In the battle for the O-K Silver Conference football championship Friday night, Belding prevailed 36-14 over a determined Hopkins outfit.
Meanwhile, Wayland became the fifth consecutive victim of a streaking Cedar Springs squad that started at 0-4 and finished at 5-4. The Wildcats, who lost 35-21 on their Senior Night, lost their last three three and completed the season at 4-5.
The visiting Vikings battled back from 6-0 and 14-7 deficits in the first two quarters to knot the count at 14 at intermission. However, the homesteading Black Knights came up with a touchdown and two-point conversion in the third period and another early in the fourth to pull away.
Hopkins ended the regular season with a 5-2 record in league play and Belding was 7-0. An upset victory would have forced a three-way tie among Belding. Hopkins and Sparta.
But it was not to be.
The Vikings still entertain hopes to compete in the post-season playoffs with a 5-4 overall record. News about teams that qualified will be forthcoming Sunday evening. Martin already has qualified with a 7-2 mark, even though it was edged 35-34 Thursday night by unbeaten Bridgman.
