The GRC varsity football team suffered a tough defeat to rival East Grand Rapids on Friday night by a score of 20-42. On a night that featured tremendous fight from the Eagles, a few costly mistakes, and a ton of rain, the Pioneers proved to be too much down the stretch. The Block C Defense showed up to play and did well to slow down the vaunted EGR rushing attack, the special teams contributed a few big plays, and the Eagle offense did just enough to keep GRC in the game. After a soggy and physical first half that found the Eagles in a 21-7 hole, the Black & Blue D got a stop to start the 3rd quarter. A beautiful deep ball from senior QB Zay Caviness to receiver Jude Klunder narrowed the gap to 21-14. Another defensive stop gave the ball back to the offense. Driving to tie the game with 5 minutes left in the 3rd, the Eagles failed to convert a 3rd and 3. The ensuing Pioneer possession saw EGR use an explosive run play to start a drive that ultimately ended in a score. Although they never quit fighting, GR Christian was not able to recover from that critical sequence. Though the final score looks a bit lopsided, the Eagles were very much in the game deep into this contest.

The offense was led through the air by Caviness, who overcame the wet conditions to throw for an impressive 212 yards and 2 touchdowns. 6 different Eagle receivers caught a pass on the night, highlighted by an incredible deep post to junior Aaron Gholston who zoomed through the Pioneer secondary for a 66 yard TD. Klunder added 4 catches for 58 yards and the aforementioned TD, while senior Zach Clark chipped in 4 catches for 44 yards. The ground game was led by junior Tony Phillips' bruising running and sophomore De'Airs Kuiper, who scored his first varsity touchdown on an electric 14 yard run. 

The Eagle defense played inspired and put together one of their best performances this year. Senior Ben Geers was relentless with 9 tackles while Zay Caviness, DeWayne Goree, Ethan Ogle, Tony Phillips, and Davis Hutt all each contributed 6 or more tackles. Additionally, Hutt made the play of the day by intercepting the EGR QB late in the 3rd quarter to give the ball back to the Eagle offense in a tight game.

GRC will now turn its attention to senior night and their final home game of the season as they take on Greenville High School at 7:00 PM next Friday. Go Eagles!