By Steve Gunn and Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com

MUSKEGON – If Saturday night’s game was any indication, the West Michigan Ironmen will be a good bet to advance to the second round of the American Indoor Football league playoffs.

Carrington Thompson moves the ball upfield for West Michigan. Photo/Leo Valdez

That’s because the Ironmen beat the Indianapolis Enforcers 62-12 at L.C. Walker Arena in the final game of the regular season. And the Ironmen will host the Enforcers again next Saturday in the divisional round of the playoffs.

In three meetings this season, the Ironmen have outscored Indianapolis 167-24.

Despite the one-sided nature of the rivalry, Ironmen Coach Nate Smith said it shouldn’t be a problem getting the team pumped up for the rematch with Indy in the playoffs.

That’s because the Ironmen are focused on working out the wrinkles in their game, and if they beat the Enforcers next week, the competition will be much tougher in the second round of the playoffs.

The Ironmen are now 4-1 on the season, with their only loss coming against undefeated West Virginia, the team they are most likely to face in the second round.

“We are playing that one game for the next game,” said Ironmen coach Nate Smith. “We will talk a lot about execution and working on some things we need to work on. We made some mistakes and didn’t play a great game, but we outmanned them. Next week is a prep for the following week.”

Ironmen quarterback Alex Carder completed 10 of 13 passes for 184 yards and four touchdowns, plus three carries for six yards and three scores. He also threw two interceptions.

Dakota Smith rushed for 36 yards and one touchdown on six carries. Carrington Thompson had three catches for 66 yards and two touchdowns.

Alex Carder lines up to throw a pass for West Michigan. Photo/Leo Valdez

Defensively, Corey Edwards had one interception while Ryan Armstrong and Kyle Connors each recovered a fumble.

GAME SUMMARY

FIRST QUARTER
WM 12:43 –Carrington Thompson 30 yard catch from Alex Carder (kick good)  WM-7 IND-0
IND 10:56- Anthony Headley 45-yard (2-pt failed) WM-7 IND-6
WM 2:34–Alex Carder 2-yard run (kick good) WM-14 IND-6
WM 0:00– Dakota Smith 5-yard run (kick good) WM-21 IND-6

WEST MICHIGAN 21, INDIANAPOLIS 6

SECOND QUARTER
WM 8:23 – Alex Carder 2-yard run (kick good) WM-28 IND-6
WM :28–Carrington Thompson 9-yard catch from Alex Carder (kick good) WM-35 IND-6
WM :03 – Dakota Smith 2-yard run (kick failed) WM-41 IND-6

WEST MICHIGAN 41, INDIANAPOLIS 6

THIRD QUARTER
WM 8:56– Daryl Gooden 15-yard catch from Alex Carder (kick good) WM-48 IND-6
WM 3:01– Daryl Gooden 19-yard catch from Alex Carder (kick good) WM-55 IND-6

WEST MICHIGAN 55, INDIANAPOLIS 6

FOURTH QUARTER
WM 2:04 – Marcus Smith 35-yard catch from Michael Whitley (kick good) WM-62 IND-6
IND 1:09 – Julian Walker 40-yard catch from Tylis Larkin (2-pt failed) WM-62 IND-12

WEST MICHIGAN 62, INDIANAPOLIS 12