LocalSportsJournal.com

The Whitehall football team squeaked past Allendale 38-33 in a Division 4 playoff thriller on Friday night.

The Vikings struck early with a 78-yard touchdown pass from Gavin Shafer to Terrell Harris and a pick-six from Kayleb Venema to go up 14-0. After a Falcon touchdown, Shafer ran one in from a yard out and led 21-7 after one.

After the Falcons cut the lead to 21-17, Shafer ran another touchdown in from a yard out to put Whitehall back up by 10 points, 27-17. A touchdown from Allendale cut the lead to 27-20 at the half.

The Falcons struck quick in the third quarter to make the score 27-26, but Shafer expanded the lead once again, this time on a four-yard rush, to put the Vikings up 33-26. A 66-yard touchdown run by Allendale’s Owen Burk tied the score up at 33-33 heading into the fourth.

Whitehall pulled it out in the fourth quarter. Stephen Ganos sacked Burk in the end zone for a safety to put the Vikings up 35-33, then Murray Andree added some cushion with a 38-yard field goal to end the scoring.

Shafer completed six passes for 121 yards and a score while adding 13 yards on the ground with three touchdowns. Venema was the leading rusher with 23 carries for 112 yards while Harris added 11 carries for 75 yards.

Kyler Honore led the Vikings’ defense with eight tackles with Connor Young chipping in with 6 1/2.

Whitehall moves to play Grand Rapids Catholic Central in a Division 4 district final next week.

Check out photos shot by Kris Rake.