Friends bind W. Catholic, GR Christian

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Grand Rapids West Catholic and Grand Rapids Christian are very different football teams.

Dan Rohn and the West Catholic Falcons run a fast-paced dink-and-dunk offense. Don Fellows and Grand Rapids Christian spread out their opponents and burn them deep.

Both methods though have earned the teams a trip to Ford Field and a chance to win a state title.

"We're happy where we're at, we're excited about the season we've had," said Fellows. "There will be plenty of time to reflect upon that, but this team really wants to win it all."

"I think we're knocking on the door of being one of the better programs in the area, but it's not easy. It's from hard work," said Rohn. "You don't win football games by accident. You win by preparation and commitment. The good programs are there year-in and year-out."

But the two teams do have one very binding connections: Their head coaches.

"Don and I have been best friends for about 12, 13 years," said Rohn.

"There are very few guy friends  that you can say, 'Hey, I love ya,'" said Fellows. "'I care about you.' And Dan and I, Todd and Jared have always had that relationship."

The friendship has been over a decade in the making. Rohn and Fellows met at a master's class in Muskegon, were in each others' weddings and helped each other get jobs.

But their most memorable moment as friends could be this Saturday.

"I didn't miss his first one, I'm not going to miss this one," said Fellows. "We're as close like brothers would be. It's one of those things that you make it a priority to be there."

"To me, this is probably the best of both worlds. I not only get to go down there and win a state championship, I get to watch one of my best friends hopefully win a state championship.

The two are both competitive and have a passion for football.

But no similarity is more evident than the care they have for the students they coach. So it seems fitting that the fruition of this friendship plays out Saturday, when the two have a chance to reach the ultimate achievement as high school coaches one after the other, side by side as friends.

"I think we either both need to win or both need to lose," said Fellows. "'Cause it could get dicey when we're sitting there reflecting back on it."

Grand Rapids West Catholic plays Portland Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Grand Rapids Christian plays Orchard Lake St. Mary's at 7:30 p.m.