Box Score
The Hope football team delivered head coach Dean Kreps his 100th career win in dramatic fashion Saturday night under the lights.
Two fourth-down conversions in the fourth quarter set up the game's final 10 points in a 27-17 Flying Dutchmen win against Kalamazoo College.
The victory, coupled with Olivet's last-second win at Adrian, launched Hope back into Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) title contention.
The Flying Dutchmen (6-2 overall) are tied for second place in the MIAA standings with Adrian. Both teams are 3-1 and trail Albion (5-2, 3-0 MIAA).
Hope finishes league play at Trine on Saturday, Nov. 2 and at home against Albion on Saturday, Nov. 16. Albion plays Olivet and Adrian before facing Hope.
HOLLAND SENTINEL COVERAGE
MLIVE COVERAGE
Sophomore receiver Matt Kroll of Grand Haven (Grand Haven HS) snapped a 17-17 tie early in the fourth quarter when he caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Michael Atwell of Geneseo, Ill. (Geneseo HS).
Kalamazoo tied the score with 17 consecutive points that ended with a 37-yard scoring pass of its own 2 minutes, 45 seconds into the fourth quarter.
Kroll's clutch catch on fourth-and-6 with 8:57 remaining was the first of two fourth-down conversions late for the Flying Dutchmen.
On Hope's next possession, Atwell completed a 19-yard pass to junior Taylor Brynaert of Washington (Romeo HS) on fourth-and-10 to the Kalamazoo 14-yard line. Four plays later, senior Evan Finch of Ann Arbor (Pioneer HS) kicked a 31-yard field goal with 2:18 remaining.
Senior running back Shawn Jackson of Comstock Park (Comstock Park HS) rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries. He scored on a pair of 2-yard run in the first half.
The Hope defense recorded a season-high seven sacks — 2 ½ by senior defensive end Greg Bird of Byron Center (Byron Center HS) and two apiece by junior linebacker Cody Lindemulder of Mulliken (Lakewood HS) and junior defensive lineman Nate Massa of Mason (Williamston HS).
Senior defensive back Adam Drooger of Holland (Holland HS) topped the Flying Dutchmen with 12 tackles.
