Orchard View Football Turns Back St. Clair, Behind Another Big Game from Reese

The Nest, Inside Orchard View Athletics
By: Justin Troyer
Presented by: West Michigan Ironmen

Muskegon, MI -- After two weeks on the road that produced mixed results, Orchard View finally returned to Cardinal Stadium on Saturday afternoon — and the Cardinals made the most of their return to THE NEST.

Coming off a tough conference loss to Montague before rebounding with a statement victory over Hart a week ago, Orchard View entered Saturday's matchup with a 3-2 record. Standing across the field was a St. Clair Saints team that arrived on the Shoreline with a 4-1 mark.

The matchup lived up to the billing.

When the afternoon was over, the Cardinals had added another impressive win to their season, defeating St. Clair 29-20 in a game that featured big plays, a second-half comeback attempt and another standout performance from one of Orchard View's most familiar names, Ca'Mari Reese.

Reese Sets the Tone

Reese was everywhere early.

The Cardinal playmaker opened the scoring with an explosive 65-yard touchdown run, immediately giving Orchard View momentum.

It wouldn't be his only trip to the end zone.

Reese later found pay dirt on a three-yard touchdown run, helping the Cardinals build their advantage while continuing to provide a spark for the Orchard View offense.

But Reese's biggest play of the first half came on defense.

With St. Clair driving and threatening to cut into the Cardinal lead, Reese stepped in front of a Saints pass and turned a defensive op
portunity into six more points. Showing the same elusiveness that has made him a dangerous weapon with the ball in his hands, Reese raced 94 yards for a pick-six.

Three first-half touchdowns from Reese — two rushing scores and a defensive touchdown — helped Orchard View take a 20-6 lead into the locker room.

Saints Answer After the Break

Halftime provided St. Clair with an opportunity to make adjustments, and the Saints took full advantage.

The second half became a much different football game as St. Clair mounted a comeback and began putting pressure on the Cardinals' lead.

Orchard View, however, refused to let the Saints' momentum completely swing the game.

With the Cardinals needing a big offensive play, Kenyon McCauley delivered.

McCauley connected with Tre Thomas on a 25-yard touchdown pass, giving the Cardinals the score they needed and eventually proving to be the game-winning touchdown.

McCauley wasn't finished making an impact.

As St. Clair continued to threaten late in the game, McCauley came up with another huge play on defense, taking the ball away with an interception to help preserve the Cardinal advantage.

For Head Coach Aaron James, the moment was a reflection of the playmakers Orchard View has throughout its roster.

“We have a lot of kids that can make plays. I trust the coaches to get them the ball.”

And with St. Clair driving, James said McCauley recognized the moment and trusted what he had been taught.

“St. Clair was doing a great job driving. Kenyon, the leader that he is, knew he needed to make a play for us to win. He trusted the coaching and read his keys, and jumped the route.”

The interception helped Orchard View close the door on the Saints' comeback attempt and preserve the 29-20 victory.

For McCauley, the Cardinals' second straight victory is important, but it is only another step toward the bigger goals this team has set for itself.

“As fun as it is to get back-to-back victories, we have bigger aspirations, and winning football games is something we have to do to achieve those goals.”

McCauley continued, emphasizing the importance of staying committed to the identity the Cardinals
have built.

“When we play Orchard View football, and the team across the field, we are very good. We need to stay the course and control what we know we can do.”

That mindset will be important as Orchard View enters the final stretch of the regular season.

Head Coach Aaron James knows there is still plenty of work ahead for his team, despite the impressive victory.

“We understand the tasks in front of us. We need to get 1% better every day.”

The win moves the Cardinals to 4-2 on the season and gives Orchard View another quality victory as the Cardinals continue their push toward the final stretch of the regular season.

Homecoming Awaits

There won't be much time for the Cardinals to enjoy Saturday's win.

Orchard View returns to Cardinal Stadium on Friday night for Homecoming, welcoming the Fremont Packers to Orchard View.

After a pair of road games and a Saturday afternoon battle against St. Clair, the Cardinals will once again have the home crowd behind them as they look to build on their 4-2 start.

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