The Central Montcalm Hornets took to the road on Friday, visiting Newaygo in a CSAA crossover battle. The longtime conference rivals played a thrilling game last year in the first round of the playoffs, and this Friday was more of the same. A late touchdown lifted Central Montcalm to a 28-24 victory to improve to 2-0 on the season.
Late in the first quarter, Central Montcalm took the early lead. McCoy Wernholm bowled across the goal line from 2 yards out, giving the Hornets a 6-0 advantage. They would take this lead into the second quarter.
Newaygo was driving as the quarter drew to a close, and on the first play of the second quarter, they seized the lead. Trevor Garbrecht ran into the end zone from two yards out. Drew Pennita gave the lead on a two-point conversion.
Central Montcalm responded with a quick touchdown drive. Jamison Johns kept the football, racing across the goal line on a jet sweep for a 4-yard score. Late in the first half, Newaygo was driving toward the end zone, but with less than two minutes to go, the Lions coughed up the football. Zayne Cooper recovered the football for the Hornets to preserve the halftime lead.
The Lions began the third quarter with the football, and they drove down the field quickly. Damone Moore scored on a short touchdown run, and he completed the Octopus with a two-point conversion to put Newaygo ahead 16-12.
Late in the third quarter, Newaygo extended their lead with a touchdown pass. Garbrecht paired up with Camden Reyburn to give the Lions a 24-12 lead with 1:35 left in the third quarter.
Two minutes into the quarter, Central Montcalm closed the gap. Zayne Cooper broke off an 11-yard touchdown run, and after Wernholm added a conversion run, it was quickly a four-point game with ten minutes to go.
After forcing a Lions punt, Central Montcalm took over at their own 23-yard line with six minutes to go. This drive would result in the game-winner, as Jamison Johns returned to the end zone with a 3-yard touchdown carry. Wernholm added the two-point try to give them a 28-24 lead.
Newaygo had time to drive down the field, but their throw into the end zone on the final play was intercepted by Brayden Peak.
With the win, Central Montcalm moves to 2-0 for the first time since 2021. Next week, they will look to move to 3-0 when they take on Lakeview. Newaygo, meanwhile, slides to 0-2. They begin CSAA Gold play next week with a tough game against Big Rapids.
