MUSKEGON – Holton coach Mike Jados knew what his team was getting into playing Muskegon Catholic Central on Friday. In fact, he assessed the Crusaders to a “T” early in the week.
He probably wishes he wasn’t so on the mark. MCC, unbeaten and ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press' Division 6 poll, put on a clinic against visiting Holton, 60-0, in a matinee whose kickoff was moved up to 4 p.m. to accommodate an officiating shortage.
“There are no superstars there, (but) they do everything right. I told my kids that on Monday,” said Jados, after his 2-4 team suffered its fourth-straight loss. “This is a team that’s going to come out, they’e going to do everything right and they expect to win. They don’t need superstars, they don’t need all-state players, they expect to win when they step on the field. It’s what we strive to eventually be.”
This MCC team is the type of squad the Crusaders have been striving to be for the past couple years. Two seasons ago, a very young team took its lumps and finished with an uncharacteristic 3-6 record.
The Crusaders flipped that record last fall, as they finished 6-3 with a return to the playoffs. And, now, they’re back. They head to the playoffs next week with a 6-0 record, plenty of momentum and what looks to be home-field advantage.
PHOTO GALLERY: Click here to see all the images from Friday’s game.
MCC has been simply dominant this season -- very balanced on offense, fast and swarming on defense. The Crusaders have outscored opponents a whopping 251-18, but only six of those points allowed have come against the first-team defense.
Holton learned first-hand how tough the Crusader “D” can be. The Red Devils totaled 35 yards of offense – 18 rushing and 17 passing.
Muskegon Catholic Central coach Steve Czerwon talks to his team its game against Holton Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, at Kehren Stadium in Muskegon, Mich. Muskegon Catholic Central defeated Holton, 60-0. Scott DeCamp | MLive.comScott DeCamp | MLive.com
“We’re fast (on defense),” MCC coach Steve Czerwon said. "We’re not very big, and there are some schools especially in our district that are bigger that could give us some problems.
“We’ve just decided to hang our hat on being quick and playing the fast guys (on defense), so we’ll be able to run people down. Can a team with size give up problems? Sure, but every team’s got a weakness and every team’s got strengths so we’re just trying to the strengths of our kids.”
Offensively, nine different players scored touchdowns for the Crusaders, who built a 34-0 first-quarter lead and 46-0 advantage at the halftime break. Here were their TDs: Tommy Kartes 3-yard run, Dane Rutz 8-yard reception, Elliot Riegler 38-yard reception, Sam Convertini 40-yard reception, quarterback Max Price 67-yard run, Joe Waller 39-yard run, Bailey Williams 5-yard run, Chase Willer and Nick Powell 1-yard runs each.
Muskegon Catholic Central senior quarterback Max Price (8) awaits the snap during a game against Holton Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, at Kehren Stadium in Muskegon, Mich. Muskegon Catholic Central defeated Holton, 60-0. Scott DeCamp | MLive.comScott DeCamp | MLive.com
Price, a three-year starter, led MCC with 77 rushing yards on two carries and he completed all four of his passes for 94 yards. Defensively, Sam Kartes paced the Crusaders with 10 tackles. Gunner Stout had six tackles and he recovered a blocked punt by teammate Williams.
Jaden Israel led Holton with seven tackles.
“Small-school football, this is the school that everybody wants to be; you know, the number of championships,” Jados said, praising MCC. “This is a learning experience for these kids – I told them that at halftime. Win or lose, this game didn’t matter. We’re going to the (Division 8) playoffs next week, we get a chance to reset everything this season. You know, we just didn’t show up tonight.”
Friday’s kickoff was moved up three hours to 4 p.m. because of an officiating shortage. The crew that worked the MCC-Holton game went across town for the Oakridge-Whitehall game Friday night.
That’s just one aspect of the strange 2020 high school football season it’s been. As the weeks have progressed in the shortened regular season, more COVID-19-related cancellations have cropped up.
For a senior like MCC defensive end Richie Ward, he’s just thankful to be getting the opportunity to play.
Holton sophomore Chase Albright, left, is upended by Muskegon Catholic Central's defense, including sophomore Sam Kartes (66, Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, at Kehren Stadium in Muskegon, Mich. Muskegon Catholic Central defeated Holton, 60-0,. Scott DeCamp | MLive.comScott DeCamp | MLive.com
“I mean, honestly it means the world, you know, because we thought we weren’t even going to have a season a couple months ago,” he said. “But to come out here and play and put up points like that, it’s just really something great. It’s something I’m glad I could have.”
MCC’s senior night was canceled Friday because of the inclement weather at Kehren Stadium. Czerwon said he hopes to honor the seniors next week, as the Crusaders will most certainly be hosting a first-round playoff game.
Czerwon said he could see some playoff games getting canceled because of coronavirus.
“That’s really unfortunate,” he said. "You know, some kids' dreams are going to be dashed – kids that worked really hard. All you can do is cross your fingers and hope it’s not you school getting that call, but if it happens, then the rules are the rules.
“From where we were -- when I was out golfing in August and found out the season got canceled that Friday (Aug. 14) – to where we are now, it’s good to be here.”
More high school football coverage:
Jake Haynes, Whitehall defense set tone in bounce-back win at Oakridge
Spring Lake soaks in ‘Bayou Battle’ rout of Fruitport on ‘soupy’ Grabinski field
In tough football season, Orchard View finds glimmer in win over unbeaten Kent City
See how Muskegon-area high school football teams fared in Week 6
Top 50 Michigan high school football teams: How they fared in Week 6
Grand Haven’s football team has a new Week 6 opponent, again, scheduling Coldwater
Mona Shores vs. Detroit King football rematch important to Sailors, too (video)
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