**A.J. Westendorp runs for a 25 yard TD**
**6-7 Isiah Grimes takes off down field**
**Jordan Brassard hauls in a pass near the goal line**
**Sophomore Willie Snead had 146 receiving yards**Holland- Holland Christian and South Haven took the field Friday night in a regional final that featured two of the state's top senior signal callers in A.J. Westendorp of Christian and Isiah Grimes of South Haven.
The two teams traded first half touchdowns as South Haven took a 19-18 lead into the half. But the second half belonged to Westendorp, who's ability to make plays with both his arm and legs, overwhelmed the South Haven defense allowing the Maroons to rally back and cruise to a 53-25 win to advance to next week's semi-final against Grand Rapids C.C.
Christian scored on the game's opening possession when Westendorp avoided a sack and dashed 35 yards for an early 6--0 lead. It didn't take the Rams long to fire back, South Haven regained the lead on a 78 yard touchdown pass from Grimes to Chris Massenburg on the Ram's first play from scrimmage to take a 7-6 lead.
South Haven looked to build on the lead when they set up a 1st-and-goal on the 3 yard line but the Rams fumbled the ball away. On the very next play Westendorp hit a wide open Willie Snead for a 93 yard touchdown. Holland built their first half lead to 18-7 off of a Westendorp 4 yard run early in the second quarter.
South Haven cut the lead to 18-13 on Kelip Goodwin's 8 yard sweep. On the ensuing kickoff South Haven attempted an onside kick that was shortly recovered by Snead, who was then rocked by Blain McGowan causing Snead to loose the ball as the Rams recovered. South Haven regained the lead, 19-18, on a 13 yard TD pass from Grimes to Aaron Sollman.
In the third quarter Holland got a splash of luck when Westendorp's deep pass bounced off the fingertips of Nic Kiekover and fell right into the hands of teammate Matt Mulder, the 57 yard TD gave Holland a 25-19 lead that the Maroons would never relinquish. In the next 5 minutes Westendorp added touchdown runs of 25 and 12 yards to give the Maroons a 39-19 lead. A 55 yard TD pass from Westendorp to Eric Slenk capped Holland's huge 3rd quarter giving the Maroons a 46-19 lead.
Holland's final score came off of Matt Hochhalter's 1 yard run while South haven managed to get a 50 yard TD run from sophomore Josh Taylor late in the game.
BREAKDOWN
Holland Christian- the Maroons are very disciplined in their complicated spread offense that gives Westendorp plenty of freedom to pick apart defenses just like he did against South Haven. Holland's offense line has decent size but nothing extraordinarily big, however they do a heck of a job of staying with their blocks and getting down field to pick up blocks.
South Haven- the Rams put up a good fight but the in the third quarter the offense failed to pick up a first down giving Westendorp too many opportunities.
GAME MVP: A.J. Westendorp, Holland Christian the 6-2/210 pound senior goes both ways as a QB/outside linebacker. As good as AJ is with the ball on offense I think he has a better chance to excel as a linebacker in college. But don't get me wrong, his numbers alone prove he is a player- 16 of 19 pass attempts for 359 yards and three TDs to go with 17 rushes for 124 yards and four more scores.
Isiah Grimes, South Haven- the 6-7 Grimes has a rocket for a arm and can really thread a pass into tight traffic. In the cold weather his receivers had trouble holding on to the hard throws but Grimes put the ball where it had to be.
Camron Kiekintveld, Holland Christian- the junior goes both ways as a guard and D-end. Good size at 6-2/240 pounds but his ability to fire off the ball really caught my eye, really good speed rusher as well.
Willie Snead, Holland Christian- another stud receiver for the class of 2011. Finished with 6 catches for 146 yards. The WR/safety/ kick returner rarely leaves the field.
Josh Taylor, South Haven- the sophomore showed good speed in his 50 yard TD, and should get the bulk of carries next year for the Rams.
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