By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com

MUSKEGON – The West Michigan Ironmen did not want their hometown fans to experience the same sort of disappointment they felt last week in Missouri.LSJ Logo incert

In that contest, the Ironmen led 21-0 in the first quarter, but ended up losing their first regular season game to River City.

Wide receiver Donovan Campbell and his teammates made sure it didn’t happen again.

Campbell caught six touchdown passes, and the Ironmen defense came up with several key stops, to give West Michigan an exciting 65-37 victory over the Northern Kentucky Nightmare in its inaugural home game at the L.C. Walker Arena on Sunday afternoon.

No. 9 Donovan Campbell finds the end zone for West Michigan. Photo/Tim Reilly

No. 9 Donovan Campbell finds the end zone for West Michigan. Photo/Tim Reilly

Donovan caught three of his TD passes in the fourth quarter, allowing the Ironmen to pull away after Northern Kentucky had rallied to within five points.

The Ironmen improved to 1-1 on the season. They will host the Chicago Blitz on Saturday, April 2nd in their next game.

“I couldn’t be more excited,” said Ironmen Coach Ty Lynk about his team’s first win. “Not just for us as a team but for the community. What a community, they came out and we gave them a win so I am excited about that.”

Quarterback Alex Carder threw for 192 yards on 16-for-30 passing and seven touchdowns for the Ironmen.

Campbell, a wide receiver, caught nine passes for 139 yards and scored six of West Michigan’s nine touchdowns.

“I told everybody that he (Campbell) was going to be a dynamic player and everybody in this community is going to love him,” said Lynk. “What a great player.”

For Campbell it was just another day at the office.

“It was just another day and we took this game personal,” said Campbell. “It was fun for us to battle as a team, there were a few mishaps so we can always get better. Back to the drawing board for us.”

West Michigan was also strong defensively, forcing four turnovers, sacking the quarterback five times and causing a safety on a fumble in the end zone.

Rony Nelson led the Ironmen defense with three sacks while Ryan Armstrong had two. Derek VandenBosch, Corey Edwards and Deonte’ Hurst each had an interception.  Hurst also recovered a fumble.

Ironmen defensive end No. 5 Rony Nelson gets ready to tackle the Nightmares James Kyle. Photo/Tim Reilly

Ironmen defensive end No. 5 Rony Nelson gets ready to tackle the Nightmares James Kyle. Photo/Tim Reilly

The Nightmare outscored West Michigan 14-13 during the first quarter.

The Ironmen had a 22-14 edge in the second quarter to take a 35-28 halftime lead.

West Michigan scored the lone touchdown during the third quarter on a two-yard run by Korey Ringer to give the Ironmen a 42-28 lead.

The Nightmare responded with a sack in the end zone, resulting in a safety, which left the Ironmen leading 42-30 headed into the fourth quarter.

Northern Kentucky scored on its first play of the fourth on a one-yard quarterback sneak by Antonio Davis to cut the Nightmare’s deficit to 42-37 with 14:15 remaining.

The Ironmen closed the game on a 23-0 tear on three touchdown catches by Campbell of five, 16 and 21 yards and a safety forced by Armstrong.

Game summary

1st Quarter

WM 12:34– Donovan Campbell 25 yard catch from Alex Carder (Jose Diaz kick) WM-7 NK-0
NK 10:17-Lamar Taborn 33 yard catch from Antonio Davis (Mitchell Jett kick) WM-7 NK-7
NK 2:45-Dyshaun Edwards 5 yard catch from Antonio Davis (Mitchell Jett kick) WM-7 NK-14
WM 0:00– Donovan Campbell 7 yard catch from Alex Carder (kick failed) NK-14 WM-13

2nd Quarter

WM 11:30– Justin Mott 9 yard catch from Alex Carder (2-pt Carder to Ronald Johnson) WM-21 NK-14
WM 8:07-Corey Edwards 50 yard interception return (Jose Diaz kick) WM-28 NK-14
NK 4:50-Justin Williams 27 yard catch from Antonio Davis (kick failed) WM-28 NK-20
NK :14.1-Justin Williams 15 yard catch from Antonio Davis (2-pt Davis run) WM-28 NK-28
WM :07- Donovan Campbell 30 yard catch from Alex Carder (Jose Diaz kick) WM-35 NK-28

3rd Quarter

WM 10:30-Korey Ringer 2 yard run (Jose Diaz kick) WM-42 NK-28
NK 1:20– Team safety WM-42 NK-30

4th Quarter

NK 14:15– Antonio Davis 1 yard run (Mitchell Jett kick) WM-42 NK-37
WM 12:17– Donovan Campbell 5 yard catch from Alex Carder (Jose Diaz kick) WM-49 NK-37
WM 9:39– Team safety WM-51 NK-37
WM 5:07– Donovan Campbell 16 yard catch from Alex Carder (Jose Diaz kick) WM-58 NK-37
WM 1:08– Donovan Campbell 21 yard catch from Alex Carder (Jose Diaz kick) WM-65 NK-37