By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com

MUSKEGON – The West Michigan Ironmen couldn’t help but be pleased by the result of their first game in the Midwest Professional Indoor Football league on Saturday night – a resounding 73-0 victory over the visiting Windy City Ravens at L.C. Walker Arena.

But the contest left some questions about the type of competition they will be facing in their new league.

The Ironmen, who joined the MPIF just a few weeks ago, after plans to join a more elite league were scuttled by legal complications, completely outclassed the visiting Ravens.

The Ravens had a rough time even before kickoff, showing up late for the contest and only bringing 11 players from their 27-man roster.

They failed to register a single first down in their 13 offensive possessions.

The entire game was played with a running clock, and the Ravens did not have to honor the 25-second play clock, even though the Ironmen did.

Troy Culpepper rushes up the sideline for the Ironmen. Photo/Joe Lane

The Ironmen also learned that their first road game, scheduled for next weekend, has been postponed.

West Michigan will return to action with a home game against the Chicago Blitz on March 24.

Despite the obvious inferiority of the visitors and schedule concerns, Ironmen Coach Ty Lynk said he was not worried about the quality of play in the MPIF.

“This was not a good indication of what this league is,” Lynk said. “The Chicago Blitz are in this league and they are very good. So I think next time we have a home game, we will not have an outcome like we had tonight.

“We needed a game like this to get the rust off, but I am looking forward to playing higher competition. There are still some things we need to work out during the season.”

The Ironmen jumped out to a 20-0 edge after the first quarter, led 39-0 at halftime and 60-0 after three quarters.

West Michigan was led by quarterback Travis Zajkowski, who threw for 73 yards on 5-for-7 passing and four touchdowns while filling in for regular starter Alex Carder. He was relieved by Scotty Hutchinson, who tossed two scores on 5-for-7 passing with 53 total yards.

Third-year running back Dakota Smith led the Ironmen on the ground with four carries for 37 yards and two touchdowns, while wide receiver Carrington Thompson caught four passes for 44 yards and a touchdown.

West Michigan was led defensively by Aaron Doriot with nine tackles and Karey Marrow-Bey with eight.

Corey Johnson celebrates the West Michigan touchdown. Photo/Joe Lane

Scoring summary
First Quarter
WM 10:09- Dakota Smith 1-yd run (Aaron Doriot kick)  WM-7  WC-0
WM 6:26- Dakota Smith 5-yd run (kick failed)  WM-13 WC-0
WM 2:52- Corey Johnson 29-yd catch from Travis Zajkowski (Aaron Doriot kick)  WM-20 WC-0

Second quarter
WM 10:29- Aaron Doriot 47-yard kick return (kick failed)  WM-26  WC-0
WM 5:39-Donald Colbert 25-yard fumble recovery (kick failed)  WM-32  WC-0
WM :49- Dakota Smith 3-yard catch from Travis Zajkowski (Aaron Doriot kick)  WM-39  WC-0

Third quarter
WM 12:24- Daryl Gooden 24-yard catch from Travis Zajkowski (kick failed)  WM-45  WC-0
WM 8:18– Troy Culpepper 30-yard return on block kick (Aaron Doriot kick)  WM-52  WC-0
WM 1:10 –Scotty Hutchinson 18-yard catch from Travis Zajkowski (Aaron Doriot kick)  WM-59  WC-0
WM 1:00- 1-point rogue WM-60  WC-0

Fourth quarter
WM 10:03–Carrington Thompson 22-yard catch from Scotty Hutchinson (kick failed)  WM-66  WC-0
WM 1:30 –Daryl Gooden 4-yard catch from Scotty Hutchinson (Aaron Doriot kick)  WM-73  WC-0

Dakota Smith finds a big hole on the rush for West Michigan. Photo/Joe Lane