By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com
MUSKEGON – If this year’s Muskegon Big Reds football team can learn anything from last season’s state champion squad, it’s that the result of the first game of the season may not mean a whole lot.
Last season the Big Reds struggled out the gate, losing to both Rockford and Warren De La Salle to fall to 0-2 on the season.
Muskegon finished the season by winning 12 straight games, including overcoming a 14-point halftime deficit at Ford Field in a rematch with De La Salle to win the state championship.
The Big Reds opened the 2024 season against a tough Zeeland West squad and didn’t get the result they wanted, losing 28-13 to the Dux on Friday night at Hackley Stadium in Muskegon.
The Muskegon faithful left the stands very disappointed, but Coach Shane Fairfield saw some things he was encouraged with despite the loss.
“I promise you I saw a lot of great things tonight,” Fairfield said. “I saw James (Young) rolling while throwing the ball, receivers making great catches, the defense hitting people and us being physical during kickoffs.
“We are going to keep climbing and the team we played went to the semifinals last year so for us to hold them to 14 points for three and a half quarters and have the lead was huge for us. We are going to pick this up and people can say what they want, but they are going to be the ones that cheer us on at the state finals.”
The final score really didn’t not show how tight the contest was throughout the night as the Dux scored the final 14 points of the game in the final minutes of the contest.
“We kept up with a really good football team and the rest of Division 3 better watch out for that squad the rest of the season,” said Fairfield.
The Dux had the ball for most of the first quarter and scored the lone touchdown on a 7-yard run from their quarterback Trey Sloothaak.
Isaac VanderZwaag added the 2-point conversion on a run to give Zeeland West an 8-0 lead.
The Big Reds responded on their second possession of the game by going 84 yards on 14 plays that ended with an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback James Young to Danelle Lawrence to cut the deficit to 8-7.
Young was 14-for-19 for 187 yards with a touchdown and interception in his debut for the Big Reds.
“He is legit,” Fairfield said about his starting quarterback. “He is poised, he is a leader and is tough. He ran the ball and got the tough yards, but he also has a laser, and I am excited to see what he can do moving forward.”
The game remained 8-7 in favor of the Dux at halftime.
Muskegon got the ball first in the second halftime and took its first lead of the season on a 34-yard touchdown run by Keshawn Drummer. The extra point was blocked and the Big Reds had a 13-8 lead near the midway point of the third quarter.
The Big Reds stopped Zeeland West on its next possession, but quickly gave the ball back with an interception.
Muskegon’s defense remained strong on the Dux next possession as it forced a quick four-and-out for a turnover on downs, but the Big Reds also had a quick possession that resulted in a punt.
The Dux finally broke through late in the third quarter one play after Muskegon’s punt, scoring on a 57-yard run from Keaton Hendricks to give Zeeland West a 14-13 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Big Reds were stopped on fourth-and-two on their first possession of the fourth quarter and Zeeland West took advantage of the turnover on downs.
The Dux drove the ball 44 yards on 10 plays and increased their lead to 22-13 after scoring on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Sloothaak to Brody Smeyers. Sloothaak, who added the 2-point conversion, only threw two passes for 23 yards in the contest.
The Big Reds tried to quickly strike back with just over three minutes remaining, but fumbled the ball on their first play of the following drive.
The Dux closed out the scoring with a 34-yard touchdown run from Hendricks with 1:31 remaining in the game.
Muskegon managed to drive the ball to the Dux’ 14-yard line before running out of time.
Drummer had 11 carries for 72 yards to lead the Big Red rushing attack, while Michael Piggee Jr. had four catches for 83 yards and Lawerence added four receptions for 45 yards.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Big Reds, who travel to Rockford next week.