Defense dominates; Pewamo-Westphalia repeats as champions

DETROIT,MI- The defense has been the backbone for the Pewamo-Westphalia Pirates this season as they had posted six shutouts entering the division seven state title game.

“Our defense has been outstanding all year long,” Miller said. “We know that when our offense isn’t clicking we know the defense is going to step up.”

The defense continued to be dominant as the Pirates shutout the Saugatuck Indians for their seventh shutout of the season and clinching the program's second straight title.

Quick start sets the tone

The Pirates began the game on offense and wasted no time finding the end zone. Bryce Thelen would strike from five yards giving the Pirates an early 7-0 lead.

“We preached all week we had to come out strong and establish the run game,” Pewamo-Westphalia head coach Jeremy Miller said. “To come out of the locker room and execute and score like that I think it really sets the tone.”

The Pirates defense also helped with the fast start as Jacob Stewart would fumble for Saugatuck and Damon Schneider would fall on the loose ball for the Pirates.

The fumble recovery would lead to a Jimmy Lehman 12-yard run putting the Pirates up 14-0 with 2:40 remaining in the first quarter.

Saugatuck stifles Pirates in second half

Down 21-0 at halftime the Indians of Saugatuck had to step up defensively to climb back into the game.

“We deferred hoping that our defense could get out there and get a stop,” Saugatuck head coach Bill Dunn said, “We had our moments where we could have come back, but it didn’t happen.”

The second half was where the Indians’ defense stepped up and held Pewamo-Westphalia to no points.

“They have scored a lot of points this season,” Dunn said. “To hold a team like that to 21 is great.”

The second half also is where the offense began to click for the Indians. After being held to 29 total yards in the first half, the Indians would come out and gain 140 in the second half, but could not find the end zone.

“They are a big, fast physical team,” Saugatuck quarterback Jackson Shriver said. “They follow their system and their a tough team to play against.”

Historical perspective

The Pirates would capture their second straight division seven title and also their second all-time in program history. The win marked coach Jeremy Miller’s 60th career win.

“It really is an unbelievable feeling,” Miller said. “The second one is as sweet as the first.”

This game marked the fourth straight year that Saugatuck had their season come to the end with a loss to Pewamo-Westphalia.

This was also the second time in school history Saugatuck has lost in the state finals. Last loss coming in 2010 to Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart in the division eight title game.