WHITEHALL — The 2023 high school football is flying. We’re already in Week 4.
It’s a big week in these parts. The “Battle for the Bell” pitting neighboring rivals Montague and Whitehall is this Friday at Montague’s Townsend Athletic Complex. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
What better way to kick off rivalry week and to launch a new CatchMark SportsNet Podcast season than by hosting members of Montague’s and Whitehall’s teams as guests on Season 5 Episode 1 Monday night at the CatchMark office.
For the first half of the hour-long, live podcast, we chatted with Whitehall head coach Tony Sigmon and senior playmakers Ca’Mar Ready and Malcolm Earvin. For the second half-hour, we brought in Montague seniors Adam Baird, Paul Olson, and Joe Winkelman.
This will be the 117th meeting between Montague and Whitehall. The Wildcats lead the all-time series, 64-50-2, but since 1950 the series is tighter at 41-38 in favor of Montague.
Last year, Whitehall defeated Montague, 60-6, at Whitehall.
Whitehall brings a 3-0 record into the grudge match, while Montague is 2-1.
This season, Whitehall has outscored its three opponents — Hudsonville Unity Christian, Tecumseh, and Hastings — by a combined 145-56 margin. The Vikings have beaten Unity 34-28, Tecumseh 55-0, and Hastings 56-28.
Montague has outscored its three opponents a combined 100-76. Montague has won two straight after a 34-28 season-opening loss to still-unbeaten Spring Lake. They Wildcats are coming off a 33-8 victory at Orchard View in a WMC Lakes Division opener. In Week 2, Montague won a high-scoring battle against Ravenna, 39-34.
Watch the full episode of Season 5 Episode 1 of the CatchMark SportsNet Podcast above.
All of our podcasts can be found on the CatchMark SportsNet YouTube channel as well as Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
