Orchard View Cardinals Season Review: Why a 2-7 Record is a Step Forward

The Cardinals welcomed a fresh HC back in February. Aaron James left what is now a (8-1) Mona Shores team, to serve as the HC for Orchard View. Initially, you may think a 2-Win season is disappointing, but I can tell you why it’s not.

The OV football program has seen just two winning seasons in the past decade, including two winless champaigns.

With a program like Orchard View, it just takes time. During his time at Mona Shores, James was the offensive coordinator. James joined the staff with coach Matt Koziak at Shores in 2011. Before the 11′ season at MS, its program was okay but nothing special. Soon enough the Sailors were state champs in 2019 and 2020.

Moral of the story is this, when James took over this past winter, he knew what it was going to take to bring OV back to competing at a high level.

Though, a (2-7) record may not look pretty on the outside, the Cardinals made leaps and bounds over the past few seasons.

QB Peyton Babbitt, a transfer from Muskegon opened the playbook and gave Orchard View a much more dynamic offense.

The Cardinals’ best win came in week 5 against Muskegon Catholic Central. Babbitt threw for 103 yards and three touchdowns. All three went to wide-out Damari Wright including the game winner late in the 4th quarter. Orchard View would hang on to win its first game of the season 32-27.

OV’s second win came in the season finale vs. Shelby. A game of the year nominee had the Cardinals’ scoring with 25 seconds left to take the lead. They showed resilience and fought to close out the season winning 34-29.

FINAL SEASON RESULTS

• Week 1 – Oakridge defeated Orchard View 42-6.
• Week 2 – Whitehall defeated Orchard View 54-7.
• Week 3 – Montague defeated Orchard View 55-14.
• Week 4 – Manistee defeated Orchard View 41-0.
• Week 5 – Orchard View defeated Muskegon Catholic Central 32-27.
• Week 6 – Fremont defeated Orchard View 62-28.
• Week 7 – Hart defeated Orchard View 44-14.
• Week 8 – Ludington defeated Orchard View 66-12.
• Week 9 – Orchard View defeated Shelby 34-29.

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