Wildcats upset South Christian, ensure playoffs

Wayland pulled off one of its biggest football upsets Friday night to close out the regular season and ensure a berth in the post-season playoffs.

The Wildcats’ offense exploded for 49 points to take an astonishing 49-40 decision from a Grand Rapids South Christian team that a week ago was fighting Catholic Central for the O-K Gold Conference championship.

It was a historic night because Wayland a year ago had the Sailors down 21-14 before giving up two late fourth quarter touchdowns in a heart-breaking loss. And earlier this season the ‘Cats had Cedar Springs on the ropes, 28-21, until the fateful late final period rally led to a 35-28 defeat.

So this time, Wayland finished what it started.

The Wildcats polished off its best overall season record (6-3) since 2008 and they now look forward to the first round of the post-season playoffs. They haven’t been in that position since 2013.

Furthermore, Wayland finished with a 4-3 record in the brutal O-K Gold, its best in more than a decade.

The team will find out who they play and where Sunday when the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) announces in the first round.

Martin 40 Maple Valley 22

Martin, defending eight-man state champion, will make another bid after finishing its regular campaign with a 7-2 record.

Perhaps head coach Brad Blauvelt wasn’t just whistling Dixie a couple of weeks ago when he suggested his charges have been playing their best football all season. The Clippers got the best of a Vermontville Maple Valley squad that began the game with a heady 7-1 record.

Martin hit a bad patch late in September when it was surprised by an undefeated Gobles outfit and lost a one-point heartbreaker to Bridgman. Both losses came in Southwest Athletic Conference Valley division action.

However, the lads came together to defeat a NorthPointe Christian team they lost to a year ago and put together a modest winning streak. Perhaps fans need to be reminded that Martin lost twice in its state championship year of 2022.

Like Wayland, the Clippers await news of who and when they play in the MHSAA’s first round announcements Sunday.

Benton Harbor 24 Hopkins 16

The Vikings completed their worst overall season with a 2-7 record, matching the stats from the 2015 campaign. They failed to make the post-season playoffs for the first time in the last six years.

Hopkins jumped out to a 10-0 advantage in the early going, but the Tigers responded and took control in the end.

The Vikings’ only victories this season were over O-K Silver Conference opponents Kelloggsville and Wyoming Godwin Heights.