For the second consecutive season, the Oakridge football team ended its season with a regional final loss to Grand Rapids Catholic Central. The Cougars used a big third quarter to power past the Eagles 25-6 in a Division 5 Regional final in Grand Rapids Friday night. 

Oakridge finishes the season 9-3, having earned a share of the West Michigan Conference title and a district championship.

The Cougars scored first late in the opening quarter on a 23-yard pass from John Passinault to Nolan Ziegler. The 7-0 lead held until halftime. 

Passinault and Ziegler connected for another TD early in the third, this one a 34-yarder, to make it a 13-0 game. Passinault tossed a 59-yard pass to Ronin Russel-Dixon later in the quarter to make it 19-0 GRCC. 

Oakridge scored its lone points of the game on the ensuing kickoff. Brain Elizonda returned the kick 75 yards for a score, bringing the Eagles within 19-6. 

Ziegler then scored the game’s final points with 11 seconds left in the third quarter on a 27-yard run to put GRCC up 25-6. 

Corey Vanderputte led Oakridge with 71 rushing yards on 23 carries, while Trevor Jones added 35 yards. 

Matt Danicek was 3-for-5 passing for 28 yards and rushed for 13 yards. Chris Knapp was the leading receiver with two catches for 17 yards. 

Brody Jennings led the Oakridge defense with 10 total tackles, including one for loss. Ethan Jozsa and Brenden Raymond had nine stops each, while Riley Bean had eight tackles. 

Grand Rapids Catholic Central, now winners of 35 consecutive games, advances to the Division 5 state semifinals next week.