The Olivet defense needed just one look at the Parchment offense and the unit knew what needed to be done to shut them down. The Eagles gave up a touchdown on the first possession, but never surrendered another point en route to a 20-6 win and a Division 5 District title Friday, Nov. 8 in front of their home crowd.
“Our kids came off the field and talked to coach Rohde about what they thought would work,” head coach Gabe Priddy said. “He started calling it and our kids made plays. It takes a total team effort to defend the wing T, and our kids have bought into doing their job and trusting that others will do theirs.”
Olivet has faced the wing T several times throughout the season, but now must face the spread attack of Grand Rapids West Catholic on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. in Olivet with a shot at the semi-finals on the line.
West Catholic heads into the game with a 7-4 record. Three of the team’s losses, however, came in their first three games of the season. The Falcons were impressive in two district wins, the first a 27-14 win over 2012 state finalist Portland and a 38-13 win over Lansing Catholic Central in the district finals.
“They are a very good team,” Priddy said. “We have to keep them from making big plays and try to control the ball with our running game, which will be tough against a very tough, physical defense.”
Olivet’s ground game has been strong all season, led by senior running back Shane Loney, who gained 147 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries. The Eagles have had a balanced offensive attack all season, led by quarterback Rob Funk, who finished with 190 yards passing and a touchdown against Parchment.
The key to the defense against Parchment was the defensive lines ability to open things up for the linebackers to make tackles.
“The linemen are asked to sacrifice and make piles and they have done an outstanding job this season when we have seen this offense,” Priddy said. “Austin Smith, Todd Candelaria, Jordan Sinclair, and Ryan Tennant have played with tremendous effort and sacrifice inside in our defense without getting much of the recognition that they deserve. Dylan Coolidge also played an outstanding game defensively. He made a lot of key stops coming off the edge during key moments in Friday’s game.”
The Eagles will have be able to tackle well in space against the Falcons’ spread attack.
“West Catholic will pose a much different challenge to us,” Priddy said. “They are a spread team with a lot of speed. Our kids are looking forward to the challenge and are excited to play in front of our hometown fans on Saturday afternoon.”
The winner gets a berth in the Division 5 semi-finals, which will be played Saturday, Nov. 23.
