By Trevor Austin
LocalSportsJournal.com

MUSKEGON – The Montague football team powered past Orchard View with a physical performance to open up West Michigan Conference-Lakes play on Friday evening. 

The Wildcats used big plays to command the scoring and claim the victory, 33-8.

“Our offense was pretty efficient,” said Montague coach Justin Dennett. “We scored five out of five drives so our offense is doing good things.”

Although the scoring belonged to the Wildcats, the Cardinals ran 73 plays to Montague’s 30.

“Our defense couldn’t get off the field,” Dennert said. “Hats off to Orchard View for the really long drives and keeping the ball out of our hands.”

Photo/Jason Goorman

However, when the Wildcats did get the ball, they made the most of it. The Wildcats accumulated a total of 348 yards with chunk plays that they turned into touchdowns.

Quarterback Mason Darke opened the first drive with an 86-yard passing touchdown to Paul Olson that set the tone. Olson went on to record another touchdown with a total of 179 yards on just four catches.

“We weren’t throwing the ball deep, but Olson was turning 5-yard hitches into big plays,” Dennett said.

Darke also made plays on the ground as he found the end zone for a pair of scores with a long run of 49 yards. 

Adam Baird found success on both sides of the ball with a rushing touchdown and 15 tackles on defense. 

Three games into the season, Coach Dennett believes his squad is moving in the right direction.

“We’re pretty young and are starting quite a few underclassmen and some guys with little experience, but I think we’ve improved each game which is what we’re trying to do,” said Dennett. “We just have to keep getting better each week and get these guys more and more experience.”

Despite the Cardinals’ loss, the team still showed grit in the face of a tough opponent.

“I’m extremely proud of our guys,” said Orchard View coach Fred Rademacher. “That’s our entire football program, but even with the small numbers, we have warriors.

“They’re doing everything they can and they’re not giving up even when their body and mind are telling them to.”

Photo/Jason Goorman

The Cardinals’ Stephon Oakes and Mason Tuttle were the workhorses from the backfield and combined for a total of 37 carries including a rushing score from Tuttle. 

Tuttle played aggressively on both sides of the ball and made five tackles, including a tackle for a loss. 

“If we had 10 more of the guys we currently have, we would be a great football team,” said Rademacher.

Coach Rademacher credited Jamario Dash, Alex Theile and Oakes for emerging as the team’s leading voices. 

Montague (2-1, 1-0) will be at home against Whitehall on Friday for more league play.

Orchard View (2-1, 0-1) hosts Manistee on Friday in WMC action.

OV’s Stephon Oakes is helped up by teammate Bryce Benard after the play. Photos/Jason Goorman

Orchard View’s Stephon Oakes fights his way through the Montague defense. Photo/Jason Goorman

Photo/Jason Goorman