For the 14^th meeting between the two teams, the Coyotes look to keep their recent postseason success going against the Montague Wildcats. In preparation for the game, here’s a full in-depth look at the matchup including the history, schemes, numbers, and bracket implications for the two programs.

 

MATCHUP HISTORY

While Montague holds the edge with an 11-2 all-time record against Reed City, those two losses have come in the last three years against Coach Shankel’s team. The last matchup between these two teams occurred last season in the exact same spot in the bracket: the Region 2, District 1 Pre-District round. The only difference this time around: Reed City has two more losses this year at 6-3 while the Wildcats notched one more win at 4-5 entering Friday night. The Reed City 45-15 drubbing last year erased the 2021 District title loss at home when Montague took down the district favorites 35-22.

Montague won the Division 6 state title in 2020, beating Clinton at Ford Field in dominant fashion 40-14 to cement a perfect 12-0 season; however, the Wildcats have had their struggles since with only 15 wins in the next three seasons including 2023. For Reed City, their furthest marches came in 2017 and 2022, where they fell to Saginaw Swan Valley 29-14 and Negaunee 13-12 respectively in the state semi-final rounds.

 

SCHEME

When it comes to offense, the Wildcats and Coyotes share a commonality being run first teams. Where the discrepancy comes into play is how they run the ball. For Reed City, the classic “T” and “Wing-T” formations that were used as early as the 1920’s by the Chicago Bears are their bread and butter. The versatility of using two and even three running backs in the backfield gives the Coyotes unlimited versatility to run both between and outside the tackles from different blocking schemes. Montague does have experience against this type of attack, as they have played against two teams this year (Muskegon Orchard View and Muskegon Oakridge) that run a similar formation. Many of these games, Montague countered with a 5-2 front defensively that shifts slightly with the depth of linebackers and defensive backs.

Montague offensively has a more balanced scheme offensively out of the commonly used “Shotgun” formation. Their spread attack, often coming in a “Trips” formation with three receivers on one side, leans more to quick handoffs and passes. The Wildcats also like to run with their quarterback more than teams that use a similar scheme. For Reed City, they have experience against the spread earlier on the season against Tri-County, Big Rapids, and Cadillac. As a primary 5-2 defense, Reed City may move into a hybrid 4-3 look to account for Montague’s receiving core.

 

BY-THE-NUMBERS

Since 2000, both programs have been some of West Michigan’s best at collecting wins. Reed City’s 185-70 and Montague’s 205-74 tallies combine for a winning percentage of over 73% between the two schools over the past 24 seasons. Since the reinitiation of the series between the two schools, Montague leads 3-2 over their past five matchups with the average score being 31 – 23 in favor of the Wildcats.

In terms of this season, the Coyotes had their share of struggles scoring early on with only an average of 20.75 points and 224 yards in their first four games. Since then, Reed City has hit their stride with an average offensive output of 39.6 points and 399 yards per game over the past five victories.

On the other side, Montague started the season putting up an average of 26.2 points per game but have only scored 18.25 points per game over their past four games. While this is better than last year, their defense has been susceptible to having on-or-off nights. The Wildcats have given up 34 or more points in six games this year, while in the other three games they stood tall holding opponents at under 23.

 

BRACKET IMPLICATIONS

The winner of this matchup will have the right to face the victor between Hart and Kent City in the District Final. As the top team in District 85 and Region 22 with 46.4 playoff points, Reed City has the right to host the next four possible playoff games at Alumni Field if they were to keep their winning stretch in-tact. If Montague were to pull off the first round upset, who stands at 38.1 points, they would travel to either Hart (40.0) or Kent City (39.0) for the district title game.

Reed City has won 12 of their last 14 postseason contest at home, including going 3-0 last season with victories over Millington, Muskegon Catholic Central, and Montague. For the Wildcats’ last 14 as the visitor, they are 6-8 with their last win being against Reed City in 2021.  

 

BROADCAST INFORMATION

For all the play-by-play action, tune in to Y102 starting at 6:45 P.M. Listen in on 102.3 FM, WYBR.com, or the WYBR mobile app.