Grand Rapids South Christian will play all of its freshman, junior varsity and varsity football games next fall at the new Davenport University stadium now under construction.

Athletic Director Curt Copeland, on the school’s web site, explained, “Within the past few months, there have been some significant scheduling challenges that have arose with the new O-K (Gold) Conference football schedule. Because we have not been able to successfully place our home dates opposite of Byron Center’s, we have had to search for an alternative facility.  We are fortunate that our 2016 needs coincide with the completion of Davenport University’s Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex.”

South Christian played its home football games for 50 years at Byron Center, in what is now known as Waddell Field, named after longtime local athletic official Jerry Waddell.

Copeland said the move to Davenport “allows us to avoid entering multiple rental agreements with multiple school districts in our immediate area. It also gives us an opportunity to have some clear identification for all appropriate parties as to where we will be playing our games.  This will be a standard rental agreement that Davenport University utilizes frequently with other schools, clubs and colleges in their region.”

Copeland added, “We have enjoyed working very closely with the staff at Byron Center and will hold those people in high regard as great representatives of Byron Center Schools and their community. We will continue to value the relationships that we have made over the years.”

Besides Wayland, South Christian’s rivals in the O-K Gold include Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, Grand Rapids Christian, East Grand Rapids, Forest Hills Eastern and Wyoming.