Bryson Hughes (23) had a monster night for Reed City against Central Montcalm.
Pioneer photo/John RaffelSTANTON - The air was crisp Friday night at Central Montcalm’s Hornet Field for a Central State Activities Association gridiron clash between Reed City and the host Green Hornets.
The Coyotes got things heated up early and used a very powerful ground game to subjugate Central Montcalm 52-14.
The visitors got on the scoreboard just 14 seconds into the game when Bryson Hughes took the opening kickoff 82 yards to paydirt. The 2-point conversion was good and Reed City was ahead 8-0.
The Coyotes extended their lead to 16-0 with 9:05 remaining in the opening stanza after Hughes dashed 68 yards for the score.
“We started with the kick return right off the get go and that really set the tone right then,” said Reed City head coach Scott Shankel. “Then Bryson (Hughes) has the ability to take it to the house anytime.”
Reed City made the score 22-0 when Seth Jackson plowed into the end zone from 8 yards away.
Noah Morgan scored with a 4 yard touchdown run with two seconds left in the opening quarter and the Coyotes were in command 26-0.
“Noah, our fullback, is very explosive and John Ondrus on the other side really gives us a triple threat.” Shankel said. “We are really starting to gel. Also, you have to give our offensive line credit. They pushed people around the field all night.”
Hughes scored from 70 yards away and Xavier Allen tossed a 5 yard touchdown to Aiden Storz for a 44-0 advantage with 3:10 before halftime.
Emmett Lingeman threw a 12 yard touchdown strike to Carter Jeffrey for Central Montcalm’s lone score of the first half to make it 44-8.
Reed City rushed 27 times for 410 yards as a team, Morgan had 10 carries for 168 yards and two touchdowns to lead the winners. Hughes gained 153 yards on five carries and two scores while Ondrus added 69 yards on seven touches.
Allen was 8-for-11 passing for 101 yards. Jackson caught three passes for 63 yards and Max Hammond added two catches for 30 yards.
Hughes rumbled 76 yards for a touchdown for the Coyotes only score of the second half.
Carter Gawne paced the Reed City defense with eight tackles including one for a loss.
“I’m really pleased with our effort and I look forward to getting better each week in practice and in games,” Shankel added.
The Coyotes are now 4-1 overall and 3-1 in the conference and will host Newaygo next Friday evening.
Central Montcalm falls to 1-4 overall.
Central State Activities Association standings
Team, League, All
Tri County, 3-0, 5-0; Reed City, 3-1, 4-1; Big Rapids 3-1, 3-2; Newaygo, 1-2, 2-3; Grant 1-2, 1-4; Chippewa Hills, 1-3, 1-4; Central Montcalm, 0-3, 1-4
