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Beyond the Final Whistle: The Storied Rivalry of North Muskegon and Pewamo-Westphalia

A Close-Quarter Battle

A Historical Overview

The rivalry between Pewamo-Westphalia and North Muskegon is one that fans from both sides eagerly anticipate each year. Dating back to the last five seasons, both schools have had some narrow wins in both football and basketball.

Football: A Battle for Dominance

Pewamo-Westphalia currently holds a narrow lead over North Muskegon with a record of 3-2 in their matchups. This rivalry holds three one-point victories with two of them coming in the playoffs.

  • 2024 Regular Season: PW edged out North Muskegon with a close score of 8-7.
  • 2023 Regular Season: North Muskegon claimed victory, winning 17-14.
  • 2023 Regional Final: Another nail-biter, with North Muskegon narrowly winning 28-27.
  • 2020 District Final: In a tightly contested match, PW triumphed 18-17.
  • 2019 District Final: PW dominated with a convincing 35-0 win.

In the first regional title since 1986, the Norse defeated Pewamo-Westphalia in last year’s playoff affair. a 28-27 victory, led by now Muskegon QB James Young. Young finished 17-35 for 45 yards and four TD’s. After losing in the 2019 and 2020 District games, North Muskegon served the Bucs true pay-back.

These matchups highlight the competitive spirit between the two schools, with each game often coming down to the wire.

In the 2023 season we saw North Muskegon take both, the regular season game and the regional playoff game. Will the tide switch this year with PW winning back in week one?

North Muskegon defeated Pewamo-Westphalia, 28-27, in a Division 7 regional football finals thriller Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Oakridge’s Russell A. Erickson Stadium in Muskegon, Mich. (Photo by CJ Bennett for CatchMark)

Basketball: A Close-Quarter Battle

The basketball rivalry mirrors the intensity found on the football field, with Pewamo-Westphalia also enjoying success in recent regional competitions.

  • 2023 Regional Semi: PW secured a hard-fought victory against North Muskegon, finishing 43-40.
  • 2022 Regional Semi: Another close contest saw PW emerge victorious with a score of 49-46.

The 2023 Regional Semi-final game was an instant classic. Unbeaten (24-0) North Muskegon traveled to play Pewamo-Westphalia (23-2) in front of a packed crowd. The game had no shortage of big-time moments. The Buccaneers ended the Norse’s season on a 3-point buzzer beater from the top of the key by Kash Pohl.

Even with Pewamo-Westphalia coming away with both regional games, North Muskegon has kept it close in both, losing by just a three-pointer.

Both squads have geared up ahead of the upcoming 2024 season and look to potentially see each other in another regional battle.

Pewamo-Westphalia defeated North Muskegon, 49-46, in a Division 3 boys regional basketball semifinal Monday, March 13, 2023, at Kent City High School. (Photo by Laura Moat for CatchMark)

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Myles Welch joined CatchMark in February 2024 as a CatchMark SportsNet Intern. He would like to become a sports broadcaster or analyst. He currently attends Whitehall High School and will graduate in 2025.

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