West Ottawa football still in playoff hunt after thrashing of Grand Haven
PARK TWP. - Kayden Forbes and the West Ottawa football team made a statement last week in a win over Hudsonville.
That statement is not over.
Forbes rushed for nearly 300 yards against Hudsonville and followed that up with a quick spark that propelled the Panthers to a 38-0 homecoming win over Grand Haven on Friday at West Ottawa Stadium as the Panthers kept their playoff hopes alive.
"It is always fun to watch things grow," West Ottawa coach Pat Collins said. "We have lifted the cap and the rewards are exponential. Playoffs is definitely a goal. They knew we had a chance (at the playoffs). They are dialed in and understood at 1-5 that they played a top five schedule in the state of Michigan. They knew we were getting better. They don't let the mental part keep them down. That is a big deal."
Forbes had a handful of carries on West Ottawa's first drive and scored on a 5-yard touchdown run for a quick 6-0 lead.
Ruben Esparza scored on an 8-yard run, following a Jake Sonderman interception for the Panthers. Connor Knapp ran in the conversion and it was 14-0.
Forbes scored on a 40-yard touchdown run for a 21-0 lead before Caleb Montgomery scored on a 10-yard run for a 28-0 lead.
Quinn Basselin hit a 41-yard field goal in the driving rain at the end of the half to make it 31-0.
Forbes opened the second half with an 11-yard touchdown run for a 38-0 lead and a running clock. He finished with 176 yards rushing on 21 carries.
The Panthers improved to 3-5 and 3-3 in the OK Red. Grand Haven dropped to 1-7 and 0-6 in the OK Red.
"It meant a lot. We worked really hard at changing the culture here," Forbes said. "(Clicking as an offense) is an addicting feeling seeing those holes open up more and more. The line did a great job. They are great athletes and are just wild. They created bigger holes for me to run through."
Here are the takeaways:
Defensive prowess
While the West Ottawa offense was off to a quick start, so was the defense, earning its first shutout in five years.
After forcing a three-and-out to start the game, Sonderman snagged an interception that set up the second West Ottawa score.
The Panthers followed that up with a fourth-down stop and completely controlled the line of scrimmage.
The last shutout for West Ottawa was in 2018 also against Grand Haven, 42-0.
CJ Traylor led the defensive attack with 5.5 tackles.
"It is definitely big (to get a shutout). We needed this, definitely, especially against a rival school," West Ottawa lineman Carter Scholten said. "We are going to finish this out and make the playoffs."
Playoff hopes
The way the season began, it is difficult to believe, but the West Ottawa Panthers are still in the playoff hunt.
West Ottawa must beat East Kentwood in the final week of the regular season to reach 4-5, but with the extremely difficult strength of schedule, the playoff points have a chance to be there for the Panthers.
More: Week 8 high school football live scoreboard, roundup
Six of the first seven opponents this year for West Ottawa look to be headed to the playoffs, including No. 1 Rockford and several ranked teams.
Last year, the Panthers were 4-5 and missed the playoffs by one spot.
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: West Ottawa football still in playoff hunt after thrashing of Grand Haven
