Vicksburg’s varsity football team has started the season on a high note, racking up a 3-1 record with a dominating 52-7 win over Sturgis at homecoming.
The Bulldogs started the game off with a bang. After forcing a quick Trojan three and out, quarterback Easton Moughton connected with a wide-open Maguire Bowles for a 56-yard touchdown on Vicksburg’s first offensive play.
The Bulldogs have been on fire offensively, with Moughton throwing for over 800 yards in the first three games. He’s supported by a slew of receivers and backfield help. A strong offensive line is another key factor. Still, Head Coach Tom Marchese doesn’t want to let up on the gas.
“We’re playing pretty well as a unit right now, but you’ve got to continue to do it. You’ve got to keep stacking it week after week after week,” Marchese said.
He said the team wasn’t looking past Sturgis in the contest despite its 0-3 record coming into the game.
“They played well last week against Edwardsburg. They scored 13 points, moved the ball pretty decent,” Marchese said. “So, we were ready for whatever they gave us. Defensively we played well, offensively we executed pretty well.”
Vicksburg’s second drive was a little longer, anchored mostly by running back Jayden Keiser. A facemask penalty set the Bulldogs up on the Sturgis two-yard line. Aroldo Mendoza finished off the drive with a two-yard power run. The extra point made it 14-0. On the next drive, Sturgis struggled to get anything going. Anthony Marchese eventually ended the drive with a sack for an 11-yard loss.
After that big play and a short punt, the next drive for Vicksburg started at the Sturgis 42-yard line. It was a drive that only lasted five plays. Moughton took the ball in himself on a three-yard QB keeper. The extra point made things 21-0.
Vicksburg kept moves mostly on the ground with Keiser on the next drive. The drive was ultimately capped off with Moughton and Bowles’ second touchdown connection of the night. This one went for 19 yards, and Bowles was completely uncovered in the middle of the end zone.
Moughton tossed his third touchdown of the night, an 18-yarder, to Graham Kubiak. The extra point made left the score 35-0 at the half.
The big lead allowed the Bulldogs to rest their starters in the second half. Sturgis still didn’t have much of an answer on both sides of the ball. The Bulldogs methodically marched downfield on a series of QB keepers by backup Mitchell Beyer and running back Braden Jimenez.
Jimenez powered his way into the endzone on a 12-yard power run during which he shook a few tacklers. The extra point made things 42-0.
On the Trojan’s next drive, there was a high snap on the punt. The kicker got it off in the endzone, but the short kick set up the Bulldogs at the Sturgis 19-yard line. However, the Sturgis defense finally got a stop. Michael Johnson came into the game and kicked a short field goal to make it 45-0.
Sturgis scored late in the third quarter but was unable to follow that up with any more points. In the final few minutes of the game, Nathan Vallier made a short throw to Cayden Chapman, who turned it into a six-yard touchdown. The extra point made the final 52-7.
The Bulldogs won their opening game of the season 41-14 over Mattawan before traveling to Grand Rapids Northview, where they narrowly lost 23-21. Vicksburg bounced back with a 49-6 thrashing of Plainwell the following week.
The hardest part of Vicksburg’s schedule will be their last three games where they will face Niles, Edwardsburg, and Paw Paw. However, Marchese says they aren’t looking that far ahead.
“Just take it one game at a time. If you look ahead you’re going to get tripped up,” Marchese said. “We’re trying to stress to them to just take it one practice at a time, one game at a time, and everything will take care of itself. It’s easier said than done, and so far the kids have done a good job of it.”
