Game Preview: Grand Rapids South Christian (2-1) @ Grand Rapids Catholic Central (3-0)

Game Info

Grand Rapids South Christian (2-1) @ Grand Rapids Catholic Central (3-0)

Catholic Central Athletic Complex

Friday, September 17th @ 7 pm

Series History: 15th all-time meeting. GRCC holds a 9-5 series advantage and won last year’s matchup 28-27.

Grand Rapids Catholic Central enters tonight’s game riding a 26-game winning streak. During that win streak, the Cougars have only won one game that was decided by less than 10 points. That one game was a 28-27 thriller over South Christian in the regular-season finale last year.

South Christian enters this game knowing that it must find a way to knock off Catholic Central in order to win the OK Gold. That task is easier said than done, as the Cougars haven’t lost a league game since 2016.

Catholic Central

3-0. Last week: Defeated Forest Hills Eastern 63-0.

Players To Watch

Joey Silveri, QB, 2022”

One of the premier quarterbacks in the state. Plays with poise and makes sound decisions. Can make plays with his feet and has the arm strength to complete off-balanced throws downfield.

Nolan Zeigler, DB/WR, 2022”

Notre Dame commit. One of the best athletes in the state, regardless of class. Top-end playmaker on both sides of the ball. Displays great technique in coverage and always puts himself in position to make a play on the ball.

John Passinault, WR/KR, 2022”

One of the Cougar’s best weapons on special teams. Has the ability to make defenders miss and break off big returns. One of Silveri’s go-to receivers. Possession receiver with good hands.

Nathan VanTimmeren, DE/TE, 2023”

An emerging prospect in the 2023” class. Has the ability to take over a game from the defensive end position. Offensively, a reliable target for Silveri. Uses his size and strength to position himself well.

Jack Rellinger, RB, 2022”

Took over for Nick Hollern as Catholic Central’s workhorse at running back. Plays with an edge and physicality. He also is one of Catholic Central’s weapons in the return game.

South Christian

2-1. Last week: Defeated Middleville 35-14

Players To Watch

Chandler Van Solkema, RB, 2022”

Chandler is the bell cow of the Sailor backfield and is called upon to provide weekly production in the Sailor offense. He makes good cuts and displays good vision in between the tackles. Can make a man miss in the open field and embraces contact.

Jace DeMann, DB, 2022”

Jace has been one of the best cover corners in the area through three weeks this season. He’s excellent in man-man coverage and does a good job of separating his man from the ball. He can come up and provide a hit at the line of scrimmage and has the speed to match up with the best athletes he’ll face this season.

Jake DeHaan, QB, 2023”

Jake is one of the more accurate passers on the run and seems to thrive when he has to make a throw in such situations. He has good foot speed and can anticipate where the blitz is coming from. His speed allows him to pick up yards on designed runs and when the play breaks down.

Colton Schreur, LB, 2022”

Colton is a reliable part of the Sailor defense and someone who you can count on to get a stop on a crucial down. He has good speed and can get in the backfield in a hurry on blitz packages. Has flashed good cover skills on runners out of the backfield.

Keys To The Game

In South Christian’s loss to East Grand Rapids two weeks ago, the Sailors turned the ball over four times and were never able to make up enough ground to get back in the game. It’s imperative that South Christian play mistake-free football for a full four quarters if they want to pull off the upset.

Catholic Central hasn’t seemed tested since the last time they played South Christian in 2020. I don’t expect the Cougars to take this game lightly, a game they know they must win in order to win the OK Gold outright and enter the Division 5 playoffs unscathed.

Prediction

Catholic Central 42, South Christian 28