With a share of the OK Black Championship at stake, the rivalry between Mona Shores and Muskegon is bigger than ever. Both teams have had successful seasons thus far and both entered Friday’s game undefeated. Muskegon leads the series 29-7. The OK Black Championship is the conference that both schools are in – whomever wins goes to the playoffs.

MVP

LaDarius Jefferson

Muskegon

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Tristan Robbins

Mona Shores

Tristan is a two-year member of the National Honors Society and has been an AP Honors student since freshman year. Besides football, he participates in power lifting, wrestling and rugby where he was voted a team captain in all four sports. Tristan was also voted the 2017 Homecoming King. He plans on playing collegiate football and pursuing a degree in business.

Elisha Jackson

Muskegon

Eli is a two- year letterman on the varsity football team. He is also 1st Team All Conference and All- Area for the 2016 season. Eli is an extreme vocal leader on the Big Reds football team, as well as the entire student body. He is inspired by his teammates and family and currently holds scholarship offers from Ferris State University, Lawrence Tech University, and has received interest from Ivy League schools such as Cornell. Following graduation, he plans to pursue an undergraduate degree in sports management.

HALL OF FAME

A.J. McClanahan

Muskegon

A.J. played in the Muskegon vs. Mona Shores game both his junior and senior years during the 2014 and 2015 football seasons. Stepping into a starting role at defensive back during his senior campaign, McClanahan and the Big Reds got a chance to compete against the Sailors twice; once in the regular season and again during the second round district final game. McClanahan came up big in the district final with a few key pass deflections that helped boost the Big Reds to victory. A.J. credits his success during the game to the the way head coach, Shane Fairfield, prepared him and the rest of the team to play. McClanahan was a 2nd team All Conference player in addition to playing for a state conference championship while a Big Red.

GAME SUMMARY

Muskegon and Mona Shores entered Friday’s game undefeated and state ranked, and the hype surrounding the game was palpable. In the end, Muskegon rode the back of La’Darius Jefferson, who carried the ball 33 times for 290 yards and four touchdowns, in a 35-24 victory. Jefferson, a Central Florida commit and the MVP of the game, helped make 8-0 a reality Friday night against Muskegon Mona Shores. The Big Reds beat the Sailors in a 35-24 victory to become the OK Black Conference champs and to defend their undefeated title.