Photo by J. Reed

The crowd was at capacity for the decades old rivalry of the Sparta Spartans and the Cedar Springs Red Hawks this past Friday, September 11, 2009 at Red Hawk Stadium.

Area police and fire departments provided a stirring flag ceremony to remind us of the anniversary of 9-11. The stands were full and the crowd respectful as the flag was brought to half mast and we, as a community remembered those that were lost 8 years ago.

As one would expect from a rivalry game, the action was intense and hitting just as fierce. But It became evident early on that the Red Hawks did not have an answer for the swift and elusive running of Sparta quarterback Cam Cooper, who ran for a game high 217 yards on 30 carries.

Photo by J.Reed

Poor execution, missed tackles and injuries plagued the Red Hawks. Sparta took advantage of an early turnover as Cooper ran in for the first score of the game at the beginning of the first quarter. The Red Hawks fought back and trailed by only one after a 75-yard touchdown run by James Putnam, who finished with 97 rushing yards in 10 attempts. But that run would be the sole highlight for the Red Hawks for the rest of the game, as Cooper and his Spartan teammates continued to pound the running game.

The defenses took over in the second half with both teams being very aggressive in attacking the line of scrimmage. Tyler Baker had a game high 12 tackles for Cedar, but it was not to be enough as Sparta downed Cedar 25-6.  Cedar will regroup this week and prepare to host Grand Rapids Central (0-3) this coming Friday at Red Hawk stadium at 7 p.m.

Poor execution, missed tackles, mental mistakes, and flat play are all phrases that best describe the first half for the Red Hawks against Grand Rapids Catholic Central last Thursday night, September 3. After a stirring and emotional win versus Lansing Eastern in the opening week, expectations were high going into this non-conference meeting at Grand Rapids Christian field. Hopes were dashed quickly as Catholic Central jumped out to a 14-point lead after Cedar’s first two opening series.

Alex Hemry running the football. Photo by Becky Klompstra

An interception on the Red Hawks’ second offensive play led to a quick score for GRCC. Cedar’s next drive was a quick three and out. The ensuing short punt was returned 37 yards for a touchdown by Nathan Lowe. Just like that, down 14 points, facing an aggressive defense and an offense led by highly touted quarterback Nick Ens, Cedar dug itself a hole that they would not recover from as GRCC continued to pour it on.

Ens threw three touchdown passes in the second quarter of 19, 6, and 21 yards all to John Haley to extend their lead to 35-0 at the half. Total yards in the first half reflected the lopsided score as GRCC outgained Cedar Springs 224-4 in total yards in the first half. If any team needed half time to come to regroup it was the Red Hawks.

The Red Hawks came out in the second half and showed their coaches and fans their heart and determination by scoring two touchdowns to make a game of it. Junior James Putnam legged out a 64-yard run for a touchdown and the sophomore duo of Tyler Covell and Hank Porter connected on a 49-yard touchdown pass.  After the Red Hawks took control of the third quarter with their aggressive play, GRCC came back in the fourth to close out the scoring with another touchdown pass from Ens to Haley.

James Putnam races downfield with the ball. Photo by: Aimee Brumleve.

The Red Hawks will need to take the lessons they learned about preparation, execution, and mental readiness into their next game this Friday against rival Sparta at Red Hawk stadium. The team is expecting a large and raucous crowd at home as this rivalry produces tough and hard-hitting football.

Post photo by J. Reed

The Cedar Springs Varsity football team welcomed Lansing Eastern to Red Hawk territory last Friday, August 28, by scoring only minutes into the first quarter. Junior James Putnam scored a 25-yard and an 8-yard rushing touchdown, and Tyler Baker returned a 28-yard interception to give the Red Hawks a comfortable lead going into the second half, at 20-0.

Photo by J. Reed

Lansing Eastern came back with two touchdowns, but the Red Hawks held on, and added 10 points in the fourth quarter for good measure, winning 30-14. The Red Hawks rushed for 249 yards, and completed three of five passes. Complete stats were not available at press time.

Cedar Springs was one of three football teams in the OK-Blue to post wins last week. The others were West Catholic and Forest Hills Northern. The Red Hawks take on the Catholic Central Cougars this Thursday, Sept. 3 at Grand Rapids Christian High School at 7 p.m.