Grand Rapids South Christian Friday night was observing its Seniors’ Night, but for visiting Wayland, it could have been called “Dare to Be Great Night.”

The Wildcats, who had won only one game in the past three seasons, dared to be great in scaring the undefeated Sailors for most of a ballgame that ended in a 21-14 verdict. South Christian, moreover, was just coming off an amazing feat in upending fellow unbeaten powerhouse Grand Rapids Catholic Central just a week before. The two teams were tied at 14-all entering the final 12 minutes and the ‘Cats actually took a 14-7 lead early in the third period.

Wayland now is 4-3 overall and South Christian remains unbeaten at 7-0.

It was an interesting, if unusual night indeed.

Hopkins, which had its sights set on Belding in a battle for the O-K Silver Conference championship Oct. 21, instead was stunned by an upset by a strange Sparta squad that barely got past Wyoming Godwin Heights last Friday, but came up big in the fourth quarter to pull away to a 34-14 triumph. It ended the Vikings’ five-game winning streak and imperiled their quest for the league title.

Hopkins, now 5-2 overall, must win one of its next two contests to get an automatic bid to the post-season MHSAA playoffs. One of the obstacles, of course, is Belding, which was uncharacteristically on the short end of the scoreboard Friday night in a non-league encounter with Cadillac.

For those who don’t like surprises, Martin bounced back from last week’s upset loss to NorthPointe Christian by pummeling Tri-Unity Christian 67-0, making it seem like a return to old times. NorthPointe continued to be the No. 1 eight-man squad in the state by romping over Fennville,