By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Jeff Bolhouse admitted to being a bit anxious heading into his varsity coaching debut at Zeeland West last Friday night.
“There was definitely nervousness,” said Bolhouse, who served as the Dux junior varsity coach for more than 20 years before being named in February to replace John Shillito as West’s varsity coach. “As we talked to the kids, too, (we told them) it’s okay (to be nervous), because you care about what you’re doing.
“It was definitely a bigger stage then the JV games I was at before. There was definitely some nerves. My wife will attest to that.”
It didn’t take long, however, for Brandon Holman and his Dux teammates to ease Bolhouse’s mind and make it a “fun night” for him.
Holman, a junior, picked off a Detroit Old Redford pass and returned it 62 yards for a touchdown to open the scoring, then ran for 124 yards and three more touchdowns as West romped to a 44-0 win over the Ravens at Zeeland Stadium. It was the 14th straight season-opening win for the Dux.
The pick-six by No. 6 (Holman’s jersey number) came just three plays after West had fumbled and lost the ball on its first offensive play. Junior quarterback Drew Albrecht completed a two-point conversion pass to senior halfback Jonah Leslie after the touchdown to give the Dux a quick 8-0 lead.
After forcing a three-and-out, the Dux went to work offensively, driving 72 yards in nine plays. Holman took a pitchout from Albercht, found an opening on the right side and rambled 17 yards for a touchdown. His two-point conversion made it 16-0 after one quarter.
Old Redford, which advanced to the district finals in the Division 6 playoffs last season, came back with its best drive of the night, moving from its own 21 to inside the West 25. But on fourth down, Dux junior defensive end Grady Patrick sacked Ravens’ quarterback William Holt to give West the ball back on downs.
And as it has done so often over the years after a turnover, the Dux came back with a lightning-quick big play. Junior Niko Moungkhoun bolted 52 yards for a touchdown just two plays after the change of possession, and the lead grew to 22-0.
Then just before halftime, Holman finished off a 73-yard, 10-play drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, and West was in command with a 30-0 lead at the half.
Holman struck one more time on the opening drive of the second half, dashing 44 yards for his fourth touchdown, activating the running clock, which remained in effect the rest of the game.
“He had a tremendous night,” Bolhouse said of Holman. “Just the competitiveness he has and the toughness – his brother (Parker) was very much like that as well, and the fact his brother passed that down to him – it’s who they are. They’re tough, hard-nosed kids, and they compete.”
Reserve quarterback Austin Ulberg directed a 62-yard drive in the fourth quarter to close out the scoring. Junior halfback Logan Nash broke two tackles as he scored his first varsity touchdown on a 10-yard run.
West finished the game with 332 rushing yards and 355 yards total offense, while limiting Old Redford to just 50 yards total offense, recording two sacks and intercepting two passes. Holman rushed for 124 yards on 13 carries while Moungkhoun added 81 yards on five carries.
“It’s what we do. The T is what we do,” Bolhouse said. “The kids buy into it. They run it in the rec program, our middle school coaches do a great job with it. It’s who we are.”
And the Power-T relies on domination by the offensive line. Ends Grady Patrick and Marshall Johnson, tackles Eli Chavez and Lachlan Thoreson, guards Mason Myers and Ethan Malec and center Jace Henry opened holes all night.
The Dux return to action at 7 p.m. Friday night at Zeeland Stadium against West Ottawa.
Zeeland Record
Jeff Bolhouse admitted to being a bit anxious heading into his varsity coaching debut at Zeeland West last Friday night.
“There was definitely nervousness,” said Bolhouse, who served as the Dux junior varsity coach for more than 20 years before being named in February to replace John Shillito as West’s varsity coach. “As we talked to the kids, too, (we told them) it’s okay (to be nervous), because you care about what you’re doing.
“It was definitely a bigger stage then the JV games I was at before. There was definitely some nerves. My wife will attest to that.”
It didn’t take long, however, for Brandon Holman and his Dux teammates to ease Bolhouse’s mind and make it a “fun night” for him.
Holman, a junior, picked off a Detroit Old Redford pass and returned it 62 yards for a touchdown to open the scoring, then ran for 124 yards and three more touchdowns as West romped to a 44-0 win over the Ravens at Zeeland Stadium. It was the 14th straight season-opening win for the Dux.
The pick-six by No. 6 (Holman’s jersey number) came just three plays after West had fumbled and lost the ball on its first offensive play. Junior quarterback Drew Albrecht completed a two-point conversion pass to senior halfback Jonah Leslie after the touchdown to give the Dux a quick 8-0 lead.
After forcing a three-and-out, the Dux went to work offensively, driving 72 yards in nine plays. Holman took a pitchout from Albercht, found an opening on the right side and rambled 17 yards for a touchdown. His two-point conversion made it 16-0 after one quarter.
Old Redford, which advanced to the district finals in the Division 6 playoffs last season, came back with its best drive of the night, moving from its own 21 to inside the West 25. But on fourth down, Dux junior defensive end Grady Patrick sacked Ravens’ quarterback William Holt to give West the ball back on downs.
And as it has done so often over the years after a turnover, the Dux came back with a lightning-quick big play. Junior Niko Moungkhoun bolted 52 yards for a touchdown just two plays after the change of possession, and the lead grew to 22-0.
Then just before halftime, Holman finished off a 73-yard, 10-play drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, and West was in command with a 30-0 lead at the half.
Holman struck one more time on the opening drive of the second half, dashing 44 yards for his fourth touchdown, activating the running clock, which remained in effect the rest of the game.
“He had a tremendous night,” Bolhouse said of Holman. “Just the competitiveness he has and the toughness – his brother (Parker) was very much like that as well, and the fact his brother passed that down to him – it’s who they are. They’re tough, hard-nosed kids, and they compete.”
Reserve quarterback Austin Ulberg directed a 62-yard drive in the fourth quarter to close out the scoring. Junior halfback Logan Nash broke two tackles as he scored his first varsity touchdown on a 10-yard run.
West finished the game with 332 rushing yards and 355 yards total offense, while limiting Old Redford to just 50 yards total offense, recording two sacks and intercepting two passes. Holman rushed for 124 yards on 13 carries while Moungkhoun added 81 yards on five carries.
“It’s what we do. The T is what we do,” Bolhouse said. “The kids buy into it. They run it in the rec program, our middle school coaches do a great job with it. It’s who we are.”
And the Power-T relies on domination by the offensive line. Ends Grady Patrick and Marshall Johnson, tackles Eli Chavez and Lachlan Thoreson, guards Mason Myers and Ethan Malec and center Jace Henry opened holes all night.
The Dux return to action at 7 p.m. Friday night at Zeeland Stadium against West Ottawa.
Zeeland West junior halfback Brandon Holman (6) rushed for 124 yards and three touchdowns, and returned an interception for another score as the Dux defeated Detroit Old Redford 44-0 in their opener last Friday at Zeeland Stadium.
Photo by Angela Howe Creations
East Volleyball Puts Unbeaten Streak on the Line Tonight
The Zeeland East volleyball team brings a perfect 8-0 record into the start of conference play tonight as the Chix take on defending O-K Black Conference champion Unity Christian in Hudsonville.
The Chix finished second to Unity in the Black a year ago and lost both meetings to the Crusaders. East extended Unity to four sets in the first meeting at home, while the Crusaders took the rematch in a sweep.
East swept all three of its opponents Aug. 26 at the Montague Quad, defeating Allendale 25-23, 25-19; host Montague 25-15, 25-13; and Muskegon Western Michigan Christian 25-18, 25-19.
Junior Lizzie Risdon led the Chix for the night with 26 kills, 17 digs and three aces. Senior Savannah Byker had 14 kills and senior Gracyn Huizenga 12.
Senior Elyse Smith distributed 58 assists and added 16 digs and three aces. Senior Jordan Inosencio led East in digs with 20. Senior Kiersten Kuiper had three aces and 10 digs.
The Chix finished second to Unity in the Black a year ago and lost both meetings to the Crusaders. East extended Unity to four sets in the first meeting at home, while the Crusaders took the rematch in a sweep.
East swept all three of its opponents Aug. 26 at the Montague Quad, defeating Allendale 25-23, 25-19; host Montague 25-15, 25-13; and Muskegon Western Michigan Christian 25-18, 25-19.
Junior Lizzie Risdon led the Chix for the night with 26 kills, 17 digs and three aces. Senior Savannah Byker had 14 kills and senior Gracyn Huizenga 12.
Senior Elyse Smith distributed 58 assists and added 16 digs and three aces. Senior Jordan Inosencio led East in digs with 20. Senior Kiersten Kuiper had three aces and 10 digs.
Beckwith Named West Baseball Coach
Zeeland West has named Elijah Beckwith as its new varsity baseball coach.
Beckwith, a former standout player at Grand Valley State University, takes over for Bryce Muller, who stepped down as coach at the end of last season.
“Coach Beckwith stood out to the hiring committee with his passion for the game and interest in the continued development of players and the program as a whole,” Zeeland West Athletic Director Jordan Bandstra said. “His energy and enthusiasm for reaching student-athletes through the game of baseball was apparent through our conversations with him.”
A native of DeWitt, Beckwith played at Grand Rapids Community College before moving on to GVSU, where he captained the Lakers to two Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships, two regional championships and an NCAA Division II national runnerup finish in 2004. He earned All-GLIAC and All-Region honors.
After college, Beckwith continued his playing career professionally with the Kalamazoo Kings of the Frontier League.
Beckwith resides in Holland with his wife Janna, and children Charlie, August, and Pippa.
Beckwith, a former standout player at Grand Valley State University, takes over for Bryce Muller, who stepped down as coach at the end of last season.
“Coach Beckwith stood out to the hiring committee with his passion for the game and interest in the continued development of players and the program as a whole,” Zeeland West Athletic Director Jordan Bandstra said. “His energy and enthusiasm for reaching student-athletes through the game of baseball was apparent through our conversations with him.”
A native of DeWitt, Beckwith played at Grand Rapids Community College before moving on to GVSU, where he captained the Lakers to two Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships, two regional championships and an NCAA Division II national runnerup finish in 2004. He earned All-GLIAC and All-Region honors.
After college, Beckwith continued his playing career professionally with the Kalamazoo Kings of the Frontier League.
Beckwith resides in Holland with his wife Janna, and children Charlie, August, and Pippa.
East Netters Win One, Split One
The Zeeland East boys tennis team won one match and just missed winning another last Thursday during a double dual on its home court.
The Chix defeated Stevensville Lakeshore 5-3 in its first match. In the second match against St. Joseph, East lost a match tiebreak to the Bears at No. 3 doubles 12-10, and the match ended in a 4-4 tie.
Payton Ott won both of his matches at No. 3 singles for East, while Andrew Colasanti took both his matches at No. 4 singles. The No. 2 doubles team of Jace Velderman and Jacob Guerriero and the No. 4 doubles tandem of Tanner Reynolds and Lukas Hafeman also went 2-0 for the day.
East entered league play with a 7-2-2 record. The Chix hosted defending state champion Holland Christian on Wednesday to kick off the O-K league season. The result of that match was not available at press time.
The Chix defeated Stevensville Lakeshore 5-3 in its first match. In the second match against St. Joseph, East lost a match tiebreak to the Bears at No. 3 doubles 12-10, and the match ended in a 4-4 tie.
Payton Ott won both of his matches at No. 3 singles for East, while Andrew Colasanti took both his matches at No. 4 singles. The No. 2 doubles team of Jace Velderman and Jacob Guerriero and the No. 4 doubles tandem of Tanner Reynolds and Lukas Hafeman also went 2-0 for the day.
East entered league play with a 7-2-2 record. The Chix hosted defending state champion Holland Christian on Wednesday to kick off the O-K league season. The result of that match was not available at press time.
Chix Dominate Grand Rapids Union in Football Opener
Zeeland East junior wide receiver Isaiah Boonstra (11) scores the first of his three touchdowns from last Thursday’s season opener, as Grand Rapids Union defensive back Kahari Brown (25) can’t catch up.
Photo by Andrea Brink Photography
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland East varsity football team opened its 2025 season in impressive fashion last Thursday, scoring on each of its four possessions as the Chix rolled to a 34-8 victory over Grand Rapids Union at Zeeland Stadium.
Junior quarterback Will Drnek fired four touchdown passes, three to junior wide receiver Isaiah Boonstra, as East improved to 4-1 in season openers under head coach Joe Woodruff.
The Chix wasted little time in taking control of the game. East took the opening kickoff and marched 68 yards in nine plays. Drnek finished off the drive by firing a 4-yard touchdown pass on a slant to junior wide receiver Coby Miller. Junior Carter Dyk kicked the extra point and East led 7-0 exactly four minutes into the game.
Early in the second quarter, the Chix faced a fourth-and-13 from the Redhawks’ 43. It was then that Drnek spotted Boonstra down the center of the field, and Boonstra outran the Union secondary to the end zone for a 14-0 lead.
A 27-yard punt return by Miller set up the next East score. Drnek threw a swing pass to Boonstra, who picked up a key block downfield and then used his speed to take it to the house for a 24-yard touchdown. The extra point failed, but the Chix led 20-0.
Sophomore lineman Maximus Gomez recovered a fumble on Union’s next possession, giving the Chix the ball at the Redhawks’ 22. Five plays later, junior running back Payton Sackett scored on a 7-yard run, and East went to the locker room at halftime with a 27-0 lead.
“The offense was firing on all cylinders in the first half and did a lot of good things. The defense played lights out in the first half, and it’s kind of what we wanted to do,” Woodruff said.
“Give credit to Union. They were able to run the ball. When you’re running the ball, you have some big bodies up front, and they were able to get 2-3 yards a pop. We knew that was going to happen. They were able to possess the ball and shorten the game.”
Drnek and Boonstra teamed up one more time early in the fourth quarter, this time on a 26-yard touchdown pass. Boonstra took a hit from a Union defensive back after making the catch but kept his footing along the sideline the final 10 yards to reach the end zone. Boonstra finished the night with six catches for 105 yards and three touchdowns.
Union got on the board midway through the fourth quarter on a 5-yard touchdown run by freshman quarterback Chance Hammingh.
Drnek had a strong performance in the first game of his second season at quarterback, completing 13-of-17 passes for 146 yards and four touchdowns.
He was intercepted once.
“He was fantastic tonight. He was able to extend plays and do a lot of things with his feet. He made some great decisions, getting rid of the football when he needed to. The great part about Will is … he’s going to look at the handful of plays that he can improve upon, and that’s why you love Will,” Woodruff said.
East outgained Union 253-154 for the contest. Colter Rotman led the East ground game with 30 yards on five carries, while Sackett had 29 yards on six carries.
Defensively, senior linebacker Derek Baxter led the Chix with 10 tackles and four quarterback pressures. Senior linebacker Ben DeLost made nine tackles and forced a fumble, while senior linebacker Isaiah Jones made seven stops, including two tackles for loss. Senior defensive back Judah Kalmbacher recovered a fumble.
The Chix hit the road for their next game Friday night at Flushing. Game time is 7 p.m.
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland East varsity football team opened its 2025 season in impressive fashion last Thursday, scoring on each of its four possessions as the Chix rolled to a 34-8 victory over Grand Rapids Union at Zeeland Stadium.
Junior quarterback Will Drnek fired four touchdown passes, three to junior wide receiver Isaiah Boonstra, as East improved to 4-1 in season openers under head coach Joe Woodruff.
The Chix wasted little time in taking control of the game. East took the opening kickoff and marched 68 yards in nine plays. Drnek finished off the drive by firing a 4-yard touchdown pass on a slant to junior wide receiver Coby Miller. Junior Carter Dyk kicked the extra point and East led 7-0 exactly four minutes into the game.
Early in the second quarter, the Chix faced a fourth-and-13 from the Redhawks’ 43. It was then that Drnek spotted Boonstra down the center of the field, and Boonstra outran the Union secondary to the end zone for a 14-0 lead.
A 27-yard punt return by Miller set up the next East score. Drnek threw a swing pass to Boonstra, who picked up a key block downfield and then used his speed to take it to the house for a 24-yard touchdown. The extra point failed, but the Chix led 20-0.
Sophomore lineman Maximus Gomez recovered a fumble on Union’s next possession, giving the Chix the ball at the Redhawks’ 22. Five plays later, junior running back Payton Sackett scored on a 7-yard run, and East went to the locker room at halftime with a 27-0 lead.
“The offense was firing on all cylinders in the first half and did a lot of good things. The defense played lights out in the first half, and it’s kind of what we wanted to do,” Woodruff said.
“Give credit to Union. They were able to run the ball. When you’re running the ball, you have some big bodies up front, and they were able to get 2-3 yards a pop. We knew that was going to happen. They were able to possess the ball and shorten the game.”
Drnek and Boonstra teamed up one more time early in the fourth quarter, this time on a 26-yard touchdown pass. Boonstra took a hit from a Union defensive back after making the catch but kept his footing along the sideline the final 10 yards to reach the end zone. Boonstra finished the night with six catches for 105 yards and three touchdowns.
Union got on the board midway through the fourth quarter on a 5-yard touchdown run by freshman quarterback Chance Hammingh.
Drnek had a strong performance in the first game of his second season at quarterback, completing 13-of-17 passes for 146 yards and four touchdowns.
He was intercepted once.
“He was fantastic tonight. He was able to extend plays and do a lot of things with his feet. He made some great decisions, getting rid of the football when he needed to. The great part about Will is … he’s going to look at the handful of plays that he can improve upon, and that’s why you love Will,” Woodruff said.
East outgained Union 253-154 for the contest. Colter Rotman led the East ground game with 30 yards on five carries, while Sackett had 29 yards on six carries.
Defensively, senior linebacker Derek Baxter led the Chix with 10 tackles and four quarterback pressures. Senior linebacker Ben DeLost made nine tackles and forced a fumble, while senior linebacker Isaiah Jones made seven stops, including two tackles for loss. Senior defensive back Judah Kalmbacher recovered a fumble.
The Chix hit the road for their next game Friday night at Flushing. Game time is 7 p.m.
East 3rd, West 6th at Golf Jamboree
Zeeland East finished third and Zeeland West placed sixth at the O-K Black Conference girls golf Jamboree at Clearbrook Golf Club in Saugatuck Aug. 27.
The Chix finished with a team score of 216, trailing only Spring Lake (187) and Holland Christian (200), while the Dux posted a team score of 250.
East senior Taya Schanski narrowly missed medalist honors for the jamboree, posting a nine-hole score off 45, one stroke behind Spring Lake’s Casey Ireland.
The Chix finished with a team score of 216, trailing only Spring Lake (187) and Holland Christian (200), while the Dux posted a team score of 250.
East senior Taya Schanski narrowly missed medalist honors for the jamboree, posting a nine-hole score off 45, one stroke behind Spring Lake’s Casey Ireland.
