LocalSportsJournal.com

GRANDVILLE — Normally, a two-time defending state champion suffering an early loss in the playoffs would be considered a huge upset.

That wasn’t the case Friday evening at Grandville High School.

Mona Shores’ No. 2 Jaylen Vinton tries to find extra yards against Caledonia. Photo/Brett Farmer

Mona Shores ran into a buzzsaw from Caledonia, as the Fighting Scots rolled over the Sailors to capture a Division 2 district championship, 49-12. Caledonia, which improves to 10-1 overall, advances to next week’s regional matchup against Traverse City Central.

The loss ends the Sailors’ season at 8-3 overall, and also snaps their playoff winning streak of 11 games, which included back-to-back state championship victories over Detroit Martin Luther King and Warren De La Salle.

Caledonia established its dominant run game early, gaining a 28-6 halftime lead. But the Fighting Scots also showed balance with a capable pass game, including a pair of first-half touchdown passes from junior quarterback Mason McKenzie.

Caledonia outgained Mona Shores 519-222 overall.

McKenzie got Caledonia on the board first in the first quarter, scoring a 5-yard touchdown run, and then later connecting on a 5-yard touchdown pass to Nick Fox, putting the Scots up 14-0.

Mona Shores fought back with its own scoring drive, capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by junior running back Dahmir Farnum. The extra point was blocked, making it a 14-6 score.

But that’s the closest the Sailors could get as Caledonia scored the game’s next 21 points.

No. 56 Kemper Millis, fights through the line for Mona Shores. Photo/Brett Farmer

Later in the second, McKenzie connected with Fox again on a 15-yard touchdown pass, but the real back-breaker for the Sailors happened with just 52 seconds remaining in the half when Caledonia’s Brock Townsend broke free for a 52-yard score, putting the Scots up 28-6.

Caledonia struck first in the third quarter as well, with McKenzie getting free for a 30-yard touchdown run. McKenzie finished with 195 yards rushing on 21 carries, helping Caledonia run for 391 yards on the ground.

Mona Shores’ final score came with 3:59 left in the third, as backup quarterback Landon Thalman completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to Demetri Roberson.

McKenzie tallied his third touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, and Caledonia added a 4-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds left for the final points.

McKenzie completed 11-of-16 passes for 128 yards. He was picked off twice by the Sailors, with Roberson and CJ Ivy recording the interceptions.

Mona Shores finished with just 102 yards rushing on 26 carries. Farnum led the way with 51 yards on nine carries.

Elijah Johnson led the Sailors’ defense with nine tackles.

Check out more photos from the action shot by Brett Farmer.