LocalSportsJournal.com
FREMONT — It wasn’t pretty, especially with the mistakes Ludington made throughout the contest, but the Orioles hung tough against a much-improved Fremont team and came away with a 7-0 victory in the West Michigan Conference Lakes Division.
The game was played in Fremont.
Ludington scored its touchdown in the first quarter as Aidan Gilchrist went in from 12 yards out. Miles Wilson kicked the extra point. It came at the 7:38 mark.
“We found a way,” said Ludington coach Charlie Gunsell. “It was very tough. Fremont’s really improved, and they did a really nice job.
“I mean, we left some points on the field. We fumbled on like about the 10, and we missed a field goal. So, I mean, we shot ourselves in the foot a little bit.
“But, take nothing away from Fremont. They played very, very hard.”
“Our defense played tremendous,” said Ludington head football coach Charlie Gunsell (Photo courtesy of LSJ Photographer Joe Washington)
The Orioles outgained the Packers, 209-166 in total offense on the night with 51 offensive plays to 45 for Fremont, averaging 4.1 yards per play to the Packers’ 3.7.
Chase Hackert was 6-of-14 passing for 67 yards. Levi Laman had 3 receptions for 35 yards, Gilchrist caught 1 for 17, Gage Jones 1 for 9 and Trey Forfinski 1 for 6.
Forfinski led the Orioles in rushing, carrying the ball 13 times and picking up 83 yards. Hackert gained 57 yards on 15 attempts.
“Our defense played tremendous,” added Gunsell. “I think Fremont was in the red zone three times in the second half and we kept them scoreless, so I was super proud of my kids defensively.
“The kids played hard, and it was a really good high school football game. I’m just really proud of my guys for finding a way to get it done.”
Forfinski, Gilchrist, Daniel Rameriez and Carter Knee each had 4 tackles to lead Ludington’s defense.
Justin Dirheimer was the leading rusher for the Packers with a game-high 121 yards on 25 attempts. Owen Hertel had 2 carries for 11 yards. Kyler DeKuiper completed 3-of-7 passes for 32 yards.
Defensive leaders for the Packers included Michael Romero with 15 ½ tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack, Daniel Romero with 13 and Connor Pettis with 6.5 and one tackle for loss.
The Orioles improved their record to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the West Michigan Conference Lakes Division. They go to Oakridge to face the undefeated Eagles next week. Oakridge defeated Manistee, 46-19 Friday night.
Fremont, which lost for the first time is 0-1 in the conference. The Packers next play at Grant next Friday night.
