Wayland Friday night ended its varsity football season with a huge victory for a rebuilding program, edging visiting Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills, 23-22.

The Wildcats fell behind 14-7 in the first two quarters, but came back early in the second half with a touchdown and a field goal by Austin Wroblewski. The Bengals battled back with a touchdown and two-point conversion late in the third period and threatened to win by getting into the red zone, inside the five-yard line. The ‘Cats were able to stop Ottawa’s drive at their own five-yard line as time expired.

The Wayland defense, much maligned all season for giving up at least 30 points in each of its first eight ballgames this season came up big in the end with a heroic goal line stand.

Senior quarterback Tanner VanDyke completed 18 of 32 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns. Gage Stancell had four receptions for 144 yards and two TDs. Justin Kiry and Matt Schaendorf combined for 68 yards on the ground and the other six points.

Ottawa’s Jeremy Glasco also had a terrific night, completing 16 of 22 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns.

The victory lifted Wayland’s O-K Gold Conference record to 2-4 and the ‘Cats finished 2-7 overall, losing to state-ranked nonleague opponents and to league champ Grand Rapids Catholic Central.It was only the second times in the last seven seasons that Wayland has won more than one game. The team last year suffered through an 0-9 campaign.

Mike Doupe is the first-year coach, who picked up his first varsity victory earlier this month, 32-30 at Hastings.

(Photo courtesy Vanessa Jansen)