Local Sports Journal

MONTAGUE – The Montague Wildcats started off the season on the right note Thursday, dismantling the Orchard View Cardinals 44-6.

“(It was the) closest 44-6 game I’ve ever seen,” said Orchard View head coach Joe Tanis. “I’m hanging my hat on that right now.”
Montague’s Wyatt Ford got the Wildcats on the board with first-quarter, 32-yard field goal, and then followed that up minutes later with a 35-yard TD catch from sophomore QB  Jacob Buchberger to give Montagye a 10-0 lead.

Buchberger wasn’t done, connecting with Mike Meekhof  in the second quarter from 26 yards out to give his team the 17-0 halftime lead.

Montague’s Chris Carroll blasted home an one-yard TD plunge, and Alex VanVleet followed that up with a 55-yard punt return that gave the Wildcats the 30-point lead.

Buchberger and Carroll had fourth-quarter rushing scores,  from  11 and two yards away, respectively.
Orchard View got its only score of the night on its final drive, when Fred Waller capped an 80-yard drive with a 13 yard scoring scamper.

Buchberger finished with 9-for-13 passing for 220 yards and two scores, while Carroll lead all rushers with 83 yards on 17 carries and two scores.

VanVleet led the receivers with three catches for 111 yards, and Ford contributed  three catches for 69 yards and a score, with  Meekhof adding three catches for 41 yards and a score.

Bobby Clanton led Orchard View with eight carries for 97 yards, with Waller added 55 yards on eight carries and the Cardinals’ lone score.

Mike Parker led his team with five catches for 55 yards, and Devin Pascavage had four catches  for 49 yards.
On an unfortunate note, sophomore  Darece Roberson, who was slated to be the Cardinals’ long-range prospect at quarterback, broke his arm.

The Local Sports Journal offers Darece a speedy recovery.

Logan Duzan performed ably in Roberson’s place, completing 12-of-21 passes for 95 yards.