Published: August 30, 2008 01:10 am            

Big Creek smacks Generals

MONTCALM — The Big Creek Owls scored on their second play from scrimmage and never looked back in a season-opening win over the home-standing Montcalm High School Generals, 52-8.

Big Creek’s Austin Johnson, found a hole of the right side of the Montcalm defense, and galloped 60 yards to pay dirt, and Owl quarterback Cody Johnson hit a wide open Devon Johnson on a two-point conversion to put the visitors up 8-0 with 11:38 remaining in the opening stanza.

The Owls continued their big-play drives with Sam Cook taking a reverse hand-off from Austin Johnson, and running 19 yards for a score with 6:53, left in the quarter. Cody Johnson ran the two-point conversion.

After holding the Generals to a three play and punt possession, Devon Johnson sprinted up the middle for a 54-yard score with 4:16 left in the first quarter. Devon Johnson scored his second first quarter touchdown on an 11-yard run as the clock ran out in the first quarter.

“Any time you get down like that in the first quarter, it’s hard to dig your way out of that kind of a hole,” Montcalm Head Coach Justin Gilbert said. “But I have to give credit to these kids. They never quit trying , and they played their hearts out for 48 minutes, and I can’t ask any more than that.

“I have to give Big Creek the credit, though,” Gilbert said. “They came out here tonight, played hard and played aggressive. They’re a well-coached, disciplined group of kids. That’s the kind of thing you want to see out of an opponent.”

Big Creek Head Coach Mike Vallo praised the Generals’ effort. “Montcalm is young just like we were a few years ago,” Vallo said. “As soon as these kids get a little age on them, they’ll be fine.”

Vallo said he is still evaluating his talent this year after two of his best players graduated last year. “I think they did a good job,” he said. “It was nice to be able to call a play and have it work.”

Turnovers and big defensive stops untracked the Owls in the second quarter, but even though the Generals started getting a rhythm in their passing game — especially between quarterback Steven McClanahan and either wide receiver, Nathan Mooney or halfback, Jacob Horne, it seemed like the Owl defense would stunt with Shawn Rowe and disrupt the Generals’ offense.

The Generals mounted a solid drive to start the second half, but fumbles by both teams eventually set the stage for Devon Johnson to take a screen pass from Cody Johnson 71 yards for a touchduwn with 6:31 left in the third. Austin Johnson would finish out the third quarter scoring with a 26-yard zig-zag run through the middle of the Montcalm defense.

The Generals had a pair of drives snuffed out two yards shy of the goal line, one when Joey Riffe picked off a McClanahan pass at the two, and another when Cody Underwood intercepted a McClanahan pass on the goal line.

Big Creek’s John Bailey pushed the first of those two over the goal line on a 10-yard run with 7:17 left in the game.

Chucky Ray Lilly, the “Voice of the Generals” got to call out: “Let the Generals’ canon roar! There will be no shut-out tonight,” with 1:39 left in the game as Horne powered his way through the middle for a 5-yard score. Bailey punched in the two-point conversion to end the night’s scoring.

The Generals will remain at home next Friday as they entertain the Hurley Rebels, and the Owls will continue their road trip by traveling to cross-county rival the Mount View Golden Knights.



at Prudich Stadium

Big Creek..............................32 0 14 8 — 52

Montcalm................................0 0 0 0 — 8

Scoring Summary

FIRST QUARTER —

BC: 11:38; A. Johnson, 60-yard run. D. Johnson, two-point conversion pass from C. Johnson.

BC: 6:53; S. Cook 19-yard run. C. Johnson two-point conversion run.

BC: 4:16, D. Johnson, 54-yard run. A. Johnson, two-point conversion pass from C. Johnson.

BC: 0:00; D. Johnson, 11-yard run. A. Johnson, two-point conversion pass from C. Johnson.

THIRD QUARTER

BC: 6:31; D. Johnson, 71-yard pass from C. Johnson. Run failed.

BC: 0:13; A. Johnson, 26-yard run. D. Johnson two-point conversion run.

FOURTH QUARTER

BC: 7:17; J. Bailey, 10-yard run. Run failed.

MH: 1:39; J. Horne, 5-yard run. B. Bailey run.

        

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