The Muskegon Catholic Central Crusaders clinched at least a share of the Lakes Eight Conference with their victory over Manistee on Friday night. This 40-0 win makes the team 2-0 in league play, with only one league game remaining.
Joseph Waller was the star of the show in this game, as he found the end zone five times. In the first quarter, he rushed for a two-yard touchdown, a twenty-five yard score and a seventeen yard dart across the goal line. In the second quarter, Waller broke free on a seventy-yard sprint to the end zone, and he also added a thirty-two yard run to give MCC a commanding 34-0 lead as they entered the locker room.
In the second half, only one touchdown was scored, and it was in the opening minute of the third quarter. Nick Powell was able to run eighteen yards to the end zone for a Crusaders touchdown, putting the running clock in effect at the 40-0 margin.
Waller led the way for MCC in this game with fourteen carries that tallied 231 yards and five touchdowns.
This tremendous display of rushing earns Waller the distinction of Redi Rental Crusader of the Game.
Tommy Kartes added 78 yards rushing on eleven carries. These two provided a bulk of the Crusaders’ rushing attack that logged 389 yards on the ground. This was the entirety of their offense, as the team only attempted two passes, both incomplete.
Manistee was held to 154 yards of offense, 92 through the air and 62 on the ground. This was the Chippewas’ first lost of 2020. Next week, they will take the Ludington Orioles.
Muskegon Catholic Central (4-0) has now gained at least a share of the Lakes Eight title, as the rest of the league has at least one loss. They will try to win the title outright next week, when they take on Orchard View.
