Scott Keyes
Sports Scene
The Jack Pine Conference football chase appears to be a three team race between Houghton Lake, Clare, and Meridian.
Meridian could have distanced itself from the rest of the conference after starting the season out 3-0, but a 58-14 loss to 2-2 Houghton Lake in week four tightened things up within the conference.
“I think most people expected Houghton Lake and Clare to be the preseason favorites,” said Meridian coach Keith Schulte. “No big surprises at this time. We are only two games into the league, and we will have to wait and see how it pans out. If Gladwin gets healthy, they could be dangerous.”
Even with the loss to Houghton Lake, Schulte has watched the team mature as a unit every time they hit the field. Schulte said the Mustangs have a good balance of experience and youth, and they are having fun and working hard every day.
Some young guys that have stepped up since two-a-days for the Mustangs are sophomores Jacob Wenzlick and Eric Fader.
“Those two guys have stepped in and played a big role for us,” Schulte said. “Wenzlick plays corner and does kick and punt returns. Fader plays left tackle on offense.”
Meanwhile, Schulte is getting solid play from veterans Peyton Marshall and Mic Petre on offense. The two players have been the team’s go-to guys.
“They make our offense move, especially when you can run behind a player like Cam Hobbs,” Schulte said.
“They are big and fast and have helped keep our defense off the field. Defensively, Codey Hintermeister has been the leading tackler in nearly every game.”
Hintermeister had 10 tackles in the loss to Houghton Lake.