By Mark Blentlinger
After a win at Galesburg, the Golden Eagles faced two teams that would test Schoolcraft on both sides of the ball. Test 1 was Muskegon Catholic Central’s Crusaders. The Golden Eagles made their way north where Muskegon put up the first points of the game with a 25-yard field goal in the first quarter. Schoolcraft scored twice in the 2nd quarter, first, on a 1-yard run by senior Tagg Gott. The second score was again made by Gott, this time from 5 yards out, making the score 12-3. The only score of the 3rd quarter was a 33-yard pass caught by Muskegon’s Braden Gustin, bringing the Crusaders within 2. The score at the end of the 3rd was Schoolcraft, 12-10. Late in the 4th, Muskegon was able to put another pass into the endzone, giving Muskegon the win, 16-12.
Next up, the Golden Eagles faced the Blue Devils of Lawton for Schoolcraft’s Homecoming. The running game of Lawton just seemed too much for the Golden Eagles’ defense. Lawton would come to the offensive line each time showing some sort of different scheme. At the end of 48 minutes of play on the field, the Blue Devils topped the Golden Eagles, 49-14.
Schoolcraft was able to bounce back with a win when it traveled to Delton to take on the Panthers. The Golden Eagles put up an impressive 356 total yards to the Panthers’ 133. Schoolcraft had 119 passing yards and 237 rushing. Schoolcraft’s passing scores were 57 yards, 42 yards and 80 yards. Rushing scores consisted of 1 yard, 11 yards and 48 yards. The lone score by Delton was from 38 yards out.
Schoolcraft’s record stood at 5 wins, 3 losses, with a game left against Saugatuck to get the coveted 6th win, which means an automatic berth in the post season. Schoolcraft’s athletic director, Jeff Clark, received a phone call letting him know that Saugatuck had canceled the rest of its season and would not be coming to play the Golden Eagles for the last regular game of the season, Schoolcraft’s senior night. With no luck in finding an opponent, Schoolcraft received the 2-0 score, signifying the forfeit.
Even with no game to play, the team still gathered on the field with the home stands nearly filled. The team along with the band seniors were all recognized along with their parents. The crowd then watched a performance by the Golden Eagles marching band. The senior football players continued a tradition of walking from one end zone to the other, arm in arm, just in case they would not have a home game for the opening of the post season.
Soon after, the team learned it would be playing at home again when it was announced the Golden Eagles would face the Panthers from Delton Oct. 28 in round 1 of the playoffs.