By Justin Haggerty
Local Sport Journal
MUSKEGON – Muskegon Catholic opened its season last weekend with a long trip to Ohio.
On Friday it was time for some home cooking, courtesy of the outgunned Muskegon Heights Tigers.
MCC’s Blake Sanford catches the touchdown pass as Javonte Kendrick tries to break up the pass. Photo/Tim Reilly
MCC improved to 2-0 on the season with a 70-28 win in front of a happy home crowd at Kehren Stadium.
The Crusaders led 28-0 after one quarter and 49-6 at halftime, with the help of seven Muskegon Heights turnovers. MCC scored on its first four possessions and seven of nine overall in the first half.
Only two Crusader drives failed to produce points in the first half. One ended on an interception by the Tigers’ Javonte Kendrick while the other ended because the clock ran out.
MCC’s Tommy Scott started the scoring with a six-yard touchdown run to the right side. On the ensuing Tiger possession, Jacob Holt forced Jalen Harris to fumble the ball deep in his own end and it rolled into the end zone. Anthony Woodard recovered for MCC and the Crusaders led 14-0.
After another fumble recovery on the next Heights possession, MCC had the ball near midfield. Tommy Scott scampered down the field for 32 yards, setting up a first and ten at the Heights 20. After a short run, Nick Holt passed left to junior Savion Thompson for a 19-yard touchdown, making the score 21-0.
On the next possession Zachary Huston took an interception to the Muskegon Heights 15. Holt followed with a 10-yard scoring run.
Tommy Scott added a nine-yard touchdown run and Holt tossed a 29 yard scoring pass to Blake Sanford.
Jacob Holt forces the touchdown for Muskegon Catholic Central. Photo/Tim Reilly
The Tigers got on the board in the second quarter with a 57-yard touchdown pass from Ontario Porchia to De’Montay Jones.
Sanford added a nine-yard touchdown to put MCC up 49-6 at halftime.
MCC’s Tommy Scott opened the second half with a 79-yard kickoff return.
The Tigers answered with an 11-play, 80-yard drive that culminated with a four-yard touchdown run by Jones. The two-point conversion left the score 56-14.
The Tigers’ Devon Kitchen fell on a fumble in the end zone on the second play of the fourth quarter, making the score 56-20. MCC’s LaTommy Scott had a 31-yard touchdown run to put the Crusaders up 63-20.
Jones added a touchdown for the Heights with a 21-yard catch.
LaTommy Scott scored the last touchdown of the game. He finished with a team-high 96 yard on nine carries.
Porchia led Muskegon Heights with 27 yards on eight carries. He also completed 19 of 37 yards for 291 yards and two touchdowns.
With such a lopsided score, Crusader coach Steve Czerwon was able to get some underclassmen some playing time.
“it was good that we got to play some of the younger kids and get them some experience,” Czerwon said.
