By Mark Lewis
Local Sports Journal
MUSKEGON – Muskegon Catholic Central High School Athletic Director Erich Adams confirmed Wednesday the football contract with rival Mona Shores has not been renewed for 2014.
The Crusaders own a 35-14-1 all-time advantage over the Sailors in the series’ history, although Mona Shores has split the last ten games with the Crusaders, including this year’s 25-16 win over MCC.
“The reports are true,” said Adams. “ I was notified by (Mona Shores Athletic Director) Ryan Portenga last week.”
Adams said the series cancellation was initiated “by them and was their decision alone,” said Adams.
When asked, Portenga declined to comment on the situation, citing respect for Catholic’s current playoff run.
MCC head football coach Steve Czerwon said he isn’t happy about the recent turn of events.
“I think it’s short-sighted,” said Czerwon of the Sailors’ decision. “I honestly don’t think they wanted to play our 2014 team.”
Adams confirmed the two schools had previously signed a contract to play next season. Now Catholic, which joins next year the Lakes 8 Conference, will need to find another team to fill its 2014 Week 1 game slate.
“We’ve started to think about who’ll we can line up for next year,” said Czerwon. “We’re going to feel it out. We really hope to find a local team to play that opening week.”
After next year, MCC has confirmed a verbal agreement to play Traverse City St. Francis in Week 1 starting in 2015.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” said Czerwon, about the prospect of facing the Gladiators to kick off the season. “But, it’s a few years away so we’re not really focused on that just yet.”
“We have a tremendous relationship with TC St. Francis and have nothing but a great amount of respect for their coaches, fans, administration, and students,” said Adams. “We are also looking forward to offering our families the opportunity to vacation in Traverse City over the Holiday weekend every other year.”
Despite that, Adams admitted the school is disappointed the football rivalry with Shores is, at the very least, on hiatus.
“We would have liked to see the rivalry continue,” Adams admitted. “But as always, (we) have respect for our opponents and their decisions.”
They make the playoffs for the first time ever and it seems to have gone to their head. Now they think they are too good to play us or they are scared of getting a beat down next year.
i agree with the move catholic gets a ton of playoff points with shores getting a very few with victory, need to schedule bigger opponets
I highly doubt they are scared, their team next year will actually be just as good or better than the previous teams. I am just stating that 4-5 starters were Sophomores this year.
this is a terrible idea. Shores and Catholic have been cross town rivals since I can remember. Heck, I think the head coaches on both sides of the ball played against each other. Let's hope someone wakes up and brings this back.
this is nuts this has been a staple for years draws big crowds. Great down rivals . This would be big mistake!
Good for Shores!!! And besides it will probably save Catholic a from a loss next year!! :)
And Catholics team is going to be even better next. Its just a great rivalry. The kids play their hearts out during that game. Friends get to play their friends.
If you want to be the best you have to play the best !!! win or lose this game brought out the best of both teams.And it filled the stands $$$$
Well it sucks as a rivalry to be done but from Shores standpoint a div 2 playing div 7 doesn't make sense for them. It's a lose lose for shores.
Catholic is div 8. I understand that playing us doesn't help Shores but this game brings ina crap ton of money for both schools. Its just a shame.
Wow! Those two teams have always played each other. Something's strange about it. Not sure I like Shore's coach. He's done great things for the team, but had also been in trouble for illegal recruiting, and now taking away a notoriously tough game for Shores…..
Shores got 88 points for beating Catholic (Div. 8), and 80 for beating Grand Rapids Union (Div. 2)
I agree Steve sad to see this game go
So now we can get smoke by Muskegon as our rivalry game
Interesting
Mark Lewis , Union only netted 80 from Union due to them being 0-9. With records even, Shores would get 48 more points beating a class A school, or 5.33 more playoff points for their average. If Shores stays playoff competitive it will matter for home playoff games down the road. Assuming of course they beat the team they add. Still don't like it, the game is a natural for the Muskegon area.