Kalamazoo football highlights: PC wins thriller, Loy Norrix stamps best start in 26 years

KALAMAZOO, MI – With the game on the line and the clock dwindling, one half yard was all that separated Portage Central from sealing the deal.

So, Rylan McNally put his head down and called his own number.

And the junior called game.

McNally provided Portage Central’s heroics on Friday, muscling his way in for the game-winning, half-yard quarterback sneak score that vaulted the Mustangs to a thrilling 21-14 victory over Kalamazoo Central.

Portage Central (4-2) has now won four consecutive games.

It was a second consecutive hard-fought, down-to-the-wire victory for Central, who flexed big-time crunch time playmaking when it mattered most down the stretch.

Wendell Tomes broke a 7-all tie in the third quarter thanks to his 4-yard pick-six, but Kalamazoo Central responded rather quickly.

Junior quarterback Kam Woods connected with Khy’miere Bowen for an electrifying 70-yard score moments later, knotting the score at 14-all and setting up the Mustangs’ final drive.

Mustangs junior running back Joseph Gehman kicked off the scoring with a 7-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter, which was followed by a K-Central response –– Keyontae Gibson’s 63-yard rushing touchdown.

Gehman finished with a game-high 180 yards rushing on 33 carries, while McNally added 31 yards and his game-winning score, along with 36 yards passing.

Gibson finished with 74 yards rushing on six carries, Woods collected 108 yards passing and added 50 yards rushing and Curtis Whitfield finished with a team-high 7.5 tackles for K-Central.

Portage Central will visit archrival Portage Northern on Friday, while K-Central (4-2) hosts Battle Creek Central.

Loy Norrix 41, Battle Creek Lakeview 22

Loy Norrix football is officially off to its best start since 1998.

David Jones punched in a pair of touchdowns, Rashad Waller added two electrifying scores, and Loy Norrix dropped 27 first half points that powered their 41-22 victory over Battle Creek Lakeview on Friday.

After a fumble early in the first quarter, Loy Norrix shored things up with Jones’ 6-yard touchdown run and never looked back, using a 75-yard Jones score to cap the first quarter and adding a 75-yard touchdown strike from Evans to Rashad Waller to take a 20-3 lead midway through the second quarter.

Waller added the longest play of the night just before the half, an 80-yard touchdown run with just seven seconds remaining for. 27-3 halftime lead.

Evans threw his second touchdown pass midway through the third quarter, finding Aquan Foster for a 35-yard score to give the Knights their largest lead, 35-9.

Battle Creek Lakeview would score a pair of touchdowns late with the game already sealed.

Waller finished with 257 all-purpose yards (97 yards receiving, 160 yards rushing), Jones collected 175 all-purpose yards (100 yards rushing, 75 yards receiving), Evans threw for 150 yards, Zashon Arnold collected four tackles for loss and Boston Grueter finished with a team-high 10 tackles.

Loy Norrix will visit Gull Lake on Friday.

St. Joseph 48, Portage Northern 34

Portage Northern jumped out to a 9-0 lead early, but St. Joseph’s 28-point second quarter quickly turned the tides and was too much for the Huskies to come back from, falling 48-34 on Friday night.

The unbeaten and Division 3 third-ranked Bears fired off a quartet of second frame scores to take a 28-15 advantage into the break, highlighted by Davis Crossman’s 44-yard touchdown run and his 37-yard touchdown pass to Boby Delong.

There was no shortage of offense on either side, as both teams combined for over 1,000 yards of total offense including an incredible performance from Northern running back Vaughnzell Tyus.

The senior finished with an eye-popping 328 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries, breaking free in the third quarter for the game’s longest score, an 80-yard scamper, which pulled the Huskies within 36-21.

Tyus would secure an 18-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter to pull Northern within 42-28, while junior quarterback Joe Thole connected with Carter Yates for a 35-yard score late in the fourth quarter –– but the game was already decided at that point.

Thole gave the Huskies a 9-0 lead late in the first quarter thanks to his 9-yard rushing touchdown, and he added a 29-yard rushing score midway through the second quarter to give his team a 15-14 advantage.

Thole finished with 135 yards passing, two interceptions and a touchdown, while adding 57 yards rushing, and Yates collected 64 yards receiving and a score.

Northern outgained St. Joseph 537-516.

The Huskies (4-2) will now host crosstown rival Portage Central on Friday.

Mattawan 42, Stevensville Lakeshore 7

Connor O’Rourke rushed for three touchdowns, Preston Shackelford threw a pair of touchdown passes and Mattawan rolled to a 42-7 bounce-back victory over Stevensville Lakeshore on Friday.

The Wildcats (3-3) finished with a balanced offensive effort, including Shackelford’s 158 yards passing and running back Troy Scarff’s 86 yards rushing.

Mattawan also got contributions from Connor Vernon, who caught a 40-yard touchdown pass, while Jake Tungate added 28 yards rushing.

O’Rourke finished with 40 yards on the ground with three scores, while adding two receptions for 37 yards.

Mattawan will visit St. Joseph on Friday.

Otsego 54, Sturgis 6

Kole Engleright had himself a night on Friday.

The junior made an opening statement with an electrifying 83-yard rushing touchdown in the first frame, kickstarting Otsego’s high-flying night and powering their first win of the season, beating Sturgis, 54-6.

Engleright finished with an impressive 244 yards rushing and four total touchdowns, adding a 35-yard touchdown reception from Kaleb Hildebrand in the second quarter and single-handily giving the Bulldogs a 21-0 lead.

Lane Blanchard motored his way for a pair of rushing touchdowns later in the second quarter to give the Bulldogs a 34-0 halftime advantage –– he scored from 11 and 19 yards out.

Engleright capped his big-time performance with a 65-yard rushing touchdown early in the third quarter, while Nolan Healey punched in a 1-yard rushing touchdown later in the frame.

Hildebrand capped Otsego’s scoring with a 44-yard touchdown pass to Xander Du Plooy late in the third quarter.

Otsego (1-5) will visit rival Plainwell on Friday, while Sturgis (0-6) hosts Vicksburg.

Paw Paw 21, Edwardsburg 7

It took a little while and maybe longer than expected, but Paw Paw got it rolling down the stretch.

And in a blink, the game was theirs.

A trio of third quarter touchdowns were all that was needed for No. 3-ranked Paw Paw to knock off No. 10-ranked Edwardsburg, 21-7, in a battle of state-ranked Wolverine Conference foes.

The unbeaten Red Wolves (6-0) caught fire on Ben Miller’s 49-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, while senior quarterback Gunnar Goodell found Barron Marinich for a 55-yard touchdown strike just three minutes later for a 14-0 lead.

All-state running back PJ DeYoung capped the third quarter scoring flurry with a 23-yard touchdown run, which was plenty enough to put the game on ice.

Miller finished with a game-high 110 yards rushing on 20 carries, DeYoung added 101 yards on 14 carries and Marinich finished with 55 yards receiving.

Three Rivers 21, Plainwell 6

Lamonta Stone rushed for a game-high 185 yards, Three Rivers got things rolling early with a pair of first quarter touchdowns, and their defense settled in from there to clinch a 21-6 victory over Plainwell on Friday.

Three Rivers (3-3) has now won consecutive games for the first time this season.

Jaxon Smith kicked off the Wildcats’ scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run, while Brayden Carpenter added a 39-yard score later in the first frame for a 14-0 lead.

Luke Filkins pulled Plainwell within 14-6 in the second quarter on a 1-yard touchdown plunge, and the teams took that score into the locker room.

But Three Rivers’ defense pitched a second-half shutout, and Aidan Williams’ 18-yard touchdown pass to Smith was the game-sealing score in the third to hand the Wildcats their third win of 2024.

Three Rivers held Plainwell to just 138 yards of total offense on Friday.

Jace Gray and LJ Hensley came up big with interceptions for Three Rivers, as Gray collected a team-high seven tackles including one tackle for loss, while Blake Stewart and Carson Beuter each finished with five tackles.

Hensley added 80 yards rushing on 12 carries for Three Rivers, while Filkins finished with 88 yards passing and 39 yards rushing for Plainwell.

Three Rivers will host Paw Paw on Friday, while Plainwell (1-5) hosts Otsego.

Parchment 55, Allegan 10

Jalen Kampen continued his stellar season with a four-touchdown performance, Jaden Taylor added a 52-yard punt return touchdown and Parchment rolled to a 55-10 victory over Allegan on Friday.

Parchment (5-1) is off to their best start since 2002.

Kampen finished with a supremely efficient night throwing the football, completing 11-of-17 passes for three touchdowns and adding 24 yards rushing with another score.

Taylor added three total touchdowns of his own, including finishing with 36 yards rushing and a score, 86 yards receiving and another touchdown, along with his 52-yard punt return touchdown.

Isaiah Barnum finished with 71 yards receiving and a touchdown, BJ Hunt added a pair of scores and finished with over 50 all-purpose yards and Matthew Lovell collected six tackles including three stops for loss and two sacks.

Tayshawn Hartman and Ben Cretsinger each recorded an interception.

Parchment will visit Constantine on Friday.

Kalamazoo United 33, Constantine 21

Keegan McCue and Jackson Herder were completely on the same page on Friday.

It was a recipe that delivered Kalamazoo United’s best win of 2024.

Herder threw for an incredible 342 yards and three touchdowns, McCue finished with 142 yards receiving and two scores and Kalamazoo United handed third-ranked Constantine their first loss of the season, 33-21, at home on Friday.

McCue kicked things off with a 70-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter, but Constantine quickly responded courtesy of Cooper McGee’s 8-yard rushing touchdown.

United took a 14-8 lead into halftime thanks to an 11-yard rushing touchdown by McCue, but Constantine responded in the third quarter on Cooper Juday’s 69-yard rushing touchdown, which put the Falcons ahead 15-14.

The teams would exchange scoring punches later in the frame, including Brody Jones’ 2-yard rushing score that put the Falcons up 21-20 entering the fourth quarter.

But the Titans would seal the game when it mattered, using Jack Ayotte’s 64-yard touchdown reception and an 8-yard rushing touchdown by Herder to pick up a big-time win.

McCue had an incredible performance, finishing with three total touchdowns, 14 tackles including one stop for loss and an interception, while Herder collected four total touchdowns and 64 yards rushing.

Ayotte finished with 102 yards receiving, Rick Eshlaman paced United’s defense with a game-high 19 tackles and JJ Cochran added 10 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Juday led the Falcons with 111 yards rushing, McGee added 93 yards and Jones finished with 62 yards.

United (5-1) will visit South Haven on Friday, while Constantine (5-1) hosts Parchment.

1/27

Schoolcraft 17, Lawton 3

TJ Luteyn returned a kickoff 99-yards for a touchdown, Gavin Hart added a rushing touchdown and Schoolcraft used a dominant defensive performance to secure a 17-3 victory over Lawton on Friday.

The Eagles (5-1) snapped a five-game losing streak to Lawton with the win.

After a scoreless first half, Schoolcraft jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the third quarter thanks to Gavin Knowlton’s 21-yard field goal and Hart’s 5-yard touchdown plunge.

Luteyn soon added his 99-yard electrifying score in the fourth quarter as the game-sealing play.

Lawton quarterback Brady Quick finished with 181 yards passing and an interception, Greyson Burrous added 74 yards rushing and 55 yards receiving and Cole Burk added two receptions for 48 yards.

Schoolcraft will host Saugatuck on Friday, while Lawton (4-2) will visit Coloma.

South Haven 43, Watervliet 0

Cade Hahn was in the zone with four total touchdowns, Mason Parks added a pair of receiving touchdowns and South Haven rolled to a 43-0 victory over Watervliet on Friday.

South Haven (3-3) jumped out to a 21-0 lead at halftime and never looked back.

Hahn, the Rams’ senior quarterback, connected with Parks for scores of 24 and 43 yards in the first frame, and he’d add a 5-yard rushing touchdown in the second to give the Rams their halftime advantage.

Elijah Eddy punched in a 5-yard rushing touchdown in the third, followed by Quinn Hayes’ 3-yard touchdown later in the frame.

Hahn capped the Rams’ scoring with a. 15-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth.

Hahn finished with 125 yards passing and 79 yards rushing, Eddy added 86 yards rushing and Hayes finished with 91 yards rushing.

Dominic Guzman paced the Rams defense with nine tackles.

South Haven will host Kalamazoo United on Friday.

White Pigeon 66, Hartford 0

Jordan Pisco flexed a pair of defensive touchdowns, Taylor Stewart added 60 yards rushing and a touchdown and White Pigeon rolled to a 66-0 victory over Hartford on Friday.

The Chiefs are off to a 6-0 start for a second consecutive season.

Pisco recorded a 47-yard pick-six and a 5-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown, while adding 50 yards rushing with another score on the ground.

Ty Strawser threw a 37-yard touchdown pass, while Hunter Pant added 44 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Maddis Jancasz finished with five tackles and a sack.

White Pigeon will visit Centreville on Friday, while Hartford (2-4) hosts Buchanan.

Mendon 66, Bellevue 42

Owen Gorham has been hard to handle this season.

The talented junior running back proved that with a big-time rushing performance on Friday, rushing for an incredible 256 yards and six touchdowns that were the catalyst to Mendon’s 66-42 victory over Bellevue on Friday.

The sixth-ranked Hornets (6-0) are off to their best start since 2017.

Mendon jumped out to a 12-0 lead thanks to Ryder Gorham’s pair of scores, kicking things off with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Grant Croster, and followed by a 5-yard rushing touchdown.

Owen then ripped off three consecutive touchdowns including a 56-yard score that put the Hornets up 34-6 midway through the second quarter, while Brayden Crites hauled in a 41-yard touchdown reception later in the frame to give Mendon a 42-22 halftime lead.

Gorham ran for touchdowns of 35 and 3-yards in the third quarter and added a 1-yard score in the fourth to seal Mendon’s victory.

Ryder threw for 128 yards and two touchdowns, JT Lux added 97 yards rushing and both Gorham brothers hauled in interceptions.

Nick Stiver led the way with 12 total tackles, while Croster added

Croster led the way with 13 total tackles, while Nick Stiver added 12.

Mendon will host Battle Creek St. Philip on Friday.

Martin 70, Brethren 8

Gavin Meyers finished with over 200 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, Haylen Buell added 129 yards rushing and a pick-six and Martin rolled to a 70-8 victory over Brethren on Friday.

The two-time defending state champion Clippers (6-0) are off to their best start since 2021.

It was a standout defensive performance from a bevy of Martin players, as Issac Suk led the way with an impressive five-sack night, while Meyers finished with five tackles and an interception and Seth Toris added five tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery.

Anderson Keeler also added three tackles, a forced fumble and a sack.

James Jager hauled in a pair of touchdown receptions from 15 and 16-yards out, Weson Elkins added 40 yards rushing and a touchdown and Blake Sweeting added a touchdown reception.

Martin will host Gobles on Friday.

Gobles 54, Eau Claire 0

Preston Misak collected four total touchdowns, Nathan Ray posted a 12-tackle night and Gobles rolled to a 54-0 victory over Eau Claire on Friday.

Misak finished with 83 yards rushing on eight carries with three rushing scores, while adding a passing touchdown.

AJ Salinas recorded seven tackles and one fumble recovery, while Ray added three stops for loss and a half-sack to power Gobles’ shutout defensive performance.

Gobles will visit Martin on Friday.

OTHER SCORES

Battle Creek Central 54, Gull Lake 39

Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian 39, Bangor 8

Niles 42, Vicksburg 7

Cassopolis 27, Comstock 24

Coloma 41, Delton Kellogg 6

Decatur 50, Centreville 0

Climax-Scotts 65, Athens 0