LocalSportsJournal.com
HESPERIA — The North Muskegon Norsemen made quick work of the host Hesperia Panthers on Friday night.
The Norsemen scored 34 points in the opening quarter and cruised to a 50-0 shutout of the Panthers.
North Muskegon quarterback James Young completed all 10 of his passes for 311 yards and five touchdowns. TJ Byard was his favorite target with three catches for 136 yards and touchdown passes of 42 and 58 yards.
Carson Moat caught two touchdown passes covering 10 and 57 yards. Talan Thompson had two catches for 84 yards, one for 54 yards and a touchdown.
Sam Gallo forced a fumble and Drew Bartos ran it back for a touchdown for the Norsemen defense.
Denny Belmonte accounted for the lone rushing touchdown for North Muskegon when he ran in from 24 yards out.
“We had a great week of practice and it paid dividends tonight as we were really clicking in all aspects of the game; offense, defense, and special teams,” said North Muskegon head coach Larry Witham.
“We were very impressed with their speed at QB, RB and slot receiver. We knew we had to be aggressive and disciplined to keep them contained and we did just that.”
North Muskegon produced 385 yards of total offense while limiting Hesperia to 66.
Jake Erne added a 42-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring.
Bartos finished with six tackles for North Muskegon while Jaccari Edwards had five.
“The heart of our schedule is ahead of us now with an improved Hart team next week at home followed by Montague and Ravenna. It’s all about execution over the next three weeks. Getting better every day and elevating our play; simple to say but difficult to do,” said Witham.
North Muskegon (3-1) will travel to Hart (3-1) next Friday while Hesperia (1-3) will host Shelby (0-4).
