Division 3 - Pioneers Shoot Down Eaglets 24-21
East Grand Rapids and Orchard Lake St Mary’s has turned into rivals. They played each other three seasons ago for the state title. In the last two years, they have also played each other to open the season. Now they meet for the second time this year in a huge game for both squads. East Grand Rapids is wearing blue jerseys with yellow pants and yellow helmets. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s is wearing white jerseys with black pants and red helmets.
OLSM won the toss and deferred to the second half. East Grand Rapids took the opening kick and returned it to the 21. They moved the ball to the Eaglet side of the field before facing a third and five on the 23. Kirk Spencer took the pitch but couldn’t find a hole and was pulled down on the 25. They went for it on fourth and seven but Ryan Elble’s pass fell incomplete. OLSM started their first possession on the 25. They moved the ball to the 46, but were forced to punt. In the shadows of the goal post, the Pioneers of East Grand Rapids started their next drive. Spencer and Josh Drummond got the ball out to the 40 but had to punt with under a minute left in the first quarter. The Eaglets started their drive from the 30.
On second down, the first play of the second quarter, Robert Bolden found Gary Hunter for a 49 yard reception on a beautifully thrown (and looking) ball. Bolden toted the rock on second and goal from the 13, broke two tackles, and scored the first points of the game. EGR began their next series on the 24. After nothing happened, they punted. OLSM also started on the 24. The Eaglets were able to move the ball to midfield but on third and 11, Bolden was stopped for a minimal gain and OLSM punted. A.J. McEwen took the punt on the 18 and returned it to the 41. He’s a pretty shifty guy and had some nice moves. Facing third and nine, Elble found Drummond for a 13 yard gain. With less than four minutes in the half, it was an important drive for EGR. With a fourth down and four yards to go on the 39, the Pioneers took a time out to get the proper play in. Elble took the shotgun snap, fired to McEwen who didn’t catch the ball, but pass interference was called. Again they faced a fourth down with six yards to go and this time Elble was able to connect with McEwen. Finally, with 30 seconds left in the half, Elble found Colin Voss for a seven yard touchdown pass. Voss had to stretch to get the touchdown so it’s a good thing he has long arms. Gary Hunter returned the ensuing kickoff to the 24 of EGR with 15 ticks until halftime. Bolden found Allen Robinson and moved it to the one. After a Pioneer timeout, they stuffed Thomas short of the goal line. On the final play of the half, Bolden took the snap from center and the QB sneak was thwarted.
EGR kicked off to start the second half and this time they were able to tackle Hunter before he gained too many yards. OLSM ran the ball to the Pioneer side of the 50. Bolden tried to pass, but the ball was deflected into the arms Danny Shuart. On third and short, EGR’s Drummond was stuffed short, but his second effort gave him a first down at the 50. Elble completed a pass to Deon Jobe for a nice 25 yard gain. Not wanting to be outdone, Spencer ran for 14 yards down to the 12. With fourth down and four yards to go on the six yard line, EGR elected to kick and Bobby Aardema made the 23 yard field goal. After being pinned deep, Bolden kept the ball himself and rumbled 83 yards for a score. On the second play EGR had, Elble threw a ball that OLSM’s Hunter came down with which gave the Eaglets the ball on their 42. The Eaglets couldn’t muster a drive so they punted the ball back to East Grand Rapids. On third and five on their own 32, Elble found McEwen for a 69 yard touchdown pass. McEwen made some nice moves and utilized his blockers to get the score.
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s trailed by three points but had the ball to start the fourth quarter. They moved the ball to the Pioneer red zone with a few nice plays by Bolden. Finally, Cortez Riley, a 260 pound running back/defensive lineman rumbled in from three yards out to recapture the lead 21-17. A three and out forced a punt from the Pioneers and the Eaglets moved the ball quickly to midfield but on third down the drive stalled out and OLSM punted. Pinned deep in their end, running back Kirk Spencer took the handoff and ran 38 yards to get into opponents territory on the first play. Soon after came the play of the game. East Grand Rapids had a 4th and 14 when Elble’s pass slipped through his teammate’s fingers but Kirk Spencer made a huge diving catch to get the first down. On first down at the 15, Elble hit Jobe for a 15 yard touchdown to retake the lead. OLSM valiantly tried to come back, but Bolden fumbled on his final high school play and EGR recovered the ball, took a few knees, and brought home their fourth straight Division 3 football championship.
Quarterback Ryan Elble completed 17 of his 30 passes for 242 yards and three touchdowns. Kirk Spencer rushed 23 times for 98 yards and a score. A.J. McEwen caught six footballs for 103 yards and a touchdown. On the Orchard Lake St. Mary’s side, Robert Bolden had a very nice game. He completed eight of his 13 passes for 161 yards and ran 12 times for 142 yards and two scores. Earnest Thomas ran 11 times for 46 while Enrique Pardo also ran 11 times for 35 yards. Gary Hunter caught two footballs for 60 yards and made seven tackles, an interception, and one pass break up. James Ross made 16 tackles for the Eaglets.
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