Zeeland West junior Brandon Holman (6) heads to the end zone for his fourth touchdown of last Friday’s district final win over St. Joseph, as Bears’ junior Nate Schmitt (8) tries unsuccessfully to cut him off.
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Brandon Holman had a night to remember for the Zeeland West varsity football team last Friday night at Dickinson Stadium in St. Joseph.
Holman amassed 242 yards from scrimmage, 168 on the ground and 74 more as a receiver, scored five touchdowns and made seven tackles on defense as he led the Dux to a 48-24 Division 3 district final victory over St. Joseph.
West, now 8-3 on the season, travels to Lowell this Friday to face the Red Arrows in a Division 3 regional contest. St. Joseph, who defeated Zeeland East in a district playoff opener Oct. 31, finished its season at 6-5.
The Dux capitalized on an early turnover to open the scoring. Junior Niko Moungkhoun intercepted an ill-advised halfback option pass to give West the football at its own 41.
On fourth-and-goal from the St. Joseph 3-yard line, junior quarterback Drew Albrecht fooled the Bears with a play-action fake and found Holman all alone in the end zone for the touchdown. Sophomore Kenny Howe III ran in the two-point conversion as West took an early 8-0 lead.
West got a break early in the second quarter when St. Joseph’s James Atterberry caught a long pass inside the Dux 20 on fourth down but could not keep his feet inbounds as he made the catch. West took over possession on downs at its own 43.
On the very next play, Albrecht went deep to Holman down the near sideline. Holman momentarily juggled the ball, but reeled it in and raced into the end zone for his second touchdown. Albrecht then connected with senior Jonah Leslie on a two-point conversion pass as the lead grew to 16-0.
St. Joseph responded with a 7-yard touchdown run by Ish Dixon, followed by a two-point conversion midway through the second quarter. The Dux needed less than two minutes to restore the two-score lead.
A 26-yard run by Leslie and a 17-yard run by Moungkohun highlighted the 58-yard, five-play drive. Holman plowed into the end zone from one yard out for his third touchdown, extending the West lead to 22-8.
The Bears pulled back to within six just before halftime on Dixon’s second touchdown, a 1-yard run, followed by a two-point conversion. West led 22-16, but St. Joseph would get the ball to start the second half.
That’s when the Dux came up with a key defensive stand that would be a turning point in the game. St. Joseph had the ball third-and-1 at midfield, but the middle of the Dux defense stuffed Brayden Malone for no gain on third down, then stopped Caden LeClear’s quarterback sneak on fourth down to take over possession on downs.
West capitalized on the change of possession, driving 50 yards in six plays. Holman went the final 10 yards for his fourth touchdown, followed by a two-point conversion by Leslie, to give the Dux a 30-16 lead.
The Bears responded with a 12-yard touchdown run by LeClear and a two-point conversion to pull back within six, but that would be as close as St. Joseph would get the rest of the game.
West drove 60 yards in 11 plays to open the lead back up again. Albrecht faked a handoff to one of his running backs, then scooted around left end on a bootleg, stiff-arming a St. Joseph defender at the goal line to finish off a 17-yard touchdown run. The conversion failed, but West led 36-24 with 10:46 to play.
Moments later, the Dux held St. Joseph on fourth down and took over on downs. Holman put the exclamation mark on his big night with a 55-yard gallop for his fifth touchdown of the game and 23rd of the season to make it 42-24 with 7:35 remaining.
Senior quarterback Austin Ulberg closed out the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run on his first carry of the season with a little more than three minutes left for the final margin of victory.
West compiled 421 yards of total offense for the game, including 347 yards on 49 rushing attempts. Holman rushed for 168 yards on 19 carries while Leslie added 73 yards on 13 carries. Albrecht completed three of five passes for 74 yards, with Holman catching all three passes.
Sophomore Luke Walters led the Dux defense with eight tackles, including six solo stops, while Holman had seven tackles and Albrecht and Leslie six each.
Zeeland Record
Brandon Holman had a night to remember for the Zeeland West varsity football team last Friday night at Dickinson Stadium in St. Joseph.
Holman amassed 242 yards from scrimmage, 168 on the ground and 74 more as a receiver, scored five touchdowns and made seven tackles on defense as he led the Dux to a 48-24 Division 3 district final victory over St. Joseph.
West, now 8-3 on the season, travels to Lowell this Friday to face the Red Arrows in a Division 3 regional contest. St. Joseph, who defeated Zeeland East in a district playoff opener Oct. 31, finished its season at 6-5.
The Dux capitalized on an early turnover to open the scoring. Junior Niko Moungkhoun intercepted an ill-advised halfback option pass to give West the football at its own 41.
On fourth-and-goal from the St. Joseph 3-yard line, junior quarterback Drew Albrecht fooled the Bears with a play-action fake and found Holman all alone in the end zone for the touchdown. Sophomore Kenny Howe III ran in the two-point conversion as West took an early 8-0 lead.
West got a break early in the second quarter when St. Joseph’s James Atterberry caught a long pass inside the Dux 20 on fourth down but could not keep his feet inbounds as he made the catch. West took over possession on downs at its own 43.
On the very next play, Albrecht went deep to Holman down the near sideline. Holman momentarily juggled the ball, but reeled it in and raced into the end zone for his second touchdown. Albrecht then connected with senior Jonah Leslie on a two-point conversion pass as the lead grew to 16-0.
St. Joseph responded with a 7-yard touchdown run by Ish Dixon, followed by a two-point conversion midway through the second quarter. The Dux needed less than two minutes to restore the two-score lead.
A 26-yard run by Leslie and a 17-yard run by Moungkohun highlighted the 58-yard, five-play drive. Holman plowed into the end zone from one yard out for his third touchdown, extending the West lead to 22-8.
The Bears pulled back to within six just before halftime on Dixon’s second touchdown, a 1-yard run, followed by a two-point conversion. West led 22-16, but St. Joseph would get the ball to start the second half.
That’s when the Dux came up with a key defensive stand that would be a turning point in the game. St. Joseph had the ball third-and-1 at midfield, but the middle of the Dux defense stuffed Brayden Malone for no gain on third down, then stopped Caden LeClear’s quarterback sneak on fourth down to take over possession on downs.
West capitalized on the change of possession, driving 50 yards in six plays. Holman went the final 10 yards for his fourth touchdown, followed by a two-point conversion by Leslie, to give the Dux a 30-16 lead.
The Bears responded with a 12-yard touchdown run by LeClear and a two-point conversion to pull back within six, but that would be as close as St. Joseph would get the rest of the game.
West drove 60 yards in 11 plays to open the lead back up again. Albrecht faked a handoff to one of his running backs, then scooted around left end on a bootleg, stiff-arming a St. Joseph defender at the goal line to finish off a 17-yard touchdown run. The conversion failed, but West led 36-24 with 10:46 to play.
Moments later, the Dux held St. Joseph on fourth down and took over on downs. Holman put the exclamation mark on his big night with a 55-yard gallop for his fifth touchdown of the game and 23rd of the season to make it 42-24 with 7:35 remaining.
Senior quarterback Austin Ulberg closed out the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run on his first carry of the season with a little more than three minutes left for the final margin of victory.
West compiled 421 yards of total offense for the game, including 347 yards on 49 rushing attempts. Holman rushed for 168 yards on 19 carries while Leslie added 73 yards on 13 carries. Albrecht completed three of five passes for 74 yards, with Holman catching all three passes.
Sophomore Luke Walters led the Dux defense with eight tackles, including six solo stops, while Holman had seven tackles and Albrecht and Leslie six each.
Chix, Dux Fall in Volleyball District
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
The varsity volleyball season for Zeeland’s two high schools came to end last week – at the hands of the same opponent.
Host Byron Center won the Division 1 district championship by sweeping Zeeland West in the semifinals Nov. 5 and Zeeland East in the championship match the following night.
The Bulldogs defeated the Dux 25-13, 25-9, 25-14, then downed the Chix 25-15, 25-15, 25-19, to advance to the regional round at Portage Northern that began Tuesday night.
East finished its season with a record of 31-5, while West concluded its campaign at 14-17.
Byron Center, who won the O-K Green Conference championship this year, set the tone for the championship match early on, jumping out to a 6-1 lead in the first set. East got no closer than 7-4 in the set.
The Chix started strong in the second set, as kills by senior Elyse Smith and junior Lizzie Risdon staked East to a 4-1 lead. But Byron Center ran off seven straight points midway through the set to take a 15-9 lead and was never threatened the rest of the set.
Byron Center took a 5-1 lead early in the third set, but the Chix showed some fight, battling back to take a 13-11 lead on kills by sophomore Ava Geerlings and Risdon. East last led the set at 17-16, but the Bulldogs closed out the match by scoring nine of the last 11 points.
“Props to Byron Center for defending their court,” East coach Sara Mulder said. “We had moments of really good scrappy play. I think that’s something to be proud of. But at the end of the day, one loss doesn’t define our season.
“It was an awesome season. Our (six) seniors did an awesome job leading and guiding (this team). It’s never fun to lose that way and end the season.”
Risdon led the Chix with 13 kills and 16 digs for the match. Smith dished out 10 assists and added 12 digs in her final match in an East uniform. Senior Kiersten Kuiper had 12 digs.
East advanced to the district championship with a four-set victory over West Ottawa Nov. 5, 25-16, 26-24, 22-25, 25-19.
Against the Panthers, the Chix fell behind early 5-2 in the first set, but then ran off 10 consecutive points to take control of the set. A block by junior Bri Cole clinched the set.
East had to battle back from behind in the second set. The Panthers ran off five straight points to take a 22-18 lead. Back-to-back aces by Smith sparked an 8-2 run, climaxed by another ace by junior Oli Valenzuela, to give the Chix a two-point win and a two-set lead.
The Chix struggled with their serving in the third set, committing six service errors. A kill by Akiah Garvelink kept West Ottawa alive and extended the match to a fourth set.
East bounced back in the fourth set. Two kills each by Risdon and Geerlings helped the Chix jump in front of 7-2. West Ottawa rebounded with four consecutive points, but East pulled away as Risdon, Cole and senior Savannah Byker found openings in the Panthers’ block to put the match away.
East had a balanced attack for the match with four different players recording at least nine kills, led by Risdon with 13. Byker added 11 kills, Geerlings 10 and Cole nine. Smith handed out 29 assists and sophomore Kyla Kuiper added 17. Kiersten Kuiper led the Chix in digs with 24 while Risdon had 19 and senior Mahalia Vis 15. Cole had four blocks and Valenzuela three aces.
In West’s contest with Byron Center, the Dux got off to a good start, taking a 5-2 lead in the first set on two kills and an ace by junior Brielle Carlson. West held leads of 6-3 and 8-5 before the Bulldogs went on a big run, outscoring the Dux 15-1 to take control. West never recovered as Byron Center dominated the next two sets to complete the sweep.
Still, West coach Chris Mack was pleased with the progress his team made this season.
“We achieved a lot of what we wanted to achieve this season,” Mack said. “We wanted to build culture, we wanted to get better than we were last year. We won three matches last year. We finished with 14 wins. It’s a good season for us. We knew we’d have our hands full tonight. (Byron Center is) a heck of a team.”
Senior Evie Elenbaas and sophomore Breslin Schippers led the Dux with three kills each against Byron Center, while sophomore Elle Creevy had six assists and junior Halle Reider had five digs.
Zeeland Record
The varsity volleyball season for Zeeland’s two high schools came to end last week – at the hands of the same opponent.
Host Byron Center won the Division 1 district championship by sweeping Zeeland West in the semifinals Nov. 5 and Zeeland East in the championship match the following night.
The Bulldogs defeated the Dux 25-13, 25-9, 25-14, then downed the Chix 25-15, 25-15, 25-19, to advance to the regional round at Portage Northern that began Tuesday night.
East finished its season with a record of 31-5, while West concluded its campaign at 14-17.
Byron Center, who won the O-K Green Conference championship this year, set the tone for the championship match early on, jumping out to a 6-1 lead in the first set. East got no closer than 7-4 in the set.
The Chix started strong in the second set, as kills by senior Elyse Smith and junior Lizzie Risdon staked East to a 4-1 lead. But Byron Center ran off seven straight points midway through the set to take a 15-9 lead and was never threatened the rest of the set.
Byron Center took a 5-1 lead early in the third set, but the Chix showed some fight, battling back to take a 13-11 lead on kills by sophomore Ava Geerlings and Risdon. East last led the set at 17-16, but the Bulldogs closed out the match by scoring nine of the last 11 points.
“Props to Byron Center for defending their court,” East coach Sara Mulder said. “We had moments of really good scrappy play. I think that’s something to be proud of. But at the end of the day, one loss doesn’t define our season.
“It was an awesome season. Our (six) seniors did an awesome job leading and guiding (this team). It’s never fun to lose that way and end the season.”
Risdon led the Chix with 13 kills and 16 digs for the match. Smith dished out 10 assists and added 12 digs in her final match in an East uniform. Senior Kiersten Kuiper had 12 digs.
East advanced to the district championship with a four-set victory over West Ottawa Nov. 5, 25-16, 26-24, 22-25, 25-19.
Against the Panthers, the Chix fell behind early 5-2 in the first set, but then ran off 10 consecutive points to take control of the set. A block by junior Bri Cole clinched the set.
East had to battle back from behind in the second set. The Panthers ran off five straight points to take a 22-18 lead. Back-to-back aces by Smith sparked an 8-2 run, climaxed by another ace by junior Oli Valenzuela, to give the Chix a two-point win and a two-set lead.
The Chix struggled with their serving in the third set, committing six service errors. A kill by Akiah Garvelink kept West Ottawa alive and extended the match to a fourth set.
East bounced back in the fourth set. Two kills each by Risdon and Geerlings helped the Chix jump in front of 7-2. West Ottawa rebounded with four consecutive points, but East pulled away as Risdon, Cole and senior Savannah Byker found openings in the Panthers’ block to put the match away.
East had a balanced attack for the match with four different players recording at least nine kills, led by Risdon with 13. Byker added 11 kills, Geerlings 10 and Cole nine. Smith handed out 29 assists and sophomore Kyla Kuiper added 17. Kiersten Kuiper led the Chix in digs with 24 while Risdon had 19 and senior Mahalia Vis 15. Cole had four blocks and Valenzuela three aces.
In West’s contest with Byron Center, the Dux got off to a good start, taking a 5-2 lead in the first set on two kills and an ace by junior Brielle Carlson. West held leads of 6-3 and 8-5 before the Bulldogs went on a big run, outscoring the Dux 15-1 to take control. West never recovered as Byron Center dominated the next two sets to complete the sweep.
Still, West coach Chris Mack was pleased with the progress his team made this season.
“We achieved a lot of what we wanted to achieve this season,” Mack said. “We wanted to build culture, we wanted to get better than we were last year. We won three matches last year. We finished with 14 wins. It’s a good season for us. We knew we’d have our hands full tonight. (Byron Center is) a heck of a team.”
Senior Evie Elenbaas and sophomore Breslin Schippers led the Dux with three kills each against Byron Center, while sophomore Elle Creevy had six assists and junior Halle Reider had five digs.
Dux Alumni Contribute to Hope Win Over Calvin
A pair of Zeeland West graduates played contributing roles in Hope College’s 52-0 victory over Calvin University in the first-ever football Rivalry game between the two schools last Saturday at Ray & Sue Smith Stadium in Holland.
Senior tight end Skye VanderKuyl caught his first career touchdown pass, a 6-yard reception from quarterback Alex Thole, shortly before halftime to give the Flying Dutchmen a 28-0 lead over the Knights. The drive was set up by an interception by freshman defensive back Keaton Hendricks, his first career pick.
Hope amassed 557 yards of total offense for the game while limiting the Knights to 152 yards. Thole completed 21-of-31 passes for 244 yards, while Kal Motter led the ground game with 94 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns.
Hope (8-1) closes out its regular season on Saturday at home against the University of Olivet. Kickoff is 1 p.m.
Senior tight end Skye VanderKuyl caught his first career touchdown pass, a 6-yard reception from quarterback Alex Thole, shortly before halftime to give the Flying Dutchmen a 28-0 lead over the Knights. The drive was set up by an interception by freshman defensive back Keaton Hendricks, his first career pick.
Hope amassed 557 yards of total offense for the game while limiting the Knights to 152 yards. Thole completed 21-of-31 passes for 244 yards, while Kal Motter led the ground game with 94 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns.
Hope (8-1) closes out its regular season on Saturday at home against the University of Olivet. Kickoff is 1 p.m.
Zeeland Swimmers Third at O-K Metro
The Zeeland girls swimming team finished third among seven teams Saturday at the O-K Metro Conference meet at the Zeeland West natatorium.
Jenison won the meet with 445 points, followed by East Grand Rapids with 409 and Zeeland with 335. Byron Center (319 points) was fourth, followed by Forest Hills Central (248), Forest Hills Northern (150) and Northview (131).
Senior Madison Ensing won two individual events for Zeeland, taking the 200-yard freestyle in 1 minute, 50.13 seconds and the 100-yard butterfly in 55.32 seconds.
Ensing also set a pool record in the 50-yard freestyle, swimming the leadoff leg in the 200-yard freestyle relay, swimming her leg in 23.22 seconds. Ensing, sophomore Natalie Lauritzen, senior Paige Davis and junior Ariyah Gettings set a school and pool record in that relay, winning the race in 1:35.61.
Lauritzen won a close race in the 200-yard individual medley, nosing out Byron Center’s Adrianna Drake by 0.16 seconds in a time of 2:06.13. She also set a school record in the 100-yard backstroke as she finished second in 56.39.
Lauritzen, Gettings, Davis and senior Jossalyn Wolters finished runnerup in the 200-yard medley relay in 1:47.84.
Jenison won the meet with 445 points, followed by East Grand Rapids with 409 and Zeeland with 335. Byron Center (319 points) was fourth, followed by Forest Hills Central (248), Forest Hills Northern (150) and Northview (131).
Senior Madison Ensing won two individual events for Zeeland, taking the 200-yard freestyle in 1 minute, 50.13 seconds and the 100-yard butterfly in 55.32 seconds.
Ensing also set a pool record in the 50-yard freestyle, swimming the leadoff leg in the 200-yard freestyle relay, swimming her leg in 23.22 seconds. Ensing, sophomore Natalie Lauritzen, senior Paige Davis and junior Ariyah Gettings set a school and pool record in that relay, winning the race in 1:35.61.
Lauritzen won a close race in the 200-yard individual medley, nosing out Byron Center’s Adrianna Drake by 0.16 seconds in a time of 2:06.13. She also set a school record in the 100-yard backstroke as she finished second in 56.39.
Lauritzen, Gettings, Davis and senior Jossalyn Wolters finished runnerup in the 200-yard medley relay in 1:47.84.
