By Brigita Felkers
The Blue & White
Grand Rapids Catholic Central HS
1st Place Division 4, News Writing
Sports News Story
JUDGING CRITERIA
- Lead features interesting, important angle
- Uses colorful, lively style
- Avoids cliches, editorializing
- Displays knowledge of sports; uses understandable terms
- Shows research/interviewing skills; emphasizes how & why
- Effective use of facts/quotes
- Proper diction/grammar; use of the third person
- Unity/coherence
Not many football teams can say their defense scored more points than the opposing team, but this was true for CC when the Cougars played at Ford Field in Detroit on Nov. 29.
Senior Jake Passinault’s pick six during the third quarter helped the Cougars outscore Detroit Country Day 44- 0 in the state title game.
“It was already such an exciting game and I really couldn’t believe he scored,” Abby Passinault (‘19), his sister, said. “I was so excited for him that I cried. It was such a fun day for the whole family, especially him.”
According to senior Ethan Lott, the team’s overall goal all season was to reach that final game and then win.
“We knew that if we outworked and out prepared our opponents like we were capable of, we could beat anyone we were up against,” Lott said.
Throughout the season, they focused on one game at a time, knowing nothing was guaranteed.
“It’s hard to get too confident [about going to States] with the coaches that we have,” Lott said. “They work us and prepare us with the same intensity each week no matter who we are playing.”
Although the boys lost their second game of the season to Notre Dame Prep, a non-conference team, they won every game the remainder of the season and they felt prepared heading into the state title game despite the press favoring DCD.
“We felt that DCD was a good team with a solid defense, but we were confident in our preparation,” senior Drew Gommesen said.
Senior Noah Schautz credits the win to the Cougar mindset.
“Something we’ve stressed all year is that the only team that could beat us is ourselves,” Schautz said. “Going into the game with this attitude helped us to dominate throughout the game.”
The Cougars jumped out to a 12-0 lead in the first quarter with two touchdowns by junior Jace Williams.
During the third quarter, Passinault, a defensive lineman, scored his touchdown — his only TD in nine years of competition — after intercepting a pass and running 15 yards to the endzone.
After his play, the senior ran to his father, Assistant Coach Joel Passinault, who was calling for him. They embraced each other in a tearful hug. This prompted the rest of the senior players, many who have been playing together their whole football careers, to hug each other and celebrate.
“There is no better way to end the season,” senior Daniel Southerington said. “I can’t imagine any other scenario that would satisfy me more than what happened Friday night.”
S o u t h e r i n g t o n said he will remember that feeling and his final season for a long time.
“There is nothing better than Friday night lights with your buddies, especially when you’re doing it in a program as remarkable as CC’s,” Southerington said.
FINAL MOMENTS: In the last minute of the state title game, Daniel Southerington (L) and Jake Passinault (R) embrace, knowing their win is certain. The two seniors played football together their whole careers, starting with Grand Rapids Area Catholic Elementary Athletic Council (GRACEAC).