With likely the playoffs on the line for both schools, Montague and Ravenna both need wins to advance to the state tournament in their respective divisions.
With one week left in the regular season, both the WMC Lakes and Rivers divisions have been clinched. North Muskegon leads the charge on the Rivers side while Whitehall leads in the Lakes division.
Montague enters this critical game with a record of 3-5, having lost four of their last five contests. The Wildcats are on the brink of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014, a year that marked the beginning of a successful stretch for the program. Since then, Montague has had five seasons with double-digit wins and even captured a state championship in 2020. The pressure is mounting for the Wildcats as they seek to rekindle their winning ways and keep its playoff hopes alive.
On the other side, Ravenna comes into Week 9 with a record of 4-4 but is in dire need of a turnaround. The Bulldogs have not found the end zone since October 4th, struggling to generate offensive momentum. In its last outing against Oakridge, Ravenna’s offense faltered, resulting in a series of three-and-outs that forced the team to punt numerous times. To have any chance of securing a playoff berth, Ravenna will need to shake off their scoring drought and find their rhythm on offense.
Montague sits in 33rd place in terms of playoff points in division 6. With a win it would likely push them over the top and propel them to the field of 32.
For Ravenna, they as well come in 33rd but only trailing a playoff berth by 0.125 points.
In terms of “All-Time,” Montague holds the overall record between the two schools with a 37-24 advantage. Montague also leads the series in the last decade (7-3).
As Montague and Ravenna prepare to face off, the stakes couldn’t be higher for both teams. With playoff berths hanging in the balance and a rich history of competition between them, this matchup promises to be electrifying. Montague, seeking to reclaim its status as a postseason contender, will aim to break through its recent struggles, while Ravenna looks to overcome its offensive woes and secure a crucial victory. With both teams sitting at 33rd in playoff points and so close to the postseason cutline, every play will matter. The outcome will determine who stays alive in the playoff race, making this a game you should pay attention too.
The CatchMark SportsNet “Game of the Week” will be covered by one of our awesome SportsNuts, so be sure to tune in Friday night for game updates.
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.