MUSKEGON – The West Michigan Ironmen have been beating opponents by huge margins for years.

It’s a fun old tradition at Muskegon’s Trinity Health Arena – blowout wins over bewildered opponents that always made the fans feel good.

But most years all of those really big wins led to nothing at the end of the season, because most years the Ironmen were not in a league, or started in some league that fell apart before all the games were played.

That changed this season, when the Ironmen formed their own league, Great Lakes Arena Football, that had its share of ups and downs but lasted the entire season and had playoffs and a championship game.

The championship game happened on Saturday night, the Ironmen rolled to yet another huge victory – 81-25 over the Southern Michigan Apex in front of a big, loud, happy crowd – and this time they were rewarded for their excellence.

Ironmen Coach Nate Smith hands off the championship trophy to his players. Photo/Jeremy Clark

The Ironmen hoisted only the second championship trophy in their seven-year history, and their first since 2018.

For a lot of key guys who have been with the Ironmen for years, the victory was very special.

Nate Smith, the team’s general manager/head coach, worked hard since last season to build the new league and make sure that it made it through its inaugural campaign.

All of that hard work seemed worth it to the veteran coach minutes after he raised the trophy and handed it over to his happy players.

“I think a few hours from now we are going to sit back and take a deep breath and realize there was a lot more that took place tonight,” Smith said about the long battle to establish a league and get it through its first season. “I am proud of what we did on the field, there is no doubt about it. I knew our guys were locked in, but we talked about being able to play for a lot more than just a championship.”

The Ironmen’s Raheem Stokes (2) and Alje Buiter celebrate. Photo/Jeremy Clark

That doesn’t mean the thrill of winning the big game was lost on the coach.

“We talked about coming out here and playing like a pack tonight,” Smith said. “We talked about taking care of each other. We have great chemistry with players who love playing for this crowd. We needed to go punch-to-punch with them early on, then turn it on and make it happen. I think we were destined to take home the trophy.”

Quarterback Alex Carder, who has led the Ironmen offense for all but one season since the team was launched in 2016, said the victory will help the team become more established in the arena football world.

“It is always fun to come out here and put on a show for the fans and this is what we practice for,” said Carder, who completed 18 of 28 passes for 242 yards and nine touchdowns. “We want to show that we play quality football here so we can attract the next group of athletes. We want to grow this thing as much as we can. It’s going to get more competitive.”

Willie Shanks makes a tackle for the Ironmen. Photo/Jeremy Clark

Veteran receiver Keondre Banks-Craig, who has been sporadically getting tryouts in higher leagues over the past few years, was thrilled to be around to win a title in his hometown.

Banks-Craig, who caught six passes for 86 yards and three touchdowns in the game, is a graduate of Muskegon High School.

“It means something to me every time we step on the field,” Banks-Craig said. “We are going to put on a good show for the fans regardless. But it feels good to win a trophy. This is great for the city and for the fans.”

The Ironmen scored on their first possession of the game on a 7-yard TD toss from Carder to Danny Hugan.

Danny Hugan carries the ball into the end zone for the Ironmen. Photo/Jeremy Clark

Southern Michigan tied the score at 7-7, but from there the romp was on.

The Ironmen led 20-7 after one quarter, 41-13 at halftime and 69-19 after three quarters.

Hugan finished with six catches for 68 yards and three touchdowns. John Ross had three catches for 55 yards and two touchdowns. Sterling Alexander caught three passes for 33 yards and one touchdowns.

Alje Buiter had two interceptions for the Ironmen while Derek VandenBosch and Willie Shanks each had one.

SCORING SUMMARY 

FIRST QUARTER
WM 10:51 – Danny Hugan II 7-yard catch from Alex Carder (Ben Townshend kick) WM 7, SM 0
SM 8:27 – Chazz Middlebrook 3-yard run (Kyle Kabaeinski kick) WM 7, SM 7
WM 7:44 – Danny Hugan II 60-yard kick return (kick failed) WM 13, SM 7
WM 2:59 – Sterling Alexander 13-yard catch from Alex Carder (Ben Townshend kick) WM 20, SM 7

SECOND QUARTER
WM 10:00  – John Ross 21-yard catch from Alex Carder (2-pt failed) WM 26, SM 7
WM 9:45 – Clay Oliver recovers fumble in end zone (Evin Gattin run) WM 34, SM 7
WM 1:24 – Keyondre Banks-Craig 19-yard catch from Alex Carder (Ben Townshend kick) WM 41, SM 7
SM :01 – Harvey Caddell 16-yard catch from Jose Malave Jr. (2-pt failed) WM 41, SM 13

THIRD QUARTER
WM 12:51 – Keyondre Banks-Craig 35-yard catch from Alex Carder (Ben Townshend kick) WM 48, SM 13
SM 9:03 – Christian Myers 7-yard catch from Jose Malave Jr. (2-pt failed) WM 48, SM 19
WM 7: 19 – Danny Hugan II 28-yard catch from Alex Carder (Ben Townshend kick) WM 55, SM 19
WM 3:59  – Keyondre Banks-Craig 1-yard catch from Alex Carder (Ben Townshend kick) WM 62, SM 19
WM 2:33 – Willie Shanks 16-yard interception return (Ben Townshend kick) WM 69, SM 19

FOURTH QUARTER
WM 11:49 – John Ross 30-yard catch from Alex Carder (kick failed) WM 75, SM 19
SM 8:20 – Christian Myers 32-yard catch from Jose Malave Jr. (2-pt failed) WM 75, SM 25
WM :49 – Danny Hugan II 19-yard catch from Alex Carder (kick failed) WM 81, SM 25