The Central Montcalm Hornets returned to the postseason for the second straight year, and the fifth time in six seasons. Though they have begun to frequent the playoffs, the trips have often been brief. In each of the last six playoff trips, Central Montcalm’s season ended in the opening round. Their last postseason win came back in 2009, when they snuck past Essexville Garber in a Division 4 District Semifinal. On Friday, they welcomed conference foe Kent City to town with hopes of ending that streak.
There was only one score in the first quarter, and it came with about two minutes to play. Emmett Lingeman took to the air, finding sophomore Brayden Peak on an 11-yard toss. A successful two-point try game them a 8-0 edge.
Kent City would respond early in the second quarter, as Harrison Smith reeled off a 26-yard touchdown run. The Eagles could not convert their extra point, leaving them two points behind.
Central Montcalm would respond on the ensuing drive, taking four minutes off the clock to find the end zone. Lingeman would use his legs on this drive, carrying the football five yards for the touchdown. A failed conversion left the Hornets ahead 14-6 at the break.
As the second half began, the momentum remained with Central Montcalm. The Hornets scored the only touchdown in the third quarter, a pass from Lingeman to Peak from 46 yards out. Early in the fourth quarter, they pushed their lead to 22 points with another Lingeman keeper.
Ket City would finally stop the bleeding with their own touchdown drive. Andre Meade and Sammy Anderson, both juniors, connected on a five-yard passing score. Another failed conversion left them behind by sixteen.
Central Montcalm would put the exclamation point on this victory when McCoy Wernholm carried the football three yards across the goal line. The Hornets would add a two-point try, giving them the final winning score of 36-12.
With this victory, Central Montcalm advances to next week’s District Championship game. They will take on Newaygo, who defeated Montague in the other semifinal. This is another regular season rematch, a game in which Newaygo defeated Central Montcalm 21-12.
