Photos by Shayla Hardy for CatchMark
Whitehall’s top-ranked football team appears primed for a deep run in the Division 4 playoffs.
Before that, it’s time to acknowledge a couple of the Vikings’ historical achievements.
With Whitehall’s 68-0 victory over visiting Orchard View Friday night, it gave the Vikings their second straight 9-0 regular season and their sixth shutout of the season, which is a program record.
Whitehall was clicking on all cylinders against Orchard View, as the Vikings outgained the Cardinals 497-105 in total offense despite OV holding a 49-29 advantage in plays.
In going 6-0 in the West Michigan Conference Lakes Division, the Vikings outscored opponents by a combined 290-7. In nine regular-season games, they’ve outscored opponents by a 435-63 margin.
Orchard View closes its season with a 3-6 record, 1-5 in the WMC Lakes.
Here are details and notables from the game:
- Whitehall’s offense was extremely balanced again, outgaining OV 234-23 in passing yards and 263-82 in rushing yards. Whitehall had 19 first downs to Orchard View’s five.
- Whitehall led 21-0 after one quarter and 49-0 at halftime.
- On senior night, Whitehall quarterback Kyle Stratton was sharp in the passing game. He went 10-of-12 for 234 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran three times for 35 yards and a TD.
- Five different players caught TD passes for Whitehall and that was all in the first half: Camden Thompson for 15 yards, Malcolm Earvin for 57 yards, Trannon Aylor for 23 yards, Darnell Mack for 35 yards, and Ca’Mar Ready for 46 yards.
- Earvin made two receptions for 78 yards, while Ready had three catches for 69 yards.
- Mack, Earvin, and Hunter Osborne also scored rushing TDs for Whitehall. Mack led the Vikings with 76 rushing yards on five carries. Osborne had 68 yards on two carries.
- Aylor opened the second half by returning the kickoff 90 yards for a TD.
- Defensively, Whitehall got contributions from several players. Everett Napier had three solo tackles, two assists, and two tackles for loss to set the tone.
- Ready snagged an interception for Whitehall, while Blake Morningstar and Blake English recovered fumbles.
- No stats were submitted for Orchard View.
