2020 Fall Sports Wrap Up

Fall Sports December 19, 2020

Wrap Up Featuring: Bad Axe Caseville Cass City Deckerville Laker Harbor Beach North Huron Owen-Gage Ubly USA

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020

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Fall Sports’ Wrap Up

Bad Axe High School

2020 saw resurgence of Hatchet football In late August, uncertainty surrounded the Bad Axe varsity football team.

Heading into the fall, the biggest question that loomed was the fate of fall sports.

The coronavirus had ended the winter sports season just as the postseason had begun heating up. Fortunately, fall sports did not suffer the same fate.

But as the Bad Axe varsity football team prepared to open the season on Sept. 18, another question mark remained. The Hatchets would take the field with a new head coach, Kalen Pokley.

Formerly coach of the Bad

Axe junior varsity squad, Pokley would be leading a team that now featured a handful of players from the Owendale-Gagetown area after the two schools entered into a co-op agreement. After opening the abbreviated season with a loss to a strong Sandusky team, the Hatchets would win five out of their next seven games before ultimately falling in the playoffs to Hemlock. Bad Axe would pick up two of those wins against rival Laker, including a 19-12 victory in Week 1 of the postseason. It was the Hatchets’ first playoff win since 1978 and a share of the

Greater Thumb West Conference title. The Hatchets will lose about a dozen players to graduation but will open the 2021 season with players already familiar with Pokley.

The Bad Axe boys soccer team also enjoyed a memorable 2020 season. The Hatchets won their third straight district title and finished the season with a stellar record of 15-2-1 after falling to Leland 1-0 in the regional title game played in Mount Pleasant. Head coach Adam Sutherland relied on team leaders like Nick Errer, Liam Boyle and Mitchell Rowland to lead the Hatchets during a

season in which they suffered only one loss in the regular season.

The Bad Axe varsity volleyball team also made the most of the 2020 season. Hatchets head coach Chrissy Kuzack said looking back, the entire team is happy and grateful they made it as far as they did, given the circumstances.

After a solid regular season, the Hatchets opened district play with a win over Cass City before ultimately falling to USA in the district championship match.

Kuzack said each game the team grew and proved itself to be a determined team

that would pull together and fight whenever it found itself trailing in a game.

She credited seniors Alayna Engler, Nikki Yageman, Ellee Weitenberner, Camryn Affer and Danielle Cubitt with providing a solid foundation for the Hatchets in 2020.

Junior Kate Clancy earned first-team honors from the coaches in the Greater Thumb Conference.

In cross country, Bad Axe’s Erik Kent, a junior, finished 47th overall in Division 3 at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula cross country finals at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020

Caseville High School

Burden of playing during pandemic took toll on Eagles in 2020 It was a tough fall season for Caseville sports.

Both the Eagles football and volleyball teams struggled through their respective fall campaigns. Playing in the midst of a pandemic and the inherent challenges posed by such difficult circumstances, the fact both squads persevered and saw their seasons to the finish was itself an accomplishment.

But there were positive things on which to focus during the fall of 2020 for the Eagles. Senior Andrew Bond, an offensive lineman, earned second-team all-league honors from the coaches of the North Central Thumb League. Alex Kruk, Nathan Feltner and Dylan Ban received honorable mentions for their play on defense. Adrian Ewald was

named to the NCTL volleyball all-league second team for her hard work during the fall.

With 2020 behind them, the Caseville volleyball and football squads can look forward to the promise of 2021 and the chance to compete without the burden of the coronavirus weighing upon their shoulders.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020

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Fall Sports’ Wrap Up

Cass City High School

COVID-19 vexes Red Hawks football as Nick McCardle outruns cross country competition The 2020 football season couldn’t have been going any better for the Cass City Red Hawks. Cass City had made it all the way to the state semifinals in 2019 and had something to prove when the season began in September.

Head coach Scott Cuthrell would earn his 100th career victory as the Red Hawks marched toward a possible date with destiny

at Ford Field. On Nov. 13, Cass City would capture its second straight district championship with an impressive 36-22 on the road at Hemlock, giving the Red Hawks, who had amassed a perfect 9-0 record, an opportunity to take on Ithaca in regional play. Then Nov. 15 happened. That was the day Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the state of Mich-

igan would enter a second, “temporary” shutdown, and the Red Hawks’ dream of a state championship was put on hold.

The Michigan High School Football Coaches Association named Cuthrell one of its Division 7 coaches of the year, and Alex Perry, Matt Mihalic and Jeremy Velasquez received all-region honors from the MHSFCA, but those

accolades are small consolation to a team that aspired to win it all.

On a more positive note, senior Nick McCardle would dominate his fellow cross country runners all season long before placing second in the Boys 5,000 meters event in Division 3 at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula cross country finals at Michigan International Speedway in

Brooklyn. Brandon Witherspoon, a senior, finished 174th.

The Cass City varsity volleyball team finished the 2020 regular season with a Greater Thumb Conference West record of 7-5. The Red Hawks opened district play against the Bad Axe Hatchets, with Bad Axe prevailing in four sets.

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Fall Sports’ Wrap Up

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020

Deckerville High School

Young Eagles football team will take lessons of tough season into 2021 Head coach Bill Brown and his Deckerville Eagles varsity football team faced some adversity in 2020. Finishing the year with a record of 4-3, the Eagles’ hopes of a deep playoff run were dashed in Week 1 of the postseason with a 6622 loss to the Merrill Vandals. The 2020 Eagles squad was a young team, featuring only three seniors, and just two seniors played for the Eagles against Merrill.

But the year was not without its bright spots: Ethan Bowerman scored a whopping five touchdowns in the Eagles’ matchup with Mayville and received offensive and defensive first-team honors from the coaches in

the North Central Thumb League, as did Traiten Colesa. Jacan Cishke and Carson Benjey also earn offensive first-team selections. Will Brown received a defensive second-team selection and an honorable mention for his play on offense. Despite the disappointing end to the 2020 season, Brown said he was grateful for the experience his young team gained and added they plan to do a lot of offseason work to get ready for 2021.

More than a half-dozen Deckerville cross country runners qualified for the MHSAA Lower Peninsula cross country finals in early November at Michigan

International Speedway in Brooklyn. Brett Dumaw, a senior, placed 24th overall, and Trevor Barker, who finished first at pre-regionals, finished 33rd, and sophomore Kendall Dumaw placed 82nd.

The Deckerville varsity volleyball team, coming off a solid but truncated regular season, had the misfortune of opening district play against eventual district title winner Ubly. Kaylynn Kappen, Karly Kappen and Rachel Vogel received all-league second-team honors from the coaches in the North Central Thumb League, and Rayann Thompson and Shelby Flannagan earned honorable mentions.

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Fall Sports’ Wrap Up

Laker High School

2020 fall season left Lakers wanting more The Laker varsity football team finished the 2020 season with a record of four wins and three losses, by definition a winning season.

But head coach Steve VerBurg, his coaching staff and his players were anything but satisfied with how the season ended: a 19-12 loss to the Bad Axe Hatchets in Week 1 of the playoffs. Looking back on the 2020 season, VerBurg said the pandemic added another challenge for players and coaches to navigate, and he was grateful his seniors did not lose out on the chance to play this fall. Senior Blake Smithers and junior Zach Kretzschmer earned all-league first-team honors from the coaches of the Greater Thumb League, and Garret Bowles, Colton Oyervidez, Dawson Gnavey, Ethan Wisner and Westin Bowles received second-team selections. Quarterback Connor McCain earned an honorable mention. On defense, Smithers and Oyervidez were first-team selections, Mason Williams earned second-team honors, and Luke Braun, Mason Dubs, Bowles, Wisner and Kretzschmer received honorable mentions.

The 2020 Laker varsity volleyball team was led by new head coach Karen Smith, who laid the foundation for future success as the Lakers struggled through a challenging year. Mandy Arnott, Leah Truemner and Jordyn Wisenbaugh earned all-league honorable mentions from Greater Thumb League coaches.

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Fall Sports’ Wrap Up

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020

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Harbor Beach High School

Virus leads to frustrating end for promising Pirates football team The 2020 season will be one Harbor Beach football fans will remember but want to forget. Opening their abbreviated six-game season with a thrilling, come-frombehind 16-14 win over rival Ubly, the Pirates experienced some ups and downs on their way to a record of 4-4. But Harbor Beach was firing on all cylinders in Week 1 of the playoffs as the Pirates topped Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary 28-6 and looked forward to a Week 2 matchup with Flint Beecher. Then word came on Nov. 2 that the team would have to enter quarantine after a player had come into close contact with a person who tested positive for the

coronavirus and would have to forfeit its game against Beecher, effectively ending Harbor Beach’s season. Head coach Troy Schelke said his team was devastated by the news. Schelke knew just how devastating it was for his seniors, who would see their high school careers end. He was grateful they went out on a high note with their win over MLS and they had the chance to play in spite of the pandemic. Earning first-team offensive honors in the Greater Thumb Conference East were Dylan Kadar, Luke Woodke, Dakota Deer and Tanton Babcock.

Grant Smaglinski received second-team honors, as did Woodke for his role as

placekicker. Deer and Kadar were defensive first-team selections, and Woodke was a second-team selection. Elliot Sieman, Smaglinski, Kadar and Babcock were defensive honorable mentions.

The Harbor Beach volleyball team had a memorable 2020 season, ending league play with an 8-4 record. The Pirates would fall to USA in the opening game of district play, but head coach Stephanie Gorney said she was proud of how her team played all season, and the Pirates took every game as “a blessing” and played each game with everything they had. Senior Leandra Wolschleger earned GTC East first-team honors, and

Maya Pfaff and Karlee Guza were second-team selections. Brenna Bischer and Taryn Arntz were honorable mentions.

At the MHSAA Lower Peninsula cross country finals at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, the Harbor Beach girls team placed 17th. Makara Kramer finished 24th overall, Paige Anderson finished 65th, Kala Klee placed 177th, Natalie Vavricka placed 179th, Tessa Emerick placed 216th, Madelyn Geiger finished 222nd, and Maddie Layer finished 227th. In the boys event, Isaiah Learman finished 167th.

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Fall Sports’ Wrap Up

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North Huron High School

Warriors football team holds out hope for chance to finish playoff run As the North Huron Warriors varsity football team celebrated its regional championship on Nov. 14, they dreamed of a chance to avenge their playoff loss in 2019 to Portland St. Patrick and earn the opportunity to play for a state championship. Before the weekend was over, that elation turned to frustration and disappointment as the prep sports were halted as the state of Michigan entered into a second shutdown to stem a new surge in COVID-19 cases.

Head coach Chad Knoblock urged his players to stay optimistic and reminded them they might still have the chance finish their season on the field. The chances of that happening dimmed Dec. 7 when the shutdown, originally scheduled to end

Dec. 16, was extended by another 12 days. Knoblock said it could be spring before his team gets the opportunity to once again take the field. No matter how it plays out, nothing can take away what the Warriors (8-1) have already achieved in 2020.

Tyler Moore and Noah Koth were first-team offensive selections by the coaches of the North Central Thumb League. Will Case, Christian Brown, Joe Weiss and John Henson were second-team selections, and Ryan Schornak earned an offensive honorable mention. On defense, Weiss, Koth, Case, Brown, Moore and Schornak earned first-team honors. Justin Helm was a second-team selection, and Alex Koehn was an honorable mention.

The North Huron varsity

volleyball team also had some impressive accomplishments in 2020. The Warriors captured their second straight league title this fall, and gave Ubly all it could handle in the district title match. Mollie Zaleski, Karrigan Schpinski, Emma Taylor and Brooke Gordon were Stripes Division first-team selections by the coaches of the North Central Thumb League. Grace Knoblock earned second-team honors, and Lucy Wiley and Cheyanne Hoody were honorable mentions.

At the MHSAA Lower Peninsula cross country finals on Saturday at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, senior Ellie Bender finished 105th overall.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020

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Owendale-Gagetown High School

Ondrajka’s NCTL cross country title a highlight of Owen-Gage’s fall season Senior Libby Ondrajka finished with a time of 20:46.64 in the 5,000 meters to claim the North Central Thumb League’s girls title on Oct. 21 at the NCTL meet in Mayville, one of the top highlights of the 2020 fall season for Owendale-Gagetown.

At the MHSAA Lower Peninsula cross country finals in early November at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Ondrajka finished 27th overall in the girls 5,000 event. Freshman Karsyn Gruehn placed 126th.

The Owen-Gage varsity

volleyball team fell to the North Huron Warriors in the opening game of district play, but the team was well-represented on the North Central Thumb League’s All-League Team. Ondrajka earned second-team honors, and Katrina Curtoys, Erin Morrish, Karsyn Gruehn and Emily Schultz were selected as honorable mentions.

The 2020 fall football season did not see a Bulldogs team take the field after Owen-Gage entered into a co-op agreement with Bad Axe High School.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020

Ubly High School

Championships at stake as Ubly football, volleyball teams await completion of fall sports The news in mid-November that a second shutdown would be enacted in the state of Michigan as the number of COVID-19 cases surged across the state did not a school harder than Ubly.

Both the Bearcat football and volleyball teams were peaking at just the right time. The Bearcats football team, under first-year head coach Eric Sweeney, had just won another district championship by going on the road and beating Flint Beecher,

42-0. The immediate future looked bright for Ubly, who would host Carson City-Crystal in a regional semi-final game the following week.

The Ubly volleyball team had just defeated Dryden to earn a second-straight regional championship and punched its ticket to the state quarterfinals. Now both team await a decision on the fate of the fall sports season.

Until then, the Bearcats can reflect all they have accomplished so far in 2020.

The Ubly football team earned 17 selections to the Greater Thumb Conference’s All-Conference Team.

Earning first-team honors on offense were Nolan Van Erp, Austin Burk, Levi Peruski and Carson Heleski. Receiving second-team selections were Evan Peruski, Kyle Sweeney and Colin Oberski.

Carter Hughes was chosen as an offensive honorable mention. On defense, Burk, Heleski, Van Erp, Sweeney and Cole Hagen were first-

team selections. Levi Peruski and Matt Brandel earned second-team honors.

The Bearcats volleyball team featured six overall selections on the GTC All-Conference Team. Samantha Souva and Josie earned firstteam honors, and Allison Lautner was a second-team selection. Nora Franzel and Elizabeth Weber earned honorable mentions.

At the MHSAA Lower Peninsula cross country finals in early November at Michigan

International Speedway in Brooklyn, Maze Guza claimed third place overall in the Division 4 girls 5,000 meters. The Ubly girls team finished sixth overall. Josie Gusa finished 25th, Erica Klee placed 41st, Abigail Guza placed 89th, Emily Greyerbiehl placed 136th, Aran Harris placed 180th and Alexiss Guigar finished 201st. In the boys event, Utah Guza finished 50th overall.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020

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USA High School

Volleyball district championship highlight of USA fall season The Unionville-Sebewaing Area varsity volleyball team’s district championship was one of the biggest highlights of the Patriots’ 2020 fall season.

The Patriots defeated Bad Axe at home to claim the title before falling in the regional opener to Saginaw Valley Lutheran.

The Patriots, who boasted an overall conference record of 10-2, led all teams in the Greater Thumb Conference with seven overall selections for the All-Conference Team. Grace Williamson, Brynn Polega and Kylie Bohn earned first-team honors.

Maci Montgomery was a second team selection, and Carly Koch, Emma Stecker and Emily Rieman earned honorable mentions.

The USA varsity football team, who finished the season with a record of 5-3

despite losing the services of starting quarterback Ethan Englehardt for much of the season due to injury, picked up a Week 1 playoff win over Marlette before eventually losing in Week 2 to Ubly in overtime, 20-14. Jeremiah Hahn, Jacob Nimtz, Braylon Ballard, Walker Foley and Conner Gettel earned first-team honors on the Greater Thumb Conference West All-Conference team.

Keegan Bixman and Kirkland Czewski were named offensive honorable mentions. On defense, Hahn was a firstteam selection, and Dakota Miller, Braylon Ballard and Nimtz earned second-team honors. Chase Payne was an honorable mention.

The USA boys soccer team finished with an overall record of 6-3-1 and a league record of 4-2. The Patriots fell in their district opener

to Essexville Garber. The team will lose six players to graduation at the end of the year, including Nehemiah Parmenter, Evan Goslin and Bentley Alderson. In 2021, the Patriots will rely on players like Brady Wiederhold, Adam Maust and Josh Urich to lead the way.

At the MHSAA Lower Peninsula cross country finals in early November at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Ty Pavlichek finished 18th overall in the boys 5,000 meters with a time of 17:24.78. Jacob VanHove finished 65th, Bryce Langmaid placed 77th, Tyler Aleksink placed 109th, Tyler Aleksink placed 109th, Michael Jacobs finished 118th, and Ethan Liken finished 151st. The USA boys team finished 10th overall.

In the girls event, Lauren Green placed 135th.

Good Job Patriots!

We are proud of you!

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Fall Sports’ Wrap Up

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