John Raffel
Sports Scene
Three former Central Montcalm standouts are showing off their talents on the Olivet College football team this season.
Michael Beach is a sophomore starting as offensive guard for Olivet.
“Our record isn’t the best [1-5], but we’ve faced some of the best competition in the league,” Beach said, referring to the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
It’s his first year at Olivet, after transferring from William Penn University. “I came in and took a [starting spot] right away,” Beach said.
Beach played center in high school. He said he likes playing guard much better.
“We’ve been able to move the ball against everybody we’ve played so far,” he said.
His brother Jonathon Beach is a freshman starting wide receiver, a position he played at Central Montcalm. He has caught some touchdown passes in the first six games.
“I have to work on my blocking a little bit. You have to react better,” said Beach. “The game is faster. You have better players going against you.”
The Beachs’ father, Mark, is a Central Montcalm coach.
Another former Central Montcalm player, Kelly Patmore, is also at Olivet as a sophomore. He’s a reserve linebacker. He went to Illinois College as a freshman but decided to make a move.
“I wanted to play again,” he said. “I looked at Olivet, loved it, and came here. I’m on second string and also seeing action on special teams.”
A distinction between high school and college football “is the time you have to put into it,” Patmore said. “There’s a big difference.”