**ARTICLE BY SEAN MASSA**
The Manistee Chippewa and Holton Red Devils both began their WMC journeys on Friday night. Manistee, fresh out of the Lakes 8, will compete in the Lakes Division. Holton, from the CSAA Silver, will participate in the Rivers Division. This Friday, they played a crossover match that was one-sided from the opening kick.
It wouldn’t take Manistee long to start the scoring in this game, as Max Miles took the opening kickoff 82 yards to the house. Isaiah Davis would add to the Manistee lead shortly after, as he found himself in the end zone with a 23-yard touchdown run. Max Miles would extend Manistees’ hot start with a 34-yard touchdown run up the middle nearing the end of the first quarter, to expand their lead to 20-0.
Manistee didn’t take their foot off the gas pedal in the second quarter, as Nick Hornkohl added another touchdown via a 27-yard run. Before the break, Kaden Kott would make the lead 35-0 for Manistee with an 11-yard touchdown run of his own.
The second half was no different than the first, as Manistee would recover an onside kick to start the half. Shortly thereafter, Jeff Huber found Matthew Thies on a 50-yard touchdown pass to make their lead a commanding 42-0. Trevor Spencer would find the end zone with a 19-yard touchdown run, expanding the lead to 48 points. Just two minutes later, it would be Trevor Spencer once again, this time with a 35-yard touchdown run that made the lead 54-0.
Holton would break the scoreless streak in the fourth quarter, as Chase Albright delivered a 13 yard pass to Hunter Zang for the touchdown.
Trevor Spencer finished with 124 rushing yards on six carries for Manistee. Kaden Kott added 87 yards, while Nick Hornkohl finished with 47 on a team-high seven carries. Defensively for the victors, Trevor Adamczak (10) and Braydon Sorenson (7) led the way in tackles. Robert Schmidt had a crucial fumble recovery early in this game.
Manistee is now 1-0 on the year. They will remain in crossovers, as they now face Mason County Central. Holton, now 0-1, will face Perry in their next non-league bout.
