Kent City blanks Newaygo, 20-0, in non-league opener

 

NEWAYGO — The visiting Kent City Eagles scored two first-quarter touchdowns and the defense did the rest on Thursday night.

 

The Eagles defeated the Newaygo Lions 20-0 in the debut of Lions’ coach Scott Force.

 

Kent City got on the board with 3:46 left in the opening quarter. The two-point conversion failed.

 

Before the first quarter expired, the Eagles scored again. The two-point conversion made the score 14-0 after one quarter.

 

The Lions tightened up on defense in the second half and kept the Eagles off the board until the midpoint of the final quarter.

 

The Eagles were led by Mason Westbrook with 10 rushes for 116 yards. Caden Hartzel had five rushes for 36 yards and one touchdown.

 

Kent City quarterback Kyler Larson rushed eight times for 50 yards and completed 4-of-11 passes for 54 yards. He had two rushing touchdowns.

 

On defense, the Eagles were led by Westbrook with seven tackles and Dylan Sutton had two interceptions. In all, the Eagles defense had 12 sacks and forced two turnovers.

 

Newaygo was led defensively by Chad Saucer with 11 tackles while Dyllan Bazzett had 10. Logan Klomp had a strong game as well with six tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery.

 

Josiah Long had three receptions for 23 yards and the leading rusher for the Lions was Grant Harkness with 33 yards.

 

Kent City returns to action Thursday with its home opener against Central Montcalm.

 

Newaygo hosts Big Rapids on Thursday.