Muskegon CC Tops Munising To Win D-8 State Title

DETROIT---For a while there, the Munising Mustangs and Upper Peninsula high school football fans were all feeling pretty happy. After all, the Mustangs connected on a long touchdown pass to take the lead against heavily-favored Muskegon Catholic Central in the MHSAA Division Eight state championship game at Ford Field.

But the early 74-yard pass from Austin Kelto to Andy Cooper would be the only time the Mustangs would hit the end zone, and Muskegon Catholic Central repeated as state champions with a 31-6 victory. Munising's best season in generations ended at 12-2.

Michigan High School Athletic Association

"It was a heck of a game," Munising Coach Jeff Seaberg said. "The first two-and-a-half quarters, we did an excellent job of containing them. We held them to about 70 yards of total offense in the first half. But we got a little tired in the second half because we don't have as many subs to put in. Then they started to grind on us."

The pass was hauled in by Cooper in double coverage at midfield, and he raced the final 50 yards for the touchdown that had the Orange and Black crowd in hysterics.

"It was a 'quick-and-go', " Cooper said. "I was supposed to get to the outside, but their corner bailed to the sidelines and their safety stayed in the middle. So, I split the two, and Austin gave me a great pass up high. I went up and grabbed it and then ran."

But the undeated Crusaders didn't trail for long. Tommy Scott returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, the longest kickoff return in MHSAA history.

Munising Senior Andy Cooper comments

"We knew that he had good speed," Seaberg said of Scott. "He saw a seam and got through on us."

"That was devastating," Cooper added.

The Munising offense could not get much going against the strong, physical MCC defense. The Mustangs had just five first downs in the entire game, and were held to 39 net rushing yards on 30 carries. Besides the 74-yard pass play at the beginning of the game, Munising had 28 passing yards. Total offense: 144 yards.

"They're tough," Kelto said. "Biggest defense, fastest defense that we've played. At first, I thoyght we could get some stuff on them. But they doubled him (Cooper) and doubled our other receiver and it was tough to throw. I think they wore us down."

Still, Munising hung in there against a Crusader team that beat many schools that were larger than them during the season.

In the first half, MCC got only a field goal to go along with that kickoff return, and the Crusaders led, 10-6, at halftime.

But Scott scored on runs of 1, 9, and 30 yards in the second half to allow the Crusaders to pull away. He had 96 yards on 21 carries.

"I think they are what we expected," Kelto said. "We knew they were gonna be the best team we've played, by far. We watched multiple films on them. We saw their speed, their size. They're just a good team."

In the end, the Mustangs just didn't have the firepower to pull off the upset.

"They have a few more subs than we do," Seaberg said. "We don't sub a lot of guys in this late in the year. I think they had a little fresher legs down the stretch."

Munising Senior Austin Kelto comments

"We just weren't able to stop them. Once it got out of hand, it was a little too much for us to try to get back in it against them. They're a heck of a football team. And we've got a heck of a football team."

Munising finished with a 12-2 record, making its first state finals appearance since 1980. The Mustangs will be welcomed home with a big celebration Sunday night at 7:00 at the Munising High School Gym. The public is invited to attend.

CLICK HERE to see all of the statistics, courtesy of the MHSAA.
CLICK HERE to read the MHSAA's story about the game.