Game Preview: GR Catholic Central @ GR South Christian
The number one ranked team in Division 5 will travel south of town to take on the number one ranked team in Division 4 in what should be the game of the year in the OK Gold. Grand Rapids Catholic…
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Continue ReadingThe number one ranked team in Division 5 will travel south of town to take on the number one ranked team in Division 4 in what should be the game of the year in the OK Gold. Grand Rapids Catholic Central enters tonight’s game riding a 42-game win streak, while Grand Rapids South Christian looks to defeat the Cougars for the first time since 2014. Below I’ll get into the keys to the game, players to watch, and my prediction.
Keys To The Game
South Christian’s Arial Assualt
South Christian enters tonight’s game with one of the more dynamic passing attacks in the area, thanks to senior quarterback Jake DeHaan. DeHaan has as much varsity experience as any high school signal caller at this point in his career and he has the luxury of having a handful of weapons to throw to. One of his favorite targets is sophomore Carson Vis. This is Carson’s first year playing football, but you wouldn’t notice by the way he has dominated opposing defensive backs this season. If Catholic Central hopes to continue its winning streak, it’ll have to stymie the DeHaan-Vis connection. Keep an eye out for Brady Nitz and Jake Vermaas on the outside as well.
Kellen Russell-Dixon’s Big Play Potential
One of the emerging stars of the season is Catholic Central’s Kellen Russell-Dixon. The junior running back has eight rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown on the year and is a threat to bust a big gain whenever he touches the ball. The Cougars like to use him all over the field, so keying in on him will be a top priority for South Christian. Defensively, Russell-Dixon is one of the Cougar’s leading tacklers.
Secure Special Teams
In a game between two powerhouses that projects to be a coin toss, sometimes it comes down to the athletes who are on the field for a very small amount of time, albeit for the most important moments of the game. Catholic Central’s John Meyer and South Christian’s Nate Brinks are both specialists with big legs. Not only can they impact the game via field position on kicks and punts, but in the closing moments of the game, I wouldn’t be surprised if one of their numbers is called upon.
Players To Watch
Kellen Russell-Dixon, RB, Catholic Central 24″
Connor Wolf Connor Wolf 6'3" | 180 lbs | QB Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2024 State MI , QB, Catholic Central 23″
Sean Sullivan, RB, Catholic Central 25″
Nate VanTimmeren, TE, Catholic Central 23″
Jake DeHaan, QB, South Christian 23″
Carson Vis, WR, South Christian 25″
Jake Vermaas, WR, South Christian 23″
Prediction: South Christian 24, Catholic Central 21