By Justin Haggerty
Local Sports Journal

MUSKEGON – The Caledonia Fighting Scots happily made the long drive to the lakeshore Friday, thinking they might be able to steal a victory at Mona Shores for their third win of the young season.Shoreline football instory art

But their drive home wasn’t nearly as comfortable.

The explosive Sailors used a 27-point second quarter, and took advantage of Caledonia penalties and turnovers, en route to a 40-7 victory in front of a large home crowd at Sailor Stadium.

“We got it going tonight, now we have to play well next week.” said Mona Shores coach Matt Koziak, whose team is now 3-1 after bouncing back from its first loss last week to Rockford.

The Sailors meet Kenowa Hills next week in O-K Black Conference play.

DeOntay Moffett rushes the ball up field for Mona Shores. Photo Eric Stuff

DeOntay Moffett rushes the ball up field for Mona Shores. Photo Eric Sturr

The first quarter was competitive.

The Scots took the opening kickoff and gained two first downs before the Mona Shores defense stopped them at their own 42. They punted and the Sailors took over on their own 14.

The first play for the Shores offense was a screen pass that turned into a fumble, and the Caledonia defense recovered at the Sailor 30.

Caledonia drove to the Mona Shores 19 before fumbling the snap. The Sailors got the ball back and broke the deadlock a few minutes later with a six-yard touchdown run by DeOntay Moffett. The extra point was good, giving Mona a 7-0 lead.

Caledonia (2-2) tied the game late in the first quarter, then Mona Shores lowered the boom.

In the second quarter, Darece Roberson scampered 31 yards for a touchdown, then Kobe Burse caught a 31-yard scoring pass from quarterback Tyree Jackson.

Mona Shores cornerback Tyler Trovinger prepares for the hit after making a second half interception. Photo/Jason Goorman

Mona Shores cornerback Tyler Trovinger prepares for the hit after making a second half interception. Photo/Jason Goorman

Jackson added another touchdown on a 7-yard run, then completed a 12-yard touchdown strike to Hunter Broersma.

The Sailors led 33-7 at halftime.

Mona Shores got the only score of the second half with an impressive nine-play, 93-yard drive, capped by a 35-yard scoring strike from Jackson to Austin Wingett.

Caledonia to turned the ball over six times (three on downs) and had eight penalties for 73 yards.

“We didn’t practice a lot of stuff that they did, but we adjusted very well to what they did,” said Mona Shores senior defensive lineman Tyler Tippens, who stood out for the Sailors. “Our defense did their job.”

Jackson ran the ball 15 times for 69 yards, including a touchdown, and completed 14 of 21 pass attempts for 167 yards and three touchdowns.

Mona Shores quarterback Tyree Jackson gets tripped up on the rush. Photo/Jason Goorman

Mona Shores quarterback Tyree Jackson gets tripped up on the rush. Photo/Jason Goorman

“The key was doing our job, we had a good week in practice,” Jackson said after the game. “We had to go out there and execute, and I think we did a good job of that. Now, we have to look forward to Kenowa (Hills).”

Caledonia running back Eddie Kelly rushed for 102 yards on 25 carries.