By Melvin Lane
LocalSportsJournal.com

DETROIT- Adversity is something the Muskegon Big Reds have battled through during a rigorous football season. Starting the year off with opening losses to Rockford and Warren De La Salle in weeks 1 and 2, helped reshape the focus of the Big Reds.

All that Muskegon went through to begin the season, primed its engine for the Division 2 state finals at Detroit’s Ford Field.

Muskegon’s Da’Carion Taylor holds up the ball in the end zone after scoring for Muskegon. Photo/Joe Washington

The Big Reds overcame a 21-7 halftime deficit on their way to a 33-21 win over two-time defending state champ De La Salle. The win was the 900th victory in Muskegon High School history.

“Those early games taught us a lot, especially that Warren De La Salle game in week two where we lost 40-28,” said M’Khi Guy, Muskegon’s quarterback and leading yard getter. “It’s hard to beat a team twice and Coach Shane Fairfield and Coach (Keith) Guy gave us great words at halftime that gave us a different mindset. We’ve been down a lot, so that halftime deficit was nothing”.

Guy gave the Big Reds their only score in the first half with a burst that paced Muskegon for an 80-yard touchdown and a 7-7 tie that responded to a Pilots’ opening score.

Pilot quarterback Sante Gasperoni guided De La Salle to two second quarter scores for a 21-7 lead. Damon King IV connected on a Gasperoni pass for a score. The QB then called his own number with a 3-yard touchdown run with 4:33 left in the second quarter.

But that first-half success was about all the Pilots found on the night as the Big Reds defense stiffened up and held the Pilots scoreless through the second half.

Hard hitting junior linebacker Darekeo Speech was impressed with hist team’s showing in the second half.

“I’ve been a part of Muskegon all my life and this is like a dream,” said Speech. “Everybody doubted us, but we’re out here trying to change the perspective of Big Reds football”.

Marquise Hendricks points to his ring finger after the Big Reds’ Division 2 state championship win. Photo/Joe Washington

Guy started the swing for Muskegon to open the second half. The speedy QB broke free for a 52-yard touchdown run when the Big Reds had their backs against the wall on fourth and two. The play put Muskegon back in striking distance of De La Salle, for a 21-14 deficit.

A giant defensive stand for Muskegon on De La Salle’s next drive, gave the Big Reds offense a new opportunity to go through the air.

With ball right back in Muskegon’s hands, Destin Piggee connected on a 94-yard touchdown pass from Guy, tying the score at 21-all.

Momentum continued to be on the Big Reds’ side as Chris Jones forced a fumble with 5:36 left in the third quarter. But the Big Reds offense found themselves in another a fourth and two situation at the 23 yard-line. Guy responded once again through the air and connected on his second touchdown pass. This time it was to wideout Da’Carion Taylor on a spectacular 23-yard catch in the end zone for Muskegon’s first lead of the game, 27-21.  

Muskegon’s gigantic third-quarter swing set up the squad to rely on their offensive line and time management in the final quarter.

With time and momentum working in the Big Red’s favor, Jakob Price capped off Muskegon’s lone score of the fourth quarter. The 12-yard TD run completed the inconceivable comeback, giving the Big Reds a 33-21 lead. Price’s tally made it 26 unanswered second-half points for Muskegon.

Chris Jones makes a big stop for Muskegon. Photo/Joe Washington

Muskegon compiled 484 yards of total offense on the night with Guy leading the way. The senior quarterback had 215 yards rushing with two touchdowns and was 4 of 6 passing for 159 yards and two TD passes.

Price finished with 88 yards rushing and once score and had a 31-yard reception. Piggee led the Big Reds in receiving with 94 yards and a score. 

Defensively, The Big Reds  had four players with a team-high 7 tackles. Speech, Chris Jones, Stanley Cunningham, and Adrian Rankin Jr. each had seven while Da’Shaun Wallace-Oakes and Taylor had 6 tackles apiece for the Big Reds.

“Everyone has wanted us to give up and quit and not get here and say you’re going to lose when you get there,” said Muskegon Coach Shane Fairfield, reflecting after the game on his emotions from last year’s ending. “We left the people who wanted us to fall apart and break, we would not be broken today”.

Muskegon caps off the season as Division 2 state champs and now has 900 wins in school history, ranking fifth in the nation for total wins. 

M’Khi Guy breaks free on a touchdown run for Muskegon in the Division 2 state finals. Photo/Tim Reilly

Destin Piggee breaks free for Muskegon in the Division 2 state finals. Photo/Tim Reilly