Big Reds win O-K Green outright, top Zeeland East in preparation for 2021 playoffs

Muskegon has won nine straight district titles, five straight regionals and played in the state championship game seven times in the past nine years.

However, after a resounding thumping at the hands of visiting Detroit Cass Tech (49-14) on Sept. 3, it looked like all of those amazing accomplishments were way out of reach for this young Big Reds team.

But that’s when 12th-year Muskegon coach Shane Fairfield challenged his team to play “big boy football.”

After six weeks of hard work and tough coaching, Muskegon has grown up and looks poised to make another run in Division 3 after a 62-16 rout of visiting Zeeland East at rainy Hackley Stadium on Friday night.

The win was the seventh in a row for Muskegon (8-1), which captured the outright O-K Green Conference championship in the process.

Muskegon’s “three-headed monster” on the ground was too much for the Chix to handle. Sophomore slotback Destin Piggee gained 120 yards on just four carries (including two touchdowns), senior quarterback Myles Walton had a team-high 132 yards on 12 carries and sophomore running back Jakob Price added 88 yards on eight carries.

But those were far for the only stars for Muskegon on a very special Senior Night.

How about senior Dominic Sugin, who doesn’t even play offense, finishing with two touchdowns? Sugin, a Big Red through-and-through, scored on a 15-yard interception return in the second quarter and a 91-yard kickoff return in the third quarter – along with a blocked extra point in the third quarter.

Also, exciting sophomore quarterback M’Khi Guy came on in the third quarter and lofted a perfect, 5-yard scoring pass to Jeremiah Dault.

The depth of the Big Reds (and plenty of speed) was on display in the second half, notably a 26-yard explosion into the end zone on a sweep right by senior running back Demetri Chapman.

Muskegon finished with a 447-292 edge in total yards behind the dominating offensive line of center Nickarri Lane, guards Miguel Botello and Robert Mills and tackles Jamarrius Dickerson and D’Andre Hudgins.

Cebe Hunderman (pronounced Shay-Bay) was the one Chix player with the speed to match the Big Reds, finishing with a game-high 145 rushing yards on 12 carries – including a 79-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter. He also had a 40-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter.

Chix senior quarterback Max Cochran, who split time with sophomore Austin Keur, added 53 yards on seven carries. Keur tossed the late TD pass to Hunderman.

Tamareon Oakes led the Muskegon defense with seven tackles, Mason Hunter had six stops and Thaddeus Parker and Sugin added five tackles. Jaheim Mathis and Parker both had fumble recoveries.

Muskegon sophomore kicker Adrian Ramos-Velazquez made 8-of-9 extra points on the night.

Muskegon will likely be a top seed for districts, while Zeeland East (5-4) is still expected to earn a playoff spot despite the loss.

Check out photos from the action shot by Kristine Tyler.