WHITEHALL — Playing suffocating defense, and winning the battle in the trenches, the Whitehall football team thoroughly dominated Manistee in racking up a big 49-6 victory in last Friday night’s Homecoming game in the West Michigan Conference Lakes Division.
An already giddy home crowd was in a particularly celebratory mood when Brady Tate wore the Homecoming King’s crown, and Sydney Shepherd wore the Queen’s crown at halftime.
By that time, Whitehall — the defending WMC Lakes champion — was in total control of the football game, its offensive and defensive lines pushing the Mariners — who had shut out Muskegon Orchard View, 41-0 two weeks ago — all around the field in building a 35-0 lead, and assuring a running clock to start the second half.
The Vikings set the defensive tone when, on Manistee’s first offensive series, they burst in a sacked quarterback Dayvion Neal-Berry for a substantial yardage loss.
Manistee’s offense simply weren’t able to move the ball for a good part of the game, while the Mariners defense struggled to stop the Vikings offense.
“I was really happy with our defense. I thought they did an awesome job,” said Vikings coach Tony Sigmon. “There were times when I felt like we were in really good rhythm tonight.
“I felt we had a pretty solid pocket for passing and everything. I love the way our skill kids don’t give up on a play.
“We had some stuff that we hit on early, and then for our kids to be able to keep coming back and making plays when the play breaks down is always an exciting thing for us.”
The offensive line has had to deal with some adversity, with two starters out and new personnel added to the mix.
“We got two new guys, but we’re a family here,” said lineman Jamison Jeffrey. “I think we do great together.”
Connor Nash added that everyone was able to bond, making for a smooth transition.
“When everyone gets rolling, like we all get rolling,” Nash said. “Everyone comes together, and we start feeding off each other’s energy.”
For Jack Ambrose, it’s staying in the moment.
“It’s just the little details that will get us,” Ambrose said. “If we do the little things, the big things will fall into place.”
Camden Thompson lit the fuse for the Vikings with an electrifying 55-yard punt return for a touchdown with 7:37 remaining in the first quarter, and a 7-0 lead.
Thompson ran for two more scores, of 54 and 15 yards, and also hit Hunter Osborne with a 20-yard strike. Osborne scored on a 19-yard run just five seconds before half.
Whitehall kept right on rolling in the second half, Ryan Goodrich busting in from a yard out, and Gavin Craner skirting around end on a two-yard run.
Manistee scored its touchdown with 9:30 left in regulation on a Neal-Berry 15-yard pass to Kaden Kott.
The Vikings improved to 3-2 overall and 3-0 in the WMC Lakes.
