Montague big-play receiver Paul Olson wins Player of Week poll for Sept. 4-9, 2023

Paul Olson didn’t need many receptions to put up some gaudy numbers in his Montague football team’s 33-8 road victory over Orchard View last Friday.

The Wildcats’ big-play senior receiver also made up some ground in the first CatchMark SportsNet Player of the Week fan poll of the 2023 fall season.

Olson rallied to win the poll, finishing with 2,569 of 5,234 total votes. Ludington volleyball standout Maddy Vaara was runner-up in the poll with 1,651 votes.

See complete voting totals for the six Player of the Week nominees at the bottom of this story.

This week’s Player of the Week fan poll recognized six West Michigan Conference fall sports athletes for their performances spanning Sept. 4-9, 2023.

Complete Restoration & Cleaning Services, Inc., is the title sponsor for the CatchMark SportsNet Player of the Week.

Olson, a 6-foot-2, 180-pounder, has enjoyed an explosive start to his season. In last Friday’s victory at Orchard View in a WMC Lakes Division opener, Olson converted four receptions into 179 receiving yards and two touchdowns. That included an 86-yarder in the first quarter and 76-yarder in the fourth quarter. He also notched four solo tackles from his defensive back spot.

Olson and his Wildcats team (2-1) hosts neighboring rival Whitehall (3-0) in the “Battle for the Bell” game at 7 tonight at Townsend Athletic Complex.