Lowell’s last pass completion of its pre district game against East Grand Rapids was also its first of the night to junior Gabe Steed.
The Red Arrows’ leading receiver entered the game averaging 23.6 yards per catch. Steed did all of that and much more on a game-winning 73-yard pass- and-catch from Ryan Stevens with just over three minutes to play giving Lowell a dramatic 28-27 pre-district  win over OK White rival East Grand Rapids.
Moments earlier it looked as if the Pioneers would author another storied fantastic finish when Bryce Henkey raced into the Lowell end zone from 23 yards out to give the visiting Pioneers a 27-21 advantage, capping a go-ahead 74 yard drive.
East Grand Rapids got one more shot at knocking off the eighth ranked team in Division II with two-and-a-half minutes to play on the cold, damp Bob Perry Field in Lowell.
An incomplete pass, a quarterback sack (minus three yards) and a stellar defensive play by Lowell’s Austin Hoekstra on a third down screen left EGR with a fourth and 11 from its own 24.
EGR QB Mikey Roth hit hard as he released the ball. A pass interference flag was initially thrown against Lowell on the play, but then picked up, leaving Lowell with the ball and 1:34 to play on the clock.
The game had an inauspicious beginning for Lowell as the Pioneers to the opening kickoff and in two plays marched 80 yards fro the game’s first score. It was done in thanks to the legs of Henkey who had back-to-back runs of 31 and 49 yards.
Lowell then fumbled the ensuing kickoff giving East the ball back at the Red Arrow 27. Lowell’s defense, however, stood tall as it stopped the Pioneers on fourth and six from the Lowell six yard line.
The Red Arrows used the big stop to fuel a an 11 play 94-yard scoring drive with Max Dean busting into the end zone from the one yard line, giving Lowell a 7-6 lead.
The two teams traded second quarter touchdowns. Roth connected with Matthew Ellis on a 24-yard touchdown. This time EGr converted the point-after to take a 13-7 lead.
Lowell answered right fear halftime on an eight-yard run by Max Dean, giving the Red Arrows a 14-13 halftime lead.
The Red Arrows extended their lead to eight (21-13) late in the third quarter when Dean rushed rumbled in from the one. It was his third score of the night.
East Grand Rapids marched 80 yards in nine plays with Roth finding Michael Johnson on a six-yard touchdown pass. The two point conversion was incomplete leaving East trailing by two (21-19).
Stevens finished the night with 215 yards passing and 59 yards on the ground. Dean rushed for 79 yards.
The win was Lowell’s fifth consecutive triumph against against the Pioneers. Hoekstra and his senior classmates will finish their careers with out losing a varsity game to the Pioneers. The Red Arrows are now 10-11 against East Grand Rapids during the Noel Dean coaching tenure.
The Red Arrows (9-1) advance to host Grand Rapids Christian on Friday night. The Eagles (6-4) were 21-13 winners over St Johns.
