GRAND RAPIDS—
At what point this season did we really start to take Ottawa Hills seriously? The answer for most, is likely after last Friday's 22-6 win at previously unbeaten Forest Hills Eastern, some might say after the 49-34 win over Catholic Central, some might still not believe in the Bengals. I know I took note after a week 2 loss to Muskegon 28-14, a game that was even closer than that score would indicate. You also have to remember that was before the Big Reds dropped games to Grand Haven and East Kentwood and I still thought they were one of the top 5 teams in the area. None the less, Ottawa Hills has proven they are a really good team, they currently set alone in first place in the OK Gold at 4-0.If you are still not a believer in the Bengals, thats probably because they've yet to play the defending Gold champs, Caledonia (3-1, 4-2). That all changes tonight at Ralph E. Myers Memorial Stadium when the Fighting Scots and Bengals collide. This will be my first live look at Ottawa Hills, I didn't think they would beat Eastern last week, but now that they have, I am expecting a strong showing tonight.
The Bengals have always had talented teams under Head Coach Chuck Ruffin, but in years past they have struggled against the top teams in the City League. Ottawa Hills has not won a conference title since winnig the City League title in 1996. With a victory tonight at Caledonia, the Bengals can clinch atleast a share of the Gold title next week when they host Wayland (1-5), they finish the season against Hastings (4-2).
Ottawa Hills has been explosive on offense this year led junior Devon Ivy who has made big play after big play not only running and catching the ball, but also returning punts and kicks. Another big reason for the success on offense is veteran quarterback Chris Pulley, who stated all 9 games as a junior last season. But last week it was the Bengals defense that set the tone in the big win over FHE. Linebackers Ed Hardy and Romario Allen each had big interceptions and Allen added 11 big tackles. If Ottawa Hills is to beat Caledonia, that defense will have to step up again trying to stop the throwing and runnig of Fighting Scots 4th year quarterback Luke Weist.
If Caledonia can become the first Gold team to beat the Bengals, it would create a 3-way tie atop the standings with FHE and that is likely the way they would finish the season. With all the rain that has fallen this week on the field at Myers Memorial Stadium it is likely to be a mess and ball security will be of the essence.
My Pick: Caledonia 26, Ottawa Hills 20
Other Picks:
- Rockford 17, Muskegon 12
- Lowell 40, GR Christian 13
- Kenowa Hills 34, Holland 21
- Hamilton 14, Unity Christian 7
- Coopersville 22, FH Northern 7
- Calvin Christian 28, Hopkins 26
- Muskegon Heights 33, Flushing 27
- Oakridge 20, North Muskegon 14
- Lumen Christi 28, Harper Creek 14
- BC Central 30, Kalamazoo Central 27
- Dowagiac 24, Gull Lake 19
- BC Pennfield 27, Kalamazoo Christian 14
- Schoolcraft 21, Olivet 16
- Muskegon Catholic Central 28, Inkster 27 (Saturday)
