Last Friday, the Eastern Hawks faced the Cedar Springs Red Hawks in a neck-and-neck nail-biter of a game. Cedar Springs scored the first touchdown of the game, but with a missed extra point attempt, the Red Hawks only led the Hawks 6-0. Later in the quarter, a reception from Drew Patten (’24), gave the Hawks the lead, 7-6, going into the 2nd quarter. A 32-yard run from Cedar Springs returned the lead to the Red Hawks, but they failed when they went for two, leaving the score Eastern Hawks 7 to Cedar Springs Red Hawks 12. At halftime, the Hawks led the Red Hawks 13-12 after a 2-yard touchdown from Max Ferrick (’25) and a missed extra point.

At the start of the second half, the Red Hawks regained the lead, 20-13, after a successful two-point conversion attempt. In the fourth quarter, the Hawks tied the game with a touchdown from Mark Fuehrer (’24). With 2:35 left in the game, the Hawk’s Jake Heemstra (’24) scored, winning the game for the Hawks, leaving the final score of the game 27-20. 

Following their close win against the Cedar Springs Red Hawks on Friday, Eastern placed 1st within their D4 region and district, earning themselves a home playoff game. Ending their regular season with a winning record of 7-2, the Hawks will go on to face the Ionia Bulldogs in the first round of playoffs on Friday, October 27. Ionia ended their regular season with a 5-4 record, which likely means it will be a tough, yet doable game for the Hawks. If the Hawks win this game, they move on to play the winner of the Wayland vs. Grand Rapids South Christian game the following week, whereas a loss would mean the end of the season for the Hawks.

Make sure to come show your support for the Hawks’ first playoff game this Friday, October 27th at Eastern stadium! The theme for the game is Midnight Out, so wear your darkest clothes!