Grand Rapids Catholic Central defeats Corunna in MHSAA Division 5 championship
DETROIT — The Grand Rapids Catholic Central Cougars (13-1) defeated the Corunna Cavaliers (13-1), 21-7, in the Division 5 Michigan high school football state championship on Sunday at Ford Field.
The Cougars offense totaled 315 yards on the day while converting 20 first downs. They would hold Corunna’s offense to just 239 total yards.
“We wanted to drive the football and keep their offense off of the field,” coach Kolster said. “Keep it close and wear them down, we felt like we could do that.”
Grand Rapids Catholic Central jumped out to a 14-0 lead after two quarterback keepers from senior Connor Wolf gave the Cougars the advantage heading into halftime.
Throughout the first half, Grand Rapids Catholic Central dominated on both sides of the ball. On offense, the Cougars would total 210 yards of offense while earning 14 first downs.
On defense, they held Corunna to just 60 total yards and not allow a single third-down conversion by the Cavaliers.
Corunna found life in the third quarter as senior quarterback Wyatt Bower kept it himself and find the end zone to cut the deficit, 14-7, with 4:47 left in the quarter.
Wolf responded to Corunna’s answer as he took another quarterback keeper into the end zone to extend the Cougars’ lead, 21-7. Corunna made some plays to put an effort into a comeback, but it wasn’t enough as Grand Rapids Catholic Central held on to win.
“It feels great…one thing I always cherish is the team photo down on the field,” coach Kolster said. “Seeing the guys excited for what they accomplished, that’s what’s important for me.”
Wolf would finish the day with 82 passing yards, 65 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns.
Senior running back Kellen Russell-Dixon was the spark for the Cougars’ offense as he totaled 133 rushing yards on 20 attempts.
“I remember sitting on my couch last year and watching the D5 state finals game and thinking how it was in our hands,” Russell-Dixon said. “That really helped me take it week by week and not take anything for granted with these guys.”
Senior running back and linebacker Jaden Edington was a workhorse for the Cavaliers as he totaled 70 rushing yards while compiling 10 total tackles on the defensive side.
