MUSKEGON – It seemed like old times at Mercy Health Arena on Saturday night.

You know, the proud but undramatic old days, when unsuspecting arena football teams from around the country would come to Muskegon and get stomped by the West Michigan Ironmen?

Fans saw something a little different last week in the season opener, when the Ironmen played a very good Charlotte team and only won by four points in a thriller that went to the last seconds.

But on Saturday it was rout time again, with the Ironmen manhandling the Central Illinois Royals from the first play to the end and posting a convincing 68-21 victory in front of another big home crowd.

The Ironmen’s Derek VandenBosch carries the ball toward the end zone after stripping it from a Royals player on the first play from scrimmage. Photo/Tonya Pardon

“We knew the competition was not going to be where it was last week, so the challenge for us was to stay locked in and play our best game,” said Ironmen coach Nate Smith. “We were glad to get in a game in front of these fans.”

If nothing else, the easy win underscored the fact that the Ironmen are one of the best arena teams around, despite the fact that they aren’t playing in a league this season.

Just imagine if they were. Central Illinois plays in the National Football Association and came in with a very impressive 4-1 record.

If the Ironmen were playing in that league, they might very well bring home a championship trophy without breaking a sweat.

The Ironmen’s Ryan Williams sacks Central Illinois’ Hunter Riley. Photo/Tonya Pardon

“We had an opportunity to play in their league, and we didn’t think the city of Muskegon wanted that, so instead we’re working on bringing in the best competition that we can.”

The defense stole the show for the Ironmen, keeping the Royals from scoring on 9 of 12 possessions, which is pretty incredible on a short 50-yard field.

The defense established its domination on the very first play from scrimmage, when the Royals quarterback had trouble handing the ball off and Ironmen linebacker Derek VandenBosch stripped it and run in for a 15-yard touchdown.

The defense also scored with a minute left in the first half on a 15-yard pick-six by Jamal Abbey.

Clay Oliver paced the Ironmen defense with seven tackles, while Nick DeKraker had six and VandenBosch had five.

Ironmen receiver Mike Wynn (1) carries the ball into the end zone, escorted by teammate Sterling Alexander. Photo/Tonya Pardon

The Ironmen have long been known for their dominant D, and now the Royals know, too.

“They were in a frenzy from right out the gate,” Smith said about the defense. “The guys wanted to get after it and set the tone of the game, and I think they did.”

The defensive effort allowed the Ironmen offense to showcase a lot of its talent, and a lot of guys got into the act.

Seven different Ironmen scored offensive touchdowns, with Mason Partlow leading the way with two TD catches of 31 and 25 yards.

Also getting in the touchdown parade were Sterling Alexander, Mike Wynn, Alex Carder, Patrick Lefere, Jerry Weston and Tyler Fehler.

Carder went 4-for-5 passing for 81 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

West Michigan’s Keondre Banks-Craig gets pushed into the boards by a Central Illinois player. Photo/Tonya Pardon

Backup QB Fehler competed 6 of 7 passes for 149 yards and four touchdowns.

Partlow caught two passes for 56 yards and two touchdowns, while Wynn had one catch for 43 yards and a score.

“Coach Terry Mitchell (the offensive coordinator) set some plays for guys to get some touches, and you know you’re doing something special when you can do that kind of stuff,”  Smith said.

If there was one down side for the Ironmen, it was penalties.  A lot of flags were thrown during the game, and most were against West Michigan.

The Ironmen committed 11 penalties for a total of 89 yards, while Central Illinois only had two infractions for 18 yards.

“Aggressive penalties are one thing, but some were penalties that we shouldn’t be involved in,” Smith said.

SCORING SUMMARY

1st Quarter
WM 14:41 – Derek Vandenbosch 15-yard fumble recovery (Alex Carder kick)  WM-7, CI-0
WM 3:55 – Sterling Alexander 18-yard catch from Alex Carder (kick failed) WM-13, CI-0

2nd Quarter
WM 13:21 – Mike Wynn 43-yard catch from Alex Carder (kick failed) WM-19, CI-0
WM 9:04 – Safety WM-21, CI-0
WM 5:05 – Alex Carder 2-yard run (Alex Carder kick) WM-28, CI-0
WM 1:00 – Jamal Abbey 35-yard pick-six (Alex Carder kick) WM-35, CI-0

3rd Quarter
WM 13:06 – Mason Partlow 31-yard catch from Alex Carder (Alex Carder kick) WM-42, CI-0
CI 11:30 – Darius Cody 5-yard catch from Quinton Fonville (Tanner Kuhne good) WM-42, CI-7
WM 9:00 – Patrick Lefere 18-yard catch from Tyler Fehler (Alex Carder kick) WM-49, CI-7
WM 1:50 – Jerry Weston Jr. 25-yard catch from Tyler Fehler (kick failed) WM-55, CI-7

4th Quarter
CI 12:08 – Jarrett Dickey 22-yard catch from Quinton Fonville (Tanner Kuhne kick) WM 55, CI 14
WM 10:45 – Mason Partlow 25-yard catch from Tyler Fehler (Alex Carder kick) WM-62, CI-14
CI 7:37 – Tez Turner 25-yard touchdown run (Tanner Kuhne kick) WM-62, CI-21
WM 3:13 – Tyler Fehler 7-yard touchdown run (kick failed) WM-68, CI-21100