Zeeland West tacklers swarm around a Huron Heights running back during last Friday’s game. Jace Henry (68), Drew Albrecht (3) and Grady Patrick (77) wrap up the ball carrier, as Westen Headley (57) comes to assist. Photo by Angela Howe Creations
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland West varsity football team made the most of its possessions last Friday against a first-time opponent, shutting out Huron Heights Secondary School of Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, 24-0, in the first game of the Hometown Heroes doubleheader at Zeeland Stadium.
The Dux (3-0) host winless Wyoming this Friday night at Zeeland Stadium. Game time is 7 p.m.
The Warriors, who had a 10-2 record a year ago, including a win over River Rouge High School from the Detroit area, kept West off balance early on with quick-hitting plays out of their veer formation. In fact, Huron Heights held possession of the ball for about 10 minutes in the first quarter and drove into the red zone, but missed a field goal attempt.
The Dux came back down the field early in the second quarter, and senior halfback Brandon Holman put the first points on the scoreboard with a 39-yard touchdown run, his ninth touchdown of the season. Senior quarterback Drew Albrecht hooked up with junior halfback Kenny Howe for the two-point conversion, and West led 8-0 with 8:50 left in the first half.
The Dux added to their lead a few minutes later, as Albrecht scored on a 1-yard run. Holman ran in the conversion, and West led 16-0 at the half.
Huron Heights had another methodical, time-consuming drive in the third quarter, but again the West defense was able to turn the Warriors away.
West tacked on an insurance touchdown on a 4-yard run by Howe midway through the fourth quarter. Howe then ran in the two-point PAT to close out the scoring.
West finished the game with 214 yards rushing, led by Howe with 83 yards on 14 carries. Holman added 69 yards on seven rushes.
The shutout was the first for the Dux since West blanked St. Joseph, 42-0, in the 2024 Division 3 district final on the way to the state championship.
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland West varsity football team made the most of its possessions last Friday against a first-time opponent, shutting out Huron Heights Secondary School of Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, 24-0, in the first game of the Hometown Heroes doubleheader at Zeeland Stadium.
The Dux (3-0) host winless Wyoming this Friday night at Zeeland Stadium. Game time is 7 p.m.
The Warriors, who had a 10-2 record a year ago, including a win over River Rouge High School from the Detroit area, kept West off balance early on with quick-hitting plays out of their veer formation. In fact, Huron Heights held possession of the ball for about 10 minutes in the first quarter and drove into the red zone, but missed a field goal attempt.
The Dux came back down the field early in the second quarter, and senior halfback Brandon Holman put the first points on the scoreboard with a 39-yard touchdown run, his ninth touchdown of the season. Senior quarterback Drew Albrecht hooked up with junior halfback Kenny Howe for the two-point conversion, and West led 8-0 with 8:50 left in the first half.
The Dux added to their lead a few minutes later, as Albrecht scored on a 1-yard run. Holman ran in the conversion, and West led 16-0 at the half.
Huron Heights had another methodical, time-consuming drive in the third quarter, but again the West defense was able to turn the Warriors away.
West tacked on an insurance touchdown on a 4-yard run by Howe midway through the fourth quarter. Howe then ran in the two-point PAT to close out the scoring.
West finished the game with 214 yards rushing, led by Howe with 83 yards on 14 carries. Holman added 69 yards on seven rushes.
The shutout was the first for the Dux since West blanked St. Joseph, 42-0, in the 2024 Division 3 district final on the way to the state championship.
West Volleyball Splits Two Conference Matches
The Zeeland West varsity volleyball team split two O-K Conference matches last week.
On Sept. 8, the Dux swept Holland High, 25-10, 25-11, 25-9. Hannah VanderZwaag led the West attack with eight kills, while Brielle Carlson added seven kills and three aces. Sadie Kragt also served up three aces.
Last Thursday, West was swept by Holland Christian, 25-22, 25-12, 25-16. Kragt, VanderZwaag and Molly Settlemyre had four kills apiece for West.
The Dux entered the week with a 6-6 overall record, 1-2 in conference play. They traveled to Hamilton Tuesday night and will host Spring Lake Thursday night.
On Sept. 8, the Dux swept Holland High, 25-10, 25-11, 25-9. Hannah VanderZwaag led the West attack with eight kills, while Brielle Carlson added seven kills and three aces. Sadie Kragt also served up three aces.
Last Thursday, West was swept by Holland Christian, 25-22, 25-12, 25-16. Kragt, VanderZwaag and Molly Settlemyre had four kills apiece for West.
The Dux entered the week with a 6-6 overall record, 1-2 in conference play. They traveled to Hamilton Tuesday night and will host Spring Lake Thursday night.
East Football Falls to Unity Christian
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland East varsity football team suffered its first loss of the season last Friday, as Unity Christian’s rushing attack powered the Crusaders to a 50-22 victory in the second game of the Hometown Heroes doubleheader at Zeeland Stadium.
The Chix fell to 2-1 with the loss in their O-K Gold Conference opener.
East took the opening kickoff and converted a pair of third downs into first downs, but the drive stalled and the Chix had to punt. Unity wasted little time in striking for the game’s first score, as Josh Bremer dashed 76 yards for a touchdown on its first play from scrimmage. The two-point conversion gave the Crusaders a quick 8-0 lead.
The Chix answered with a scoring drive of their own, converting two third downs and one fourth down into first downs. Senior quarterback Will Drnek finished off the drive by connecting with senior wideout Coby Miller on a 24-yard touchdown pass. Drnek then hit senior Isaiah Boonstra for the two-point conversion to tie the game.
However, Unity seized control of the game in the second quarter with three unanswered touchdowns, and took a 29-8 lead to the locker room at halftime. The Crusaders then added three more scores in the second half.
East did have two explosive plays for touchdowns in the second half – a 92-yard kickoff return by Boonstra and a 51-yard pass from Drnek to Miller.
Boonstra led the Chix with 172 yards of all-purpose running (combining his kickoff returns with his receiving and rushing yardage). Drnek completed 7 of 11 passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception. Miller hauled in five receptions for 102 yards and two touchdowns. Payton Sackett was East’s leading rusher with 26 yards.
Seniors Zeek Ramadhani and Kalob Willis led the East defense with seven tackles apiece.
The Chix travel to suburban Grand Rapids this Friday for a conference tilt with Forest Hills Central. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland East varsity football team suffered its first loss of the season last Friday, as Unity Christian’s rushing attack powered the Crusaders to a 50-22 victory in the second game of the Hometown Heroes doubleheader at Zeeland Stadium.
The Chix fell to 2-1 with the loss in their O-K Gold Conference opener.
East took the opening kickoff and converted a pair of third downs into first downs, but the drive stalled and the Chix had to punt. Unity wasted little time in striking for the game’s first score, as Josh Bremer dashed 76 yards for a touchdown on its first play from scrimmage. The two-point conversion gave the Crusaders a quick 8-0 lead.
The Chix answered with a scoring drive of their own, converting two third downs and one fourth down into first downs. Senior quarterback Will Drnek finished off the drive by connecting with senior wideout Coby Miller on a 24-yard touchdown pass. Drnek then hit senior Isaiah Boonstra for the two-point conversion to tie the game.
However, Unity seized control of the game in the second quarter with three unanswered touchdowns, and took a 29-8 lead to the locker room at halftime. The Crusaders then added three more scores in the second half.
East did have two explosive plays for touchdowns in the second half – a 92-yard kickoff return by Boonstra and a 51-yard pass from Drnek to Miller.
Boonstra led the Chix with 172 yards of all-purpose running (combining his kickoff returns with his receiving and rushing yardage). Drnek completed 7 of 11 passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception. Miller hauled in five receptions for 102 yards and two touchdowns. Payton Sackett was East’s leading rusher with 26 yards.
Seniors Zeek Ramadhani and Kalob Willis led the East defense with seven tackles apiece.
The Chix travel to suburban Grand Rapids this Friday for a conference tilt with Forest Hills Central. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
East Boys Tennis Wins Mason Invite
The Zeeland East varsity boys tennis team won the eight-team Mason Invite on Saturday in suburban Lansing.
The Chix won three flights and finished runnerup in two others in finishing with a team score of 51 points.
East’s flight champions were Oliver Reese at No. 4 singles, Lukas Hafeman and Pierson Kolean at No. 3 doubles, and Ben Slotman and Max Lewis at No. 4 doubles. Reese won his championship match over a player from Mason, 6-1, 7-6, while Hafeman and Kolean lost only seven games in sweeping their three matches.
At first doubles, Luke Hathaway and Jacob Guerriero finished runnerup after dropping a tough three-set battle to Richland Gull Lake in the finals, 3-6, 6-1, 12-10. Carson Van Dyke and Dylan Mishler finished second at No. 5 doubles.
Daniel Steenwyk won two of his three matches to finish third at No. 1 singles, while Andrew Colasanti won two of three matches to place fifth at No. 3 singles. Jace Velderman and Payton Ott finished third at No. 2 doubles.
The Chix won three flights and finished runnerup in two others in finishing with a team score of 51 points.
East’s flight champions were Oliver Reese at No. 4 singles, Lukas Hafeman and Pierson Kolean at No. 3 doubles, and Ben Slotman and Max Lewis at No. 4 doubles. Reese won his championship match over a player from Mason, 6-1, 7-6, while Hafeman and Kolean lost only seven games in sweeping their three matches.
At first doubles, Luke Hathaway and Jacob Guerriero finished runnerup after dropping a tough three-set battle to Richland Gull Lake in the finals, 3-6, 6-1, 12-10. Carson Van Dyke and Dylan Mishler finished second at No. 5 doubles.
Daniel Steenwyk won two of his three matches to finish third at No. 1 singles, while Andrew Colasanti won two of three matches to place fifth at No. 3 singles. Jace Velderman and Payton Ott finished third at No. 2 doubles.
Chix Runnerup at Grand Haven Volleyball Tourney
The Zeeland East varsity volleyball team reached the championship match of Grand Haven Invitational tournament over the weekend, but fell in a three-set battle to the state-ranked Buccaneers in the final, 21-25, 25-23, 15-11.
East defeated Hart, ranked No. 9 in the state in Division 3, in its opening match in pool play on Saturday, 25-16, 21-25, 15-11, and followed up with 25-20, 27-25 win over Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian.
The Chix then edged out Holland Christian in a hard-fought three-set semifinal match, 25-20, 22-25, 16-14.
Earlier last week, the Chix posted victories over Unity Christian 25-12, 25-21, 25-16, and Spring Lake 25-14, 25-15, 25-13. In the Unity Christian match, senior outside hitter Lizzie Risdon celebrated her birthday with 13 kills. Risdon needs just four kills during tonight’s road match against Holland Christian to reach 1,000 career kills.
East defeated Hart, ranked No. 9 in the state in Division 3, in its opening match in pool play on Saturday, 25-16, 21-25, 15-11, and followed up with 25-20, 27-25 win over Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian.
The Chix then edged out Holland Christian in a hard-fought three-set semifinal match, 25-20, 22-25, 16-14.
Earlier last week, the Chix posted victories over Unity Christian 25-12, 25-21, 25-16, and Spring Lake 25-14, 25-15, 25-13. In the Unity Christian match, senior outside hitter Lizzie Risdon celebrated her birthday with 13 kills. Risdon needs just four kills during tonight’s road match against Holland Christian to reach 1,000 career kills.
