Hey Sports Fans! It’s another great day at Sports Scene.
With spring football wrapping up around the state of Michigan, I have a couple observations to make concerning a few of our former local high school players.
First, now that Tony Lippett and Bennie Fowler have moved on from being favorite targets of Michigan State University quarterback Connor Cook, look for guys like DeAnthony Arnett (Saginaw High), Matt Macksood (Lansing Catholic), and Aaron Burbridge (Farmington Hills Harrison) to take over the roles of go-to receivers when the Spartans hit the field in the fall. With Arnett, Macksood, and Burbridge, MSU has three receivers who can change the outcome of a game with one big play. Let’s hope their abilities flourish in the fall.
At the University of Michigan, a pair of local receivers, Heritage grad Brian Cole and Maurice Ways of Detroit Country Day, looked solid in the spring and should excel in coach Jim Harbaugh’s pro-style offense. Time will tell.
Meanwhile at Central Michigan University, the Chippewas have gone through a major coaching overhaul, but Lansing Catholic grad Cooper Rush is still the man under center leading the Chips. Let’s hopes Rush can continue to grow under the new coaching regime.
Second, at long last, Mother Nature is finally cooperating, but as many of you know, the weather this spring as been Jekyll and Hyde. Our student-athletes have braved the elements, including a recent snow storm in April. I know it’s Michigan and the games must go on, but enough already! What is the sense of making kids play softball in 30 degree weather? I know, I know, but what exactly are the limitations of conditions in which we should make athletes play?
Last thing, play hard. Play with fire. Play with desire. Keep the passion burning from the inside out.
We take for granted of a lot of things during the daily grind, but coaches, parents, and mentors, we sometimes forget that these athletes are still kids. We sometimes get caught up with the wins and losses, but in the long run, molding young minds into young adults is what’s most important.