Wildcats Roar to Victory
The Montague Wildcats bounced back in a big way Friday night, crushing the Ravenna Bulldogs 42-7 in an exciting WMC Rivers vs Lakes football showdown. After a tough couple of weeks, Montague’s defense came to play, shutting down Ravenna’s offense and scoring many points of their own!
The game started slow, but Montague soon found their groove. Ryver Jarka was a beast on the ground, racking up 170 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns. The senior, #2 ran like a man possessed, dragging defenders and fighting for every inch.
The real star of the show was the Wildcats’ defense. Cooper Bradley had a night to remember, snagging two interceptions. His first pick was electrifying – an 81-yard sprint to the end zone that blew the game wide open. Talk about a momentum shift!
The defensive dominance didn’t stop there. Jarka got in on the action too, nabbing an interception of his own. Fletcher Thommen was a tackling machine, leading the team with 8 solo takedowns. Dylan Bailey wasn’t far behind with 6 of his own.
Montague’s offense was firing on all cylinders:
- Eli Petersen connected with Talan Degen for a clutch 10-yard TD
- Fletcher Thommen found the end zone
- Dane Roesler (Freshman) punched in a score. His first Varsity TD!
The Wildcats’ offensive line deserves a ton of credit. These juniors have been rock solid all year, and they just keep getting better. They opened up huge holes for the running game and gave their playmakers time to shine.
This win couldn’t have come at a better time for Montague. At 4-5, they were on the playoff bubble at the 33rd position in D6. While nothing is guaranteed, this dominant performance gave them a fighting chance to extend their season.
Coach Justin Dennett had to be thrilled with his team’s effort. After allowing 60+ points in their last two games, holding Ravenna to just 7 was a massive turnaround. The Wildcats played with passion and purpose, leaving it all on the field.
For Montague’s seniors, this game meant everything. They didn’t know if it would be their last time suiting up, so they made sure to make it count. That hunger showed in every play.
Looking ahead, the Wildcats have to feel good about their chances. If they can bottle up this defensive intensity and keep the ground game rolling, they could be a dangerous team in the playoffs (if they make it).
Here’s a quick breakdown of some key stats from the game:
| Player | Stat |
|---|---|
| Ryver Jarka | 170 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
| Cooper Bradey | 2 INTs, 1 TD return |
| Fletcher Thommen | 8 solo tackles, 1 TD |
| Dylan Bailey | 6 solo tackles |
Now, all eyes turn to the playoff selection committee on Sunday. Will Montague’s impressive win be enough to punch their ticket to the postseason? The Wildcats have done all they can do. They’ve put themselves in position to make some noise. All that’s left is to wait and see if they’ll get that chance.
One thing’s for sure – if Montague does make the playoffs, no one will want to face this fired-up squad. They’ve found their groove at just the right time, and they’re playing with the kind of passion that can carry a team far in the postseason.
The Wildcats have given their fans a reason to believe. Now, they’ll hope that belief carries them into next week and beyond. Football is a game of momentum, and Montague has it in spades after this dominant showing.
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