LocalSportsJournal.com
Just one week ago on Friday, January 22, the Montague Wildcats captured the Division 6 football state title.
For Wildcats fans, the day will live on forever in history as one of the greatest responses to the most challenging season ever on record for sports in Michigan.
Photographer Randy Riksen and LSJ Publisher Jason Goorman captured some unforgettable highlights.
Check out the video and photos from the epic day for the Wildcat Nation.
- Montague Wildcats 2021 Division 6 football state champs. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague hoists the state title trophy handed to them by Coach Pat Collins. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague hoists the state title trophy handed to them by Coach Pat Collins. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague coach Pat Collins hoists the 2021 state title trophy. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague coach Pat Collins hoists the 2021 state title trophy. Photo/Randy Riksen
- The 2021 Division 6 state title trophy. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No,. 52 Walker Martin hugs assistant coach Cody Kater. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague players and Coaches celebrate after capturing the Division 6 state title. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Drew Collins hugs teammate No. 7 Andrew Kooi. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague players and coaches celebrate after capturing the Division 6 state title. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague players No. 78 Luke Booth and No. 51 Joel Booth celebrate after capturing the Division 6 state title. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague players celebrate after capturing the Division 6 state title. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague players celebrate after capturing the Division 6 state title. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 4 Zach Nelson. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Drew Collins takes the snap as No. 55 Aaron Rolf goes to block. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague takes a break between plays. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague’s No. 25 Sam Smith. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague’s No. 25 Sam Smith. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague players celebrate in the end zone after a touchdown. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague fans celebrate after a touchdown. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague’s No. 28 Reece Taylor. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague coaches give direction. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague sideline managers talk with a longtime staff member. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague fans cheer on their Wildcats. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague’s No. 5 Drew Collins and No. 21 Tugg Nichols. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Drew Collins finds the end zone for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 5 Drew Collins rushes the ball for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague fans hold a sign for Dylan Everett. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 77 Hayden McDonald and No. 52 Walker Martin. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague’s student section. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 5 drew collins makes a pass while No. 78 Luke Booth and No. 22 Dylan Everett block and No. 71 Chris Kessler looks back. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 21 Tugg Nichols. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague fans cheer on their Wildcats. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague fans cheer on their Wildcats. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague’s No. 52 Walker Martin and No. 21 Tugg Nichls on the tackle. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague fans cheer on their Wildcats. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Drew Collins makes a pass for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Drew Collins celebrates No. 13 Trey Mikkelsen after an interception. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague fans cheer on their Wildcats. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 7 drew Kooi kicks off with No. 55 Aaron Rolf and N. 4 Zach Nelson next to him. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No≥ 25 Sam Smith. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Sam Smith dives for the end zone after making a big catch for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Sam Smith makes a big TD catch for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Sam Smith makes a big TD catch for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Sam Smith dives for the end zone after making a big catch for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Sam Smith dives for the end zone after making a big catch for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Sam Smith dives for the end zone after making a big catch for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Sam Smith dives for the end zone after making a big catch for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Sam Smith makes a big TD catch for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Drew Collins sends a pass for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Drew Collins sends a pass for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 25 Sam Smith. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Drew Collins gets ready to hand the ball to No. 25 Sam Smith. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Drew Collins gets ready to catch the snap with No. 25 Sam Smith in the backfield for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 5 Drew Collins rushes through the middle for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 21 Tugg Nichols gets ready to make a pass for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 21 Tugg Nichols makes a pass for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 68 John Greiner makes a tackle for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague huddles up during a timeout. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague’s No. 13 Trey Mikkelsen. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 5 Drew Collins rushes through the middle for Montague with No,. 50 Alec Waruszewski blocking. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Drew Collins gets ready to pass while No. 78 Luke Booth looks to block. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Rodney Brassfield rushes the ball for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 13 Trey Mikkelsen makes a tackle for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Rodney Brassfield rushes the ball for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 50 Alec Waruszewski and No. 71 Chris Kessler, plus No. 12 Colton Blankstrom. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague’s No. 50 Alec Waruszewski makes a tackle. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague’s No. 50 Alec Waruszewski makes a tackle. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague gets ready for the snap. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 4 Zach Nelson looks to the Montague sideline. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Walker Martin makes a tackle for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No,. 21 Tugg Nichols is in on a tackle with No. 13 Trey Mikkelsen and No. 12 Colton Blankstrom. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 21 Tugg Nichols. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 21 Tugg Nichols. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 21 Tugg Nichols. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague’s No. 30 Owen Petersen makes a tackle. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague’s No. 30 Owen Petersen makes a tackle. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 13 Trey Mikkelsen. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague fans. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Andrew Kooi kicks off with No. 4 Zach Nelson. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 52 Walker Martin, No. 6 Rodney Brassfield and No. 63 Dakota Croff-Wiegand. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 21 Tugg Nichols and No. 30 Owen Petersen. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 21 Tugg Nichols and No. 30 Owen Petersen. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 21 Tugg Nichols. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 21 Tugg Nichols. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 21 Tugg Nichols. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 22 Dylan Everett takes a fake handoff from No. 5 Drew Collins. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Isaac Jarka gets ready to catch a kickoff of Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 22 Dylan Everett stands in backfield with No. 5 Drew Collins. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 30 Owen Petersen tires to make a tackle with No. 2 Izac Jarka following. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 25 Sam Smith goes in for the tackle with No. 12 Colton Blankstrom following. Photo/Randy Riksen
- The Montague line gets ready for a snap. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague sideline. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague line gets ready for the snap. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague kicker No. 7 Andrew Kooi. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Drew Collins takes the snap as No. 22 Dylan Everett moves in motion for Montague. Sam Smith celebrates in the end zone after scoring for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Drew Collins gets ready to avoid pressure in the backfield for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Sam Smith celebrates in the end zone after scoring for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague celebrates in the end zone. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Kooi kicks off for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague huddles up before the Kooi kickoff. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 5 Drew Collins takes the snap for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- No. 5 Drew Collins rushes the ball for Montague. Photo/Randy Riksen
- Montague during the National Anthem. Photo/Randy Riksen