By Mike Gallagher
Sports Writer
TUSCOLA COUNTY — The 2015 high school football season is finally here.
Last season, teams in the Advertiser coverage area fared well, placing six teams in the MHSAA playoffs, including Frankenmuth, Kingston, Marlette, Owen-Gage, Cass City, and Millington for the 11th straight year.
This season, some teams are looking to build on their recent success, while some are trying to get their programs heading back in the right direction. Four team have new head coaches (Akron-Fairgrove, North Branch, USA, and Owen-Gage), and five teams return players that were featured on the All-Thumb teams last season: Millington (Koltyn Sebert, Shawn Pardee), Owen-Gage (Jacob Wright, David Binder, Dylan Fritz), Cass City (Sawyer Cuthrell), Kingston (Kylan Pennington), and Vassar (Tyler Humpert).
Here is the week one slate of games around the Advertiser coverage area.
Akron-Fairgrove @ Caseville, Friday, 7:00
The Vikings start of the season against the Eagles for the second straight season. Last season, Caseville got the better of Akron-Fairgrove, as they topped them 52-12, but the all-time record between the two is dead even at 9-9. The Vikings will have to prepare for Eagle running back Cole Simmons, who racked up 1,081 yards on the ground as a junior, and defensive back Joe Ales, who had 76 tackles, and 10 passed defended. Akron-Fairgrove will look to quarterback Austin Carter to lead them to victory.
Pinconning @ Caro, Friday, 7:00
The Spartans ended their 29-game losing streak last season in the opener against Caro on their way to a 3-6 record. This year, Pinconning travels to Caro, as the Tigers look to return the favor. The Spartans outrushed Caro 271-167 in the game last season, behind the play of offensive lineman Connor Vieau, Trent Ballor, and Noah Vandenboom, who all return this season. The Tigers will need to lean on their rushing attack lead by fullback Noah Carr, running back Michael Graves, and guard Matt Bringard to take down the Spartans. The game will be featured as the “Game of the Week” on Mix 92.1, with coverage starting at 6:30.
Cass City @ Brown City, Friday, 7:00
The Red Hawks defeated the Green Devils for the first time since 2010 last year, and it wasn’t very close, as the final score was 30-13. This season, Brown City has a new coach, and a new offense, led by quarterback Eric Burgess. The Green Devils “Fly” offense features plenty of motion, and read options. Cass City will counter with a rushing attack led by returning All-GTC running back Sawyer Cuthrell, who 1,136 yards, and 14 touchdowns on the ground last season.
Hemlock @ Frankenmuth, Thursday, 7:30
Frankenmuth squares off with Hemlock to open the season for the fifth straight season. The Eagles won the matchup last season 34-14, en route to a 9-2 season, and a share of the TVC-East title. Overall Frankenmuth and Hemlock are 10-10 in head-to-head matchups. Frankenmuth returns many of their key players from last season, including running backs Jared Davis, Jack Veitengruber, quarterback Jack Tagget, and receivers Grant Bronner, and Brady Wood, while Josh Szczepanski returns at fullback to lead the Eagles veer-option attack.
Kingston @ Deckerville, Thursday, 7:00
The Cardinals open the season against a North Central Thumb Conference foe, in a non-conference game. Kingston will have to face the Eagles twice this season, with their game in week four counting for the NCTL. Last season Kingston played Deckerville twice as well, falling 14-8 in the regular season, and again 72-22 in the playoffs. Kingston has offensive weapons in Riley Mageria, Dalton Price, and Kylan Pennington, but will have to be able to match Deckerville’s brusing style of play out of the Wing-T formation to keep up.
Millington @ Vassar, Thursday, 7:00
Seperated by less than ten miles, the Cardinals and Vulcans are looking to renew a rivalry that hasn’t been played on the gridiron since the 2009 playoffs, and not since 2007 in the regular season, when Vassar was still in the Tri-Valley East conference. Last season, Millington made thier 16th playoff appearance in 17 seasons, while Vassar just missed going 5-4. In perhaps the week’s best game, these two teams will square off for the 60th time, and both team will have plenty of offensive weapons to count on. For Millington, quarterback Caleb Wascher returns for his senior season, after throwing for 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns, and rushing for 425 yards. Senior Shawn Pardee was one of Wascher’s top targets last season at wide receiver, and should be a weapon for the Cardinals again this season. For Vassar Tyler Humpert steps in at quarterback, while Lamont Morrison returns at wide receiver.
Detroit Westside Christian Academy @ Mayville, Saturday, 1:00
In the week’s only Saturday game, the Wildcats play a Detroit W.C.A. team that they defeated 45-18 last season. In last season’s matchup, duel-threat quarterback Cole Coutcher totaled 114 yards, while running back Brandon Blasius added 62 yards and a touchdown on only four carries. Both Coutcher, and Blasius return for the Wildcats, as well as Andrew Morrison. Morrison was a force on both sides of the ball last year, as he was Mayville’s top receiver with 42 catches, and their top tackler with 42.
Marlette @ Merrill, Friday, 7:00
The Red Raiders will be on the road to face a Merrill team that they lost to 46-20 last season, but defeated 62-21 in their only other matchup in 2013. Last season Marlette counted on the “Rad Raider” Connor Thomas last season, who had 1,356 yards on the ground, and 19 touchdowns. This season Marlette head coach Dennis Lester will look to a trio of seniors Hunter McGinnis, Ethan Stover, and Bryce Havens to carry the Red Raiders to a season opening win, and their third straight playoff apperance.
Saginaw @ North Branch, Thursday, 7:00
First-year head coach, and North Branch graduate Eric Hensel will open his Bronco coaching career against a Saginaw team that was 0-9 last season, and was shut-out in their final six games, and lost to Vassar 58-14. Coach Hensel won’t be overlooking this opponent however, and his North Branch squad will be out to start the season strong, after winning three of their last four last season. North Branch will be led by Mac “Tough” McGough on offense, as he is returning as the Bronco starting quarterback. He will look to senior receivers Cam Buike, Gabe Rose, and Adrian Incarte, when he drops back to pass.
Owen-Gage @ New Haven Merritt Academy, Thursday, 5:00
The Bulldogs open with a Mustangs team that they outscored 133-34 last season, in two regular season games. Against Merritt last season, quarterback Jacob Wright completed four-of-five passes, with all four completions resulting in touchdowns to tight end Dan Good, who racked up 167 yards in the game. Both players return for the Bulldogs, as well as running back David Binder, and linebacker Dylan Fritz. Owen-Gage will look to get their season started in strong fashion, as they have new competion in thier conference in Hale, and Burton Madison Academy.
Reese @ Montrose, Thursday, 7:00
The Rockets are looking for redemption under second year head coach Bob Bouvy, and it starts with Montrose, a team that defeated them 52-7 to open the season last year. Coach Bouvy, and the Rockets return a good amount of starters, including quarterback Jacob Galsterer, and full back Mitchell Bender, who will both have to play their best to top a tough Montrose team.
USA @ Sandusky, Thursday, 7:00
First-year Patriot head coach Tyler Langs makes his head coaching debut against the Redskins, in GTC crossover action. Last season the Redskins defeated USA 38-6, but USA holds the all-time advantage 14-7. The Patriots will have to prepare for Sandusky running back Chase Tucker, who totaled 1,120 rushing yards, and 19 touchdowns, and linebacker Derrick Scott, who led the Redskins with 92 tackles last season. Coach Langs will lean on a senior laden team, led by Ezra Arnold, and Aaron Saenz to help him earn his first coaching victory.