On Friday night, the Zeeland East Chix hosted the Forest Hills Central Rangers in the final home game of the season.  Friday night was also Senior night for the Chix as 18 Seniors players and their parents were recognized for their contributions to the Zeeland East High School football program.  The game did not disappoint as the Chix pulled out a 28-14 win in exciting fashion.

The Chix received the opening kickoff and marched 80 yards in 12 plays, consuming 5 minutes & 44 seconds of gametime to score the game's first touchdown.  Jr. QB Will Drnek found Jr. WR Isaiah Boonstra from 9 yards out for the score and after Jr K Andrew Macy connected for the first of his 4 extra points in the game, the Chix led 7-0.  The defense stepped up to keep the Rangers off the scoreboard in the 1st quarter.  QB sacks by Jr. DE Zeek Ramadhani and Sr. DB Judah Kalmbacher, on a crucial 4th down deep in Chix territory, kept the Rangers off the scoreboard and the Chix had a 7-0 lead going into the 2nd quarter.

In the 2nd quarter, the Chix offense was held in check by the Rangers as the Chix had to punt on their next 3 possessions.  The Rangers offense finally broke through to score a touchdown late in the quarter and the game was tied 7-7 at halftime.

The Rangers received the ball to start the 2nd half.  The Rangers went on a 12 play, 58 yard drive, consuming nearly 7 minutes of game time to take a 14-7 lead.  But the Chix offense responded immediately on their next offensive drive, as Drnek found Boonstra for his 2nd touchdown of the game, a catch and run that covered 46 yards and the score was knotted at 14-14 going into the 4th quarter.

In the 4th quarter, the Chix were not going to be denied the victory.  With the Rangers driving in Chix territory, Jr. DE Josiah Norman and Sr. LB Peyton Davis forced a Ranger fumble recovered, by Sr. LB Ben DeLost and the Chix offense was back in action.  On the following drive, Drnek found Jr. WR Colby Miller on 2 spectacular sideline catches. The first catch covered 36 yards and second catch was for 26 yards to move the football into the Ranger Redzone.  Drnek then found Miller for his 3rd catch of the drive from 5 yard away to score the go-ahead touchdown, giving the Chix a 21-14 lead.  On the ensuing kickoff,  DB Gerald Neidlinger forced and recovered a fumble and the Chix offense had the ball back again deep inside Ranger territory.  On the following drive, Drnek found Boonstra on a leaping 22 yard 4th down catch to keep the drive alive.  Then Sr. RB Jack Kamphuis put the home crowd into a frenzy as he found the endzone from 2 yards away to give the Chix a 28-14 lead.

With the win, the Chix improve their overall record to 5-3, 2-3 in OK-Gold conference play.  The Chix wrap up the regular season as they travel to Hamilton this Friday to take on the Hawkeyes.  Kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm.

Individual game leaders for the Chix:

Rushing: 

Sr. Kolter Rotman 9 carries for 38 yards

Sr. Jack Kamphuis 24 yards and 1 TD

Passing:

Jr. Will Drnek 12-16  202 yards, 3 TD

Receiving:

Isaiah Boonstra 6 catches for 111 yards, 2 TD

Colby Miller 6 catches for 91 yards, 1 TD

Defense:

Sr. Ben DeLost 12 Tackles, 1 Fumble Recovery

Sr. Derek Baxter  7 Tackles, 1 QB Pressure

Jr. Colby Miller, 6 Tackles, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Fumble Recovery

Jr. Zeek Ramadhani, 5 Tackle, 1 Sack, 3 QB Pressures, 1 Passed Defensed

Sr. Isaiah Jones, 4 Tackles, 1 Sack, 2 QB Pressures