The Montague Wildcats were presumed to be in a “down year” after their 35-0 loss to Edwardsburg. Three weeks later, the Wildcats are alone atop the West Michigan Conference, as the league’s only 3-0 team. This comes after a 33-7 win over the Oakridge Eagles.
In the first quarter, Montague scored the lone touchdown. Andrew Kooi took to the air, throwing his first touchdown pass of the season. This 16-yard ball to Owen Petersen, paired with a Kooi kick, gave the Wildcats an early 7-0 lead.
Tugg Nichols was on the receiving end of Kooi’s send touchdown pass. This 19-yard strike extended the lead to fourteen points. Oakridge would answer back, as Corey Vanderputte bowled across the goal line on fourth-and-goal from the one yard line. Late in the first half, Dylan Everett scored to give the Wildcats a 20-7 halftime lead.
In the second half, Montague scored the two touchdowns. Everett found the end zone a second time in the third quarter, powering it over the goal line from two yards out. Andrew Kooi would reach back and toss a third touchdown, this time finding Colton Blankstrom on a 16-yard score, bringing the game to a final 33-7 tally.
Andrew Kooi was 13/19 passing for 173 yards and three touchdowns. Dylan Everett led the way with 19 carries and 59 yards rushing, also scoring twice. Tugg Nicholls led the receivers with 5 caught balls and 93 yards.
Next week, Montague will face Ravenna in a game that has an impact on the WMC race. Oakridge will try to bounce back against Hart.
