Montague got some big games from senior running back Dylan Everett and took the lead at halftime to take a 41-7 win over Central Montcalm in a game outside the district on Friday night.
With the win, the Wildcats took to the streets on Reed City next Friday in an attempt to extend their streak of district championships to five. The Coyotes, who beat Montague’s arch-rivals Whitehall in week nine, led Manistee 36-14 in the other matchup outside the district.
The ‘Cats (7-3) were briefly threatened when the Hornets hit a 19-yard passing game early in the second quarter and set things up at seven. However, Everett quickly got her out of this tricky spot when he caught a 74-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Kooi. Montague scored twice more before half-time and led at break with 28: 7.
Everett scored three touchdowns for Montague in the win, including the team’s first, a six-yard run in the first quarter. He added a 37 yard scoring run early in the third quarter, extending the lead to 34-7. In total, he had 192 yards of attack, 118 on the ground, and his 74-yard catch.
Kooi scored two goals and hit Tugg Nichols in the last minute of the first half for his second at 13 yards. Adam Baird ran for two touchdowns in the Wildcat win.
Nichols had 64 reception areas. On defense, Baird and Nichols each had seven tackles. Hayden McDonald had three sacks.
“We had some mental flaws at the beginning, but once we got rid of them we played well all night,” said Montague coach Justin Dennett. “We did a lot on the offensive and showed what we are capable of. It was a good start to the playoffs and something we can build on in the future. “
