The first half of the Grass Lake-Muskegon Catholic Central Division 7 state football championship on Saturday morning at Ford Field was burdened with tough calls and tough decisions. The Grass Lake Warriors entered this game with their first opportunity to win a state football championship compared to the ten state championship appearances for the Crusaders in the last 26 years.

The tough calls and the tough decisions all went Muskegon Catholic Central's way against the Grass Lake Warriors. It was 35-7 at the game's end with the Crusader Nation carrying off the big trophy and the Division 7 state championship.

"The breaks didn't go our way today," said head coach Randy Cole of Grass Lake. "But let's give CC all the credit in the world. They're a fine team. They made the plays they had to make to win the championship and we didn't."

Grass Lake's senior quarterback, Austin Cole, was outstanding for most of the game despite being sacked six times and spending all day lying on the synthetic grass of Ford Field. He hit senior wide receiver Doug Rogan for a 53-yard pass play and a touchdown to open the scoring. From that time on, it was all Muskegon Catholic Central.

Grass Lake has nothing to hang their heads and be ashamed about, finishing 11-3 and runner-up in Division 7. First, a questionable holding call on a touchdown throw by Cole cost the Warriors six points. Then, another holding call on an interception backed Grass Lake up 30 yards.

Cole had a big decision with three minutes left in the first half - punt, or go for it on fourth and one. The call was a quarterback sneak. Coach Cole thought the spot was questionable and Grass Lake turned the ball over on downs.

Muskegon Catholic Central coach Mike Holmes explained his team's success in this way:

"We came to play 48 minutes," said Coach Holmes. "When we start our season, the goal is always to play in Game 10. We're without a conference, so we play a lot of bigger schools and get 'game-tough'. The state championship is what we shoot for. We hadn't been here for five years running, so the pressure was definitely on me."

Junior running back Donnie Miller scored on two rushing touchdowns from four and 10 yards out. Miller had 13 carries for 54 yards on the day. His junior backfield mate Adam Shireman scored from 27 yards out and led the Crusaders with 21 carries for 121 yards. Senior Mychal Galla had six carries for 72 yards and scored from 15 yards out. Senior running back Tim Baker scored on a 14-yard fumble recovery to end the scoring for CC.

"I brought out the three guys in our backfield that you guys (the press) asked for," said Holmes. "I could have brought out two or three others. We have that much backfield depth."

The backfield is loaded with good players for Muskegon Catholic Central. Miller and Shireman along with their quarterback Pete Vihtelic all return for their senior seasons in 2007. This team is loaded with fine underclassmen along with the offensive backfield standouts.

Tim Hornak is a 6-5, 200-pound sophomore tackle returning. His twin brother Jon Hornak will join him on the offensive line a year from now. Adrian Baker and Brian Johnson were both honorable mention All State Class C as sophomores on defense. This Muskegon Catholic Central team had great senior leadership, but with these young guys coming back next season, perhaps the best is yet to come.