Many chuckled when Lowell coach Noel Dean proclaimed earlier in the week that his Red Arrow football team had no chance for victory against Caledonia.
Those chuckles were replaced by dropped jaws Friday night as they watched the Fighting Scots methodically devour Lowell 33-0 at Ralph Myers Memorial Stadium.
“Caledonia is awesome. They are well coached and a really good football team,” Dean explained afterwards. “I have nothing but respect for their players and coaching staff.”
A couple of things were very clear following Caledonia’s victory. One, the Fighting Scots are peaking at the right time (heading into the playoffs) and two, senior running back Eddie Kelly is an elite football player.
“When Eddie decides he wants to play, he is as good a football player as there is in West Michigan,” said Caledonia coach Tom Burrill.
The coach’s lofty praise may still have shorted Kelly following his performance against Lowell. The senior rushed for 175 yards, caught three passes for 142 yards and scored two touchdowns.
The win vaulted Caledonia (3-1, 6-2) into a tie with Lowell (3-1, 7-1) atop the O-K White. The Fighting Scots finish the regular season at Grand Rapids Christian on Friday. The Eagles (2-2, 5-3) were grounded by East Grand Rapids (2-2, 5-3) 31-7 Friday night.
Lowell will travel to Forest Hills Central (2-2, 2-6).
Caledonia scored on its first possession. Starting from its own six yard line, the Fighting Scots marched 94 yards in seven running plays with Logan Soule capping the drive with a one-yard touchdown burst.
Caledonia made it 14-0 at the start of the second quarter when Tanner Christian connected with Kelly on an 83-yard touchdown pass.
The Scots added their third touchdown of the half when Christian snuck one in from one yard out giving Caledonia a 20-0 advantage.
Lowell’s defense which was never able to stop the Caledonia veer generated ground game in the first half, kept the Scots off the scoreboard on their first three possessions of the second half.
“I was happy with the way out kids came out in the second half and played,” Dean said,
Meanwhile, the Red Arrows while able to move the ball some on the ground, never found a rhythm to their passing game and thus were never able to finish any of their drives.
Caledonia’s two second half touchdowns came in the fourth quarter on a 30-yard touchdown reception by Kelly and a five yard touchdown run by Jalen Burton.
“It feels real good to get a win against Lowell. Our seniors have taken this team on their backs. It’s a special group of players,” Burrill said.
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