MUSKEGON – Based on what we’ve seen so far, the West Michigan Ironmen seem like a good bet to regain their status as league champions.

They lost that distinction last year, when they competed in the Great Lakes Arena Football league, and were upset in the championship game by the Michigan Avengerz.

For a team that’s used to beating just about everyone, by pretty large margins, that was a hard pill to swallow.

But the Ironmen are in the American Indoor Football league this season, with two other teams, and they’ve now played both one time.

Last week they easily dispatched the Coralville Chaos 75-7, and they followed that up on Saturday with an equally impressive 55-0 victory over the Cedar Rapids River Kings at Muskegon’s Trinity Health Arena.

The Ironmen still have to play both of those teams again on the road, and then there will be some sort of playoff format, but so far, so good for Ironmen head coach Terry Mitchell.

“I think we did really well, especially given the circumstances – we were down both of our linebackers who were out,” Mitchell said. “We had to bring in some new guys and they still played very well.

“It’s just a testament to our work. My guys work hard in practice every day. We work hard and prepare to finish. We prepared for these guys and brought it to the field. Holding an opponent to zero in arena league is a big thing. It’s kind of unheard of.”

One new player who is definitely pleasing Coach Mitchell is receiver Toni Sok, a speedster who was predicted to be very good, and has lived up to billing so far.

He had three touchdown catches in the first game, and three more on Saturday, including two in the first quarter to get the West Michigan offense moving.

Sok caught a 27-yard scoring strike from quarterback Alex Carder, then a 17-pyard TD pass from Carder about five minutes later.

His final score came in the fourth quarter, on a 37-yard touchdown throw from backup quarterback Darnell Fields.

“I actually played here in 2018, but I got hurt in training camp,” Sok said. “So it feels good to be back. It’s really just perfect timing. I still got Alex, a veteran quarterback, so it’s perfect.”

“He’s made for arena football,” Mitchell said about Sok. “He’s so quick and fast and he knows the game really well. He creates separation like no other.”

Several other Ironmen had big nights, including Tyler Bruce, who had touchdown runs of 5 and 10 yards and a touchdown reception from Carder covering six yards.

Wideout Jeremiah Dault had the longest scoring play of the night, catching a 40-yard pass from Carder.

Linebacker Josh Fusco accounted for the other West Michigan TD with a 33-yard fumble recovery.

Carder was 8-for-15 passing for 144 yards with four touchdowns.

The Ironmen defense was also impressive, posting its first shutout of the season, and only allowing seven points through the first two games.

Fosco led the D with 11 tackles to go with his scoop-and-score. Ian Hall added six tackles, including two sacks.

“We’re competitive in practice and come ready to play,” Coach Mitchell said. “We’re ready to play on Saturdays because we’re so competitive in practice. We don’t know who’s going to play on Saturday nights because we’re so competitive.”

The Ironmen’s next home game will be March 7 in a non-league matchup against the Detroit Ravens.

SCORING SUMMARY

First quarter

WM – 10:56- Tyler Bruce 5 run (kick good) – 7-0 Wm
WM – 8:20 – Alex Carder 27 pass to Toni Sok (kick good) – 14-0 WM
WM – 3:15 – Carder 17 pass to Sok – 21-0 WM

Second quarter

WM – 7:20 – Carder 40 pass to Jeremiah Dault (kick good) – 28-0 WM
WM – 0:12 – Bruce 10 run (kick good) – 35-0 WM

Third quarter

WM – 2:50 – Carder 6 pass to Bruce (kick good) – 42-0 WM

Fourth quarter

WM – 6:28 – Josh Fusco 33 fumble recovery (kick no good) – 48-0 WM
WM – 3:07 – Darnell Fields 37 pass to Sok (kick good) – 55-0 WM