Eddies face tough test in Sailors

Published 7:09 am Friday, November 21, 2014

Edwardsburg is hoping that its offensive depth can deliver a spot in the state finals. (Leader photo/AMELIO RODRIGUEZ)

Edwardsburg is hoping that its offensive depth can deliver a spot in the state finals. (Leader photo/AMELIO RODRIGUEZ)

The Edwardsburg Eddies are all that stand in the way of Grand Rapids South Christian reaching its third consecutive Division 4 state championship football game.

The Eddies and the Sailors will square off in the semifinal at 3 p.m. at Jackson High School. The game was originally scheduled for Vicksburg, but due to the amount of snow received this week in southwest Michigan, the contest was moved on Wednesday.

Edwardsburg (11-1) is playing in its second semifinal since 2010. Four years ago, the Eddies were eliminated by eventual state champion Grand Rapids Catholic Central, which went on to defeat Williamston 27-23 in the title game.

South Christian (10-2) lost its first two games of the season, but have reeled off 10 consecutive victories to move within a game of another trip to Ford Field in Detroit.

Led by quarterback Jon Wassink, the Sailors crushed Whitehall 49-14 in last week’s regional championship game.

Wassink, who was the back-up quarterback who came off the bench to lead South Christian to the 2012 state title, was 10-of-17 for 175 yards and a touchdown.

Ryan Veenstra hauled in three of those passes for 97 yards, while Jake Wierenga had seven receptions for 57 yards.

Wassink also ran the ball 10 times for 178 yards and two touchdowns.

The Eddies ran for more than 400 yards last week in its 42-8 win over Eaton Rapids.

Isaiah Miller did most of the damage with touchdown runs of 55, 77 and 59 yards.

Miller finished with 235 yards on 13 carries.

Edwardsburg also got big plays from Dustin Vires, who scored on runs of 48 and 80 yards.