By Scott Keyes
Sports Scene
The two quarterbacks who are battling for the starting job at Central Michigan University played against one another more than once at the high school level.
Former Montague standout Cody Kater was the same guy who gave Ithaca its last lost when he led his team past then junior quarterback Alez Niznak 47-16 in 2009 in the D6 semifinals. Montague went on to win the state championship that year.
Niznak came back his senior season to lead Ithaca to its first of three Division 6 championships in as many seasons.
So think about this. Three seasons. A perfect 42-0. And to be honest, this year the juggernaut Yellowjackets should be as impressive, if not more impressive, than they were the past three seasons.
Yes, people are going to think “Oh, can I say that.” Well, history is definitely on my side, and the numbers don’t lie.
As a senior, Niznak put on a clinic, completing 22 of 26 passes to lead the Yellowjackets to their first Division 6 championship 45-35 over St. Mary’s Preparatory.
The following year, a poised sophomore quarterback Travis Smith threw for 299 yards in the final against Constantine to give Ithaca its second D6 title and another perfect season.
Last year, Smith went down on Ithaca’s first offensive series. In stepped junior quarterback Logan Hessbrook and the Yellowjackets offense didn’t skip a beat in defeating Constantine once again 37-27 to cap another perfect season and win another D6 crown.
Three state championships. Three different winning quarterbacks. The same results. Is there something in the water out there in Ithaca that no one is talking about?
The one constant in the last three seasons is coach Terry Hessbrook and his coaching staff, which includes his brother Todd Hessbrook, Brad Showers, and Craig Snyder.
Hessbrook’s coaching staff keep the ship afloat and they help push the next generation of athletes to the next level. Success starts at the top, and the Ithaca faithful have been blessed with one of the good ones, a man who grew up in the small town off U.S. 127 and who learned under the guidance of former Ithaca coach Jim Ahern. Now Hessbrook is rewriting the record books and doing it his way.
Toughness, togetherness, and tiresome work ethic have the ‘Jackets back this season stomping on the front porch of another possible state title and another perfect season.
A strong group of offensive weapons will be on display once again this season, with Smith leading the way as a three-year starter at quarterback.
Heading into this season, Smith has some unfinished business after going down with injury in the state final last year. His post-graduation future is already known with his recent committment to the University of Toledo, and Smith is one key ingredient this season that will help Ithaca continue its assault on the Michigan High School Athletic Association record books.
Not to mention, seniors Bryan Shaw and Logan Hessbrook will help the Yellowjackets offense along the way this season.
Even though everyone will talk about the perfect season and the back-to-back-to-back state titles, don’t expect Ithaca to buy into the hype too much, especially the senior class.
These guys are ready, focused, and determined to get after anything that stands in their way of perfection.
It wouldn’t be too much of a surprise to see Hessbrook and the boys hoisting another state championship trophy in November.