The Montague Wildcats entered Saturday’s regular season finale with a shot at a perfect regular season. Standing in their way were the North Muskegon Norsemen, a pesky bunch that was 3-2 through their first five games. After trailing 7-6 at halftime, Montague exploded for four third quarter touchdowns. This helped the team emerge with a 41-13 victory.
Neither team scored in the first quarter, as the defenses played strong. On the first play of the second quarter, North Muskegon found the end zone on a pass from Kyle Huff to Brennan Pannucci. The extra point by Gabe Rahrig gave the Norse a 7-0 edge. Four minutes later, Dylan Everett rushed for a one-yard touchdown that brought Montague within a point. The missed extra point left North Muskegon ahead 7-6 at halftime.
The opening kickoff of the second half saw the game begin to flip on its head. Dylan Everett fielded the kickoff and he ran 86 yards through the Norse kickoff team to the end zone. Andrew Kooi’s extra point put the Wildcats ahead by six.
After getting a stop on defense, Montague score yet again. For the third time, it was Everett who found the end zone. His seven yard touchdown put Montague up 20-7. The Wildcats added another touchdown three minutes later when Drew Collins found Andrew Kooi on a thirty-two yard pass play. In the closing seconds of the third quarter, Dylan Everett scored his fourth touchdown, a six yarder, to balloon the Montague lead to 34-7.
The beginning of the fourth quarter saw Drew Collins’ second touchdown pass. This one paired up with Sam Smith for forty-two yards. Brennan Pannucci would add a short rushing touchdown for the Norse late in the fourth, but that would not nearly be enough.
Montague outgained North Muskegon 343-149 in this game. Drew Collins tossed for 220 yards, and he added thirty-three more on the ground. Dylan Everett had eight carries, and he gained thirty-four yards and scored three touchdowns (in addition to that kickoff return). This offensive performance leads to Everett’s selection as Redi Rental Wildcat of the Game.
Both teams will begin their playoff runs next week, with their opponents to be announced on Sunday. You can find those on Michigan Sports Radio once they are released by the MHSAA.
