Shawn Liverance
Local Sports Journal

The name of the quarterback may change at Montague, but it sure does not seem to slow down the Wildcats.

Montague sophomore QB Jacob Buchberger. Photo/Mark Lewis

Montague sophomore QB Jacob Buchberger. Photo/Mark Lewis

During Montague’s recent run of success one thing has been a constant.

The play at the quarterback position.

Cody Kater started the run at the quarterback position by leading the Wildcats to back-to-back state championships.

Travis Cockerill and Brandon Moore followed and lead Montague to deep playoff runs as well.

If Friday night’s performance by sophomore Jacob Buchberger is any indication then the Wildcats are in good hands at the quarterback position for the next two years.

Buchberger rushed for three scores and passed for two as the Wildcats defeated North Muskegon 35-28 in a crucial West Michigan Conference matchup.

The win upped the Wildcats record to 5-2 on the season and a win away from qualifying for the playoffs for the 13th straight season.

Montague finishes the season with games against Hart and Fremont and every indication is they will once again earn a playoff berth if Buchberger continues his stellar play.

Buchberger set the tone early in Friday night’s win over North Muskegon by connecting with Alex VanVleet on an 88-yard scoring strike on the Wildcats first possession.

Buchberger used his feet to give the Wildcats a 14-6 in the second quarter when he rushed in from a yard out.

The 6-1, 170-pound Buchberger flashed his arm once again to give Montague a 21-6 lead when he connected with VanVleet on a 69-yard strike with 7 minutes left in the opening half.

After a near flawless start, Buchberger showed plenty of moxy when he threw a pick-six that got back NM back in the game late in the second half.

Undaunted, Buchberger marched the Wildcats down the field and culminated the drive with a 3-yard rushing score.

Buchberger once again showed he can also run with the ball in the third quarter by scampering 30 yards for Montague’s final score.

At game’s end, Buchberger finished 4-of-9 passing for 169 yards and rushed 16 times for 73 yards.

Oh, and he also intercepted a pass on defense and finished with nine tackles.

Not a bad night’s work for the sophomore.

Yes, Buchberger is following in some big footsteps.

But, if I were a Montague fan I would rest easy knowing the Wildcats are definitely in good hands for the next two seasons.

Apparently nothing seems to change at Montague – only the names on the back quarterback’s jersey that is.