By Adam Knorr
LocalSportsJournal.com
CALEDONIA – It took 11 seconds for the Mona Shores Sailors to take a lead on Friday evening.
It took them four minutes to break the game open.
And they weren’t slowed by an injury to their starting quarterback or the absence of his backup.
The Sailors (4-0) continued their dominating performance this season, annihilating Caledonia 30-7 at Ralph E. Meyers Memorial Stadium.
“I thought our defense was lights out,” said Mona Shores coach Matt Koziak. “Our defense, whatever hands they’re dealt, they just play.”
Mona Shores took a 2-0 lead right away, when Caledonia gave up a safety on the first play from scrimmage when the center snapped the ball over the quarterback’s head and into the end zone.
Kobe Burse returned the following punt about 64 yards to the Caledonia 1-yard-line, before quarterback Tyler Trovinger burst in for the touchdown.
Trovinger followed a few minutes later with a 50-yard touchdown pass to Darece Roberson, making the score 16-0 before the end of the first quarter.
Dom Shermeta readies the stiff-arm as he lumbers for more yards to the outside. Photo/Eric Sturr
Archie Petty scored from a yard out before the end of the first quarter, putting the Sailors up 23-0.
Mona Shores added a touchdown in the third quarter on a 67-yard pass from Hunter Broersma to Roberson.
The Sailors dominated even after Trovinger, their standout senior quarterback, went down with an ankle injury late in the first quarter.
Mona Shores substituted Ke’Vonte’a Pegues and Broersma at quarterback for the rest of the contest.
Backup quarterback Elijah Wilson, who led the Sailors to a thrilling 25-24 win over Farmington Hills Harrison in the state semifinals last year, was sidelined due to an injury he sustained last week.
Mona Shores used its athleticism effectively, but the Sailors weren’t afraid to set a physical tone, either.
Running back Dom Shermeta used every ounce of force in his 6-foot, 215-pound frame to deliver punishing blows against a usually strong Caledonia defensive front.
Darece Roberson catches a bomb in stride from Tyler Trovinger for a Mona Shores TD. Photo/Eric Sturr
Shermeta finished with 120 yards on 11 carries.
Mona Shores’ defense continued its brick wall streak, not allowing an offensive touchdown for the fourth week in a row.
Mona Shores has allowed 24 points on the season, but none have come against the defense.
Caledonia was able to move the ball on occasion, and quarterback Tanner Christian was elusive and effective in the running game, but nothing came to fruition for the Scots.
Caledonia’s lone touchdown came on a 51-yard punt return by Drake Ellens late in the fourth quarter. The Sailors’ defense limited Caledonia to 201 total offensive yards.
“They’re just very good,” said Caledonia head coach Tom Burrill. “They’re way more athletic than we are. This is an excellent football team but I think what makes them really good is their defense. They’re fast, physical, they get to the ball and they’re very well coached on both sides of the ball.”
Mona Shores completed just three passes – all to Roberson – who finished with 137 yards receiving, including the two touchdown catches.
Broersma had 57 yards rushing for the Sailors.
Koziak said Trovinger will be evaluated throughout the week, but the Sailors are hopeful he will be available next week.
