Grand Rapids Christian High and Hudsonville High clashed for a Battle Royale that took until the final drive to decide a winner.

A packed house at Eagle Stadium in Grand Rapids was given all they could ask for as the Eagles of Christian High trailed for nearly 42 minutes in Fridays barn burner as Malik McLaughlin and company were able to come from behind, scratching and clawing, to shock Mason Opple and the Hudsonville Eagles by a final score of 35-34.

It started on Hudsonville’s opening drive, as Opple ran over and through the Eagle’s defense after finding the end zone on a 3-yard scamper to take a 7-0 lead with 5:39 left in the first quarter.

Christian High went three-and-out, but was able to figure things out on the defensive end a bit and halted Hudsonville’s next drive. Hall found Thompson on a 12-yard pass, but it was McLaughlin who cleaned up on a 10-yard touchdown to answer the call as things were tied up at 7 with just under a minute in the quarter.

Opple and Hudsonville were back at it on the following drive. Opple was able to drop in a magnificent ball from 23 yards out to find Jackson Russo on a huge completion. But it gets even better. The next play Opple threw a strike to Kaden Kempker as Kempker did the rest for 54 yards and a score as Hudsonville found themselves back on top 14-7 after the 1st quarter.

Hudsonville was able to take advantage of a fumble on the following kick-off as Jack Mandryk pounced on the ball inside the 30-yard line. On second down Hudsonville tossed in some trickery as Opple handed the ball off to Toth. Toth reversed the ball to Kempker and Kempker chucked the ball across field to Jack Ellermets for a 27-yard touchdown giving the Eagles a two score lead.

McLaughlin got right after it for the Eagles on a 26-yard run, and Hall finished off the drive with a 24-yard pass to Tahari Braggs.

The defense for Christian High was turning things up as Bates broke through the line and met Opple in the backfield jamming the 4^th and short attempt, resulting in a Hudsonville turnover on downs.

With 42 seconds left in the half Opple found Kempker again for an 8-yard touchdown as Hudsonville took a 28-14 lead into the half.

To open the second half McLaughlin tacked on 35 yards rushing as Luke Thompson got in on the action as well and scored from 3 yards out.

Things locked up on both ends in the third quarter as teams exchanged a handful of three-and-outs and the defenses took the game into the 4^th quarter.

Jack Ellermets sacked Hall causing a fumble and Bradley Walker was able to scoop-and-score from 59 yards out. Mitch Damstra got his hands on the extra point as he came crashing in from the right side, salvaging some momentum for the Eagles (remember this moment, folks). Hudsonville took a 13-point lead.

Thompson gave Christian High some solid field possession on the return and Hall was able to find Bos for a 36-yard TD bringing Christian High within 6.

Mandryk returned the special teams impact as he took the following kick all the way to the 16 of GRC. Inopportune penalties hurt Hudsonville as well as a stifling defensive stand by Christian High resulting in a turnover on downs.

Malik McLaughlin was the story of this game down the stretch. GRC was able to pick up 23 yards on a screen pass from Hall to McLaughlin taking the ball to the 26. McLaughlin then hauled in a laser by Hall on a HUGE 4^th down as Hall took a big hit staying in the pocket and converting. The Eagles were faced with another 4^th down, this time 4^th and long to keep the game alive. Hall connected with McLaughlin yet again via the screen pass. Malik was then able to lower his shoulder punishing a defender, ending in the end zone from 9 yards out. Christian High had found their first lead of the game, thanks to the blocked extra point recorded by Damstra earlier in the quarter.

With less than 3 minutes to play, Opple had a chance at glory heading into GRC territory. With a series of strange penalties and sideline warnings Hudsonville turned a 3^rd and 25 into a first down via the yellow flag. With the fans on their feet, and everyone in the stadium making noise Opple faced a 1^st and 10 for the Eagles. With the defense of Christian High looking to explode the Eagles came up with an enormous sack followed by 2 incompletions coming that much closer to sealing the deal. Opple dropped back on 4^th and what seemed to be a quarter mile as he was facing heat yet again, tossing up a prayer that found its way out of bounds. The students of Christian High stormed the field as the home crowd erupted stealing a 35-34 win right from under Hudsonville’s nose.

McLaughlin totaled 325 all-purpose yards, as Hall threw for 241 yards and 2 scores. Bates led the way again on defense with 7.5 tackles and 11 assists.

For Hudsonville it was Opple throwing for 257 yards and 2 scores while rushing for a TD as well. Cecchini added 101 receiving yards and Kempker had 98 yards while hauling in 2 scores for Hudsonville. Trevor Bouma led the defense with 7 tackles and 6 assists.