The smoke has cleared on another competitive season of high school football in the Grand Rapids area, and two schools remain standing heading into the final weekend.

After a shaky start, South Christian's Sailors will compete for the Division 4 title, while in Division 5, West Catholic hopes to lock up an undefeated season with another state title.It's the third year in a row in the State championship game for the Sailors, who won in 2012, and lost in shoot out to Marine City, 49-35, a year ago. Led by senior All-State quarterback Jon Wassink, the Sailors have put up impressive offensive numbers, including 50 points last week in a thrilling win over Edwardsburg, the fourth time they hit the 50 point mark this season.

The Sailors have rolled to 11 straight victories after stumbling out of the gate and dropping their first two games to start the year. In addition to All-State honors, Wassink has been named MLive's Grand Rapids Player of the Year, and will play Division I college football next fall at Western Michigan.

If South Christian has a weakness, it may be its defense, which couldn't close out the semi-final game last week, allowing Edwardsburg two late touchdowns to come within a two point conversion of tying.

Their opponent in the championship game, Lansing Sexton, is undefeated after winning the Capital Area Conference Blue Division title this fall. The Big Reds have banked on their defense, allowing just an paltry 11 points per game. They haven't had many challenges so far in their playoff run, with only Detroit power, Country Day coming within two touchdowns of the Big Reds.

Game time for the Division final is 7:30pm Friday, and the game will be broadcast on the Internet via PrepsMI.com.

West Catholic/Facebook
West Catholic/Facebook
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It'll be Lansing vs. Grand Rapids in Division 5, too, as the powerful West Catholic Falcons, who have rolled over 13 straight opponents, will face their spitting image in the Cougars of Lansing Catholic Central, who have also won all their games this season.

West Catholic faced little resistance in rolling to the OK Blue Conference title, but faced some powerful foes in the playoffs, particularly Hastings and Menominee, who were state-ranked most of the season. Led by all-state quarterback Travis Russell, the Falcons offense puts up 41 points per game, while their defense, anchored by lineman Bryce Witham has been equally effective, giving up just 12 point per game.

A key factor in the game, should it be close may be West Catholic All-State kicker Travis Hoving, who is rarely used for field goals, but has a range of around 40-45 yards.

Lansing Catholic, meanwhile, has put up impressive numbers as well, putting up 48 points a game, while giving up only 11 points per game. They are led by the one-two punch of quarterback Tony Poljan, who has passed for more than 2500 yards this season, and running back Tony Palmer, who has rushed for 858 yards and eight touchdowns.

The Division 5 title game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, and can also be seen on PrepsMI.com.

 

 

 

 

 

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