By Micah Cho
A heartbreaking 14-44 loss to Morrice at Grandville Middle School Saturday afternoon sent the Tri-unity High School Defenders home after the second round of the playoffs.
Throughout the first quarter it was mainly an offensive battle. Trailing in the first quarter, Tri-unity was able to claw back and tie the game 14-14. After the first quarter, however, it was a difficult battle to get back in the game after fumbles and interceptions plagued the Tri-unity offense.
“They were bigger, faster, and stronger than us,” Tri-unity head coach Tim Heath said to WKTV.
Being the first loss of the year, the Defenders couldn’t help but hold back tears as Heath addressed the now 10-1 team.
“We’re a tight knit group,” Heath said. “This isn’t a (big school). We don’t have 35 or 40 guys on our sideline. We have 13. It really is a family.”
For seniors Benson Heath, Brayden Ophoff, and Bennett Sinner, this was the last time they’ll suit up as Defenders on the football field. But Heath wouldn’t let the season end without acknowledging all they’ve done for the team.
“Brayden played great, Benson had a big catch, and Bennett had a little momentum going our way,” Heath said. “Our big players still made plays, they (Morrice) just made more.”
Although Saturday afternoon’s game came with an unfamiliar ending for the Defenders, they can find comfort in how they played. Tri-Unity’s 14 points were the most points Morrice allowed since a Sept. 14 game against Lawerence.
“We didn’t play bad,” said Heath. “They just played really good.”
Also around the Wyoming and Kentwood area, both South Christian’s and East Kentwood’s football teams fell to their opponents this weekend. Holland Christian beat South Christian, 22-19. Saline defeated East Kentwood, 42-7.
