Muskegon High School’s 1971 football team had a brand-new coach, but that proved to be no issue as the Big Reds rolled to a 9-0 record and a mythical state championship – the 12th in school history and the first since 1951, ending a 20-year title drought. Coach Larry Harp might have been in his first year, but he was no stranger to Muskegon’s football tradition, having led the Little Reds to four consecutive unbeaten seasons. Muskegon rolled to a 6-0 record, setting up a showdown against top-ranked Traverse City at Hackley Stadium. The Trojans bolted to an 18-6 halftime lead, but strong defense, a key punt return by Larry Sohasky and the play of quarterback Bob Lindgren helped the hosts rally for a 20-18 win. Two weeks later, Muskegon’s defense did it again against Muskegon Catholic and former coach Roger Chiaverini in a 6-0 win, securing the state title. Making all-state from for the Big Reds were the team’s two co-captains, linebacker Jay Achterhoff and running back Eric Van Camp. Also earning Lake Michigan Athletic Conference honors were Steve Wilson, Rick Smith, Sohasky, Jim Olsen, Steve Schiller, Achterhoff and Rick George on defense and Randy Wissner, Mark Randall, Brad Young, Van Camp, Olsen and Schiller on offense. The assistant coaches for the Big Reds, who outscored their nine opponents 281-78, were Dave Taylor and Warren Ormiston.