Playoff Push: Onekama Portagers 2018

PLAYOFF PUSH ONEKAMA PORTAGERS 2018 COMMEMORATIVE SECTION

A Supplement To The

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PLAYOFF PUSH • MANISTEE NEWS ADVOCATE The 2018 Onekama football team, pictured (from left to right) in the front row: Wyatt Lawson, Ben Johnson, Jay Sturgeon, Matthew Mallison, Lucas Mauntler, Wade Sedlar and Rylan Clarke.

Second row: Jose Lugo, Dalron Gray, Nickolas Goss, Ethan Nickleson and Austin Harper.

Third row: Anthony March, Taylor Bennett, Aaron Powers, Dean Sturgeon and Benjamin Falk. Back row: Coach Jason Torrey, coach Randy Teichman, head coach John Neph, coach Justin Sedelmaier and coach Ben Mauntler. Not Pictured: Ben Acton and Scott Hauswirth. (News Advocate file photo)

Onekama football hopes to duplicate magical run in 2017

BY SCOTT YOSHONIS Sports Writer

ONEKAMA — Onekama's first year playing 8-player football was one of the most successful in the history of the program, led by one of its most talented senior classes ever.

Six seniors, including game-breakers Jacob Mauntler and Jeremiah Torrey, are gone, after leading the Portagers to a 9-2 record before bowing out in the regional finals in the UP at Pickford.

With a 2018 slate that includes defending state champion Central Lake — which handed the Portagers their only regular-season loss last year — and just three teams that did not post winning records last year, some fans may fear a bit of a drop-off.

But Onekama head coach John Neph said that his team is well on its way to approaching that same level of success this season.

"We've had great attendance at practice, the kids are working really hard," Neph said. "We have a very tough schedule, we recognize that, but we're looking forward to the challenge."

While there are plenty of question marks going into the year, Neph said that he sees a lot of raw talent to work with.

"We have some guys who can run the ball, they had good experiences in JV and junior high," Neph said. "A lot of inexperience, so we may think one thing and end up with something else, but we're pretty excited for the season. There are some young guys who want to show what they can do."

As with most young teams, line play will be a serious concern. Onekama will still be a running football team, and will be challenged in the trenches for the first time in recent memory. Juniors Austin Harper and Anthony March will look to anchor both lines for the Portagers.

But the skill positions will feature the same sort of speed and athleticism that fans have come to expect from Onekama.

The 2018 seniors, Ben Acton, Ben Johnson, Jay Sturgeon, Wyatt Lawson and Rylan Clarke, will shoulder the load this year, and junior Taylor Bennett will also be returning after a strong sophomore campaign.

"They will be crucial to our success," Neph said. "They're role models as far as attendance at practice, just working hard in practice, all those things will move us forward."

Bennett and Luke Mauntler will share time at quarterback.

Onekama's first year in 8-player football was also Neph's first as head coach. He said that the first season was a learning experience.

"I learned that this is a lot of fun," he said. "It's worth all of the sacrifices that go into being a head coach. It's a great place to coach."

Week 1: Portagers shut out Marion FROM STAFF REPORTS ONEKAMA — Onekama started their 2018 season with a dominating performance, a 30-0 whitewash of Marion Friday night.

Luke Mauntler found Wade Sedlar on a 50-yard bomb to open the scoring and give Onekama the only lead they would need. Rylan Clarke caught an 8-yard TD pass from Mauntler, Ben Acton scored on a 15-yard run and Taylor Bennett ran in from 12 yards out to complete the scoring.

Portagers head coach John Neph liked what he saw from his young squad.

“It lived up to what we had thought. Marion was very physical, very tough, and our guys stood right up to them,” Neph said. “There was a lot of hard-hitting.”

With the shutout, Neph was most happy with his defense.

“We had two goal-line stands, where Marion was inside our 10-yard line with first down and didn’t score,” Neph said. “That was an incredibly big thing for us.”

Onekama will have another hard-hitting game next week, when they host defending state champion Central Lake on Thursday, Aug. 30.

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Week 2: Powers scores 5 TDs, Portagers trounce Central Lake 53-6

BY SCOTT YOSHONIS Sports Writer

ONEKAMA — Onekama football remained undefeated on the young season and gained a measure of revenge with a 53-6 win over defending state champion Central Lake on Thursday night.

The Trojans (0-2 overall, 0-1 Midwest Central West) handed the Portagers their only loss of the regular season last year on the way to going undefeated, and scored first in this game before Onekama came alive.

“This is a big win for the kids, they’ve earned this,” Onekama head coach John Neph said.

“They’ve worked so hard in August, and we have two wins against playoff teams from last year, Marion and Central Lake.”

Central Lake opened the scoring by going 75 yards in 14 plays to take a 6-0 lead in the first

quarter.

After a bit of a slow start, Onekama came roaring back, scoring eight unanswered touchdowns to run out with the dominating victory.

Aaron Powers had a monster night, carrying the ball nine times for 153 yards and five touchdowns, four of those in the second half. Powers scored on runs of one, 27, 34, 11 and 47 yards in the game.

“He’s a soft-spoken kid, but he just works so hard,” Neph said. “He kept running hard and breaking tackles. We’re really happy for him. It was a big, huge night obviously.”

Powers also led the Portager defense with 10 tackles in the game, Taylor Bennett had seven tackles, two of them for loss, and Ben Johnson picked off two passes.

Luke Mauntler gave the Por-

tagers (2-0, 1-0) the lead on a 44yard run and a pass to Ben Acton for the 2-point conversion that made the score 8-6.

Wade Sedlar extended the lead to 14-6 when he hauled in a Mauntler 14-yard touchdown pass, and then a 1-yard plunge by Aaron Powers and a successful run for the conversion by Acton gave Onekama a 22-6 halftime lead and put the game well in hand at the break.

Mauntler finished with seven carries for 70 yards and a touchdown, and Acton had 58 rushing yards on six carries.

“It’s a credit to the young men and how hard they’ve worked,” Neph said. “They believe in each other, and it’s a really good atmosphere right now.”

Onekama will play its third consecutive home game next week, when it hosts Bellaire on Friday, Sept. 7.

Through all the sweat, blood, tears, rain, snow, sleet, hail, mud and turf...you helped make school history #25! Congratulations Taylor and the Onekama Portagers Football Team! Portager Pride at its finest! You make us so proud Taylor!

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Onekama’s Wade Sedlar bobbles the ball before catching it in the end zone for a touchdown in the Portagers’ 53-6 win over Central Lake. (News Advocate file photo)

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Week 3: Portagers rout Bellaire FROM STAFF REPORTS Ben Acton scored a touchdown on defense, where Onekama ONEKAMA — Onekama remained undefeated and atop the Midwest Central 8-Man Football League’s West Division with a 59-0 rout of Bellaire Friday night.

Aaron Powers had anther big night for the Portagers (3-0 overall, 2-0 Midwest Central West), running for 151 yards on four carries, three of them for touchdowns.

Matthew Mallison ran for 83 yards on 8 carries and a touchdown, Luke Mauntler ran for 75 yards and one touchdown,

when he returned the opening kickoff 78 yards for a score, and Dean Sturgeon and Taylor Bennett each scored a rushing touchdown.

Onekama head coach John Neph said that the bulk of the credit for the lopsided score goes to his offensive line.

“They ran some stunts at us, they switched defenses on us, and our offensive line picked them up,” Neph said. “Once you break the line on a blitz, it’s off to the races.”

But the more impressive performance may have been

shut out Bellaire (0-2, 1-2) and its pass-happy spread offense.

Powers picked off a pass in the game, but Neph said that his team’s discipline in coverage was the key.

“We met the challenge of a passing offense,” Neph said.

“They were able to complete some passes, but we kept everything in front of us and tackled well, (gave up) no big plays. Our guys did a great job.”

Next up for the Portagers is their first away game of the season, at Fife Lake Forest Area on Friday, Sept. 14.

Week 5: Turnovers doom No. 3 Onekama to 1st loss of season, 28-26 to No. 6 Tri-Unity FROM STAFF REPORTS

Onekama’s senior football players pose with retired Marine Corps officer Richard Jibson (center) in the jerseys they will wear at Fife Lake Forest Area. Pictured (from left to right) are Wyatt Lawson, Jay Sturgeon, Ben Johnson, Jibson, Ben Acton and Rylan Clarke. (Kyle Kotecki/News Advocate)

Week 4: Portagers rout Forest Area 54-0 FROM STAFF REPORTS downs in three different FIFE LAKE — Onekama remained unbeaten and atop the Midwest Central 8-Man Football Conference-West standings with a 54-0 destruction of Fife Lake Forest Area Friday night.

Ben Acton scored touch-

ways, one on the ground, one through the air and another on a punt return. Acton finished with 105 rushing yards on four carries.

Luke Mauntler threw two touchdown passes and ran for two scores in the game and Ben Johnson caught a 38-yard TD pass.

Acton also led the way on defense with eight tackles. Aaron Powers made seven tackles, and Dalron Gray and Ben Falk had six tackles each.

Next up for the Portagers (4-0, 3-0) is a battle of undefeated teams when they travel to Wyoming to face Tri-Unity Christian (4-0, 1-0) at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22.

WYOMING — Thirdranked Onekama turned the ball over eight times and failed on three of its four 2-point conversion attempts to go down in defeat for the first time this season, a 28-26 heartbreaker at sixth-ranked Wyoming Tri-Unity on Saturday.

“It was a very difficult loss,” Portagers head coach John Neph said. “It was a really, really challenging game, Tri-Unity lived up to everything we expected, and our guys gave it all. After the game, the players and coaches were congratulating each other on just a fantastic high school football game.”

Onekama (4-1 overall, 3-1 Midwest Central 8-Man Conference-West) fell behind 16-0 early, but scored late in the second quarter on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Luke Mauntler to Wade Sedlar to cut the deficit to 16-6 at the break.

Tri-Unity again looked to run away with the contest, taking a 28-6 lead early in the second half before the Onekama comeback began.

Ben Acton scored on a 2-yard run to make the score 28-12, Aaron Powers found paydirt from two yards out to make it 28-18, and Mauntler scored on a 15-yard run before

Onekama’s only 2-point conversion made the score 28-26.

Onekama got the ball back in the final minute of the game, but the Defenders (5-0, 2-0) lived up to their name, picking off a pass to snuff out the threat and salt away the win.

The Portagers fumbled the ball away four times, and Tri-Unity intercepted four passes in the game.

“I don’t think we’ve done that the whole year (combined),” Neph said. “That really halted our offense, and that’s really hard to overcome.”

Mauntler attempted 25 passes, completing 12 of them, for 128 yards and a touchdown, and ran for 48 yards. Acton gained 47 yards on 12 carries and caught 10 passes for 89 yards, and Powers amassed 37 yards on four carries.

The Portager defense was no slouch, holding a Tri-Unity team that had scored an average of over 44 points a game to just 28, its lowest total of the season, and just 47 yards rushing in the game.

“Our guys gave a great effort,” Neph said. “It was a close, hard-fought game, and I’m really proud of the guys.

“We’re definitely going to learn a lot from this game.”

Next up for the Portagers is a short trip into town for a non-league game at Manistee Catholic Central on Friday, Sept. 28.

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Week 6: Portagers spoil Homecoming, defeat Sabers 28-14

BY SCOTT YOSHONIS Sports Writer

MANISTEE — Onekama rebounded from its only loss of the season, but Manistee Catholic Central gave them everything they could handle, in a 28-14 Portagers win Friday night.

As expected in a game between these two old rivals, which was also MCC’s Homecoming, both teams laid down the lumber.

“Our emotions were high tonight,” said Sabers head coach Jake Szymanski. “The way they were coming at us with their physicality was not something that we were used to. But we were able to overcome that.”

Ben Acton had a breakout game for Onekama, carrying the ball two times for 173 yards and three touchdowns in the game. He also led the Portager defense with 11 tackles.

“Ben had an incredible game tonight,” said Onekama head coach

John Neph. “He made a huge difference in the game, obviously. Ben played really well last week against Tri-Unity and took it up another notch tonight. He loves to play football, and it’s a real pleasure to have the opportunity to coach him.”

Onekama got off to an inauspicious start, fumbling the ball away on the first snap from center. Mateo Barnett recovered at the Onekama 49, but the Portager defense held fast and got the ball back on downs six plays later.

Onekama drove the field late in the first quarter, but it was MCC’s turn to come up big on defense. The Portagers had first-and-goal at the MCC 3, but the Sabers took over after forcing an incomplete pass on fourth down.

Onekama got on the scoreboard when Acton started left and made a nice cutback move and ran 33 yards for a touchdown with 4 seconds left in the first quarter.

Ben Johnson set up the next

Portager score when he picked off a Picardat pass and returned it to the Onekama 40.

Four plays later, Powers scampered nine yards for a touchdown, and then added the 2-point conversion to make the score 14-0 with 6:38 left in the first half.

MCC threatened to cut into the lead late in the second quarter, when John Slivka picked up an Onekama fumble at midfield and returned it to the Portager 17 with 1:25 left on the clock.

But the threat was snuffed out two plays later when a Picardat pass was tipped, and then intercepted again by Johnson at his own 7-yard line to keep the score 14-0 at the half.

Johnson picked off a third MCC pass in the second half, and added four tackles in the game.

Despite the two-touchdown deficit, Szymanski said that he liked what he saw in the first half.

“We had chances to put points

Onekama’s Taylor Bennett throws a pass during the Portagers’ Week 6 victory over Manistee Catholic Central. (News Advocate file photo)

on the board and we had opportunities to stop them from scoring,” Szymanski said. “In that first half, I was pleased with how things went.”

MCC scored early in the third quarter to cut the lead to 14-6, but would get no closer.

Luke Mauntler gained 104 yards

on 15 carries for Onekama, Aaron Powers ran eight times for 60 yards.

“Both teams went as hard as they can go,” Neph said. “There was a lot of hard hitting going on, and it pretty much lived up to what we expected.”

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Week 7: Portagers in the playoffs again with victory via forfeit FROM STAFF REPORTS ONEKAMA — Onekama qualified for the 2018 football playoffs, not with a long run or a touchdown pass, but with a phone call.

The Portagers picked up its sixth win when their scheduled opponent, Owendale-Gagetown, chose to forfeit their game on Saturday due to a lack of players.

Onekama athletic director Nathan Bradford said that he was notified when he called his counterpart at Owendale-Gagetown on Monday as part of the routine of getting a football game together.

“They had a couple of kids get hurt and a couple ineligible,” Bradford said. “They want to get their guys healthy and hopefully play their homecoming game next week.”

With the official 2-0 win, Onekama improves to 6-1, and automatically qualifies for the playoffs for the fifth season in a row. Before the current playoff streak, the Portagers had never played postseason football more than two years running.

After the freshly created bye week, Onekama will be back in action on Friday, Oct. 12 against Suttons Bay.

Onekama’s Ben Acton brings down Suttons Bay quarterback Bryce Opie during the Portagers’ 13-8 loss to the Norsemen. (News Advocate file photo)

Onekama’s Austin Harper looks for room to run during the Portagers’ Week 8 setback against Suttons Bay. (News Advocate file photo)

Week 8: Portagers lose 13-8 to Suttons Bay on Homecoming

BY SCOTT YOSHONIS Sports Writer

ONEKAMA — Onekama absorbed their second loss of the season Friday night, losing in heartbreaking fashion 13-8 to Suttons Bay in a game only a defensive coach could love.

The Portagers (6-2 overall, 3-2 Midwest Central) led 8-7 for the bulk of the second half, but the Norsemen stole the victory on Onekama’s Homecoming with a long touchdown pass with 1:19 left in the contest.

“It was a disappointing end, but man, did our guys play hard,” Onekama head coach

John Neph said. “They battled, Suttons Bay is a very physical team, but I’m happy with the effort.”

With the loss, only their third regular-season defeat in the past two years, the Portagers will finish in third place in the Midwest Central 8-Man Football League.

The Norsemen (7-1, 4-1) came into the contest having scored over 45 points per game, and 27 points in their only loss to Wyoming Tri-Unity, but could manage just a single touchdown in each half against the Onekama defense.

Suttons Bay took the lead in the second quarter on an 8-yard

run by Lucas Mikesell that gave the Norsemen a 7-0 lead at the half.

Taylor Bennett scored the lone Onekama touchdown in the third quarter on a 55-yard run, and then quarterback Lucas Mauntler found Rylan Clarke for a 2-point conversion to give the Portagers an 8-7 lead.

That’s the way it stayed until Suttons Bay quarterback Bryce Opie connected with Mikesell for a 45-yard TD pass with 1:19 left on the temporary clock to send the large Homecoming crowd home with a bad taste in its mouth.

Bennett finished with 75

yards on seven carries, the bulk of Onekama’s 129 rushing yards as a team.

Defensively, Wade Sedlar had nine tackles and Ben Acton and Aaron Powers each recorded 8.5 tackles in the contest.

That defense came up with two big stops on fourth down in the second half to keep Onekama ahead, until the heartbreak ending.

“Our guys battled, there’s no question about that,” Neph said. “One big play was the difference.”

Next up for Onekama is the regular-season finale at winless Baldwin on Friday, Oct. 19.

Week 9: Onekama ends regular season with forfeit win FROM STAFF REPORTS BALDWIN — Onekama football’s regular season has ended with a forfeit win over the Baldwin Panthers, who were unable compete for the second game in a row and third

time this season.

“We had to take a forfeit win,” said Onekama coach John Neph. “Baldwin didn’t have enough players. They let us know last Friday morning that they weren’t going to be able to play the game. I spent as much time as I could trying

to find us a game and we had a couple leads on some teams but nothing panned out.”

This is the Portagers’ second forfeit win in three weeks and Neph is trying to keep his team sharp and game-ready with the playoffs just around the corner.

“We’re trying to make the most of it,” Neph said. “We learned a little bit from our first ‘bye’ week — if you will — not playing Owendale-Gagetown.

This week is a little bit more disappointing with the late notice.

“We want to get our guys

playing and getting ready for the playoffs,” he said. “We’re doing some things in practice, trying to have game simulation as much as we can. We’re disappointed we don’t play this week, but we’re trying to make the most of it.”

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Playoffs, PreRegional: Onekama outlasts Marion in playoff opener

BY KYLE KOTECKI Sports Writer

Onekama’s Ben Acton sheds a tackle during the Portagers’ playoff-opening victory over Marion. (Kyle Kotecki/ News Advocate)

Congrats Portagers on your Amazing Journey!

ONEKAMA — Onekama football started its fifth-consecutive postseason appearance as it started its regular season: By beating Marion.

The Portagers topped the Eagles 22-6 in an 8-player Division 2 Pre-Regional contest at home Friday.

“It was a great high school football game,” said Onekama coach John Neph. “I think that’s

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what high school football in the playoffs is: Just try to win the game you’re in, right? It wasn’t pretty. We know we have some things to work on, but we’re really proud of our guys.

“Great effort,” he continued. ”They’re exhausted. They left it all on the field. It’s exactly what you want out of your team. They played so hard.”

After Onekama’s Taylor Bennett pinned Marion at their own 2-yard line with a 57-yard punt, the Portagers forced a

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three and out and blocked the subsequent punt, resulting in a safety. Onekama turned the ball over on a hook and lateral play shortly after and the first quarter ended with the Portagers holding a 2-0 advantage.

In Week 1, Onekama recorded a 30-0 victory over Marion in an extremely physical game that set the tone for the remainder of its regular season.

The Eagles scored on a 5-yard touchdown pass with 3:37 remaining in the first half to take a 6-2 lead. However, whenever the Portagers needed a big play, Ben Acton made one.

Acton bobbled the ensuing kickoff before turning it up the left sideline for a touchdown.

Aaron Powers scored on the 2-point conversion and Onekama took a 10-6 lead.

The Eagles called a timeout with the ball on their own 49 with two seconds left in the half. A desperation heave was tipped in the air and snatched

by Acton, who took it upfield for a score as time expired and the Portagers went into the locker room with a 16-6 advantage.

“Our defense played unbelievable football,” Neph said.

“We battled through and Marion was tough. Physical football game. They did some things to stop us and I’m just so glad our defense held them down. I’m so proud of our guys.”

Onekama’s offense amassed only 88 yards on the ground Friday while Marion finished with 191.

Marion had a great gameplan,” Neph said. “They executed. They hit hard. It’s always a tough, hard-hitting game when we play Marion. The coaches and players all get along so it was a great, hard-hitting game.

We shook hands and wished each other luck down the road.”

The Portagers started the second half with a 10-play, 38yard drive that resulted in a missed field goal. The two defenses both had strong showings and both teams were held scoreless in the third quarter.

Acton recovered two fumbles in the fourth quarter and ended Marion’s final drive of the game by forcing a fumble that was scooped up by Wade Sedlar, who took it down the left

PLAYOFF PUSH • MANISTEE NEWS ADVOCATE sideline for a score with three seconds remaining in the game.

“Ben Acton had some unbelievably big plays,” Neph said.

“The kickoff return, the pick-six right before halftime was huge, and then Wade Sedlar picked up the fumble and went the whole way. Our defense just did phenomenal, so I’m real proud of them.”

Acton had an interception returned for a touchdown, a kick return for a touchdown, a team-high 11.5 tackles, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble that resulted in a score.

Powers added nine tackles, Bennett and Jay Sturgeon each had seven while Austin Harper recorded six.

“It went great,” Acton said of his performance. “None of that would have happened if it wasn’t for our whole team working together, though. It was a team effort.”

While the Portagers would have enjoyed a playoff win on any football field in Michigan, a win on their home field made it all the more enjoyable.

“I think our crowd is very important to us,” Neph said.

“We wanted to play at home and we worked hard during the regular season and got the home field advantage. It certainly paid off tonight. … It was great.”

Acton was pleased with how the Portagers played and hopes they can continue to play at that level in the next round of the playoffs.

“We had a pretty good game,” Acton said. “Maybe (we can improve) a little bit on offense but other than that we were clicking pretty good (Friday).”

The Portagers will face the winner of the matchup between Brethren and Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart that takes place today at 4 p.m. at Sacred Heart.

“We’ll see what happens,” Neph said. “I don’t know either one very well yet. We’ll do the film exchange and we’ll get to see them down the road and we’ll look at them and get our gameplan ready. We’ll enjoy this one for a short time.

Our kids played so hard. I’m so Portager quarterback Luke Mauntler runs upfield against Marion in Onekama. (Kyle Kotecki/News Advocate) proud of them.”

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Brethren and Onekama line up for the 51st time since the programs began in 1964. (Dylan Savela/News Advocate)

Rivalry Revisited: Onekama, Brethren continue rich history with regional title on the line

BY DYLAN SAVELA Sports Editor

Separated by just 13 miles and two shades of blue, Onekama and Brethren may have more in common than they do differences.

But don’t let that get in the way of a good battle.

The two share one of Manistee County’s richest rivalries on the football field, and on Friday it will be revisited.

“Both schools have respect for each other,” said Brethren coach JJ Randall.

“But when it’s game time: both schools want to beat each other.”

The teams will kick off at 7 p.m. at Onekama on Friday, and this time the stakes go beyond bragging rights. A regional championship and berth in the state’s 8-player Division 2 semifinals are on the line…

A fitting revival for the first football program, with help from friends Carl Foster longtime rivals. and Jim Anderson.

DEBUTING TOGETHER It was 1964 and the school Jim Taylor remembers had no football equipment to the first meeting well. In fact, speak of. Taylor had to track the game’s first play is im- down used gear to outfit his printed in his brain. first players, and while they After coaching stints had enough practice jerseys at Jackson Lumen Christi to go around, there was a (which was then Jackson St. problem.

John’s) and Mount Pleasant, “We needed numbers Taylor moved to Onekama to (on the jerseys),” Taylor exteach and start the school’s plained, “so we got old bas-

ketball jerseys to put over the top.”

Makeshift jerseys and all, Onekama hit the field for its inaugural game on Oct. 30, 1964. Lining up opposite the Portagers was another small Manistee County school making its gridiron debut: The Brethren Bobcats.

“That started the rivalry,” Taylor said. “Both teams’ very first game.”

Onekama went on to win

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PLAYOFF PUSH • MANISTEE NEWS ADVOCATE

the bout, 25-13, but Taylor specifically remembers the opening kick.

“Ted Werle ran it back 88 yards for a touchdown,” he said proudly. “Since our opening kickoff, it’s been nothing but great memories for me.”

MORE THAN NUMBERS Onekama and Brethren met 49 more times after that inaugural game, as it became an annual tradition until just recently.

The lengthy series is weighted heavily in the Portagers’ favor with 40 wins for Onekama, nine for Brethren and a 14-14 tie in the season opener of 1969.

No matter the final score, the games have always carried a little extra weight.

“I can’t speak for them, but for Brethren, that was the game that we always circled on the calendar,” said Alvin Rischel, a former player and coach for the Bobcats’ program. “When that schedule came out, you’d always look to see what week you’re playing Onekama.”

Rischel, a 1996 Brethren graduate, played four years for the Bobcats as a high schooler and then later joined the coaching ranks.

He was named the school’s first middle school coach in the late 1990s, jumped to junior varsity in 2002 and took the reins of the varsity program in 2012, before stepping down after the 2017 season.

“Our players always knew their players, and their players knew ours,” he said of the Portagers. “There’s been times when some are even related to each other. That’s how close this rivalry is.

“You knew it was going to be a battle every year,” he added. “Even when we had some down years at Brethren, Onekama always got our best effort.

“And any time we beat them, players and the coaches walked around with their chest puffed out a little bit. It definitely meant something.”

Jim Hunter, who succeed-

Onekama’s football program has had just three head coaches since its inception in 1964. Pictured with this year’s team are Jim Taylor (head coach from 1964-88) John Neph (head coach from 2017 to present) and Jim Hunter (head coach from 1989-2016). (Dylan Savela/News Advocate)

ed Taylor as Onekama’s head coach from 1989 to 2016, felt the energy change for the rivalry games as well.

“While there wasn’t a traveling trophy or anything that went with it, it was a real rivalry: two small schools in the same county,” he said.

“I know as a coach, it was a week I always looked forward to, because I didn’t have to work very hard to get the kids motivated.

“These kids bump into each other all the time, at Big Al’s or wherever else,” he said. “Some take the same classes at West Shore together, and then social media ramped (the rivalry) up even more.

“You didn’t ever want to be on the wrong side of the

score, because then you had and now as Brethren’s coach.

“I mean, it’s a real rivalry, to live with it for a year.” and I think it’s great we finalRIVALRY RENEWED ly get to renew it.

In separate conferences “Hopefully it lives up to these days, the Portagers and the hype and ends up being Bobcats haven’t met since hard fought on both ends,” 2015. he said. “The importance of By chance, however, the the game is huge for both two will clash again, each in communities.” the midst of stellar seasons — “It’s been awhile now,” Onekama at 8-2 and Breth- said Onekama coach John ren at 7-3.

Neph of facing the Bobcats.

Renewing the rivalry, on “We want to keep our season top of playing for their re- going and I know they want spective program’s first re- to keep theirs going, so add gional title, has not been lost in it’s a rivalry, and you’ve on the current coaches. got one exciting game.

“It’s always hard fought “I hope people plan to when these schools meet,” get their early, that’s what said Randall, who has actual- I would suggest,” he added ly been on both sides of the with a laugh. “I think it’s gocoin, as a standout player for ing to be a full house and the Onekama as a high schooler atmosphere will be great.

“It’s going to be a very fun night of high school football for the fans.”

Among them will likely be faces from the rivalry’s past.

“Oh I’ve been following them,” Taylor said of the Portagers. “I’m still a football fanatic. And I really hope a game like this can get some interest back up in the area.”

“It’s kind of fitting they’re meeting like this,” said Rischel. “Both teams are going to be ready, I guarantee it. And I expect both sides of the field to be packed (with fans).”

Said Hunter: “The stadium should be rocking. These kinds of games are about as special as it gets.”

PLAYOFF PUSH • MANISTEE NEWS ADVOCATE

Playoffs, Regional: Onekama cruises past Brethren for regional crown

BY KYLE KOTECKI Sports Writer

ONEKAMA — Onekama football put an end to Brethren’s season and secured a regional title with a convincing 52-0 win at home Friday in an 8-player Division 2 regional final.

“It’s historic,” Onekama coach John Neph said of winning the regional title. “I think it means the world to us. I think we’ll talk about it a lot more at the banquet or whenever the season ends. It’s a great win. We’re always happy to win at home. It means a lot and will probably mean more to us as we go forward and look back. Our guys are excited. They really wanted that trophy, and we got it. It’s

great.”

Both the Bobcats and the Portagers have had historic seasons and a multitude of supporters for both schools filed into Portager Field to watch the county rivalry game.

The Bobcats (7-4) opened the game with a 12-play, 44yard drive that resulted in a turnover on downs on the Portagers’ 11-yard line. Ten plays later, Onekama’s Lucas Mauntler completed a 60-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Wade Sedlar with 2:40 left in the first quarter.

Mauntler ran in the 2-point conversion to give the Portagers (9-2) an 8-0 advantage.

“First two possessions, we drive the ball down the field and on fourth down, we just The Onekama Portagers pose with their regional trophy after their 52-0 playoff win over Brethren. (Kyle Kotecki/ didn’t punch it in,” said Breth- News Advocate)

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12 ren coach J.J. Randall. “I said this, and I hate saying it, but if we score on that first possession, totally different motivation. Totally different game.

“That’s one thing that we have to change within the culture of our program,” he continued. “… When things aren’t going great, we still have to be fundamental and we still have to do the things we have to do. To be a good football team we have to do that. Onekama had the confidence and they flowed, and their defense played really well. Credit to Coach Neph for doing it.”

Onekama forced the Bobcats’ punter to tuck the ball and scramble due to pressure, leading to a turnover on downs. The Portagers capitalized on the good field position by scoring in just five plays, with Ben Acton finding the end zone after rushing right, reversing field and finding an opening up the left sideline for an 8-yard score.

Mauntler hit Rylan Clarke for the 2-point conversion and Onekama was up 16-0 with 11:48 left in the half.

“It was a great win for our seniors,” Neph said. “They really wanted to make an historic night of it. They had a great week of practice and we did a lot of work. It showed.

We added a few variations to some of the stuff we’re doing and we hit a couple big plays and that always helps.”

After a Brethren turnover on downs, the Portagers scored just three plays later when Mauntler completed another 60-yard touchdown pass to Sedlar, who made two would-be Bobcat tacklers miss en route to the end zone.

“I’m just real happy,” Neph said. “Wade Sedlar had some huge plays and Luke (Mauntler) running the offense. We felt good about our game plan coming in and it’s up to the guys to execute it and they certainly did. Great job. Our line blocked better and all the backs blocked. It was a total team offensive effort. So happy for our guys.”

Brethren marched down the field on the ensuing possession, going on an 11-play,

PLAYOFF PUSH • MANISTEE NEWS ADVOCATE

Onekama’s Aaron Powers stiff arms an oncoming Bobcat during the Portagers’ regional title victory on Friday night. (Kyle Kotecki/News Advocate)

Onekama quarterback Luke Mauntler finds space to run during his team’s regional victory over Brethren. (Dylan Savela/News Advocate)

58-yard drive that saw the Bobcats reach the Portagers’ 7-yard line before turning the ball over on downs. No team was able to score for the remainder of the half and the teams went into the locker room with Onekama holding a 22-0 lead.

“When we were in position — and credit to (Onekama), they beat us off the ball — but when we woke up a little bit after going down 16-0 we were actually starting to play physical and play football, and it was too late at that point,” Randall said. “And we had another fourth-and-3 that we didn’t convert.”

The Bobcats entered the game coming off an impressive 42-26 win over Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart last week.

Onekama blocked a Brethren punt midway through the third quarter and Matthew Mallison scooped it up and ran it down to the Bobcats’ 15yard line. Acton crossed the goal line three plays later on a 10-yard rush up the middle,

Onekama’s Aaron Powers scored on a 9-yard sweep to the right, crossing the goal line with two Brethren defenders on his back. Mauntler ran in the 2-point conversion to put the Portagers up 36-0.

“We’ve got some good football players,” Neph said.

“They’re doing a lot of good things, running around and making some tackles and I’m really happy.”

Powers recovered a Brethren fumble and took it 60 yards for a score. Mauntler’s 2-point conversion made the score 44-0 in Onekama’s favor.

Acton had 10 carries for 95 yards and two touchdowns, Powers had 84 yards on eight carries with a touchdown and Taylor Bennett amassed 62 yards on six carries. Mauntler completed 2-of-3 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns and Bennett connected on his only pass for a 46-yard score. Sedlar had two receptions for 120 yards, with each resulting in a touchdown.

Powers led the Portagers

barreling through would-be tacklers to give the Portagers a 28-0 lead with 7:12 left in the third quarter.

Logan Tighe led the Bobcats’ offense with nine carries for 33 yards and also had three receptions for 43 yards.

Gavin Asiala had 21 yards on six carries and a 5-yard reception. Troy Macurio had 29 yards on the ground and completed 9-of-15 passes with an interception. Hunter Wojciechowski had a team-high 11 tackles while Jacob Riggs added six.

Onekama’s Ben Falk said the key to the win was “physicality,” and believes his team has the potential to play even better moving forward. “(We just need to) clean up offense and defense,” Falk said. “Everything can be improved, we just need to improve on it.”

The Portagers topped Marion 22-6 last week in a game in which Onekama’s offense did not score.

The Bobcats were forced to punt six plays later and

in tackles with 12, Sedlar added seven, Bennett recorded five and Acton had four.

With the Portagers set to punt on fourth-and-13 with 2:16 left in the game, the snap sailed over Bennett’s head and in the ensuing chaos Mauntler broke open and Bennett hit him for a 46-yard touchdown pass. Johnny Neph crossed the goal line for the 2-point conversion for the last points of the game.

“I’m blessed to be able to have these guys,” coach Neph said. “To be able to coach them and work with them.

They show up every day. They goof around a lot, but they know when it’s time to get serious. We’re having a really good time and we want to go as far as we can and as long as we can. We’re having so much fun.”

With the win, Onekama moves on to host the winner of today’s 1 p.m. matchup between Tekonsha and Portland St. Patrick in an 8-player Division 2 state semifinal game next week.

13

PLAYOFF PUSH • MANISTEE NEWS ADVOCATE

Playoffs, Semifinal: Onekama pulls away from Portland St. Patrick in state semifinal

BY DYLAN SAVELA Sports Editor

ONEKAMA — Cold, snowy, muddy and messy… So this is what football in November looks like.

And how sweet it is.

Onekama braved the elements and rose above them Saturday, while also pushing past Portland St. Patrick to earn a shot at a state championship in 8-player Division 2 football.

Led by senior Ben Acton, the Portagers (10-2) put up 28 second-half points en route to their 28-14 victory over the Shamrocks (7-5) in the teams’ semifinal matchup.

“I can’t even explain the feeling right now,” said an elated Acton, standing by his school’s victory bell. “It’s just insane. … Everybody on this football team has given 100 percent and I couldn’t ask any more from them. I love playing with these guys.”

And with the win, the group earned the right to play one more time together: this Saturday for the state title against Rapid River at Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome in Marquette, with kickoff slated for 2 p.m.

“We just have to keep playing our game,” Acton said, “Keep on playing physical, and we can do it.”

Acton stood out on both sides of the ball Saturday, leading the team in rushing with 156 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries while adding a game-changing interception return to put the Portagers up for

good late in the third quarter.

“What you can say?” asked Onekama coach John Neph.

“Ben Acton is a terrific football player. All of these guys earned it. They’ve been putting in hours that nobody sees, and that’s what the difference was tonight.”

The wet and muddy field conditions — not to mention the typical Northern Michigan temperature this time of year — seemed to be a hindrance for both squads early, as each offense struggled to find the end zone in the first half.

“It was a sloppy Michigan, November, high school football game,” Neph said. “(But) it was a great game. Portland St. Patrick was everything we thought they’d be: tough, hard-nosed kids, but our guys just kept fighting.”

The teams traded fruitless drives as the first quarter ended in a scoreless tie, but the Shamrocks struck early in the second to take the game’s first lead. Despite Onekama’s Ben Johnson picking off a pass from St. Patrick quarterback Connor Cross to open the quarter, the Portagers lost a fumble two plays later and paid for it. It took St. Patrick just one play after the turnover to score on running back Ned Smith’s 50-yard rush, and with a successful 2-point conversion the Shamrocks were up 8-0 with 9:53 remaining before the half.

Onekama’s next two drives stalled, the first with another lost fumble and the second with Acton coming up just inches short of a 6-yard score on

Onekama’s Ben Acton drags Portland St. Patrick defenders through the mud and snow during the Portagers’ state semifinal victory. (Dylan Savela/News Advocate)

The Onekama Portagers celebrate as time winds down on their 8-player Division 2 state semifinal victory over Portland St. Patrick. (Dylan Savela/News Advocate)

14

PLAYOFF PUSH • MANISTEE NEWS ADVOCATE

Onekama quarterback Luke Mauntler fights for extra yards against Portland St. Patrick during his team’s state semifinal win. (Dylan Savela/News Advocate)

fourth down. Despite a diving effort toward the pylon, his foot was deemed out of bounds as he took off, and the Portagers lost possession with 1:01 left in the second quarter. The teams entered the locker rooms with Onekama down a score.

“At halftime, we said ‘hey, we’ve got to play better,’ and they knew that,” Neph said.

“They looked at each other and decided to play hard for the guy next to them.”

The second half started where the first left off, as both teams struggled in the elements to control the ball, each ending their first drives with lost fumbles. The Portagers, however, capitalized on their recovery as Acton capped a four-play drive with a 2-yard rushing touchdown at 6:07 in the third.

Onekama quarterback Luke Mauntler scrambled and found pay dirt on the 2-point try to tie the game 8-8.

Momentum — which hadn’t been sustained by either team to this point — suddenly found its place with the Portagers on the following St. Patrick drive.

On third-and-15 from the Shamrocks’ 30-yard-line, Cross heaved a pass near midfield that was picked off by Acton. With the help of some key blocks, the senior then weaved his way in and out of would-be tacklers, broke a final St. Patrick attempt to stop him, and dove head-first into the end zone for a return score.

“There are so few kids who can do that,” Neph said of the play. “And it was critical. The score was tied … but that was a huge momentum switch. It got us the lead, got our crowd back in the game, and got the guys fired up. Big, big interception.”

The Portagers couldn’t convert on the 2-point try, but were up 14-8 with momentum on their side at 4:26 in the third.

The score would hold up heading into the fourth.

Onekama took full control with 10:54 remaining in the game as Mauntler scored from 6 yards out on a quarterback keeper, giving his team a 20-8 advantage.

Mauntler finished the game with 18 rushing yards and the touchdown on 11 carries while going 3-for-3 passing for 50 yards in the air. Onekama’s Rylan Clarke (32 yards receiving), Wade Sedlar (12 yards) and Acton (6 yards) were the recipients of those tosses.

The Shamrocks closed the gap with 7:33 remaining as Cross connected on a short touchdown pass to Tanner Lawson on second-and-goal from 2 yards out. St. Patrick’s 2-point try came up empty, so they trailed 20-14.

The Portagers responded on the following possession by capping a seven-play drive with

Acton’s 5-yard rushing score at 3:35. Acton also punched in the 2-point conversion for the 28-14 score that held up as the final.

“Our guys played great,” Neph said. “(Portland St. Patrick has) a very powerful offense. Their quarterback is outstanding, but we covered guys, knocked some (passes) down and put a little pressure on (him). It takes a whole team to stop the passing game, so I’m so proud of our guys.

“They put in the effort, and they’re going to be exhausted tonight,” he said. “But it’s the best kind of exhaustion you can have: winning a playoff football game.”

Onekama’s Aaron Powers chipped in to his team’s offense with 55 yards rushing on 10 carries. Acton, along with the interception return, led the defense with six and a half tackles, including a sack and four for a loss. Powers recorded five tack-

les while Sedlar had four and a half, Clarke had three and a half, Johnson had three with an interception and Taylor Bennett tallied three.

The win represents the Portagers’ 10th this season, which is an all-time record for the program that began in 1964.

Onekama has now won three straight playoff games, outscoring opponents 102-20 during the postseason run. One more win would give the school its first state championship in football.

“To go to the Superior Dome, it’s been on our goal sheet for awhile, so as long as we’re there we’re going to try our best to win it,” Neph said. “We know it’s going to be a tough game.

Rapid River is a great football team. But (playing for the title) means the world to us.”

15

PLAYOFF PUSH • MANISTEE NEWS ADVOCATE

Portagers’ muddy celebration captures essence of the game Even in the mud, it was clear: The Onekama Portagers were having the time of their lives.

Their semifinal win over Portland St. Patrick on Saturday was hard fought and the field alone told the story.

A little snowy — and mostly sloppy, wet and muddy — it was a battlefield for four quarters but a playground when the final horn sounded.

The Portagers put together

another impressive playoff win, this one to punch their ticket to the 8-player Division 2 state championship: a stage The Onekama Portagers celebrate in the mud after their state semifinal victory over Portland St. Patrick. (Dylan no Portager in the history of the Savela/News Advocate)

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PLAYOFF PUSH • MANISTEE NEWS ADVOCATE

The Onekama Portagers bask in their state semifinal victory, which earned them a spot in the 8-player Division 2 state championship. (Dylan Savela/News Advocate)

program has ever reached.

As the victory and its spoils began to sink in, to the sound of the bell they proudly rang, the players found themselves back on the field and in the mud. Most were already caked in it from the game they just played, some to the point of illegible jersey numbers and team name. But there was no question: They were Portagers, and they were going to celebrate together.

Bellyflops, baseball slides and mud angels where yard lines used to be… Laughter, sloppy hugs and shouts of joy…

After all their hard work, they

owed it to themselves to be kids.

“I can’t even explain the feeling right now,” said Onekama senior Ben Acton, overjoyed with the win. “It’s just insane. … Everybody on this football team has given 100 percent and I couldn’t ask any more from them. I love playing with these guys.”

About an hour earlier, the Portagers were trailing 8-0 at halftime. A celebration — muddy or otherwise — certainly wasn’t a guarantee.

“At halftime, we said, ‘hey, we’ve got to play beter,’ and they knew that,” said Onekama

coach John Neph. “They looked at each other and decided to play hard for the guy next to them.”

Young men are being molded through these lessons of teamwork, dedication and grace in both victory and defeat. But football — or any sport for that matter — is fun at its core. And there’s a real beauty in the combination of it all.

Organically, a crowd circled the soggy Portagers — family, friends, classmates and fans — all enjoying the celebratory scene, making it truly a family affair.

“I can’t even describe what

it means to us,” Neph said. “So many people have been supporting these players, because they’ve put in so much time and effort to get better. They’re a goofy bunch, but when it comes time to do the work, they do the work.

“And these are moments these young men will never forget. They’ll carry it with them for the rest of their lives.”

Magnificently muddy memories.

On what he called the “spur of the moment,” even Neph joined in on the action. With his players egging him on, he slid face first into the mud at

the 50-yard line… or maybe it was the 45.

Either way, another line was blurred at midfield on Saturday: the one that rests between young men and the young at heart. In the mud, you couldn’t tell a difference between the two.

And that’s what this is all about.

Dylan Savela is the sports editor for the News Advocate.

He can be reached at dsavela@ pioneergroup.com or (231) 398-3112.

17

PLAYOFF PUSH • MANISTEE NEWS ADVOCATE

State Championship: Onekama falls short in championship to close historic season

By DYLAN SAVELA Sports Editor

MARQUETTE – One way or another, the road was going to end on Saturday in Marquette, 330-some-odd miles from where the Onekama Portagers call home.

Along with droves of supporters and fans, the team made the long trek with all they had to give in tow. And after leaving it on the field, the Portagers found themselves just short, falling 30-18 to Rapid River in the 8-player Division 2 state championship, held in Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome.

“It was a state champion-

ship game: They were going their hardest, we were going our hardest,” said Onekama senior Ben Acton. “They just had the edge on us in the end.”

The loss closed an historic season for the Portagers, who, with a 10-3 record and state runner-up trophy, became the most successful squad in school history, dating back to 1964 when its football program began.

“We thought we were going to win this game,” said Onekama coach John Neph, “so then when you don’t, it takes time to process. Our seniors are devastated. They wanted to go out on top and they almost did.

Onekama quarterback Luke Mauntler looks to extend a play as teammate Taylor Bennett finds a block during the “But hopefully they realize 8-player Division 2 state championship in Marquette’s Superior Dome. (Dylan Savela/News Advocate)

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PLAYOFF PUSH • MANISTEE NEWS ADVOCATE

Onekama’s Ben Acton, right, finds room to run while teammate Luke Mauntler looks to block during the 8-player Division 2 state championship in Marquette. (Dylan Savela/News Advocate)

what an experience they had and what they’ve led this program to become,” he added.

“We left it all on the field today, but came up a little bit short.”

While the Portagers were making their debut on the grand stage, Rapid River was playing in its third 8-player state championship as a program.

Uncharacteristic mistakes seemed to slow Onekama’s offense down early while the Rockets were methodical in moving the chains and maintaining possession of the ball.

“We made some big mistakes at the wrong times,” Neph said, “whether it was a missed assignment or a penalty. And Rapid River just kept the ball moving down the field.

“We couldn’t get them off to get our offense going enough times.”

The teams traded scoreless possessions to open the game, but then Rapid River struck first with an 11-play drive capped by running back Tyler Sundling’s 22-yard touchdown run with

1:09 remaining in the first. A successful 2-point try made it 8-0 in the Rockets’ favor to start the second quarter.

Despite a holding call that put Onekama in a second-and-20 situation on its own 41-yard line, quarterback Luke Mauntler heaved a 59yard touchdown strike to receiver Rylan Clarke at 9:25 in the second to close the gap to 8-6. Mauntler finished the game 4-of-11 passing for 122 yards through the air.

Rapid River responded with another sustained drive that ended with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Rockets quarterback Brent Lundquist to Nate Olson to make it 16-6, following another successful 2-point try, with 2:02 remaining in the half.

Onekama only ran 11 plays from scrimmage in the third quarter, while Rapid River managed to put another score on the board: a 4-yard touchdown run by back Gunner Larson at 7:31 to make it 22-6.

In total, the Rockets pos-

A gang of Onekama defenders bring down Rapid River’s Tyler Sundling during the 8-player Division 2 state championship. (Dylan Savela/News Advocate)

sessed the ball for over 33 minutes on the night, compared to just under 15 for Onekama. The Portagers’ pair of lost fumbles and untimely penalties didn’t help their cause.

“Honestly, it came down to who played better football,” said Onekama senior Jay Sturgeon.

“We didn’t play our best game, but we did give it all we had.”

The Portagers closed the gap to 22-12 early in the fourth as Acton ran in for a score from 24 yards out at 11:21. The senior running back led the team on the night with 78 yards rushing on 17 carries.

After the score, Onekama successfully recovered an onside kick that just trickled over the required 10 yards, but five plays later the Portagers lost a fumble to the Rockets.

“We were in there banging and trying, and absolutely played to the end,” Neph said.

“We’re a pretty competitive group of guys, so there was no doubt we’d be going at it all the way through.”

The Rockets found the end zone again, late, as Sundling scored from 22 yards out with 5:04 remaining in the game.

Sundling led all rushers Saturday with 123 yards on 28 carries while teammate Larson totaled 107 yards on 24 attempts.

Another successful 2-point try made it a daunting 30-12 deficit for the Portagers, but they kept coming.

Mauntler connected with Onekama’s Wade Sedlar on a 55-yard strike at 3:55 in the fourth to close the gap to 30-18, but that would be the game’s final score.

“Give credit to Rapid River,” Neph said. “They’ve averaged 30 points a game (this season), and that’s what they got again tonight. And our defense is pretty stout.

“But they controlled the ball and controlled the line of scrimmage,” he added. “I would have liked our offense to get in a few more plays, but we weren’t able to get that done.”

Acton led Onekama’s de-

fense with 16 tackles, including three for loss, while teammates Matthew Mallison totaled 15 , Taylor Bennett 13 and Mauntler nine.

After the loss, the Portagers were understandably emotional but showed appreciation to the Onekama faithful who made the trip to cheer them on. Tears and hugs were shared in a sea of blue on the field following the game.

“I’m so happy for our guys,” Neph said. “They’re leaving this season with memories they’ll carry for a lifetime. They took this program to new heights, and they worked so hard in the hours that nobody sees.

“Lifting weights, running hills, hard practices in August when it’s hot: All of those things, they were there. They really wanted this and they set an example for all of us to follow moving forward.”

19

PLAYOFF PUSH • MANISTEE NEWS ADVOCATE

Portagers’ character shines despite title game loss After lining up opposite one another all afternoon long, Onekama and Rapid River did so again during Saturday’s trophy presentation in Marquette: a team on each 40-yard-line awaiting their name to be called to collect their respective hardware, which was stationed at the 50.

The Portagers had just fallen short of a state championship while the Rockets earned their program’s first. Understandably, their moods were polar opposites despite being separated by just 20 yards. But oddly enough, the two trophies looked the same.

Sure, one had the word “champion” engraved on its plate, while the other was designated for the runners-up. But

at a glance or a distance, there really was little difference: Same shape, same size, same amount of blood, sweat and tears to attain.

The teams received their trophies, and at the same time posed for pictures: one side jovial, the other somber. Quite frankly, it was a little awkward.

The Portagers, however, should carry theirs back home with their heads held high, because when the sting of the

score fades away, it won’t be a scar. Although, it will last forever.

“I’m never going to forget this season,” said Ben Acton, the senior workhorse of the Portagers. “Nothing but good memories: I love this team. I love everyone on it. I wouldn’t want to play on any other one.”

With a 10-3 record and appearance in the state championship, Onekama easily became the most successful football team in school history, dating back to 1964 when the program began.

“Onekama has probably had teams in the past that were bigger or stronger, but I’d be surprised if any team in school history had as much heart as this team,” said senior Jay

Emotions ran high after the Onekama Portagers’ 8-player Division 2 championship loss to Rapid River in Marquette’s Superior Dome. (Dylan Savela/ News Advocate)

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Sturgeon. “We never gave up.

Never said never.”

To the bitter end, that was true.

Despite their dominance through the regular season and in the playoffs, the Portagers never had the lead in Saturday’s 30-18 loss. But they sure fought for it every second they had available to fight.

An onside kick recovery, a late score to close the gap, effort on every down to either gain or stop an extra yard…

“We were in there banging and trying, and absolutely played to the end,” said Onekama coach John Neph. “We’re a pretty competitive group of guys, so there was no doubt we’d be going at it all the way through.”

And it’s the type of effort he’s witnessed behind the scenes.

“They worked so hard in the hours that nobody sees,” Neph said. “Lifting weights, running hills, hard practices in August when it’s hot: All of those

things, they were there.”

And any Portager you ask will tell you: They were there for each other too.

“We’re so close,” Acton said.

“This is a brotherhood.”

Sturgeon agreed.

“Just getting to play with these guys and being able to go farther than anyone else (in school history) has meant the world to me,” he said.

It takes talent to qualify for the postseason, make a run through the playoffs and kick off for a state championship.

But a lot of teams have talent.

Something extra is necessary.

“There’s a lot of team chemistry here,” Neph said. “The guys legitimately like each other. They pull for each other and they play hard for each other.

“They’re a very tight knit group and that’s part of what hurts about this season ending: we have to deal with the fact that it’s never going to be the same,” he added. “These guys have spent so much time together and stuck with each

Congrats Portagers

On A Great Season!

The Onekama Portagers console each other after their loss in the 8-player Division 2 state championship in Marquette. (Dylan Savela/News Advocate)

other all the way through.

“That’s going to be missing a little bit from their life, and that’s hard.”

No matter if they won or lost Saturday, that was going to be the case for the Portagers.

But it’s clear that they’ll carry something very special with them from here on out.

They don’t need a trophy to tell them how it feels to be a championship team.

Sometimes, that’s defined by

character.

Dylan Savela is the sports editor for the News Advocate.

He can be reached at dsavela@ pioneergroup.com or (231) 398-3112.

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