Butch Harmon
Sports Scene
After turning in one of the most successful seasons in recent years last fall, the Chesaning football team is picking up where it left off last season.
Chesaning turned in a 9-2 record last year and reached the district title game in the state playoffs. This year, the Indians are off to another fast start reeling off five straight wins to begin the season. Chesaning opened the season with a 52-12 win against Bath and followed that up with wins against LakeVille (50-0), New Lothrop (47-22), Mt. Morris (54-23) and Birch Run (17-9).
So far this season Chesaning is checking all the boxes as contributions are coming from all areas of the team.
“We are off to a great start,” said Chesaning coach Matthew Walter. “Our offense is clicking right now with all 11 guys doing their job. Max Volk and Brayden Florian are both off to a phenomenal start but they could not do it without the stellar play of our offensive line and wide receivers blocking. Defensively we are just as strong and have held teams in check all game. The coaching staff has done an excellent job preparing these guys every week. Our program has taken more strides from last year’s team and continues to get better every day.”
Success is nothing new for the Chesaning players as the players on the football team have experienced plenty of success in other sports at Chesaning as well.
The Chesaning offense has scored 50 or more points in every game this season and has been piling up some impressive numbers. Quarterback Max Volk has passed for 794 yards and tossed 12 touchdown passes. Volk is a dangerous dual threat as he has also rushed for 228 yards and six touchdowns. Running back Brayden Florian is also off to a big season rushing for 563 yards and four touchdowns. At receiver Brady Sager leads the way with 329 receiving yards.
Paving the way for the offense is a standout offensive line anchored by Seth Schlicht, Braydon Wendling, Andrew Reiber, John Talbot and Braden Burtch.
“I believe our offensive and defensive lines have been very strong this year,” Walter said. “We have guys on the line that have been on varsity for two and three years so it’s great to have that experience and they can make adjustments on the fly. Our pass protection has been great so we are able to throw the ball more.”
Chesaning has shown good balance on offense this season. The Indians have totaled 1,885 yards on offense with 1,104 rushing yards and 794 passing yards.
Defensively, Chesaning is led by outside linebacker Cal Frasier who has totaled 21 tackles along with seven tackles for loss and four sacks. Defensive end Braydn Wendling is also having a big year with six quarterback sacks.
While the team has started fast, plenty more challenges lie in the weeks ahead and remaining focused and improving is at the top of the priority list.
“The key for us is `don’t let up`”, Walter said. “Our guys have to keep getting better every day. We have a tough schedule coming up and have to stay focused. We have to keep practices intense and go with the underdog mentality every game.”
Among the big games coming up for Chesaning are a home game against Montrose on October 4 and a road game at Ovid-Elsie on October 11.
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