By Hunter Hendley
Local Sports Journal
Let the Oakridge-Ravenna football hype begin.
Oakridge warmed up for next week’s rivalry showdown against the Bulldogs by defeating North Muskegon 27-0 Friday night.
“That’s always a battle, that one’s always tough. We just have to be ready.” Oakridge coach Cary Harger said. “We’re neighbors, there’s a lot of crossover between friends and family but that all takes a back seat when it’s time for that Oakridge-Ravenna game.”
Oakridge, which had a 323-42 advantage in total offense, and North Muskegon both sputtered in a scoreless first quarter.
The second quarter was much different for the Eagle’s offense.
Sophomore quarterback Brady Luttrull threw a 13-yard strike to Billy Drummond, as well as a screen pass to Kolin Chahorski, who churned out 37 yards to put the Eagles in scoring position.
Kaleb Cook bulldozed in for a 3-yard touchdown run, but the point after was blocked for a 6-0 lead.
North Muskegon had a good chance after Vernonell Smith recovered a fumble at Oakridge’s 23-yard line. However, the Norsemen could not capitalize and the Eagles took a 6-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Oakridge gained momentum in the second half.
The Eagles were able to capitalize on great field position leading to a 13-yard TD run by Cook. Luttrull hit Jaegar Beattie for the two-conversion, giving the Eagles a 14-0 lead.
Luck was not on North Muskegon’s side as running back Logan Waller’s pass was deflected by Oakridge and then intercepted by Nate Wahr, one of his two interceptions on the night.
Oakridge scored again in the fourth quarter when Luttrull found receiver Robert Taylor behind the North Muskegon secondary at the 15-yard line, taking it in for a 36-yard touchdown reception.
Wahr’s second interception on the Oakridge 42-yard line set up Oakridge’s next score, a 3-yard TD run by Drummond and the 27-0 victory.
Oakridge excelled after some effective halftime adjustments.
“We value those halftimes, because we can get our players back on the same page and make the adjustments and come back out to start executing those things,” Harger said.
Cook led Oakridge with two rushing touchdowns. Drummond produced 95 yards on 12 carries while Chahorski finished with 15 carries for 75 yards and two receptions for 44 yards.
Luttrull was 5-for-12 passing for 115 yards and one touchdown.
For the Norsemen, Thomas Montgomery led the team in tackles with 11 while Smith had eight with a fumble recovery.
First of all, Mr. Hendley, it was not a blow out. Oakridge score a late TD"s while moping up. Secondly; Oakridge's coaches, fans and adminstration should be assamed of the dirty play on the field. There is some much "extra" activity going on in the pile from stepping on hands to punching norsemen in the gentailia. A cheap shot and late hit may have ended a young mans season, as he broke his collar bone.
This behavior is not new and the issue must be addressed. My third son is now playing for the norsement and the pattern of dirty play goes back well beyond their tenure. My only conclusion is that the coaches are responiable for this behavior, that it is condoned by the adminstration and encorage by the parents.
Oakridge should be assamed of themselves!
So you enjoyed the game? Please Robert, don't diminish the young Norsemen's effort by your 'crying parent' act. The Eagles knew NM would come in and play them tough and they did. I saw a lot of give and take by both teams and a lot of flags to go around. Oakridge took over the 2nd half, but the 1st half was a ball game. Not sure what cheap shot you're talking about other than the punt return and the Oak player's helmet was in front of the NM player's chest so I must have missed that one. There was a time when NM owned this rivalry. That pendulum had swung many years ago. There was also a time time when NM was the superior academic school. Based on your last sentence, that pendulum has swung too. LOL. Good Luck the rest of the season Norse. Great game last night!
With all due respect Mr. Gautraud, you're wrong. Just because a player got injured does not mean it was a cheap shot.
I can promise you that the Oakridge coaches and administration do not encourage cheap shots. These coaches teach so many valuable life lessons throughout the kids high school careers in football.
About the collarbone, it only takes 4 pounds of pressure to break it. In fact, it is the easiest bone in the human body to break. So I would bet that the kid that was injured most likely landed on his shoulder wrong or something along those lines.
And to conclude, I am not ashamed of being an eagle at all. We win and lose with class. Being an eagle is one of the things I am most proud of.
Mr. Gautraud it is football we talking about, kids get hurt all the time, it is not called touch football. My son is also a PROUD Oakridge Eagle as i am a PROUD parent. Ashamed of what? I think not. We are very proud of what our school, coaches and parents teach our players on and off the field. (Class). Cheap shots, you have a long season ahead of you, enjoy the games
Austin Wright The hit was 30 yards behind the play during a fair catch!
The hit in question was 30 yards behind the play during a fair catch!
I didn't see the hit… Regardless i was saying that most likely it was from falling on it wrong.. I could be wrong though! Like I said I didn't see it.. But I will promise you with absolute certainty that it is not encouraged by coaches or administration.
Dear mister Gautraud, as a graduate from another school from a long time ago (24 years) I don't know about past history between these schools , what I can comment on is more recent history. I've had 4 nephews play for the eagles 3 past and one current ,and from personal experience the staff and coaches are top notch and men of great character who in turn try to instill in their players those same values. Speaking for the fans which I am one , we will not be ashamed of our team as long as they play with those instilled values which they do. I personally know most of the young men that start for this year's team and know the hard work and dedication which they've put in to become on of the more respected programs in muskegon county and to try to slander these kids and this community isn't taken lightly. Our team and fans always try to win and lose with class and dignity for that sir coming from an adopted eagle I will never be ashamed
Well said Scott Davis, as you may see my profile you can see i am a very PROUD EAGLE parent. Ashamed of my son and his brothers on the field, never, win or lose, i just wish more parents had the same feeling. Support your kids no matter what sport they play.If the Eagles play at home or have a away game the stands are filled, A community that sticks together WINS AND LOSES together, now that's the Class of FANS i am proud to be apart of. GO EAGLES.
I just watched the play in question, was NOT 30 yards from the play, (2-3 yards maybe) The NM player was up on his feet with-in seconds. This was a clean hit. Watch the video Robert.
Dot Burrous Go to your coach and ask yo see the game film. Once you see it from that angle, come back and tell me if you think it was a legal hit or that your player did not target #2 with the intention of taking him out of the game.