1 of 7

Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK

Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK

Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK

Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK

Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK

Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK

Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK

CASSOPOLIS — Talk about making a statement.

The undefeated Cassopolis Rangers are not getting much respect in the high school rankings.

So, the Rangers decided to make a little statement Friday night at William F. Scott Field when it hosted perennial playoff powerhouse Muskegon Catholic Central.

“I did not see this coming,” Cassopolis coach Dan Purlee said. “We have all the respect in the world for their program. They are a good team. They are young and we knew that. We played well and we executed extremely well.”

The Rangers scored early and often in the first half en route to a 48-0 victory over the Crusaders.

Muskegon Catholic Central won the Division 8 state championship in 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013 and semifinals in 2011.

The Crusaders advanced the district championship game last season before being eliminated by Mendon.

Cassopolis has reached the state playoffs five consecutive years, including a trip to semifinals in 2016.

This game was expected to be a measuring stick for the Rangers to see where they stand this season.

If it was, the Rangers are on track to enjoy a long playoff run this season.

Tyrese Hunt-Thompson scored the game’s first two touchdowns — one on each side of the ball.

Hunt-Thompson scored on a 17-yard run to open the scoring before he picked off a Crusaders’ pass and returned it 32 yards to make it 14-0 after the opening quarter of play.

Owen Gardner added second-quarter touchdown, while the Ranger defense scored yet another touchdown.

Gardner raced 57 yards to make it 21-0 after Lane Francis’ third straight extra point kick before Hunt-Thompson took a handoff deep in the Rangers’ end of the field and went untouched down the Cassopolis sideline for a 91-yard touchdown.

Muskegon Catholic Central actually had the play closed down to the right-side of the field, but Hunt-Thompson reversed his course and picked up a handful of Ranger blockers to break free.

Ahsan Hart returned the Crusaders’ fumble 22 yards to give Cassopolis a 34-0 lead.

Quarterback Dylan Green capped the 41-point first half with a 27-yard keeper around the left end.

The only score of the second half came in the third quarter when Gardner went 65 yards to the end zone.

Cassopolis rushed for 392 yards and finished the night with 417 yards of total offense.

Hunt-Thompson finished the night with 132 yards on six carries, while Gardner ran for 145 yards on six carries.

The Ranger defense was equally as impressive as it held Muskegon Catholic Central to 137 yards of total offense.

The defense was led by Zack Williams and Hart’s 10 tackles. Green, Skyler McKee and Gage Collins both finished with eight stops.

CASSOPOLIS 48, MUSKEGON CC 0

At Cassopolis

Muskegon CC 0 0 0 0 – 0

Cassopolis 14 27 7 0 – 48

C – Tyres Hunt-Thompson 17 run (Lane Francis kick)

C – Hunt-Thompson 32 interception return (Francis kick)

C – Owen Gardner 57 run (Francis kick)

C – Hunt-Thompson 91 run (Francis kick)

C – Ahsan Hart 22 fumble return (kick fails)

C – Dylan Green 27 run (Francis kick)

C – Gardner 65 run (Francis kick)

Varsity records: Muskegon CC 2-3, Cassopolis 5-0

More Sports

Niles volleyball team beats South Haven to earn D2 District title

Rangers fall to Watervliet in five-set thriller

Volleyball season ends for Eddies, Chieftains in district semi-final losses

Edwardsburg, Dowagiac spikers sweep district foes