FREMONT — Whitehall’s football team played a complete game Friday night in overpowering host Fremont, 49-8, in a West Michigan Conference Lakes Division matchup at Pine Street Athletic Complex.
In what could potentially be Whitehall’s final regular-season game, the Vikings left nothing to chance. They also left Fremont as WMC Lakes Division champions. They ran their overall record to 8-0 and WMC Lakes mark to 5-0.
Earlier Friday, Orchard View announced it was canceling its Week 9 home game against Whitehall, which is unsure if it will find a replacement contest.
Meanwhile, Fremont slips to 4-4 overall and 1-4 in the WMC Lakes.
Here are notables and more details from the game:
Whitehall looked ready for postseason play against Fremont. The Vikings scored 42 of their 49 points in the first half.
Whitehall has outscored its eight opponents by a combined 414-84 margin. That averages out to 51.2-10.5.
Whitehall junior quarterback Kyle Stratton completed 7 of 9 passing attempts for 95 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 62 yards and a score.
Whitehall senior running back Jackson Cook was very effective on the ground, rushing for 86 yards and two touchdowns on just five carries, good for 17.2 yards per attempt.
Whitehall junior Ca’mar Ready scored two TDs — one rushing and one receiving. He ran the ball twice for 49 yards and led the Vikings in receiving with three catches for 42 yards.
Whitehall senior linebacker Jaiden Altgilbers was a force to be reckoned with defensively, recording six tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, one sack and an interception that he returned for a touchdown.
Whitehall senior Lukas Palmer had two interceptions, one he returned for a TD.
Whitehall senior Jaiden Brinkert and junior Kadin Waller notched four tackles apiece.
Fremont senior running back Justin Dirheimer carried the ball 25 times for 74 yards and the Packers’ lone touchdown.
Fremont junior Kyler DeKuiper made six receptions for 41 yards.
Fremont senior linebacker Michael Romero had a nose for the ball, recording a team-high 7.5 tackles.
Whitehall outgained Fremont in total offense, 315-113, and finished with a 220-54 advantage in rushing yards.
Despite the lopsided score, Fremont held an eye-popping 33:28-13:44 advantage in time of possession.
As previously stated, Whitehall has a Week 9 opening on its schedule. Will the Vikings rest up for the playoffs, where they would host at least the first two rounds, or will they find an opponent for next Friday?
Fremont closes the regular season next Friday at home against Manistee, which is coming off a 50-20 victory over Montague. Last week, the Packers lost to the Wildcats, 20-0.