A. J. McEwen's interception sparks East Grand Rapids past Orchard Lake St. Mary's

Jane Bos | The Grand Rapids Press

EAST GRAND RAPIDS -- There was a moment -- maybe a quarter or more -- at East Grand Rapids when folks gathered for the first game at new Memorial Field wondered if the Pioneers' magic was gone.

It was nothing that a little interception couldn't begin to cure. Increased defensive pressure was the soothing balm.

By the time East Grand Rapids posted a 21-7 victory against Orchard Lake St. Mary's, everything was all better. The Pioneers, three-time Division 3 defending state champs, picked up where they left off.

Or maybe it was picked off. Trailing 7-0 late in the first half, the Pioneers finally got rolling when A.J. McEwen grabbed an interception two minutes into the second quarter.

The senior defensive back returned the ball 27 yards to the Eaglets' 1-yard line. One play later, senior fullback Josh Drummond romped in for the touchdown.

Bobby Aardema's point-after boot tied the score at 7-7, and that was that.

"I just watched his eyes the whole time, they ran a route and I just jumped out," McEwen said. "We were a little off, we had the first-game jitters. That got the everyone into it, got our defense going. It got the crowd amped."

While East Grand Rapids' defense continued to shut down Penn State-bound Robert Bolden, the offense got going, too.

Drummond added a 1-yard touchdown to put the Pioneers up 14-7 at haltime. Then, in the third quarter, senior Colin Voss caught an 18-yard scoring pass from junior quarterback Ryan Elble to post the final margin of victory.

Senior Kirk Spencer led the ground attack with 96 yards, and Drummond totaled 24. Elble completed 4-of-9 passes for 39 yards.

Defensively, the Pioneers limited Orchard Lake St. Mary's to 49 yards rushing. Bolden completed 10-of-20 passes for 145 yards.

"Our defense was outstanding -- big Colin Voss coming off the end and Tyler Lewis, they did such a great job," East Grand Rapids coach Peter Stuursma said. "Our defense was a key. We had Bolden running around. He's so explosive, and we're happy to come out of here with a win."

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