Local Sports Journal
A slow start did not stop the Grand Haven Buccaneers from drubbing East Lansing 34-7 on their opponents’ home field Saturday in non-league football action.
Grand Haven improved to 2-0 on the season. The game was postponed from Friday to Saturday due to weather conditions.
After playing to a 0-0 first quarter tie, the Bucs put up 14 points in the second and third quarters to take control.
“We just told our guys that the biggest thing is consistency and we finally did that in the second and third quarter,” said first Grand Haven coach Jason Duram. “The first quarter we couldn’t finish our drives and defensively we were on the field a little too long.
“Schaefer Thalen led with a dynamite game for us. He’s a dual threat quarterback and was able to find the end zone on several occasions.”
Duram credited the offensive line for creating scoring opportunities.
“Our lines played an outstanding game on both sides of the ball today,” said Duram. “Our backs ran hard but they had some good sized holes to run through.”
“Chase VanHoef, Thompson McWatters, Hunter Bessinger, Andrew Dalman, and Ben VanderBroek were the guys on the front line for us,” said Duram. “We really thought our offensive line played an outstanding game for us.”
Thelen opened the scoring for Grand Haven in the second quarter with a one yard scoring run. Jacob Kostner caught a six-yard scoring toss from Thelen later in the quarter to give Grand Haven a 14-0 halftime edge.
Thelen scored from 12 yards out in the third quarter, then Chase Pego added a touchdown run of two yards for Grand Haven.
Pego capped off the Buc scoring with 22-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter. East Lansing got a late touchdown from Reid Burley.
Pego finished with 146 yard rushing for the Bucs while Thelen added 93.
Thelen completed 5 of 6 passes for 74 yards for Grand Haven.
