08/28/2026
Central Montcalm Hornets Fall to Saranac RedHawks, 21-6, but the Hornet’s learn a lot in a gritty effort!
The Central Montcalm Hornets opened the 2026 football season Thursday night with a hard-fought battle against the Saranac RedHawks, falling 21-6.
Central Montcalm’s defense came out strong, stopping Saranac’s opening drive with a big defensive stand. The Hornets then struck first early in the second quarter when Haiden MacLaren scored on a 1-yard touchdown run , capping off a 95 yard drive, giving CM a 6-0 lead. MacLaren had a series of great runs in the first half.
Saranac answered with two touchdowns before halftime. Kole Krueger scored on a 3-yard touchdown run, followed by a 9-yard touchdown pass from Gabe Webb, giving the RedHawks a 15-6 halftime advantage.
The Hornets continued to battle in the second half. Saranac blocked a Central Montcalm punt, on the 15 yard line of CM, but the CM defense came up big on the next play when Bryson Stevenson intercepted a Saranac pass and returned it 40 yards to the RedHawks’ 45-yard line.
The Hornet’s showed life in the fourth quarter connecting Dillon Tissue and Liam Kahler on a pass play that set the Hornet’s up with first and goal inside the 10 yard line. The drive ended on a turnover on downs on the 1 yard line.
Saranac put the game out of reach with 3:03 remaining in the fourth quarter, when Levi Warner scored on an 11-yard touchdown run. The Hornets blocked the extra point attempt, making the final score Saranac 21, Central Montcalm 6.
Central Montcalm 0-1 will look to bounce back next week when the Hornets host Newaygo.
