By Zach Fanko

WKTV Contributor

South Christian senior quarterback Jake DeHaan found Nate Brinks on a swing pass at the goal line for the game-winning touchdown with only 54 seconds left in a 28-21 regional final victory over Whitehall.

With both teams unbeaten at 11-0 coming into the matchup, as well as being the top two ranked teams in Division 4 according to the playoff points standings, the game certainly lived up to its billing.

Both defenses dominated the first half, giving up just a touchdown each as the game was deadlocked at 7-7 at halftime.

The Sailors broke the tie at the 6:40 mark in the third quarter on a crafty shovel pass by DeHaan to Brinks from 15 yards out to seize a 14-7 lead.

However, the Vikings fought back with TD runs by Jackson Cook and Nate Bolley to jump ahead 21-14 with 9:41 remaining in the game.

Less than three minutes later, DeHaan connected with one of his favorite targets in Seth Ritsema for a 16-yard score and knotted the game at 21-all.

Overall, DeHaan finished the game with four total TDs, 148 yards passing and 88 on the ground.

Forced to punt from inside their own territory on its next drive, Whitehall made the first major mistake of the night as a poor punt gave South Christian excellent field position to either run down the clock and attempt a game-winning field goal or score the go-ahead touchdown.

Sailors coach Danny Brown discussed the thought process on their final drive.

“Really, all we were thinking was how do we limit the time if they do get the ball and make them use up their timeouts,” Brown said. “Our kids did great and we made enough plays to make that happen.

“Once you get down there and close enough you have to score if the opportunity is there.”

All about redemption

For the Sailors, tonight’s game was about redemption after falling in the regional final each of the past two seasons. Brown described the feeling after the game as amazing.

“This was the third year in a row for us in the regional final and we wanted to get over that hump, and we did, so it is great.”

South Christian advanced to the state semifinals for the first time since 2014, the last time the Sailors won a state title.

The opponent will be a familiar one as the Sailors face Edwardsburg (11-1) for the third-straight season in the playoffs. The Eddies knocked South Christian out in the regional final a year ago.

“I’m going to enjoy this one for the next 24 hours,” Brown said. “They’re obviously good and they play hard.

“It will be a fun game and I’m sure the kids will be jacked up for it.”

The semifinal matchup is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 19 with the game time and place to be determined.