BY DAN STICKRADT
CORRESPONDENT
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
DETROIT — Sixth-ranked Grand Rapids West Catholic received little resistance from fifth-ranked Menominee.
The result was a lopsided 43-7 victory by West Catholic in the Division 5 state finals Nov. 26 at Ford Field.
West Catholic (12-2) racked up 351 passing yards and 112 rushing yards and out-gained Menominee by a sizable 463-163 margin in the route, which led to the school’s fourth straight state championship.
West Catholic has reached the title game five straight times and won five titles in seven years.
Gaetano Vallone finished 13-for-20 for 311 yards and four touchdown passes. Brett Meyers had 143 receiving yards on just three catches and Sam Neville added 117 yards on six catches for West Catholic.
Vallone also netted 83 rushing yards on 13 carries.
West Catholic never trailed, rolling out to a 16-0 lead after the first quarter and 29-0 at the half. The Falcons outscored Menominee 14-7 over the final two quarters.
Vallone had touchdown passes to Neville (61 and 24 yards), Meyers (91 yards) and Aaron Hall (26 yards). Dominic Stornant (5 yards) and Vallone (37 yards) added rushing touchdowns and Liam Putz opened the scoring with a 47-yard field goal.
Menominee (12-2) got on the board when Hunter Hass blocked a field goal and returned it 76 yards for the score.
Ethan Mileski was 10-for-21 passing for 70 yards but was picked off four times by the West Catholic secondary.