Article - High School Sports Scene

By John Raffel

Coach Karl Schmugge’s Michigan Lutheran Seminary team is coming off a strong season with hopes of repeating their fortunes in 2023.
MLS was 9-2 last year and had one loss in the conference. MLS beat Harbor Beach for the first time in the playoffs.
The Cardinals have started off the seasonwith impressive wins of 37-14 over Unionville-Sebewaing and 21-14 over Marine City Cardinal Mooney.
Key graduates from last year’s team were quarterback Evan Wakefield with 24 touchdowns, starting running back Ryan Dabe, top linebacker Will Eubank, Mark Vogel and Maddox Retberg at starting cornerback.
Key players this year should include senior Carson Koehler at running back and safety who Schmugge said is a top leader and player and led the area in interceptions last year. Another key player is also sophomore running back/linebacker Noah Reif and leader on the offensive line and Logan Broekhuizen, a three-year starter.
“We expect to compete in every game,” Schmugge said, adding the offensive line will be a strength. “All starters are back except for one.”
MLS hopes to contend for a TVC title.
“We should be fighting for first,” Schmugge said. “But Ithaca and Nouvel are always strong.”
Seniors on the team are Logan Foresi (WR/DB), Gavin Frederick (WR/DB), Andrew Archibald (RB/DB), Carson Koehler (RB/QB/DB), Levi Schroeder (RB/LB), Timmy Faustin (TE/LB), Caleb Iles (OL/DL), Drew Luetzow (OL/LB), Aidan Dehn (OL/DL), Joey Coon (OL/DL), Luke Zondervan (OL/DL), Garrett Robinson (OL/DL) and Michael Stehle (OL/DL)
Juniors on the team are Brady Falck (WR/DB), Brennan Burke (TE/DL), Brock Ochoa (WR/DL), Gavin Morse (RB/LB), William Schoch (WR/LB), William Salgat (QB/LB), Caleb Martin (WR/DB), Hayden Powers, (WR/DL), Ethan Wakefield (TE/DE), Lance Hatfield (WR/DB), Logan Broekhuizen (OL/DL) and Wyatt Schuette (OL/DL).
The lone sophomore is Noah Reif (RB/LB).
Assistant coaches are Josh Wakefield, Ken Teske, Dave Broekkhuizen and Andy Retberg.

Pictured is MLS’ Carson Koehler

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HSSS FOOTBALL STATS
Coaches, statisticians, High School Sports Scene Magazine wants to be the source for high school football stats this season. Feel free to contact us with any updates or statistics you have. Send any updates to greg102300@yahoo.com . HSSS will be updating the football stats page on a daily basis.

PASSING YARDS
Preston Wallace, Evart 508
Sawyer Glennie, Davison 477
Jackson Conn, Ithaca 459
Zach Cribbs, Williamston 416
Benjamin Fletcher, East Lansing 326
Alex Fernandez, Lansing Catholic 322
Ethan Mason, Saginaw Heritage 310
Luke Smith, Flushing 306
Keegan Gochenour, Eaton Rapids 299
Owen Halstead, Essexville-Garber 283
Jayden Arthur, Clare 269

PASSING TOUCHDOWNS
Jackson Conn, Ithaca 6
Sawyer Glennie, Davison 6
Ethan Mason, Saginaw Heritage 6
Preston Wallace, Evart 6
Zach Cribbs, Williamston 5
Alex Fernandez, Lansing Catholic 5
Owen Halstead, Essexville-Garber 5
Liam Patrick, Owosso 5
Alejandro Urrea, Okemos 5
Jayden Arthur, Clare 4
Wyatt Bower, Corunna 4

RUSHING YARDS
Mark Bendele, St. Johns 283
Nakai Amachree, Haslett 266
Wyatt Bower, Corunna 263
Ty Robertson, Saginaw Heritage 263
William Salgat, Mich. Lutheran Seminary 243
Jackson Reisbig, Lowell 232
Hoyt Perry, Owosso 231
Tyler Bidelman, Charlotte 225
Jahi Wood, Waverly 215
Cutler Brandt, Charlotte 212

RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS
Jackson Reisbig, Lowell 6
Nakai Amachree, Haslett 5
Carson Koehler, Mich. Lutheran Seminary 5
Mark Bendele, St. Johns 4
Tyler Bidelman, Charlotte 4
Wyatt Bower, Corunna 4
Hoyt Perry, Owosso 4
Ty Robertson, Saginaw Heritage 4
Kale Snyder, Bullock Creek 4

RECEIVING YARDS
Braylon Isom, Saginaw Heritage 277
Charlie Baker, East Lansing 276
Max McCune, Williamston 257
Noah Vanderlinde, Evart 214
Nathan Sanders, Flushing 213
Buddy Banks-Williams, Davison 209
Tarick Bower, Corunna 192
Max Fellows, Essexville-Garber 185

RECEPTIONS
Charlie Baker, East Lansing 20
Dominic Eastman, Okemos 13
Noah Vanderlinde, Evart 13
Buddy Banks-Williams, Davison 11
Nathan Sanders, Flushing 11
Ryley White, Ithaca 10

RECEIVING TOUCHDOWNS
Noah Vanderlinde, Evart 5
Braylon Isom, Saginaw Heritage 5
Tarick Bower, Corunna 4
Dominic Eastman, Okemos 3
Max Fellows, Essexville-Garber 3
Max McCune, Williamston 3
Owen Mikulka, Ithaca 3

TACKLES
Carter Herriman, Davison 37
Tim Bensinger, Charlotte 32
Cutler Brandt, Charlotte 28
Logan Broekhuizen, Mich. Lutheran Seminary 24
Carson Berkompas, Charlotte 23
Jaxon Craven, Evart 22

SACKS
Hoyt Patrick, Owosso 3

INTERCEPTIONS
Hagan Wascher, Frankenmuth 3
Carson Berkompas, Charlotte 2
Cutler Brandt, Charlotte 2

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PASSING YARDS
Zach Cribbs, Williamston 297
Preston Wallace, Evart 268
Sawyer Glennie, Davison 229
Jayden Arthur, Clare 208
Luke Smith, Flushing 197
Wyatt Bower, Corunna 168
Benjamin Fletcher, East Lansing 158
Ethan Mason, Saginaw Heritage 143
Brady Dush, St. Johns 115
Jacoby Dunlap, Alma 101

PASSING TOUCHDOWNS
Zach Cribbs, Williamston 3
Preston Wallace, Evart 3
Jayden Arthur, Clare 2
Wyatt Bower, Corunna 2
Jacoby Dunlap, Alma 2
Sawyer Glennie, Davison 2
Ethan Mason, Saginaw Heritage 2

RUSHING YARDS
Elliot Larner, DeWitt 227
Jahi Wood, Waverly 215
Wyatt Bower, Corunna 177
Ty Robertson, Saginaw Heritage 151
Jackson Reisbig, Lowell 150
Nakai Amachree, Haslett 130

RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS
Elliot Larner, DeWitt 4
Jackson Reisbig, Lowell 4
Wyatt Bower, Corunna 3
Ty Robertson, Saginaw Heritage 151

RECEIVING YARDS
Max McCune, Williamston 161
Charlie Baker, East Lansing 158
Tarick Bower, Corunna 144
Nathan Sanders, Flushing 141
Buddy Banks-Williams, Davison 140
Braylon Isom, Saginaw Heritage 122

RECEPTIONS
Charlie Baker, East Lansing 10
Tyler Streeter, Midland Dow 8
Buddy Banks-Williams, Davison 7
Tarick Bower, Corunna 7
Noah Vanderlinde, Evart 7
Nathan Sanders, Flushing 6

RECEIVING TOUCHDOWNS
Noah Vanderlinde, Evart 7
Braylon Isom, Saginaw Heritage 2
Max McCune, Williamston 2

TACKLES
Carter Herriman, Davison 20
Jaxon Craven, Evart 13
Andrew Little, Midland Dow 13
Logan Witbeck, Evart 13
Hunter Conrad, Belding 12
Tray Haido, Davison 12

SACKS
Caden Lickfeldt, Bullock Creek 2
Mason Nickel, Midland Dow 2

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EAST LANSING, Mich. – Aug. 18 – Upper Peninsula teams playing boys and girls soccer will have the opportunity to participate in a statewide Michigan High School Athletic Association Tournament beginning with the 2023-24 school year after the U.S. federal court in the Western District of Michigan granted on Wednesday, Aug. 16, a joint petition to adjust that portion of the 2000s seasons litigation compliance plan that had required Upper Peninsula boys and girls soccer teams to play in opposite seasons from their Lower Peninsula counterparts.

The petition, filed together by the MHSAA and Communities for Equity, requested that Upper Peninsula soccer teams’ postseason tournaments be realigned with those of the Lower Peninsula soccer teams, such that boys teams be allowed to play with Lower Peninsula teams in a fall statewide MHSAA Boys Soccer Tournament and Upper Peninsula girls teams be allowed to play with Lower Peninsula teams in a spring statewide MHSAA Girls Soccer Tournament.

Almost 20 years ago, the federal court had assigned a separate Upper Peninsula boys tournament for the spring and a separate Upper Peninsula girls tournament for the fall as part of the compliance plan emerging from litigation in a lawsuit filed by Communities for Equity in 1998. The resulting compliance plan, with Lower Peninsula boys soccer season in fall and girls soccer in spring and Upper Peninsula girls soccer season in fall and boys soccer in spring, was put into place beginning with the 2007-08 school year.

However, the different seasons for Upper Peninsula and Lower Peninsula soccer proved unworkable. To realize a full regular season, both boys and girls Upper Peninsula soccer teams at that time instead chose to play during the same regular seasons as their Lower Peninsula counterparts, forgoing participation in an Upper Peninsula-only MHSAA Tournament that was offered consistent with the original compliance plan.

Totals of 13,221 boys and 11,921 girls played on MHSAA member high school soccer teams statewide during the 2022-23 school year. This decision means that hundreds of Upper Peninsula girls and boys soccer players will have the opportunity to have a meaningful regular season and play in a statewide postseason soccer tournament.

“This is great news for our member schools, especially those soccer programs in our Upper Peninsula. We appreciate the partnership on this issue with Communities for Equity, in particular President Diane Madsen, working together in a spirit of cooperation and common sense in making this positive change for soccer players in our state,” said MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl.

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By John Raffel

Anna Delgado is now ready to pursue a running career at Northwestern University after a championship season at East Lansing.
“Coming off an injury in September and starting the track season with bronchitis, I think her season was nearly perfect,” assistant track coach and head cross country coach Kathy Hubbard said. “She improved every single meet, stayed healthy and focused on her goals and ended the season as a state champion.”
Delgado, who ran track four seasons, was runner-up at the Division 1 State Track and Field finals in the 1,600 meter run and she was state champion in the 3,200 meter run.
Delgado set the ELHS records in the 800 (2:13.3), the 1600 (4:48.88) and the 3,200 (10:33.87). She broke the 18:00 barrier in cross country (17:59) her first cross country meet of senior year.
“Anna is extremely dedicated to everything she does whether it be athletics or academics.” Hubbard said. “She always trains very hard and has laser sharp focus on her training, her times and every workout. Anna has the heart of a champion and true love of her sport. She has a strong inner drive to be the best. Besides obviously getting significantly faster, Anna has greatly improved her mental strength and her ability to understand her body. She is very in touch with her skills and her race every time. She knows where she is at each lap and where she needs to be to achieve the goal that she set.
“Some of her most memorable moments over the years would be her breaking 18:00 minutes in the 5K; her experiences at team cross country camp; qualifying for the state track finals as a junior and having the experience of competing at a high level; breaking the Greater Lansing Honor Roll meet record in the 1600 meter run. Anna rarely stops training. It is what she does and a huge part of who she is. Throughout her senior year injury, Anna was either in the weightroom swinging ropes, doing the elliptical or riding a stationary bike. Many times she even did workouts in the pool. Throughout the year, Anna is always training. She is very diligent about her mileage and staying healthy. She tries very hard to not put too much stress on her body but still gets a workout in to keep her in shape. Rest is difficult for her.”
Delgado also ran cross country.
“Anna is the true definition of an elite runner,” Hubbard said. “She never backs down from hard work or challenges. She will do her workouts in the rain, snow or heat and give 100 percent every time. Anna is the most coachable athlete I have ever had the honor to coach. She always wants to learn more about her body, her race and her as a competitor. She listens to her coaches and is able to execute exactly what she was told. She truly is one of a kind.”
Hubbard said Delgado will be attending and running at Northwestern University this fall.”

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By John Raffel

Portland St. Patrick track and field coach Dawn Fedewa can’t say enough positive things about her junior sprinter Rylee Sheurer.
“Rylee is a three-year spring dual sport athlete that excels in both track and softball,” Fedewa said. “After qualifying for track and field state finals as a freshman, she made the tough choice to forego state finals and compete with the softball team at districts, helping that team make a deep run in the tournament. This year the same decision was on the table, but Rylee made the choice to compete at Track and Field State Finals. Her season was driven by constantly redefining goals and balancing training for both sports. Those efforts, doing the small things right, had big impacts on her finishing no lower than third in any finals race that she ran.
“As the weather warmed up, Rylee’s times in the 100 and 200 began to drop consistently. And, when it counted most, she set personal bests at State Finals in the 100, finishing third, and as the State
Champion in the 200. Both races were school record efforts. Rylee’s achievements this year also helped her team win the first Regional Championship and State Finals Runner-up finishes in school history.”
Scheuer’s record sheet is as follows; 2023 Track State Finals: 1st 200M, 3rd 100 & 4×200, 4th 4×100; Regional champion and school record holder (all set in 2023) in 100 (12.63), 200 (25.82), 4×100 (51.87) & 4×200 (1:47.62); All-State 1st team Track & Softball; Academic All-State Track and Softball
“Rylee is incredibly coachable and has amazing body awareness,” Fedewa said. “She is able to make form corrections with minimal practice. Her ability to compete at a very high level in softball translated well to the track this year when it came time to perform in high pressure situations. She has an amazing drive to succeed and improve. The combination of all of these characteristics, coupled with her God-given talent, put her in the perfect spot to have the success that she did this season.
“Rylee has put in a significant amount work in the weight room during the offseason
and her improved strength was noticeable this year. As an athlete who is relatively new to track, Rylee’s confidence and consistency were noticeably improved this year, as well. Rylee has always been blessed with natural talent, but is driven by exceptional work ethic. Since she joined the team, she never skips a workout, even though the balance between two sports is tough.”
Fedewa added: “While her talent shines, during her sophomore season when she battled an injury, Rylee was an incredible teammate. She continued to come to every meet that she was able to, supporting her teammates in their efforts and encouraging them throughout the season.”
Fedewa noted most of Scheurer’s centers around softball. She also plays basketball.
“While most of Rylee’s offseason work centers around softball, the work that she puts in there has improved her speed, strength and agility,” Fedewa said. “Those abilities transfer exceptionally well, enhancing her abilities on the track. Rylee is still new to the sport of track which makes her top end potential something that is still developing. She has the strength to succeed in other events and will continue to fine tune form in those events that she already is successful in.
“Rylee has received interest from some Division I schools. Based on her current times, she would be
competitive in most college programs. She has also received collegiate interest for softball.”

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David Cook
Sports Scene
The Ithaca baseball team ended the season in a big way by picking up an upset win in the district finals before falling in the district championship game.
Ithaca pulled off the upset in the semifinals when it defeated Hemlock 5-2.
Timely hitting and a stellar pitching performance from Charlie Martyn got the job done for the Yellowjackets.
Martyn allowed just two runs on three hits over seven innings to get the win for the Yellowjackets. Martyn also struck out nine batters.
Ithaca took the early lead in the game when it pushed across a run in the first inning on an RBI single by Kaleb Hallock.
The Yellowjackets took command of the game with three runs in the third inning. Brady Paradise and Martyn both delivered RBI hits during the inning. Martyn led Ithaca with two RBI during the game.
Carter Adle also contributed on offense as he went two-for-three at the plate and stole three bases. In all, Ithaca totaled 12 stolen bases against Hemlock.
In the district championship game Ithaca dropped a 7-1 decision to Chesaning.
Ryley White led the Ithaca offense with a home run while Collin Thrush collected two hits including a double and added a stolen base.
Thrush went the distance on the mound for Ithaca as he pitched six innings and recorded seven strikeouts.

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The Eagle Track & Field teams were in competition twice this week, first at the first MSAC Jamboree on Wednesday April 26th and then on Friday, April 28th at the Clare Invitational.

At the MSAC Meet on Wednesday, the girls finished 7th with 36 points. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart won the girls meet. The 2x defending champion boys team finished 2nd (114 points) to Montabella (135.5 points). 2 MSAC meets remain for the Eagles to improve on their performances as they seek to capture the league title.
Finishing in top 4 (contending for All MSAC Honors) were:
Boys
Damien Lankford–100m (3rd)
Cameron Miller– 200m (4th), 400m (4th)
Oisin O’Grady– 400m (2nd)
Deegan Bodell–800m (4th), 3200m (4th)
Kristian Coon–1600m (4th), 3200m (3rd)
Kieran Craddock–110H (3rd), 300H (3rd)
Braylon Parmenter–Discus (4th)
4×200 relay (Jaiden Powers, Cam Miller, Damien Lankford, Peyton Vansiclen)–3rd
4×400 relay– (Kristian Coon, Cam Miller, Damien Lankford, Jaiden Powers), 1st
4×800 relay–(Kristian Coon, Deegan Bodell, Carter Clark, Oisin O’Grady) 1st
Girls
Elise Forist–Discus (4th)
Aubrey Hessbrook–Long Jump (2nd), High Jump (4th)
4×400 relay (Aubrey Hessbrook, Mary Beth Hyatt, Jorja Ursiny, Lilly Martin) 2nd.
Coach Grant Woodman:
“the first league meet gave us a really good picture of where we stand in the league and what we can do if we continue to work hard and stay focused. Everyone gave their best Wednesday and put themselves in good positions for All Conference Honors at the end of May. The boys are in very good position to win the league again, but this year they will have to do do it by coming from behind. Coach Porter and I have already talked about several adjustments to make that happen. Due to their small numbers and being a fairly young team, the girls are focused on individual races and events to get those All Conference spots and are in very good position to do so.”
The 16 team Clare Invitational saw the girls finish 4th among D4 schools (15th overall) and the boys finish 3rd among D4 schools (13th overall), with Deegan Bodell earning a medal (top 5) in the 3200 meters and Aubrey Hessbrook earning 2 medals (4th long jump, 5th in High jump).
“After the tough all out efforts on Wednesday, the Clare Invitational was a chance to focus on one or two events for the athletes. Even on short rest we had 12 PR’s on the guys side and 8 PR’s on the girls side, so it was definitely a good day.”

The next meet for the Eagles is on Friday May 5th when they compete at the Shepherd Invitational.

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The Alma Panther golf team traveled to Lincoln Hills Golf Club in Ludington to compete in the Ludington Invitational.
The Panthers finished second in the invitational firing a 330. Traverse City Central took home the crown with a 317.
Jeffrey Sager led the Panthers earning overall medalist honors with a 2 under round of 70, clearing the 17 team field by 6 shots. Cooper Couch carded a 79 to finish 7th. Jackson Ferguson (85) and Corey Yates (96) finished out the scoring for Alma.

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Essexville Garber hosted the first TVC-8 Golf jamboree today at Bay County Golf Course.
Alma finished first with 330, Freeland was second with 335, and Bay City John Glenn and Frankenmuth tied for third with 337.

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Michigan Lutheran Seminary football team looks for repeat of 2022’s successes

Area high school football stats Week 2

Area high school football stats Week 1

U.S. District Court Approves Realignment of Upper Peninsula Teams to Statewide MHSAA Soccer Tournament

East Lansing state distance champ now heads to Northwestern

Scheurer sparks Portland St. Patrick to track and field state runner-up finish

Ithaca baseball team wraps up season with trip to district finals

Carson City-Crystal track athletes keep busy

Alma golfers take second place

Alma takes first at TVC8 Jamboree