The Muskegon Catholic Central Crusaders got off to a great start in the Division 6 playoffs with a decisive 42-14 victory over a good Kent City squad Friday night at Kehren Stadium.
The Crusaders opened the scoring with a 24-yard TD run by Vince Syzmanski in the first quarter, then went ahead 14-0 on a 13-yard scoring run by quarterback Bryan Convertini in the second.
Kent City got on the scoreboard with a second-quarter TD pass from Zane Kik to Ari Baker for 55 yards. MCC then went up 21-7 at halftime following a five-yard scoring burst by Convertini.
Convertini had a 20-yard touchdown pass to Henry Rosema in the third quarter, then added a 26-yard touchdown run. MCC led 35-7 after three quarters.
Kent City scored again in the final quarter on a 45-yard pass from Kyler Larsen to Webb Logncore. The Crusaders wrapped things up with a nine-yard touchdown run by Syzmanski.
Convertini finished with 141 rushing yards and three touchdowns and completed 3 of 6 passes for 55 yards and another score. David Hill added 112 yards on the ground for MCC.
Sam Kartes racked up 13 tackles for the Crusader defense while Convertini picked off two passes and Hill had one interception.
Larson passed for 135 yards on 11-of-17 through the air. He also ran for 33 yards. Caden Hartzell led the team with 38 rushing yards, while Mason Westbrook added 31 on six carries.
Chase Moreno led the Kent City defense with nine tackles, followed by Longcore, Will Harrison and Jake Perry with four. Baker had three tackles and an interception.
MCC, now 8-2, will visit Reed City (9-1) next week in the district finals.