Montague ended the 2024 season with a flourish, stunning top-ranked North Muskegon to win a district championship and taking a ton of momentum into 2025. With the Wildcats returning every starter from last season's team, hopes are high in Montague.
"We should be pretty solid defensively and when the bats catch fire, we will be tough to beat," Montague coach Jeff Moss said. "The X factor in achieving our goals for me is the kids have to buy in, be team players and stay healthy. From there, the sky's the limit."
As you'd expect given the lack of graduation losses, Montague returns a ton of experience. Seniors Ryver Jarka, Bryton Belinger and Kellan Francis spearhead things. Moss said Jarka is one of the top center fielders in the West Michigan Conference, and his speed and smarts make him a threat everywhere. Jarka will also do some pitching, as will Belinger, who will man shortstop and anchor the lineup.
"He has undoubtedly the best bat on our team and will be a leader in the dugout and on the field," Moss said of Belinger.
Bolstering that senior trio is junior Eli Petersen, one of the team's best all-around players. Petersen has been one of the Wildcats' top pitchers throughout his career and that isn't expected to change. Cole Herremans, also a junior, will do a lot of pitching and play the infield.
"We have worked on some things and he looks great to start the season," Moss said. "I expect him to be a big impact player this season."
Montague is blessed with good depth this year too, Moss said, and he believes there will be some surprise players. Cooper Bradley, Fletcher Thommen, Jack Degen, Cole Moss, Braylen VanSickle, Conner McKeown, Robbie Smith and Dylan Bailey all have experience and any of them could emerge as difference-makers as the season continues.
The Wildcats should be in the mix in the West Michigan Conference Lakes, and the postseason could mean another tangle with North Muskegon, which is again in Montague's district. The non-conference schedule is tough, with the Norsemen, Forest Hills Eastern, Fruitport and Spring Lake among the scheduled foes.
