Muskegon—These teams headed into the night with two wins and an overall losing record. That is where the similarities ended, as Muskegon controlled the game on both sides of the ball and came away with a 47-7 victory.
The scoring for Muskegon started early in the first quarter after they intercepted a Reeths-Puffer pass on the opening drive. The Big Reds took the ball down the field and scored on a 1 yard run by Keshawn Drummer; the PAT was good. On the kickoff after the touchdown, the Rockets fumble, and Muskegon recovers on the 5-yard line. On the first play, Reeths-Puffer senior Shaun Haley intercepts the pass to get the ball back. The Rockets could not get anything going on offense and trailed 7-0 at the end of the 1st quarter.
Muskegon was driving in the 2nd quarter before fumbling the ball that Luke Johnson recovered from Reeths-Puffer. The offense could not capitalize on the turnover and punted the ball back to Muskegon. Big Reds Quarterback James Young connected with Lyn Wilson III for a 38-yard touchdown pass. The PAT was good, and Muskegon extended their lead to 14 -0 with 7:07 remaining in the 2nd quarter. The struggles on offense for the Rockets continued on the next drive as Keyshawn Hinkle intercepted the Rocket’s pass and put the ball back in the hands of the Big Reds on the RP 45 with 6 minutes remaining in the 2nd quarter. The Muskegon offense moved down the field, and Keshawn Drummer punched it in for his second score of the night from 1 yard out. The PAT was no good, and the Muskegon led 20-0 with just over four minutes remaining in the first half. Still unable to get the offense moving, Reeths-Puffer was forced to punt the ball back to the Big Reds after a quick three and out. With three minutes on the clock, Muskegon had plenty of time to work. With only a few seconds remaining, James Young connected for a touchdown with Danelle Lawrence from the 8. The PAT was no good; Muskegon took a 26-0 lead to halftime.
Photos by Tanya and Jeff Burel
As the third quarter got underway, Muskegon received the kickoff, and De’ontae Chambers took it 86 yards to the house for another Muskegon score. The PAT was good, and before much of the crowd got back to their seats, the Big Reds were up 33-0. The Rocket offense managed to get something going behind Sage Secrest’s legs. He broke loose for a 51-yard run, setting up the Rockets with a first and goal inside the 5-yard line. On 4th & goal from the 3, Secrest ran it in for a touchdown. The PAT was good; Muskegon was up 33-7 with 6:40 remaining in the 3rd quarter. Muskegon fumbled the ball on the next possession, and Cal Millis recovered it for Reeths-Puffer. The momentum shifted the Rockets briefly before Mhakai Lenox-Brooks recovered a Rockets fumble, putting the ball and momentum back with Muskegon. James Young then connected with Arquez Petty from the 26 for another Big Reds touchdown. The PAT was good, and Muskegon extended their lead 40-7 as the 3rd quarter was winding down.
The Big Reds strike again in the 4th quarter with a James Young 11-yard touchdown run. With a score of 47-7, Muskegon used the rest of the game to rest their starters and get some younger players into it. The victory was Muskegon Coach Shane Fairfield’s 157th victory with the program moving him ahead of the legendary coach Leo Redmond in wins.
Reeths-Puffer has been battling injuries all season and it continued this week. “We lost Sam Hillin in the first series, we were already down two offensive skill guys. Ethan Muskovin goes out in the second quarter and were forced to create a new playbook at halftime,” said Rocket coach Cody Kater. “It was really difficult, but they are a good team over there and a team that always gets stronger as the season goes on. They did a good job of planning and having us work for everything we got.”
Reeths-Puffer (2-5) will host undefeated Mona Shores (7-0) for Senior night next Friday before wrapping up the regular season at Forest Hills Eastern. Muskegon (3-3) will travel to Byron Center next Friday before hosting Cincinnati Moeller (7-1) to wrap up their regular season.
Game Stats
- Reeths-Puffer totaled 117 yards rushing and minus-26 yards in passing in the game.
- James Young (M) was 15-21 for 248 yards and 3 Touchdowns.
- Keshawn Drummer (M) had 13 carries for 65 yards.
- Sage Secrest (RP) had 17 carries for 118 yards and 1 TD.
- Dareko Speech (M) had 9 tackles.
- Luke Johnson (RP) and Cal Millis (RP) each had 7 tackles.
- Shaun Haley (RP) had an interception and a fumble recovery.
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