JV Hawks Defeat Zeeland West in Season-Opening Road Game

Hawks of a feather flew together as the Junior Varsity Red Hawks hit the road taking on the Zeeland West Dux in what can only be described as an explosive defensive performance.

Cedar Springs received the opening kickoff but could not get much going on its first drive, as Zeeland West forced an early stop and helped set the tone for a physical, field-position battle. From there, the two teams traded stops, short gains and hard-earned yards throughout a scoreless first half.

The first quarter ended tied 0-0, with both defenses controlling the pace.

In the second quarter, Cedar Springs put together one of its stronger drives of the half, picking up short gains on the ground. A four-yard run brought up fourth-and-one, but the Hawks powered up the middle for two yards to move the chains.

Rey Moerland added a four-yard gain, and an encroachment penalty on Zeeland West moved the Red Hawks into a second-and-one situation near the 47-yard line with 7:44 left in the half. Robinson then completed a pass for a first down, pushing Cedar Springs into Dux territory.

The Hawks continued to lean on the run game, moving the ball to the 44-yard line before Zeeland West’s defense tightened up. A run up the middle was stuffed, and Cedar gained only one yard on a run to the right side, bringing up fourth-and-three at the 42 yard line. Robinson looked for Moerland on fourth down, but the pass fell short, giving Zeeland West the ball back with 5:35 left in the second quarter.

The Dux answered with a drive of their own, using three rushes to pick up a first down before a completed pass gave Zeeland West its biggest gain of the half, moving the ball deep into Red Hawk territory. Cedar Springs’ defense responded under pressure, and after a Zeeland West holding penalty, the Dux were pushed back. With one second left before halftime, Zeeland West took one last shot at the end zone, but the pass fell incomplete.

At halftime, the game remained tied 0-0.

The second half began with Cedar Springs kicking off, and Zeeland West starting on offense at its own 30-yard line. But the Redhawks immediately went back to work defensively, sinking the Dux’s first rushing attempt of the half.

Zeeland managed to move the ball for a first down, but Johnston helped lead a series of defensive stops that stalled the drive. A fumble at the snap pushed the Dux back three yards, and Cedar Springs followed by driving the Dux back two more yards to create a third-and-15 situation with 5:40 left in the third quarter.

The Dux tried to run up the middle but gained only four yards, bringing up fourth-and-11. On fourth down, Zeeland West attempted a pass, but it was thrown behind the receiver and nearly picked off by the Hawks. Cedar Springs took over on downs at its own 42-yard line with 4:51 left in the third.

The Red Hawks’ next drive had its challenges. Cedar gained only two yards, fumbling the ball, but Wyatt Dickinson was there to keep possession. A one-yard run brought up fourth-and-10, and Bryson Streeter kept the ball around the right side but came up just short of the first down.

Zeeland West took over again with 3:05 left in the third quarter, but the Red Hawks' defense refused to give ground. Cedar Springs stuffed a rush to the left, allowed just one yard on a run up the middle and nearly came away with an interception.

That defensive stand gave the Red Hawks the ball back. With the ball in their possession, they wasted no time.

Rey Moerland smashed through the line up the middle from the Cedar Springs 41-yard line and broke free for the game’s first touchdown. After a successful two-point conversion, the Redhawks led 8-0 with 1:12 left in the third quarter.

Number 4 Rey Moerland POWERED his way through the line for a touchdown

Zeeland West took over at its own 46-yard line and moved the chains before the third quarter ended, but the fourth quarter belonged to the Cedar Springs defense and they would not relent.

The Red Hawks opened the final quarter by stuffing a Zeeland West rush for a two-yard loss. Another rushing attempt went nowhere, bringing up third-and-12. After a Dux timeout with 8:45 left, Zeeland West tried the middle again and gained only two yards.

Facing fourth-and-10 with 7:55 remaining, Zeeland West rolled left to pass, but the quarterback was met by a wall of Cedar Springs defenders. The quick throw fell short, giving the Hawks the ball at the 41-yard line.

Cedar Springs then faced a setback after a fumble was recovered by Zeeland West at the Redhawks’ 49-yard line. But the setback was only brief, as once again, the Red Hawks’ defense answered. Zeeland West ran left for one yard, was stopped quickly up the middle and then was met in the backfield on another handoff attempt. On fourth-and-16, the Dux tried to run up the middle but the Hawks sank them before they could fly.

Cedar Springs took over at its own 48-yard line with 5:05 left in the game after allowing Zeeland West just one yard on the possession.

The Red Hawks’ offense then delivered the closing drive. Robinson handed the ball off for a 12-yard gain, and a facemask penalty on Zeeland West added 15 more yards, giving Cedar Springs a 25-yard swing and a first down at the Dux 25-yard line with 4:55 remaining.

A carry around the left side helped set up first-and-goal at the 9-yard line. After another gain of three, Moerland powered his way, spinning out of the grip of four defenders, and in for his second touchdown of the game with 3:06 left.

The two-point conversion pass to the right was good, putting Cedar Springs ahead 16-0.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Hawks executed an unintentional squib kick that bounced off a Zeeland West player. Pike was there almost immediately to recover the loose ball at the Dux 43-yard line with three minutes left, giving Cedar Springs possession and control of the clock.

The Red Hawks ran it again for 18 yards to the 25-yard line, then added another five-yard gain while staying inbounds to keep the clock moving. Facing fourth-and-one with 20 seconds left, Cedar Springs let the final seconds expire to open their season with a hard-fought 16-0 road victory over Zeeland West.

Let's Go Red Hawks!