Entering last Friday’s football playoff game in Mt. Pleasant, the Cedar Springs varsity team was confident and excited. The game against the second-ranked Oilers of Mt. Pleasant was going to be a challenge but the team was very upbeat and eager. All the hope and confidence was not able to help, however, as the Red Hawks were eliminated from the playoffs in a loss to the Oilers 35-6.

The game was evenly matched in the first half, as the Cedar defense kept us in the game, while the offense struggled to find their rhythm. Cedar had an early first quarter turnover deep in our territory that led to an Oiler touchdown. The Mt. Pleasant special teams were able to keep the Red Hawks pinned deep in their own territory, and it was a field position battle that Cedar was never able to turn around. It led to the second Oiler touchdown in the first half to make the score 14-0 at the half.

The start of the second half was not what the Red Hawks had hoped for, as they handed the ball back to the Oilers deep and they scored to make it 21-0. Cedar did make a run at them as Alex Hemry, leading rusher in the game for Cedar, rumbled 28 yards for a TD. But that was not going to be enough as the Oilers widened the lead and finished 35-6. Though the score does not tell the whole story, the defense was very stout, led by Joe Simon and Zach Boorsma.

The community should be very proud of the Red Hawk program this year. Each level had winning records and they represented the community with honor and dignity. Though the seniors leave disappointed, they have helped what is shaping up to be a lengthy line of winning seasons for the Red Hawks.