The Caledonia Fighting Scots spent Friday on the road, paying a visit to North Farmington. After an electric start, they return home with a 68-14 victory.
Just fourteen seconds into the action, Caledonia took the lead. Mason McKenzie reeled off an 80-yard sprint to the end zone, putting Caledonia ahead 7-0. Three minutes later, their lead would double. Brock Townsend was the scoring party this time, as his 8-yard carry crossed the goal line. After the Scots quickly got the football back, McKenzie used his legs for a 16-yard score. With 5:24 remaining in the first quarter, McKenzie found Justice Reed on a 23-yard touchdown strike, giving Caledonia a 28-0 advantage.
North Farmington would stop the run with their first score of the night, a 36-yard touchdown pass. Caledonia would respond, however, as McKenzie used his legs on a 46-yard carry. After just twelve minutes of football, Caledonia led 35-7.
In the second frame, Caledonia continued their offensive onslaught. They scored on their first three drives of the quarter. McKenzie and Reed paired up first, just ninety seconds in. Next, it was Townsend again, this time from 7 yards out. DJ Walker made his maiden voyage to the end zone with a 37-yard sprint through the Raiders’ defense. After a North Farmington score with seven seconds to go in the half, Caledonia took a 55-14 lead into the locker room.
The running clock, enforced in the second half of a game with a 35+ point lead, limited the Fighting Scots’ opportunities in the second half. Still, they managed to put together two more scoring drives. In the third quarter, Brody Betser aired it out, connecting with Reed Vogeler on an 8-yard touchdown pass. DJ Walker would add the game’s final score, a 2-yard touchdown plunge.
The 68 points scored by Caledonia is the most for the program since they defeated Byron Center 72-0 in their 1969 season opener. The Fighting Scots had 508 yards of total offense, 182 through the air and 326 on the ground. Mason McKenzie led the way, finishing 7/8 passing for 174 yards, and adding five carries for 154 yards. McKenzie had 5 total touchdowns. DJ Walker added 65 rushing yards and his two scores, while Brock Townsend had 61 yards to go with his touchdown pair. Derek Pennington Jr led the Fighting Scots in receiving yards with 75, while Justice Reed had 54 and two scores.
Caledonia will begin OK Red play next week against Jenison. North Farmington starts OAA Blue action against Troy.