. “They’ve played a lot of really good teams. Hands down, they have a phenomenal football program and good coaches.

“We knew it was going to be a fight. We just made enough plays and played phenomenal defense.”

Senior Cayden Dykema led South Christian with 13 tackles, followed by junior Ben Mulder, 6.5, and senior Cam Post, 6.

“Cayden is unbelievable on defense,” Brown said. “He was all over the place.”

Senior Cayden Dykema led South Christian with 13 tackles in the victory. (WKTV)



WKTV Game of the Week

Our Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. If you don’t have cable, visit our website at WKTV.org to watch the livestream. Watch at home on your Smart TV in brilliant HD.

South Christian improves to 3-0 with 51-12 win over Ottawa Hills

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Sports, West Michigan, , , ,
The Sailors beat Ottawa Hills 51-12 Friday at East Kentwood’s stadium. (WKTV/Ty Marzean)

By Cris Greer, WKTV Managing Editor



A solid ground game combined with sparkling special teams play kept South Christian undefeated with a 51-12 win over Ottawa Hills Friday at East Kentwood’s stadium.

“Special teams definitely played a big outcome in the game; that was what sparked our scoring,” said South Christian coach Danny Brown, whose team improved to 3-0 overall, 1-0 in the OK Gold. “The special teams made a difference.

“We started the game with a kickoff return by Charlie Schreur, so that was huge.”

A quick score

Schreur ran 70 yards to pay dirt to give the Sailors a 7-0 lead immediately. Schreur scored two TDs in the win.

Soon after, South Christian’s Cam VanSolkema blocked a punt that Ben Mulder recovered in the end zone for a TD.

(Image courtesy of South Christian)

The Sailors tallied 356 yards in total offense as senior Nate Brinks led with 62 yards rushing and two TDs.

Quarterback Jake DeHaan was 12 of 17 for 177 yards passing.

Brown was very happy with his team’s defensive performance.

“Our defense was great; flying to the ball,” he said. “They played well at the line of scrimmage, getting a lot of guys to the ball.”

Ottawa Hills coach Christian Verley said South Christian is solid and technically sound, but his special teams broke down.

“If we don’t give up 25 points on special teams it’s a different game; that is unacceptable,” said Verley, whose team fell to 0-3 overall. “If we can clean up those things it’s really a solid game.”

Ottawa Hills junior quarterback Tyreez Buchanan was 5 for 12 for 36 yards passing and one TD and rushed 12 times for 68 yards. Junior Willie Duke had 36 yards receiving.

Send us your live game photos

We are always looking for great football game photos to post with our WKTV Journal stories on Friday nights. Please email your cool game night football pix to greer@wktv.org 

WKTV Game of the Week

Our Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. If you don’t have cable, visit our website at WKTV.org to watch the livestream. Watch at home on your Smart TV in brilliant HD.

Familiar foe, another road challenge faces South Christian football after district championship

3-bottom, Area Education, Education, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports,
The Grand Rapids South Christian High School football team’s rushing attack was in stride Nov. 5 at Hastings as the Sailors totaled 386 total yards in a 38-14 road win. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Grand Rapids South Christian High School football team rolled back into the state Division 4 Regional title game this week after running past host Hastings, 38-14, in a District championship game last week.

The Nov. 5 win, which is available in replay on WKTV video platforms, was the second playoff win for the Sailors (now 8-3 overall) after an equally impressive 52-7 road win at Plainfield in Week 1.

Awaiting for South Christian this week is familiar foe Edwardsburg, on the road of course, which has been equally impressive in the playoffs with a 58-0 win over Paw Paw followed by 50-0 win over Three Rivers as the Eddies remained unbeaten at 11-0.

And while the game at Edwardsburg is an encore of last year’s Regional final, when the Sailors’ season ended with a 47-7 road loss, South Christian head coach Danny Brown said he knows the importance of the game but does not see it as having any extra meaning.

Grand Rapids South Christian High School football team gained its second straight District championship trophy with a 38-14 road win at Hastings Nov. 5. (WKTV)

“I think it adds another level of excitement to play the team that ended your season the year before but it shouldn’t be our driving force,” Brown said to WKTV. “We need to prepare for Edwardsburg no different than we do any other team we play. We are just excited to get another opportunity to compete.”

And compete the Sailors have in the three seasons after Brown took over for Mark Tamminga following the 2018-19 season. In Brown’s first season, South Christian went 6-5 overall and lost in the district final; last year — in a pandemic-impacted, start-and-stop season — the Sailors went 8-1 before their loss at Edwardsburg.

“I think the big difference between the two years is the fact we get to play the game right away,” Brown said of his team’s rematch with the Eddies. “We had a lot of momentum last year and then the season was suspended. We had a month off before we played them. They did a better job of keeping their kids engaged during the down time and it showed when we played them.”

But, Brown also said, this year’s Sailors are not the same team as last year’s Sailors.

“Defensively we are bigger and stronger upfront which is something we will need against their high powered rushing attack,” he said. “We are more balanced from an offensive perspective.”

And while Brown has said he wants his team to be balanced when it comes to offense, the South Christian rushing attack was in full glory last week against Hastings.

Sailors break open a 14-14 game in 2nd quarter

Coming into South Christian’s game at Hastings, coach Brown told WKTV of his affinity for a balanced attack being borrowed from Urban Meyer, one-time Ohio State University and current NFL head coach, and how this Sailors team has that balance.

 “Urban Meyer used to say, when he was coaching a game, … he wanted 200 and 200 hundred. 200 passing and 200 rushing yards, and we are pretty close to that,” Brown said.

His team did not play to script against Hastings, however, as the Sailors had 43 rushing attempts, gained 18 first downs and scored five touchdown on the ground en route to 302 total rushing yards. Junior quarterback Jake DeHaan led the rushing attack with 116 years on 13 carries with one touchdown, while junior Nate Brinks totaled 102 yards on 11 carries with two touchdowns and senior Chandler VanSolkema added 78 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries.

The passing attack was effective when used, however, with DeHaan going 8-of-12 for 87 passing yards and one touchdown, that one going to senior Ashton Fennema on a 26-yard strike. Senior Jace DeMann led the team in receptions with four for 33 yards.

Sailors kicker Brinks scored eight points on one field gold and five points after touchdown.

On defense, DeMann and junior Cameron Post each had 6.5 tackles, while senior Clayton DeKam had six and senior Colton Schreur had five, as Hastings was held to 14 points, all in the first half, and 204 total yards on offense.

WKTV game replays available

WKTV featured games are on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of football and other fall prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.

South Christian, Kelloggsville score wins in WKTV’s Week 6 update of local teams’ prep football seasons

Area Education, Education, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports, ,

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

As the 2021 high school football season winds down, results of Week 6 had Grand Rapids South Christian High School (4-2 overall) still in-line for a state playoff berth at the end of the month — and the Sailors’ 49-12 win over Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills was WKTV’s Featured Game of the week with Wyoming and Kentwood cable television and on-demand replays available.

But the does not mean there are not games of importance coming up for local teams down the stretch.

First, Kelloggsville has won two in a row after last week’s 34-24 non-conference road win at Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard, and records won’t really matter as Kelloggsville and Godwin Heights play their traditional crosstown rivalry this week — and WKTV will be there. (And both still could get to five wins and have a shot at the playoffs.)

Then, Wyoming high will be at home next week as the school hosts Grand Rapids Union and also a special celebration for the school’s new stadium being named in honor of Jack VerDuin, who rolled up a 243-118-6 record with the Wyoming Park Vikings before the school merged with Wyoming Rogers to become Wyoming high in 2012.

This week’s WKTV Feature Game will be the Friday, Oct. 8, Kelloggsville at Godwin Heights clash, and on Friday, Oct. 15, WKTV will be at Wyoming high for the game and the ceremony.

The final week of the regular season, on Friday, Oct. 22, WKTV will select a game of most importance to local fans and local team in pursuit of the playoffs the week after.

Past WKTV Featured Games from this season available on-demand include the Aug. 26 Forest HIlls Northern at Wyoming High game, the Sept. 1 NorthPointe at Lee 8-man game, the Sept. 10 Middleville T-K at South Christian game (played at East Kentwood), and East Kentwood’s home win over West Otttawa on Sept. 24 — and now last week’s South Christian win over Kenowa Hills.

WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of football and other fall prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.

Team-by-team update

East Kentwood

The East Kentwood Falcons —1-5, 1-3 in OK Conference Red action after last week’s 6-42 road loss at Hudsonville (3-3, 3-1) — will again be on the road this week, playing at Grandville (3-3, 2-2).

After last week’s action, Caledonia (6-0 overall) and Rockford (6-0) are both 4-0 in OK Red standings.

Remaining on the Falcon’s schedule after Grandville on Oct. 8, East Kentwood will be at home hosting Grand Haven (currently 3-3, 2-2) on Oct. 15, then closing out the regular season at Jension (currently 0-4, 1-5) on Oct. 22.

Wyoming high

The Wyoming Wolves (0-6) last week traveled to OK Conference Green foe Zeeland West (3-2, 2-2 in conference) and lost 6-72. Wyoming will be on the road again this week at Zeeland East (4-2, 3-1) on Oct. 8.

After last week’s action, Muskegon (5-1) and Muskegon Mona Shores (5-1) are each 4-0 in OK Green action. The Wolves are 0-4 in conference.

After this week’s game, The Wolves will be at home for the final time this season facing Grand Rapids Union (currently 3-3, 1-3) on Oct. 15, and then close out the season at Mona Shores on Oct. 22.

Grand Rapids South Christian

The South Christian Sailors (4-2, 3-1 in OK Conference Gold) will be at home (at East Kentwood) in Week 7 hosting Ada Forest Hills Eastern (3-2, 2-2) in OK Gold action.

After last week’s action, Grand Rapids Central Catholic (6-0) and Cedar Springs (5-1) are both 4-0 in OK Gold action, with the Sailors one game behind. South Christian played and lost to Catholic Central on Sept. 17, but still have a home game against Cedar Springs to be played to close the regular season Oct. 22.

After this week’s game against Ada Forest Hills Eastern on Oct. 8, the Sailors travel to Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills (2-3, 1-2) on Oct. 15, then finish the regular season against Cedar Springs.

Godwin Heights

The Godwin Heights Wolverines (2-3), after a week off from action, returned to the field and OK Conference Silver acton last week but lost a road game at Sparta (4-2, 2-1 in conference), 14-29, on Oct. 1.

After last week’s action, OK Silver standings have Comstock Park (6-0) as the only undefeated in OK Silver action at 4-0, with Hopkins (3-3) at 3-1 in conference. Godwin is 0-3 in conference.

The week, the Wolverines will host cross-town and conference rival Kelloggsville, then travel to Belding (currently 4-2, 2-2 in conference) on Oct.15, before finishing the season at home against Grandville Calvin Christian (1-5, 0-3) on Oct. 22.

Kelloggsville

The Kelloggsville Rockets (2-4) have now seen their offense in high gear for three straight weeks, the last two being wins, as they followed up a 70-22 road win at Calvin Christian in OK Conference Silver action with the road win at Father Gabriel Richard.

After last week’s action, OK Silver standings have Comstock Park (6-0) as the only undefeated in OK Silver action at 4-0, with Hopkins (3-3) at 3-1 in conference. Kelloggsville is 1-2 in conference.

Kelloggsville after this week’s game at Godwin Heights (2-3, 0-3), will be at Comstock Park on Oct. 15, and then at home to face Sparta (3-2, 1-1) on Oct. 22.

Lee (8-man football)

The Lee Legends are playing a non-conference 8-man schedule which includes both 8-man varsity and junior varsity games.

South Christian hosts familiar foe Middleville in WKTV’s Feature Game

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Grand Rapids South Christian High School football team at practice before the Middleville Thornapple Kellogg game Sept. 10. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

As Grand Rapids South Christian High School prepares to play its first OK Conference Gold game of the season, head football coach Danny Brown just wants his 1-1 Sailors to continue to improve when they host Middleville Thornapple Kellogg.

And despite Middleville coming in with a 0-2 record, including a forfeit loss last week due to COVID-19 concerns, coach Brown knows his team will have a challenge as they seek improvement and to be “paying our best at the end” of the season.

“Middleville always plays hard. We know they are going to play hard,” Coach Brown said this week to WKTV. “Last year we beat them 28-7, but we had to fight, and scratch for everything we got. I would not expect this week to be any different.

Grand Rapids South Christian High School head football coach Danny Brown. (WKTV)

“I think, for us, I just want us to get better week in and week out. We do not want to play our best football in week two or week three. We want to be paying our best at the end. As long as we continue to progress and we keep playing, we can continue to do what we have been doing and get better.”

WKTV will cover the South Christian vs. Middleville game as we  continue our 2021-22 Featured Game coverage season. This week’s game will be at East Kentwood with kick off at 7 p.m.

“We are feeling good about where we are at,” Coach Brown said, reviewing the Sailors’ 27-7 win at Grand Rapids Christian followed by a 21-30 loss at home to East Grand Rapids Sept. 3. “We felt like we got better last week, it just didn’t come to fruition at the end of the game. In the first half last week, we played good outside of one minute. We were up 7-0 with one minute to go. … All of a sudden it went from 7-0 to 13-7.”

Overall, coach Brown said, his team has been physical but needs to create and stop  “explosive plays” more often, and it needs to get healthy.

Grand Rapids South Christian High School football team at practice before the Middleville Thornapple Kellogg game Sept. 10. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

“I think physically, we are good. We are physical. We are playing hard. So, as far as the football piece, we’re doing very well,” he said. “Offensively, we have to start creating some explosive plays. We have to limit, with our defenses, their explosive plays. I think if we can get those two things figured out, I like where we are headed.”

In pointing out some of his key players, he also pointed out the team’s early season injury issues that are working themselves out.

“Jake DeHaan (junior quarterback) has maybe started a little slow, but obviously he is big part of what we do,” coach Brown said. “Jace DeMann (senior cornerback and wide receiver) … “He’s already scored a touchdown on an interception … We are going to get him in on some offensive stuff because he is just a really good player.”

He also pointed out Colton Schreur, a senior linebacker and wide receiver, and Cameron (Cam) Post, a junior offensive lineman and linebacker as players to watch — “They are both inside linebackers and play offense as well. They have been out with injuries. … If we can get healthy, that’s a big thing. We are missing some guys but when we can get healthy we should be in a good spot.”

WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of football and other fall prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.

Despite loss in resumed playoffs, South Christian football stands tall in finishing best season since 2014

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South Christian High School takes the field for a Jan. 9 regional final game at Edwardsburg. (Eric Walstra)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Clearly the Grand Rapids South Christian High School football team hoped and practiced for a better result than the 47-7 road loss at state-power Edwardsburg, Saturday, Jan. 9, after the state playoffs resumed following a six-week, state-mandated pause due to COVID-19 restrictions.

But Sailors head coach Danny Brown had nothing but praise for his team, which finished the season 8-2, their best season since 2014, and never backed down from the challenge of a night road game in freezing January temperatures against the Division 4 powerhouse Eddies (now 9-0).

Sailors head coach Danny Brown talks to his team during the Jan. 9 game. (Eric Walstra)

“Our team as a whole deserves a lot of praise,” Brown said to WKTV this week. “This has been a tough journey for these kids and they never wavered. They were always ready no matter what was thrown their way.”

And a lot was thrown their way, including the nearly two-month layoff, less than a week in pads to prepare for the game, and a rigid COVID-19 rapid testing protocol the team and staff had to pass. And that was before they took the field.

In the game, South Christian took the opening kickoff and drove to Edwardsburg 28, keyed by a 22-yard pass from senior Ty Rynbrandt to Trevor Hansen that got the ball to the Eddies’ 28. But the drive stalled, Edwardsburg took over, and the Eddies scored first. The Sailors answered later in the first quarter with a 7-play, 60-yard scoring drive finishing with Hanson’s 28 yard run and Nate Brinks’ PAT to make the score 8-7.

But Edwardsburg, and its prolific offense, proved just too much from there on out. For the game, the Eddies out-gained the Sailors in total yards 306-138, and the host team marched to their fourth Regional title in five seasons while continuing a streak of scoring at least 43 points in every game this season.

For the game, Sailors’ quarterback Rynbrandt was 11-of-26 for 96 yards while returning to the field after recovering from an injury in the November.

But finishing the season on the field was important to Rynbrandt, and to the rest of the South Christian team.

“I think it was important to get closure on the season,” Brown said. “There would of always been this thought of ‘what if’ if we weren’t allowed to continue. We always just wanted a chance to complete the season. The game didn’t goes as we hoped but at least we know we got to play in our last game of the season.”

Try as they might, South Christian could not stop the high-scoring Edwardsburg offense in the Jan. 9 game. (Eric Walstra)

South Christian football returns to practice with extensive testing protocol requirements

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The South Christian High School football team returns to practice Wednesday, Dec. 30, after mandated COVOD-19 testing was completed. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

When Grand Rapids South Christian High School’s football team returned to the practice field Wednesday, in preparation for its hoped-for return to the Sailors’ Division 4 playoffs with a regional final game Jan. 9, 2021, coaches and players actually had two playbooks to follow.

One is the on-field playbook put together by head coach Danny Brown and his staff as they prepare the team for a road game against the Edwardsburg Eddies. The second is an even more extensive COVID-19 testing playbook which the team will have to follow to the letter to practice, let alone get back to competition.

Following extensive COVID-19 rapid testing instructions laid out by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service (MDHHS) and the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) — including an 14-page “how to” of use for the BinaxNOW antigen tests by kit maker Abbott — the Sailors’ athletic department and school staff begin their first round of testing this week.

As with all fall sports teams preparing to return to action, if all players, coaches and personnel test negative through the first round of testing, they may proceed with full-contact practices as early as Dec. 31.

“Our players and coaches are looking forward to getting back on the field with another opportunity to finish our season,” South Christian athletic director David Kool said to WKTV. “We realize the only way we can accomplish this is by participating in the pilot testing program. The MHSAA and the MDHHS have clearly outlined their expectations and have given very sound guidance on the process so we are ready to begin the testing on Wednesday.”

The testing went well on Wednesday, Dec. 30, and the team began practice later in the day.

A graphic for Abbott BinaxNOW test. (Abbott)

Testing kits came this week

The MDHHS Testing Pilot Program for Organized Sports, which the Sailors are part of, involves the MDHHS, the MHSAA, all of the schools choosing to restart fall sports, and local health departments. It is available to student athletes in girls volleyball, girls swimming & diving, and football “who have already qualified or begun competing in MHSAA postseason championship games and meets within the regular Fall 2020 season,” the MHSAA states.

Also according to the MHSAA, the testing pilot program is “an opportunity for student athletes to finish out their seasons through rigorous COVID-19 antigen (rapid) testing. By agreeing to frequent rapid testing and other COVID-19 safety precautions, student athletes, coaches, and staff who are symptom-free and continue to test negative for COVID-19 can participate.”

In addition to providing a way for student athletes to complete their competitions, according to the MHSAA, if successful “this pilot provides an opportunity for public health and schools to assess an antigen testing strategy for students and staff, paving the way for a broader school testing protocol and the safe reopening of K-12 schools.”

“We’re excited about this opportunity for our remaining football playoff teams to return to play and thankful to the MDHHS for the opportunity to take part in this pilot program,” MHSAA’s Geoff Kimmerly said to WKTV. “Boxes of tests departed from our building Monday to give teams the opportunity to begin testing and full practice again Wednesday, and we are working with MDHHS to answer questions and provide training in administering these tests.

“This is the avenue forward for our teams wishing to complete the football season, and we’re confident the testing process will go smoothly and allow them to do so,” Kimmerly said.

And that “avenue forward,” just getting a chance to finish their season, is all that South Christian wants.

“January 9 (game day) is going to be a fun day for all involved,” Kool said. The hoped-for return to the field “has been a much anticipated day, and our athletes and coaches are going to be ready to go.”

After COVID-19 pause, South Christian football back on practice field prepping for Regional final

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South Christian High School had their football team’s playoff drive halted in mid-November, after this game with Hamilton. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

After a state-mandated five-week “pause” in the state high school football playoffs, the South Christian High School Sailors are back on the practice field today and preparing for a regional final game at Edwardsburg on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021.

With action by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) on Dec. 18, announced by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and resulting action by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) on that same day, football and two other high school fall sports are allowed to resume practice in preparation of finishing their seasons.

David Kool, South Christian athletic director, on the set of WKTV Journal Sports Connection. (WKTV)

“I have had a virtual meeting with the team since the news was announced and they are very excited,” Danny Brown, South Christian head football coach, said to WKTV. “I think excitement might be an understatement. We are also thankful for the opportunity to get closure on our season. These kids have sacrificed a lot to get us to this point and it is awesome they will have the chance to see their season all the way to the end.”

The Sailors (8-1, and 3-0 in the playoffs), have not played since Nov. 13, when they defeated Hamilton in a regional semifinal, and are scheduled to travel to Edwardsburg (8-0) for the regional final.

The MDHSS and Gov. Whitmer in mid-November, responding to COVID-19 pandemic statistical surges, banned in-school education for high schools and, as a result, put football, volleyball and girls swimming and diving teams into hiatus as their fall tournaments were in process.

The November order also put a pause on winter sports practices and competitions, including girls and boys basketball. Last week’s changes of state health department and MHSAA directions does not allow for resumption of basketball and other winter sports at this time.

A key element in resuming winter sports will likely be how the fall sports competitions operate with new pandemic related “rapid testing” protocols.

According to a MHSAA statement on Dec. 18. “teams and individuals still participating in tournament play will be allowed to do so as part of an MDHHS pilot rapid testing program designed to gain insight and collect data on the spread of COVID-19 as the MDHHS plans to provide expanded rapid testing availability to schools in January.”

At this point, the details of that rapid testing protocol are yet to come from the MDHSS and the MHSAA.

David Kool, South Christian athletic director, on the set of WKTV Journal Sports Connection. (WKTV)

“We don’t know the specifics yet of the pilot testing program that is going to be mandatory for our athletes but we look forward to complying with the MHSAA and MDHHS on this,” David Kool, South Christian athletic director said to WKTV. “We realize this is the only thing that gives the kids a chance to finish their season and we are really happy about that.”

The uncertainty is not diminishing the anticipation for the resumption of the Sailor’s state title drive, however.

“We are thrilled that the MHSAA announced the restart of the football playoffs,” Kool said. “Coach Brown, along with the rest of the staff and players, cannot wait to take the field on January 2nd at Edwardsburg. Amidst all of this chaos, this is a special opportunity that these kids will never forget and we are blessed to have another chance at finishing this season.”

And, after waiting more than a month not knowing if they would even get a change to get back on the field, coach Brown says his staff and team are ready for whatever comes.

“The testing part adds a whole new element to the situation but we are willing to do whatever it takes to get to the finish line,” Brown said.

Details of initial MHSAA restart plans

According both MHSAA Dec. 18 statement, football playoffs will begin Saturday, Jan. 2, with regional finals for 11-player teams and semifinals for 8-player teams. The 8-player championship games in both divisions and all 11-player semifinals will be played Saturday, Jan. 9. The football season will conclude with the 11-player finals in all divisions the weekend of Jan. 15-16. All semifinals in both 11 and 8-player will be played at home sites. Sites for championship games will be finalized and announced later.

In addition, the girls volleyball tournament will begin again with quarterfinals on Jan. 5, with semifinals and finals to be played Jan. 7-9 at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek. Also, the girls swimming and diving finals with return with its three Lower Peninsula finals competed during the weekend of Jan. 15-16, with one division at each of three locations.

“All previous safety protocols remain in place, and no spectators will be allowed at the fall tournament events,” according to the MHSAA statement. And “all indoor Winter sports — which are not part of the pilot rapid testing program — remain on pause from the MDHHS until Jan. 16, although girls and boys alpine skiing season — competed outdoors and following safety protocols including all activity must be outdoors — will be allowed to begin practice Monday, Dec. 21.”

The MHSAA Representative Council is expected to meet Tuesday, Dec. 22, to discuss details for the rest of winter sports. And all Spring 2021 sports are expected to begin on time and play complete seasons concluding with their traditional MHSAA tournament dates in May and June.

When it comes to high school sports, state’s decision to allow resumption ‘guided by the data’

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South Christian High School had their football team’s playoff drive halted in mid-November, after this game with Hamilton. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

When it comes to COVID-19 related restrictions, or allowances, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer often says her and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ decisions are “guided by the data.”

So as high school athletic departments across the state, including those in the Kentwood and Wyoming area, await an expected modification by Gov. Whitmer and the MDHHS of the current “pause” in competition and most practices, WKTV asked about the data — the numbers.

The MDHHS and the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) both responded, with numbers which might be viewed as telling a somewhat different story.

“There have been 42 outbreaks associated with athletics (K-12 schools, professional, collegiate, and commercial venues) in August and September,” according to a MDHHS statement prior to the Nov. 15 pause in athletics, along with indoor restaurant service and other COVID-19 related restrictions.

And “we do continuously track data on outbreaks, including outbreaks associated with high school sports, and we know that there continued to be high school sports associated outbreaks in (October and November),” Bob Wheaton, spokesperson for the MDHHS, said to WKTV this week.

But those “outbreaks” did not prevent high school sports teams across the state from safely completing the vast majority of scheduled contests, according to MHSAA numbers given to WKTV. Even in a sport considered by the state to be “high risk” — football — with nearly 600 teams playing on any given week the percentage of games not played due to COVID-19 outbreaks was never more than 4.1 percent and was under  3 percent five out of nine weeks of competition.

“Our schools, with athletic directors monitoring activities and trained coaches teaching their athletes best practices and holding them to high standards, have for the large part been able to keep their teams competing and free of infection this fall,”  MHSAA spokesperson Geoff Kimmerly said to WKTV this week. “We have maintained from the start of fall that schools are best equipped to provide athletics in the safest-possible environment, and we’re eager to restart our fall and winter seasons following the precautions that have been successful so far.”

(The complete data chart supplied my the MHSAA is at the end of this story.)

The MHSAA’s opinion on the effectiveness of high school sports programs’ COVID-19 safety efforts was echoed by David Kool, athletic director at South Christian High School, which had their football team’s so-far successful playoff drive halted in mid-November.

“Our staff and players have done a tremendous job navigating through this pandemic,” Kool said this week to WKTV. “The support and leadership from our coaches has been and will continue to be phenomenal. … We have followed the protocols and guidelines put on us to the best of our ability throughout the fall and now into the winter. We all realize that gives us the best chance for the student athletes to do what they love to do, which is to compete.”

MDHHS and athletics numbers

The MDHHS, in response to a questions about how much of a COVID-19 spreader problem high school sports has been this fall and early winter, referenced its late October update of its Interim Guidance for Contact Sports, which noted:

“There have been 42 outbreaks associated with athletics (K-12 schools, professional, collegiate, and commercial venues) in August and September of 2020. Outbreaks of this magnitude have the potential to affect more than just a sports team, but the community in which the players and coaches reside as well.”

The document also noted that contact sports are particularly concern, saying, “Given the available epidemiological data with concerning rising cases of COVID-19, contact sports such as football and wrestling pose a high risk of transmitting COVID-19 to athletes, coaches, and the general community, and should be avoided at this time.”

But under the mid-November order, while high school sports competitions and team practices were restricted, the MDHHS stated: “Gyms will remain open for individual exercise with strict safety measures in place. … (and) Professional and college sports meeting extraordinary standards for risk mitigation may continue without spectators, however all other organized sports must stop.”

And what’s next for high school athletics?

And what will drive Gov. Whitmer and the MDHHS’s decision to continue restrictions on, or allow resumption of, high school sports?

“As MDHHS’s order pausing gatherings for 3 weeks expires Dec. 8, we are reviewing the COVID-19 data and will make decisions on high school sports and other gatherings based on what that data shows us,” the MDHHS spokesperson said.

“We understand why the state health department paused activities for three weeks — we all have the same hopes for reducing COVID-19,” MHSAA’s Kimmerly said. “But we believe we have a good story to tell, and that we can continue to play a major role in keeping high school athletes safe while providing them a meaningful experience during this difficult time.”

And so local  high school athletic departments, coaches and athletes await the decision and guidance from the Governor, MDHHS and the MHSAA.

“Each and every day we are trying to do everything we can to give our student athletes as many opportunities as we can,” South Christian’s Kool said. “We are hopeful that we will be given the green light to continue with athletics on Wednesday, December 9 and look forward to being back in action.”

Local high school teams see title aspirations put on hold by MHSAA after new state pandemic order

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By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) made clear this week that this week’s action to suspend the three remaining fall sports championship competitions was just that: a “suspension” and not a “cancellation.”

But by any definition, local high school athletic teams readying this week to continue their drives for state titles are at least on indefinite hold and at worst cancelled.

At East Kentwood High School, the girls swim team’s trip to the state swim finals this weekend is not going to happen. (See a WKTV video and story on the Falcons’s swim team here.)

And at South Christian, Coach Danny Brown’s football team will likely be idle for three weeks instead of playing a playoff game this week and getting shot at the 2020 Division 4 title.

“I feel terrible for the kids. They put so much into having a successful season and they keep getting knocked down,” Brown said to WKTV. “They are resilient and will get through this. My hope and prayer is we get to finish the season so these boys can get some closure on their season.”

Originally, the Sailors (8-1, including 3-0 in expanded playoff format games) were scheduled to play this Friday against Edwardsburg (8-0) in the regional finals, with the semifinals on Nov. 27 and the state finals scheduled for Dec. 4. (On Nov. 13, South Christian defeated Hamilton, 56-14, in the regional semifinals. WKTV was there with our featured game crew and the game is available on-demand at WKTVlive.org.)

Now South Christian will have to wait until later this week to find out plans from the MHSAA on the possible restart of the fall season championships after the current 3-week suspension of activities to comply with a new state orders.

On Nov. 15, the MHSAA announced it was suspending fall tournaments for girls volleyball, girls swimming & diving, and football, and all winter practices and competitions scheduled to begin over the next three weeks “per the emergency order to pause activity announced Sunday by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to limit the spread of COVID-19.”

“Our plan for all our fall tournaments is that they are suspended, they are not cancelled,” Mark Uyl, executive director of the MHSAA, said Monday, Nov. 16, in a Zoom press conference. “Our goal as we started off this new athletic year was that we were going to find a way to have three (high school sports) seasons in 2020 and 21. … Our goals and plans have not changed.”

A more extensive excerpt from a Monday press conference with Uyl is at the top of this story.
 

The MHSAA action not only suspends local teams’ title hopes, it is another delay in winter sports practices and competition — including boys and girls basketball. Full practices for basketball was scheduled to begin this week, with some girls teams taking to the court for games the first week of December.

With local high school football MHSAA playoff match-ups set, WKTV crew will head to Godwin Heights

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Godwin Heights goes for a two-point extra point conversion after junior quarterback Jeremiah Drake (1) punched in an early Wolverine touchdown in their Oct. 2 home game against Belding. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

After a weekend announcement by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA), local Wyoming and Kentwood area teams know where they will be playing in this week’s opening round of an expanded and altered football playoff tournament.

East Kentwood, Wyoming high and Kelloggsville high schools will each be on the road late this week. But South Christian will host the Rockets at East Kentwood High School’s field and Godwin Heights will has also drawn a home game — which will be the WKTV Featured Game of the Week, with delayed broadcast of the game on our cable channels as well as later on-demand availability on WKTVlive.org.
 

Last week, Godwin Heights (2-4) at home defeated Comstock Park (1-5), 19-13, in 2 OT, on Oct. 23.  The Wolverines will host Hamilton (2-4) Friday, Oct. 30, with a 7 p.m. kickoff. Hamilton (also 2-4) lost Oct. 23 at home to Grand Rapids West Catholic, 35-7.

The Godwin vs. Hamilton game was announced Oct. 24 as a MHSAA Division 4, Region 14, District 27 matchup. According to the MHSAA, Godwin Heights won a host-field tie-breaker with Hamilton based on opponents’ winning percentage.

Also in Division 4, Region 14, District 27 matchup, Wyoming Kelloggsville (1-5) will play at Grand Rapids South Christian (5-1). Kelloggsville was idle last week but gained a forfeit win against Hopkins. The Sailors lost their first game of the shortened season, a 28-27 overtime thriller Oct. 23 to visiting Grand Rapids Catholic Central. (The game was last week’s WKTV Featured Game of the Week and is available on-demand at WKTVlive.org.)

All MHSAA playoff tickets will be sold online only via GoFan at https://gofan.co/ to “provide for a cashless and contactless purchasing process that also allows for contact tracing,” according to the MHSAA. Tickets for single-session Pre-District, District and Regional games are $6. Single-session Semifinal tickets are $8. A per-ticket convenience fee will be applied.

Other local teams’ playoff matchups

In MHSAA 11-player pairings also announced this weekend, in a Division 1, Region 1, District 1 matchup, East Kentwood (2-3) will be close to home at Hudsonville (4-2) on Saturday, Oct. 31.

The Falcons finished their 5-game regular season Oct. 16 with a 24-7 home-field win over Muskegon Reeths-Puiffer (2-3). East Kentwood was originally scheduled to play at Caledonia (1-4) on Oct. 23. Hudsonville was actually 4-1 in games played, but had to forfeit their Oct. 23 home game against Jenison.

In a Division 2, Region 5, District 9 matchup, Wyoming high (1-3) will travel to Muskegon Mona Shores (6-0) on Friday, Oct. 30. Wyoming, after two weeks off due to COVID-19 safety protocols, returned to the field Oct. 23 with a 34-26 win at Holland (0-6). The Wolves match-up with Mona Shores is actually a game against a newly aligned OK Conference Green opponent which was not played this year due to the late start of the season.
 

In Division 8, Wyoming Lee opted out of the tournament. Wyoming Lee (1-5, including a forfeit win and a forfeit loss) lost 22-12 at Potterville (3-3) on Oct. 23 to end the Legends’ season.

In 8-player football pairings, in a Division 2, Region 4 game, Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (2-4) will be at Burr Oak (5-1) on Oct. 31. The Defenders finished their regular season with a 54-53 overtime loss at Bridgman (5-1).

Details of MHSAA playoff format

The MHSAA announced Oct. 24 that the 2020 MHSAA Football Playoffs would begin Oct. 29-31 with District First Round games in the 11-Player Playoffs and Regional First Round Games in the 8-Player Playoffs.

According to the MHSAA statement, all 11-player teams were divided into eight divisions before play began. Because of the shortened 2020 regular season due to COVID-19, all 11-player teams were then divided into Districts of up to eight teams each, then paired into four regions.

Pairings for the first four weeks of the tournament are based on regular-season playoff point averages, with the highest-ranked team hosting, regardless of the distance between the two schools. For District First Round and Regional First Round play, the top-seeded team in each bracket will host the eighth-seeded team, the second-seeded team will host the seventh-seeded team, and so on.

District Semifinals for 11-player teams will occur on the weekend of Nov. 6-7, with District Finals the weekend of Nov. 13-14. Both rounds will be played at the site of the highest-ranked team remaining.

Regional Finals in the 11-Player Playoffs will take place Nov. 20-21, at the site of the highest-ranked team. Semifinal games in the 11-Player Playoffs will take place Nov. 27-28, pairing the winners of Region 1 vs. Region 2 and the winners of Region 3 vs. Region 4. Highest-ranked teams will host unless participating teams are 200 or more miles apart; in those cases the MHSAA will assign the game to a prearranged site “if one can be secured in a reasonable location.”
 

The 11-Player Finals will be played Dec. 4-5 at sites to be determined, and additional spectator information will be determined later as well.

WKTV featured game: South Christian undefeated heading into ‘home away from home’ clash with Catholic Central

Area Education, City of Kentwood, Education, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Sports, WKTV Featured sports,

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

In WKTV’s final high school football regular season Featured Game of the Week, the South Christian Sailors will bring a perfect record into a battle with also undefeated Grand Rapids Catholic Central. The game will be a “home away from hone” game at played East Kentwood High School.

South Christian (5-0) defeated Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg (2-3), 28-7, on the road on Oct. 16. Central Catholic is also 5-0, and tied with South Christian for the OK Gold Conference lead.

The game is important in several ways: an outright OK Gold title during this pandemic shortened season, seeding for the upcoming and expanded state playoffs, and, of course, that rivalry thing.

But for Sailors head coach Danny Brown the game is all about his senior leaders, and his team continuing to improve each week. And one of those senior leaders is quarterback Ty Rynbrandt. WKTV caught up with both before at a Wednesday practice.

WKTV’s Featured Game crew will be at the 7 p.m. game, and the game will be broadcast on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel. WKTV also livestream games where allowed on WKTV.org (click on Live).

WKTV also rebroadcasts games on the night of the game, and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of football and other fall prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.

MHSAA approves regular practices for certain ‘low risk’ sports but restricts full football, soccer and volleyball activities

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East Kentwood High School’s football team (shown at practice from the 2019-20 season) and other local football programs will have restrictions on how they practice in August due to the COVOD-19 situation. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Representative Council announced July 29 a continuation of its “phased-in practice and competition” schedule for traditional fall high school sports “in hopes of continuing to deter the spread of COVID-19.”

The Council affirmed that lower-risk sports — including Wyoming and Kentwood area high school girls golf, boys tennis, cross country, and girls swimming & diving — may begin practice on Aug. 12 and begin competition on their traditional start dates of Aug. 19 and 21.

However, moderate and high-risk sports — football, girls volleyball and boys soccer – may begin practice, with limitations, but not competitions until additional decisions by the MHSAA, expected to be made by Aug. 20.

In addition, recommendations on spectator attendance will follow before the start of competition, according to the MHSAA statement, and it is possible “spectators will be limited in accordance with Governor (Gretchen) Whitmer’s executive orders on large gatherings.”

According to the July 29 statement, practice for boys soccer and girls volleyball may begin on Aug. 12, but football will delay the start of practice with full player pads and equipment until Monday, Aug. 17. The week of Aug. 10 “may include football practice sessions consisting of conditioning, physical training and skill work with no other player equipment except helmets. This week of acclimatization is similar to allowed summer football activities that have been ongoing for schools since June.”

David Kool, the new South Christian athletic director, on the set of WKTV Journal Sports Connection. (WKTV)

David Kool, athletic director at South Christian High School, told WKTV he welcomed the expanded clarity as to what his school’s teams and student athletes can and cannot do — “All in all, this was a very positive step for high school athletics in Michigan.”

“It is great to know that all fall sports will be able to begin practicing on time to a certain extent,” Kool said. “We are thrilled that golf, tennis, cross country and swimming can begin practice and competitions without delay. Soccer and volleyball are also able to begin practice without delay which is great news.

“Football, being in a helmet-only (practice restriction) for an extra week, is a great decision and made sense for our student athletes. The next step is getting encouraging news on August 20 that soccer, volleyball and football may begin competitions and we are hopeful that will happen.”

Limits also placed on scrimmages, tournaments and invitationals

Among the other actions announced by the Representative Council, the MHSAA’s 19-member legislative body, was the cancelations of scrimmages in all fall sports for this school year, and limitations on numbers of teams that may compete together at regular-season tournaments, invitationals and other multi-team events.

“The Council believed eliminating scrimmages emphasized the importance of keeping teams from mixing before the first date of competition, and the regular-season limitations may lessen opportunities for viral spread while still allowing meets to be conducted,” according to the MHSAA statement.

The expected Aug. 20 decision on competition for football, girls volleyball and boys soccer is “dependent on how the spread of the virus is trending statewide”, including  “sustained metrics measuring virus spread and/or progression by schools and regions across the state according to Gov. Whitmer’s MI Safe Start Plan,” according to the statement.

“The Council, reflecting on the positive impact on their athletes this summer from taking part in offseason training, feels it’s of utmost importance to continue athletic activity moving forward,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said in supplied material. “If we take a month off, our students will find opportunities to compete through non-school entities that may not be as focused on safety. Our athletic directors and coaches can provide the safest-possible environment to return to sports, and this phased-in approach to competition will help schools continue building on progress already made”

The MHSAA also has posted sport-by-sport guidance documents outlining increased precautions designed to limit the viral spread, plus a four-page overview with precautions that apply generally for all sports.

Specific sport guidelines and the overview are available on the respective sport pages of the MHSAA website, at mhsaa.com/sports.

 

Home and away: WKTV featured game is Wyoming, South Christian in early-OK Gold clash

Education, Local Faces, Sports, WKTV Featured sports, ,

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Wyoming High School’s football team will be at home this week when the visiting South Christian comes to Davies Memorial Field at Wyoming Junior High for a key game in both teams’ season goal to be a factor in the OK Conference Gold title race.

But will it matter that this week’s WKTV High School Sports Featured Game of the Week is on home turf for the Wolves with the Sailors facing a mostly opposing crowd?

Wyoming is 1-2 (0-1 in OK Gold in early-season action) while South Christian is 2-1 (1-0), with the Wolves only win coming at home, and the Sailors only loss on the road.

For all WKTV’s local high schools — including East Kentwood, Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville, Wyoming Lee and Tri-unity Christian — the football teams are 6-1 at home and 3-10 on the road.

WKTV talked to both head coaches — South Christian’s Danny Brown and Wyoming high’s Irvin Sigler — and while both agree that “they don’t call it home field advantage for nothing”, what happens on the field usually means more.

The coaches also talked about what their team has done well so far this year, and their respect for the opposing head coach and the opposing programs.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.
 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

New South Christian head football coach on latest WKTV Journal In Focus

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South Christian head football coach Danny Brown, at left, at a practice last week. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus, one of the interviews is a special high school sports segment with South Christian High School’s new head football coach Danny Brown, of whom it would not be an understatement to say he bleeds Sailor Blue.

Coach Brown is no stranger to the Sailors’ program having served as an assistant coach since 2011 and as defensive coordinator for the past five seasons under Mark Tamminga, who retired after last season. Being a Sailor runs deep for Brown, having played varsity football at South Christian in the early 2000s. Brown attended Hope College and now is a small business owner in Byron Center.

For a YouTube video of the interview visit here.

During the discussion, Coach Brown talks about working with Coach Tamminga, playing for the late Bob Blacquiere, who was head coach when Brown played for the Sailors and was a big influence on his becoming a coach, and Brown’s transition from running the South Christian defense to being the man in charge of the entire program.

WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

Local players make AP All-State 2018 football teams, gain honorable mention

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A scene from East Kentwood High School’s playoff win over Brighton on Oct. 27. (WKTV/Micah Cho)

By Drew Dargavell, WKTV Sports Intern
ken@wktv.org

This past football season lead to four local high school players earning the title of first team AP All-State in the state of Michigan. East Kentwood, somewhat unsurprisingly, lead the way with three of those All-Staters coming from their team after a tremendous season from the Division 1-2 Falcons finishing the season 9-2.

These players include senior running back Kionte Blakely, senior offensive tackle Logan Brown, and senior defensive tackle Mazi Smith.

The fourth local first team AP All-State comes from Division 3-4 South Christian: senior offensive tackle Spencer Holstege.

Of the four players named, three have earned scholarships to play for Big Ten teams.

Brown, the 6-foot-5, 285-pound offensive tackle from East Kentwood has committed to play football at the University of Wisconsin next season. Brown started to impress recruiters his Junior season with his size and athleticism as he is rated as a four star recruit and the top overall recruit in the state of Michigan according to ESPN’s recruiting database and is number 28 overall in the nation. ESPN also has him listed as the 7th best player at his position in the country. According to ESPN, Brown is listed as the top-overall recruit for the University of Wisconsin. Brown was featured in the 2019 All-American Bowl on Jan. 6, which gathered some of the top high school talent around the nation to compete in an exhibition.

Another top recruit ranked in ESPN’s Top 300 is the 6-foot-3, 320-pound defensive tackle Mazi Smith from East Kentwood. Smith was a key part of East Kentwood’s success this season. According to ESPN Smith is ranked as the 38th best recruit in the country and number three overall in the state. Smith will be staying in state and has committed to University of Michigan. ESPN has Smith ranked as number two at his position in the nation and is U of M’s second highest recruit. Smith was also featured in the 2019 Under Armor All-American football game on Jan. 3, which is similar to the All-American Bowl, and which gathers some of the best high school players in the country for an exhibition.

The third All-State from East Kentwood is their work-horse, 5-foot-6, running back Kionte Blakely. Blakely was the Falcons main weapon on offense as he rushed for 1,698 yards and 28 touchdowns. He finished first place in M-Live’s online poll for Grand Rapids Press Player of the Year (local area’s best player), garnering over 63,000 votes out of 145,516 total votes.

Last but not least is the senior offensive tackle from South Christian, Spencer Holstege.

Holstege has committed to play football at Purdue University next season. According to ESPN, Holstege is rated as the number 25 recruit in the state of Michigan. Holstege was the key player for the South Christian team as he played both the offensive and defensive lines as needed.

Other local players who gained honorable mention on the AP All-State teams were senior linebacker Rusheon Bash, for Division 1-2 Wyoming; senior receiver Peyton Vis, for Grand Rapids South Christian; and senior lineman Marshawn Kneeland, for Division 3-4 Wyoming Godwin Heights.

From the 8-man football division, Wyoming Tri-unity placed two senior players, Benson Heath and Brayden Ophoff, on the All-State team. Heath rushed for 993 yards and 12 touchdowns during the regular season and added 710 yards and five scores as a receiver. He had 31 tackles for loss and three interceptions on defense. Ophoff played in the defensive secondary and totaled 82 tackles and three interceptions during the regular season. At quarterback, he was 51 of 72 passing for 1,666 yards and 22 TDs and added 1,070 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.

For a complete list of AP All-State Players see apnews.com .

Did we miss anybody? Contact WKTV at ken@wktv.org .

Four Wyoming, Kentwood teams preparing to make deep playoff runs

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kentwood Public Schools, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports, , ,

 

By Micah Cho, WKTV Sports Intern

ken@wktv.org

 

Four area teams are going to the playoffs this year, including Tri-unity Christian, South Christian, Godwin Heights and East Kentwood. Although the first round of the playoffs can be a door to something bigger, all four coaches are taking a “back-to-basics” approach this week.

 

“We’re just trying to keep things consistent,” Godwin Heights head coach Brandan Kimble, echoing his fellow coaches, said to WKTV.

 

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Kimble and his team are taking on the South Christian Sailors Friday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m., at East Kentwood High School. Godwin Heights finished the regular season 6-3, while Mark Tamminga’s South Christian Sailors gained the playoffs as an at-large team with a 5-4 record.

 

For Kimble, this week comes with excitement and uncertainty. The Wolverines started off the season 1-3, but as players became more comfortable with their coach and started buying into the system, Kimble says that’s when things started to take off. Now their hoping their kids can keep with the system a little longer.

 

“We’re just trying to keep things consistent,” said Kimble. “We’re just going to change a few things so they can understand the importance of the week, tweak some things and then add a little bit more intensity to practice.”

 

Curt Copeland, assistant coach and athletic director for South Christian, is trying to help head coach Mark Tamminga win their first playoff game since 2014, the year they won their last championship.

 

“We’re trying to retrain our kids and get them back to understanding what it takes to make a deep run and it starts with the first week of the playoffs,” said Copeland.

 

All you need to know about the Wolverines vs. Sailors matchup

 

Also at East Kentwood High School this weekend is East Kentwood’s opening round playoff game. The Falcons (8-1) will be hosting Brighton High School. Located towards Eastern Michigan, the Bulldogs went 7-2, with their only loses coming twice to Belleville.

 

East Kentwood won their final game last week against Rockford, giving them the OK-Red title. And head coach Anthony Kimbrough couldn’t be more excited for his kids.

 

“I coach because of them,” said Kimbrough. “I come out everyday seeing these kids wanting to get better. One of our goals was to be OK-Red champs, and beating Rockford Friday, for that to come true is tremendous for our program.”

 

In 8-man playoff action, head coach Tim Heath and his Tri-unity team have gone 9-0 this season, beating No. 2 ranked Colon in Week 9. They will be hosting Webberville at Grandville Middle School,m also Friday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. Colon finished their season 4-5, another at-large team sneaking into the playoffs.

 

Coach Heath doesn’t plan on changing anything in preparation of his Defenders. For his undefeated team, Heath’s mantra for this week is “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

 

“We don’t do anything different,” said Heath. “… The same preparation that goes into every game we’re taking into this game.”

 

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This week’s WKTV Featured Game and other sports events are cable broadcast either live, immediately after the event and/or in rebroadcast, on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99.

 

WKTV’s featured football games are rebroadcast on the night of the game (Thursday or Friday) at 11 p.m. and Saturday starting at 11 a.m. See WKTVjournal.org/sports for complete schedules.