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SWEET REPEAT! NCA Jets Win Another State Title
 GREENVILLE, Mich.---The North Central High School football team rolled up 569 yards of total offense and Jason Whitens rushed for six touchdowns in his final game, leading the Jets to a 58-22 win over the Deckerville Eagles in the MHSAA Eight-Man State Championship Game at Legacy Field in Greenville. It was the Jets' second straight football state championship.  He also scored two two-point conversions. But Deckerville (12-1) did not give up despite Whitens' domination. In the second quarter, the Eagles got going, with Brandon Pattullo scoring on runs of one and 54 yards. And when Austin Fritch scored on a nine-yard run with 1:57 left in the half, and Pattullo ran in the two-point conversion, Deckerville had a 22-20 lead. The lead didn't last long, however, as Whitens got loose for his fourth touchdown of the first half, scampering 44 yards to the end zone. Whitens completed the two-point pass to Bobby Kleiman, giving the Jets a 28-22 lead heading into the halftime locker room. North Central scored early in the third quarter to open up some breathing room, with Kleiman rushing from 49 yards out. Whitens' two-point run made it 36-22. And then moments later, Whitens scored his fifth touchdown of the game...a 37-yard run. The two-point pass from Whitens to Marcus Krachinski made it 44-22 with 4:07 left in the third quarter. That was the score entering the final twelve minutes of play.  The final NCA score came on a long pass play from two seniors: Whitens to Krachinski, covering 71 yards. And the celebration was on, yet again. Whitens had 359 yards rushing on just 17 carries, and those six touchdowns. Kleiman had ten carries for 123 yards and one score. Krachinski had 79 yards in receiving, along with that touchdown and two-pointer. All seniors. It continues an exceptional run for the North Central athletic program. These kids have now won two straight Class D state championships in basketball, winning 50 straight games without a loss. And they have now won two straight Eight-Man state football championships, winning 26 straight games. And again, without a loss. But beyond the statistics, there were some emotional moments too, for these seniors, many of whom will never play another football game. And for big #79 Taylor Belongia, (pictured above) who won this state championship game exactly nine years, to the day, following the death of this mother. Certainly he felt she was with him at Legacy Field Friday night.
Click the thumbnails in the ARICLE HIGHLIGHTS above to see celebration photos, taken by Bill Krachinski.  |
