Whitehall's Cody Pider races an Oakridge defender around the end in the Viking's 24-20 loss to the Eagles Friday night.

For first-year Whitehall head coach Dan Holden, the loss was really a win.

“I think our team, especially our seniors, are setting a foundation for the future,” said Holden. “A lot of our JV players were here tonight and I think that they saw this team play with a lot of intensity and a lot of pride against a team that won a state title last year. We were right there with them and we have to be very proud of that. We’re setting a foundation for the future of this program.”

The Vikings almost jumped out on the Eagles early, taking their opening possession 79 yards in 13 plays, down to the Oakridge 11 before fumbling it back over to the visitors. Despite that, the much improved Viking defense forced a three-and-out, retaining possession at the Oakridge 44. Two plays later, Whitehall all-purpose back Tyler VanBergen outran the Eagle defense 47 yards to pay dirt and the contest’s first score. Whitehall missed the extra point but still lead 6-0.

After forcing two more Oakridge three-and-outs, Whitehall made it 12-0 when scat back Codie Pider capped a nine-play, 69-yard drive with a 24-yard scoring jaunt which featured a beautiful cutback by Pider.

The two-point conversion try was no good.

“I was surprised, actually,” noted Holden, of his team’s fast start. “I was surprised our line could play that well. Now that we know they can play like that, we’re going to expect it from now on.”

But with just over three minutes left in the half, Oakridge showed why it’s the defending Division 5 state champs with a four-play, 65-yard drive that saw outstanding Eagle QB Jamie Potts score from 13 yard away. With the successful point-after-touchdown, the Vikings saw their lead shrink to 12-7 at the break.

Oakridge needed just nine plays to take the lead on its first possession of the second half, an 83-yard drive capped by a four-yard Potts run to make it 14-12. Following a failed fourth-and six try by Whitehall, the Eagles made it 21-12 after Potts connected with Conner Patton from 27 yards away. A quarter of the way through the fourth, the Eagles added a 22-yard field goal to make it 24-12

But Whitehall’s engine was suddenly on again, as evidenced by a quick five play drive, keyed by a 54-yard run by Pider. VanBergen capped it off with a two yard run. Viking QB Christian Subdon connected with VanBergen on the subsequent two-point try to make it 24-20.

Whitehall would get one more shot at getting the win, after forcing a Oakridge punt, but the Vikings were unable to get any closer than their own 22 before the drive stalled.

VanBergen and Pider combined for an incredible 300 yards on the ground , with VanBergen leading the way with 190 yards on 21 carries and two scores. Subdon was 2-for-8 for 33 yards.

Sam Plaides and Scott Nowak each had six stops for Whitehall.

“Our players played their guts out tonight, and I think they earned a lot of respect from the community because they didn’t give up,” said Holden. “We had a shot to win it, which is all you can really ask for against a team like Oakridge.”

'Cats wake up in 2nd half

NORTH MUSKEGON — The visiting Montague Wildcats, coming off last week’s 52-21 thumping of Orchard View, got more than they bargained for Thursday night following a surprising 57-28 win over the Norse.

Leading 35-28 at the break, however, Montague’s dominate offense scored 22-consecutive points in the second half, while keeping the potent Norse offense out of the end zone to cruise to the win in the West Michigan Conference league opener for both clubs.

Drew Pineda got the Wildcats on the board with a 95-yard kick off return to start the game, but North Muskegon’s Drew Cook threw three scores to receiver London Burris to keep thing close.

Montague QB Cody Kater, who tossed for three scores, connected with senior receiver Matt DeJong to give their team the seven-point edge at the break. DeJong had two scores, while teammate Anthony Guerra point the nail in the coffin with a 50-yard TD scamper for the game’s final score.

Rockets still looking for 1st win

MUSKEGON — The Reeths-Puffer Rocket football team is still looking for the season’s first win following Thursday night’s 29-12 loss to Northview.

“Ours is a young team that will get better,” said Rocket head coach Tim Odette. “We still have a good attitude and that will help.”

Northview took a 9-0 lead into the break, and held the narrow 16-6 edge after three quarters, but finished off the Rockets with 15 fourth-quarter points.

Caden Beals got Reeths-Puffer on the board with a six-yard TD grab from senior QB John McCleve, while Austin Chester added another Rocket score on a 76-yard kick off return.

Northview outgained the Rockets 403-160 in total offense.