By Ty Marzean
WKTV Contributor
South Christian continued its hot streak through the playoffs on a quest to Ford Field with a 28-21 victory over Whitehall in a back-and-forth affair in a D-4 regional final.
The Sailors’ senior quarterback and Western Michigan University basketball commit, Carson Vis, finished off the first scoring drive of the game with a 15-yard pass to Chuck DeHaan with 4:50 left in the opening frame. Whitehall closed out the first quarter with a 24-yard touchdown run to tie the game.
The second quarter went scoreless until the last play of the half as Vis found receiver Tyler Brinks for a 20-yard TD pass to put the Sailors up 14-7 to close the first half.
“We came in with the game plan of getting to the outside and hitting some short throws, but the field was slippery, so we had to adjust,” said South Christian Coach Danny Brown. “The beauty of having someone like Carson and the receivers we have is you have the option to take what works. They were tough against the run and loaded the box. You still have to mix in the run, but you don’t have to bang your head against the wall. You take what they give you.”
Rowan DeKam scores on a fumble, adds 10 tackles
Whitehall scored on a two-yard plunge to tie the game at 8:58 in the third quarter. The South Christian defense then got on the board as they forced a fumble that was picked up by Rowan DeKam and taken 31 yards for the score, putting the Sailors up 21-14. DeKam led the Sailors with 10 tackles.
21-all to end the third
The third quarter ended in a 21-all tie as Whitehall put another touchdown on the board. The Sailor defense, however, took over from that point holding the Vikings scoreless in the final quarter.
“We got them in a situation where they had to throw with the clock running out,” Brown said. “That helps with a team that doesn’t like to throw the ball.”
Vis had 224 passing yards and two touchdowns and 56 yards on the ground.
Owen Burgess led the team with six catches and 77 yards, while running back Kasjen VanSolkema scored a rushing touchdown.
The Sailors will now play in their third consecutive Division 4 semifinal game.
“It’s a credit to the kids to have the belief that even when things weren’t looking good that if we could just find a way to right the ship anyone can get hot at the right time and we have done that,” Brown explained. “Winning three regionals is awesome. As a competitor it’s fun to win, but doing it consistently is a lot harder. The fact that these kids keep believing and buying in, keep doing the things during the season and in the off-season, being great teammates. It’s a credit to the team and the assistant coaches to keep this going.”
South Christian will meet a Niles team that is riding an 11-game winning streak into its first trip to the semifinals in school history.
“They have had some success in recent years, but I think the approach is about us,” Brown said. “What do we have to do to put the best product on the field. It starts in practice and in the details. You have to respect your opponent. Any team you see at this point is a really good football team.”
South Christian (8-4) and Niles (11-1) face off in a Division 4 semifinal at 1 p.m. Saturday at Three Rivers High School.
