By Mark Blentlinger
Schoolcraft Golden Eagles football has soared through the SAC Valley Conference going 5-0 and winning the title outright. After falling in overtime to the Falcons of Constantine, the Eagles have been on a mission. First was a visit to Galesburg-Augusta where the Eagles topped the home-team Rams by a score of 49-0, outpacing them in every aspect of the game, with 235 total yards to the Rams’ 35. First down 10 to the Rams 4 and forced the home team to turn over the ball 3 times. Scores were made by Ethan Goddard, TJ Luteyn, Drew Enright, Cooper Howard and Gavin Knowlton.
The Eagles made their way back home for homecoming where they faced off against the Coloma Comets. The game started off with the field being dedicated and a bald eagle, the real bird, flew from the 50-yard line to the end zone just as the National Anthem was finishing. This was dedicated and paid for by donations made in the name of John Pincumbe while his family watched and had their picture taken with the eagle. After all the excitement to start this game, the Eagles began to soar themselves, taking an early lead 7-0. The Comets didn’t want to be shut out and were able to put 8 up with a score and 2-point conversion. After that, it was all Eagles taking the win by dominating the visitors, putting up 329 total yards of offense to the Comets’ 74 total yards, winning their homecoming game 49-8.
Lawton Blue Devils were the next opponent to come into Roy H. Davis Field. The Blue Devils had come in winning the last 5 meetings with the Eagles. They were hoping to make it 6 in a row. The Eagles, however, had a different outcome on their minds. With lots of off-the-field talking going on social media, the Eagles held it together and “let their pads do their talking,” according to Coach Ferency. Although the Blue Devils topped the Eagles for total offense, 295 to 178, and first downs 14 to 11, defense was the key for the Eagles that night.
The first half ended with the score knotted 0-0. First to light up the scoreboard was the home team with a Gavin Knowlton field goal from 21 yards out, making it 3-0. The Eagles added 7 more to make it 10-0 at the end of the 3rd. Lawton finally saw something happen when Chase Treimstra kicked a 36-yard field goal to bring them within 7 of the home team. Tj Luteyn quieted the visiting side when he took their kick 99 yards to the house to put the Eagle up 17-3. There the score stayed for the night, making it a quiet ride back to Lawton for the Blue Devils.
Saugatuck was next to visit the Eagles before they went on the road to complete the 2024 regular season. The Eagles put up 349 total yards of offense to the visiting Trailblazers’ 174. The Eagles had a score of 21-0 at the end of the 1st quarter and were holding a 42-point lead at the break. In the 3rd quarter the home team added one more score and a final score in the 4th giving the home team a 56-0 lead. With a minute left in the game, the Trailblazers scored, making it 56-7 at the final horn.
The Eagles next traveled into Delton to take on the Panthers and like the previous games the Eagles soared and topped the home team of Delton 54-8 to lock up the SAC Valley Conference Championship.
The Eagles’ final regular season game was to be on the road against the Crusaders of Muskegon Catholic Central October 25.
