**ARTICLE BY JOSH LONGSTRETH**

After three consecutive playoff appearances, the Central Montcalm Hornets took a bit of a step back in 2022. With their sights set on the future, they would begin their 2023 journey taking on a Morley Stanwood team coming off an 0-9 season and looking to turn the page. Unfortunately for the Mohawks, that turnaround just wouldn’t happen on this night.

The Hornets would set the tone early by taking a 7-0 lead after a 1-yard touchdown run by Hayden Train. Then the Central Montcalm special teams would get involved as an Asher Johnson blocked punt would set the Hornets offense up. They would take full advantage after Anthony Schultz dove in from 1-yard away to give Montcalm a 13-0 lead.

Central Montcalm wasn’t about to let up in the second as they had everything rolling. Schultz would find his way in again, this time from 4-yards away to up the lead to 21-0. Midway through the quarter the Hornets would strike again. Sophomore Emmett Lingeman decided to get in on the action as he scampered from 41-yards out. The Hornets would lead to that point, 27-0. Late in the quarter Schultz would reach the endzone for the third time in the half on a 48-yard touchdown making it 33-0. Believe it or not Central Montcalm was not done. With just 17 seconds remaining in the half, Lingeman would punch another in from 9-yards out. It would be all Central Montcalm at the half, 39-0.

The running clock calmed things down a little bit to begin the second half, as both teams would go scoreless in the third. Just a few minutes into the fourth quarter McCoy Wernholm grabbed himself a touchdown of his own as he punched it in from 1-yard away making it a 47-0 game. Not long after, the Hornets would find the endzone yet again on a Cameron Bracey rushing touchdown. That would end the scoring on the night as Central Montcalm never let up, they take it 53-0.

Morley Stanwood just wouldn’t be able to sustain anything in this one. They will head right back on the road next week when they travel to Kalkaska. The Blazers struggled in their first game, losing to Manistee, 45-0.

Things couldn’t have went better for the Hornets to begin the season as they had everything clicking. They will welcome in Kent City next week. The Eagles pulled off a gritty win over Newaygo, 14-13.