Friday, November 20. 2009Ubly, Hudson bring same style to Saturday’s semifinal
UBLY — Hudson and Ubly have never faced each other, but they feel like they have a lot in common.
When the Tigers (12-0) and Bearcats (12-0) take the field at 1 p.m. Saturday at Ortonville-Brandon High School in the Division 7 semifinals, it will be a familiar feeling for both teams. Despite being over 200 miles apart, Hudson and Ubly bring similar smashmouth styles of football to the table. Both teams rely on physicality on both sides of the ball. And, maybe more importantly, they run the Wing T offense. “They’re not a smoke-and-mirrors team, we’re not a smoke-and-mirrors team,” said Ubly coach Bill Sweeney. “I’m excited about the game because it’s just two old-school smashmouth football teams. “It’s really a game of first downs. If either team is getting five yards on first down, they’re really in good shape because they’ll stay in rhythm. “We have to limit them because they will just wear you down with the methodical way they go about things. They do things basically the exact same way we do.” In the playoffs, it’s rare for a team not to have to be out of its element this late in the season while preparing defensively. Normally, the scout team has to learn the offense of the opponent in order to allow the defense to properly prepare. In this case, Ubly’s junior varsity, which was 9-0, is simply running its offense. “I think it helps both teams because it’s easier for us to mimic the offense,” Sweeney said. “We just have our JV kids out there running their offense, and they run it pretty effectively. “Defensive practices are so much quicker because you’re not running a foreign offense. They’re in the same boat, they’re playing a team that’s a mirror image of themselves, so they have the same luxury.” Hudson and Ubly took different paths to get to this point. The Bearcats have been barely tested so far in the playoffs, outscoring their opponents 146-26, including last week’s 42-20 victory over Petersburg-Summerfield. Meanwhile, the Tigers have outscored their opponents 138-53, but most of the points allowed came in last week’s thrilling 42-41 double overtime decision over Mendon. “It was kind of built up as they (Mendon) have this great defense and we have a good offense — and what’s going to give,” said Hudson coach Chris Luma on the win over Mendon. With 7:47 left to play, Hudson found itself trailing, 28-14. Drew Milligan capped off a 10-play, 58-yard drive with his second touchdown of the night, a 4-yard scamper to bring the Tigers within 28-20 with less than four minutes remaining. All 10 plays were runs as Hudson refused to deviate from its game plan. “If they stopped us doing what we do best, I can live with that,” Luma said. “But I didn’t want to throw it up doing something we’re not very good at and give up our opportunity to score, so we stuck to the ground. “My coach up top kept yelling, ‘You have to hurry up a little bit, you’re down two scores.’ I just didn’t want to make any mistakes, so we tried not to rush it.” After a fumble, Hudson took over on its own 33-yard line with 2:45 remaining. Again, the Tigers stayed on the ground as John Nealy finished another 10-play drive with a 2-yard plunge. The Tigers won the game in unexpected fashion, though, as they went to the air for only the third time in the game on a second-and-goal from the 26 in the second overtime. Nathan Smith found a streaking Grant Benschoter for the touchdown. Smith then snuck in for the game-winning 2-point conversion. “In that situation, we needed to go a long way, and with only two plays to do it...” Luma said. “We pretty much had to put it in the air, so I’m surprised they were caught off guard. “Being a running team, and to win the game with a pass, (was) sweet.” Sweeney knows Hudson will attempt to control the clock as it did against Mendon. The Tigers’ first drive against the Hornets failed to produce points, but it took nearly 10 minutes off the clock. “When it’s ball control, first down is a very important down because it allows you to set up what you do,” Sweeney said. “They’re happy winning the ball game and have the ball three quarters of the game. It’s very successful football, if you can do it well.” Like Ubly, Hudson features a fine backfield. Milligan (5-foot-6-inches, 145 pounds) leads the way with 1,248 yards and 19 touchdowns while Chris Robbins (5-11, 190) has racked up 1,089 yards and 18 scores, including two against Mendon. “They have three capable backs, they have a capable quarterback, and any one of their guys can have a big night at any given time,” Sweeney said. “They’re going to try and find the weakness in the defense and exploit it. “With that offense, you can’t really rely on anybody, you just have to read your keys and control your gaps.” Hudson also features a massive offensive tackle, “Big” John Libby, who is listed at 6-7, 335. Ubly counters with a pair of 1,000 yard rushers of its own with Justin Cleary (1,586 yards, 17 touchdowns) and Bryan Nash (1,069 yards, 18 scores). Jordan Terrasi also has 828 yards and 15 touchdowns, including a 188-yard effort last week. In the playoffs, Cleary has stepped up with 474 yards in three games and seven TDs. He is averaging 8.77 yards per carry during the postseason. “He just runs hard,” Sweeney said. “He’s played that position for two years, he understands where the holes are going to be. He’s tough to bring down. But he’s not overly fast, he’s not overly big, he’s not overly strong, but what he does have is an overly big heart. “He’s smart, he’s a gamer. The bigger the stakes, the harder he runs.” Sweeney doesn’t expect either team to change much from what brought them to this point. “You get this far... I hear one-dimensional this and that,” he said. “You’re 12-0 for a reason. You do things well. What kind of message would you be sending the kids to go away from that?” Ubly does have a fine quarterback in Adam Glaza, though. “Adam does a nice job, and we have guys that can catch the ball,” he said. “It’s just a matter of execution. When we throw it, sometimes we don’t execute that well. “Usually, our throws are big plays. We use it when people are sleeping.” The winner of the this game will face the winner of Saturday’s other semifinal — Traverse City St. Francis (12-0) vs Ravenna (10-20) — at 10 a.m. next Saturday for the Division 7 championship game at Ford Field. Although Ubly would love another shot at the state title, Sweeney insisits his players are not looking ahead. “It’s never been a problem with these guys,” he said. “They realize Hudson is a great team. “Hudson’s our opponent this week. Whatever happens, happens.” NOTES: If Ubly is able to score 44 points, it will become the first team in Michigan High School Athletic Association history to score 600 points in two different seasons. The Bearcats set a Thumb record with their 625 points in 2008... At 486 points, Hudson has scored the second most points in school history. The record is 506 in 2001. UBLY - HOW THEY GOY HERE WEEK 1: Ubly 38, USA 12 WEEK 2: Ubly 41, Sandusky 6* WEEK 3: Ubly 50, Marlette 21 WEEK 4: Ubly 48, Mayville 21 WEEK 5: Ubly 42, Harbor Beach 22 WEEK 6: Ubly 40, Vassar 14* WEEK 7: Ubly 44, Brown City 8* WEEK 8: Ubly 56, Deckerville 36* WEEK 9: Ubly 51, Bad Axe 12 WEEK 10: Ubly 52, R. Hills LN 0* WEEK 11: Ubly 52, Genesee 6* WEEK 12: Ubly 42, P-Summerfield 20* 12-0; PF: 556 (46.3); PA 178 (14.7) RECORD VS. PLAYOFF TEAMS: 7-0 ---------------------------------------------------------------- HUDSON - HOW THEY GOT HERE WEEK 1: Hudson 40, Hillsdale 26 WEEK 2: Hudson 40, Morenci 0 WEEK 3: Hudson 30, Onsted 26* WEEK 4: Hudson 35, Blissfield 30* WEEK 5: Hudson 39, Dundee 18 WEEK 6: Hudson 52, Erie Mason 6 WEEK 7: Hudson 44, Ida 0 WEEK 8: Hudson 28, Stockbridge 25* WEEK 9: Hudson 40, Addison 0* WEEK 10: Hudson 56, Concord 12* WEEK 11: Hudson 40, Reading 0* WEEK 12: Hudson 42, Mendon 41 OT* 12-0; PF: 486 (40.5); PA 184 (15.3) *RECORD VS. PLAYOFF TEAMS: 8-0 Friday, November 20. 2009Clancy won't let ankle injury keep her down...
BIG RAPIDS — When Andrea Clancy heard the eerie 'pop' near her ankle, she knew right away disaster was looming.
Clancy, a 2006 North Huron graduate entering her senior year with the Ferris State University women's basketball team, was going for a steal just a few minutes into the Bulldogs' first exhibition game earlier this month. It was a defensive move she's made thousands of times before. This time.... "I was in help-side in the paint, and then I saw the perimeter player with the ball passing it, and I was going for the steal," Clancy said. "I was in the air catching the ball, but then two or three other girls collided with me and it felt like they took my legs out from under me." Moments later, Clancy knew the grim diagnosis. ![]() Andrea Clancy "From what they could see from the film, they think I landed on my tippy toes and then my ankle gave out and broke," she said. "It was a very awkward fall. I thought I heard the velcro on my ankle braces, but it was probably the bone. As soon as it happened, I knew it was broke." Just like that, a promising senior year with the Bulldogs taken away in a matter of seconds. "I’ve never been seriously hurt, broken a bone, or sat out of anything the three years I’ve been at Ferris and even high school," Clancy said. "When I finally got the X-rays back and knew I had broken my fibula, it really hit me because our trainer was with me at the hospital and said I probably wouldn’t be able to play this season. "I met with our team doctor the next day and she said they same thing. So after that, I was very upset and disappointed. I was very ready and excited for this upcoming season. I worked hard throughout the summer and preseason and it was just taken away like that." Like Clancy, Ferris State coach Tracey Dorow was saddened by the season-ending injury. "She was going to be a dominant starter this season and had really blossomed into a force in the paint," Dorow said. "She was owning her space and finishing very well around the basket, as well as knocking down the mid-range jump shot. "She started to play more consistently about two-thirds of the way into last season and had a strong finish. The team voted her a co-captain last spring. This summer, she just gained so much confidence and was playing like an (all-league) candidate." Clancy, a 6-foot-2 forward/center, averaged 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds last season for the Bulldogs, who finished 13-15 overall in 2008-09. She shot 49 percent (67-for-138) from the floor and 84 percent (16-of-19) from the foul line. Clancy had her ups and downs adjusting to college basketball, even after an all-state career at North Huron. "The past three years at Ferris have been great — it has been a wonderful experience," she said. "My freshman year was hard making the transition from Class D to Division 2 college basketball, but it has gotten easier as each year passes. "I’ve learned so much about the game and things I use in everyday life, like hard work, commitment, sacrifice and dedication." Her coach definitely agrees. "Of all the things to say about (Andrea), I believe the one thing that everyone should know about her is how hard she has worked and how persistent she has been in becoming the player that she is today," Dorow said. "So many days she could have just quit or settled, especially with an All-American post playing the majority of the minutes and throwing her around in practice, as well as three other upperclassmen that she lost out on a lot of playing time to... She could've just said it wasn't worth it to put so much on the line and get nothing for it. Instead, she battled every single day, kept her head up, and just kept getting better. "That All-American (Rachel Folcik) is now helping coach here and said that she was having a hard time guarding her in practice and she couldn't believe how far she had come." Clancy's on-court play will be missed, though she's planning on being there for her team, starting tonight in the season-opener against Gannon University. "I’m still their captain and leader, and they need my support and encouragement," she said. "We have a very young team that still needs to learn a lot, but we are getting there." Dorow wouldn't have it any other way. "Not only is (Andrea) a really good basketball player, but she is a nurturing leader," she said. "She is always willing to step in and help any way she can, including carrying equipment or picking up trash in the locker room. She is very sensitive to what her peers need and does an outstanding job serving them, rather than dictating to them what should be done." Clancy had surgery on her ankle two weeks ago, and will start physical therapy after the first of the year. "They put a plate and six screws in my ankle," Clancy said. "The doctor said I will be on crutches for six weeks, putting no weight on it, then four weeks in a walking boot. After that, I’m sure I will be doing physical therapy for a while." In the meantime, Ferris State has learned the NCAA has granted Clancy, who is majoring in public relations, a medical redshirt, meaning she'll come back for a fifth year and be able to play during the 2010-11 season. "It’s all working out because I will be at Ferris for a fifth year of school anyways," she said. "My teammates and coaches have made this an experience I’ll never forget. We are like a family. We spend a lot of time with each other and manage to still love each other. We get along great and have great chemistry.” Dorow is looking forward to seeing Clancy on the floor in 2010-11. "Hopefully, she'll return to action next year ready to dominate," she said. "To put it simply, if you looked up 'classy' in the dictionary, you would find a picture of Andrea Clancy. And we are so thankful she's wearing a Bulldog uniform." Clancy is the daughter of Doug and Lori Clancy of Port Austin. Friday, November 13. 2009Regional Weekend...
Regional championships are on the line this weekend for high school football.
Talk about those games, including Saturday's Petersburg-Summerfield at Ubly contest, on this thread. Paul Adams will be covering that game for the Tribune... Friday, November 13. 2009All-GTE football team
ALL-GREATER THUMB EAST
Football Team First Team Offense Quarterback Adam Glaza, Ubly Running Backs Clint Northrop, Sandusky Rex Thayer, Deckerville Justin Cleary, Ubly Center Brandon Lemke, Ubly Ends Josh Moffitt, Brown City Steven Weber, Ubly Tackles Dalton O’Connor, Ubly Keith Whitaker, Mayville Keith Perry, Sandusky Nick Willing, Sandusky Guards Matt Orchard, Sandusky Steven Gilbert, Ubly John Walker, Ubly Kicker Brent Speer, Marlette Second Team Offense Quarterbacks Jordan Katt, Sandusky Cody Hoff, Deckerville Running Backs Andrew Fetting, Sandusky Cory Soucie, Brown City Shane Ginther, Harbor Beach Center Patrick Dischinger, Marlette Ends William Henderson, Mayville Josh Fritch, Deckerville Tackles Josh White, Ubly Justin Rienthaler Brown City Guards Nick Taylor, Deckerville Tom Combest, Harbor Beach Honorable Mention Running Backs Stewart Peterson, Brown City Dee Sanchez, Marlette Bryan Nash, Ubly Cody Ross, Deckerville Kyle Perkins, Mayville End Eric Booms, Ubly Guards Michael Wells, Marlette Clayton Wehner, Harbor Beach ALL-GREATER THUMB EAST Football Team First Team Defense Linemen Keith Whitaker, Mayville Keith Perry, Sandusky Steven Weber, Ubly John Walker, Ubly Linebackers Brandon King, Marlette Eric Booms, Ubly Dalton O’Connor, Ubly Backs Shane Ginther, Harbor Beach Justin Cleary, Ubly Kevin Kalbfleisch, Brown City Punter Brent Speer, Marlette Specialist Cody Leander, Sandusky Second Team Defense Linemen Josh Moffitt, Brown City Danny Rybarczyk, Sandusky Bryant Messing, Ubly Linebackers Nathan Primeau, Brown City Cody Anderson, Brown City Paul Chappus, Sandusky Keith Kramer, Ubly Backs Andrew Fetting, Sandusky Rex Thayer, Deckerville Cory Soucie, Brown City Punter Shane Ginther, Harbor Beach Specialist Donnie Thomas, Marlette Honorable Mention Linebackers Joey Volz, Marlette Tyler Foster, Brown City Backs Bryan Nash, Ubly Adam Glaza, Ubly Josh Fritch, Deckerville Trenton Wood, Brown City Justin Mills, Sandusky Specialist Scott Gobie, Deckerville Thursday, November 12. 2009All-GTW football team
ALL-GREATER THUMB WEST
Football Team First Team Offense Quarterbacks Luke Voelker, EPBP Drew Janer, BCAS Running Backs Keif Vickers, Vassar Chris Rowe, EPBP Cody Somerville, Reese Center Joe Harper, Vassar Ends Justin Heinlein, Reese Troy Hecht, Vassar Tackles Randy Spiekerman, Reese Alex Jobes, EPBP Guards Kevin Kinasz, Reese Rueben Renn, EPBP Kicker Chris Bauer, Reese Second Team Offense Quarterback Josh Pickell, Reese Running Backs Travis VanAlst, Reese Tyler Masse, USA Austin Osentoski, Cass City Centers Anthony Jobes, EPBP Nate Sobczak, BCAS Ends Josh Goins, EPBP Tim Canfield, USA Cameron Dunnuck, Cass City Tackles Dan Deering, Cass City Zach Roth, Bad Axe Guards Derek Kundinger, USA Eric Reif, Cass City Kyle Smukala, Bad Axe Matt LaBrenz, BCAS Kicker Jalen Ferris, Cass City Honorable Mention Running Backs Dillon Newell, Bad Axe Kevin Swiercz, BCAS Madison Harper, Vassar Center Drake Sarka, Bad Axe End Caleb Gnatkowski, Reese Tackle Nick Shantz, Cass City Guard John Eile, EPBP ALL-GREATER THUMB WEST Football Team First Team Defense Linemen Andrew Mendyk, Reese Keith Harris, USA Joe Harper, Vassar Alex Jobes, EPBP Linebackers Josh Jensen, Cass City Dillon Newell, Bad Axe Michael Weiss, Vassar Chris Rowe, EPBP Backs Alex Varney, Cass City Troy Hecht, Vassar Luke Voelker, EPBP Punter Troy Hecht, Vassar Second Team Defense Linemen Travis VanAlst, Reese Zach Roth, Bad Axe Jeremy Schiefer, Vassar Jay Richmond, EPBP Jacob Lesniak, BCAS Linebackers Tyler Masse, USA Derek Kundinger, USA Mike Wolschlager, EPBP Kevin Kinasz, Reese Matt Dietrich, Reese Backs Drew Janer, BCAS Trevor Gruber, Reese Cody Somerville, Reese Punter Drew Janer, BCAS Tyler Masse, USA Honorable Mention Linemen Joe Ruiz, USA Jim Kosinski, EPBP Brad Sinicki, BCAS Dakota Gangler, USA Linebackers Tyler Best, Vassar Jimmy Jasman, BCAS Backs Derek Susalla, Bad Axe Cody Reif, Reese Jon Slack, USA Thursday, November 12. 2009Bearcats prep for Petersburg-Summerfield
UBLY — Two teams, one goal, two entirely different paths to get to this point.
For the third time in four seasons, Ubly (11-0) finds itself playing for a Division 7 regional championship as it hosts Petersburg-Summerfield (10-1) at 7 p.m. Saturday. The Bearcats picked up where they left off last year with large margins of victories. The closest a team has finished to Ubly this season has been 20 points. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have been tested all season. They have played in five games decided by a touchdown or less, winning four of them, including last week’s 28-22 comeback win over Detroit Loyola. “They’re the type of team that if they’re in a tight ball game, they have the upper hand because they’ve won a lot of (close) games and they don’t quit,” said Ubly coach Bill Sweeney. “One of the things that makes us nervous is that we haven’t had a lot of close games. A lot of that has had to do with how the kids have played. “It does concern me a little bit that we haven’t been in a tight ball game. Not from a physical standpoint, but a mental standpoint. What happens if it’s close in the third or fourth quarter and things aren’t going our way? How are we going to respond?” The Bearcats will not only have to contend with not having been truly tested this season, but they will have to deal with a community as crazy for football as Ubly. Petersburg-Summerfield was just 1-8 two seasons ago, but has transformed into a team that has make back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in school history. “It has been a tremendous season,” said Petersburg-Summerfield coach Erik Johnson. “I’m extremely proud of our team and the coaching staff. It has been a great two years here at Summerfield, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in school history last year and now bringing home a district championship to the town of Petersburg. “Our players have put in all the hard work and time that I have asked of them and this season shows what hard work can accomplish.” In last week’s game, Genesee filled the visitor’s side of the stands at Ubly. Sweeney expects the same on Saturday. “They are coming up here and they are excited,” he said. “That town has never been through this. They have that whole town on their backs and this is a magical season for them. “They’re going to come up here excited with nothing to lose and just try to keep it going. I think the pressure is a little more on us to get back to the semis, and not so much on them.” Having the fans in the stands will help Petersburg-Summerfield, but Johnson still knows his team has its work cut out for it. The Bulldogs will have to find a way to slow down a team that hasn’t scored less than 38 points all season en route to 514 points. “Ubly’s offense, quite frankly, has been unstoppable all season,” Johnson said. “Scoring over 40 points in all games except one, and scoring over 50 five times, is very impressive. “Obviously, we must try to contain their offense. We must take care of the football and not commit costly mental errors.” Against Genesee, the Bearcats racked up 333 rushing yards, led by Justin Cleary, who is having a postseason to remember. Cleary had 151 yards and four touchdowns. In two playoff games, he has rushed for 307 yards and five scores. For the season, Cleary is at 1,419 yards and 15 touchdowns while teammate Bryan Nash is at 1,005 yards and a team-leading 16 scores. Jordan Terrasi also has 14 TDs. “It’s an offensive line offense — that’s what it is,” Sweeney said. “It’s an offense geared to not having one stellar athlete. “This offense is geared toward trying to get kids to block and be tough. The only time that our offense struggles is if it gets overpowered. If it gets overpowered, we’re going to have to go into the bag of tricks some place. “This offense is geared to having 11 guys involved, not one or two.” The Bulldogs will throw a number of different looks at the Bearcats in an attempt to slow down the offense. “It took me a long time to figure out what they were doing defensively,” Sweeney said. “They could confuse us. They’re not bigger than us. They do things defensively that we haven’t see all year. They’re very good at what they do.” Petersburg-Summerfield features some nice offensive weapons of its own. Chase Blake has been the workhorse this season, gaining 1,184 yards on 197 carries while Mike Hewitt has put up huge numbers at quarterback. Hewitt has tossed for 1,630 yards and 20 touchdowns. His favorite target is Eric Cogan, who has made 53 grabs for 1,011 yards and 16 total touchdowns. “Our (pregame) packet for defense has to have 25 pages in it,” Sweeney said. “They run so many sets and formations. They’re athletic and they’re well coached. “They make you cover a lot of ground. They run some I, some spread, and they spread the ball around.” The edge for experience is with Ubly, which is making its Thumb-best ninth straight playoff appearance. Johnson doesn’t expect the lack of playoff experience to be a factor, though. “I know that we have been a loose group all year, so I don’t think that pressure on us should be a factor,” he said. “To be quite honest, we haven’t been in this situation enough for it to effect us either way.” The distance between Ubly and Petersburg-Summerfield is around 175 miles, which is part of the reason for the 7 p.m. start. By playing on Saturday night, it will allow the Bulldogs’ players, coaches and fans to not have to pack up early for the lengthy road trip. “We’ll be coming up the day of,” Johnson said. “We are leaving Petersburg around 1 p.m. The community has chipped in and rented our team a charter bus, so the ride should be much more comfortable than a regular school bus.” The winner of this game will play the winner of Friday’s Mendon (11-0) at Hudson (11-0) contest next Saturday at a neutral location to be determined. HOW THEY GOT HERE UBLY WEEK 1: Ubly 38, USA 12 WEEK 2: Ubly 41, Sandusky 6* WEEK 3: Ubly 50, Marlette 21 WEEK 4: Ubly 48, Mayville 21 WEEK 5: Ubly 42, Harbor Beach 22 WEEK 6: Ubly 40, Vassar 14* WEEK 7: Ubly 44, Brown City 8* WEEK 8: Ubly 56, Deckerville 36* WEEK 9: Ubly 51, Bad Axe 12 WEEK 10: Ubly 52, R. Hills LN 0* WEEK 11: Ubly 52, Genesee 6* 11-0; PF: 514 (46.7); PA 158 (14.3) RECORD VS. PLAYOFF TEAMS: 6-0 PETERSBURG-SUMMERFIELD WEEK 1: P-S 66, Romulus Summit 0 WEEK 2: P-S 20, Allen Park Cabrini 7 WEEK 3: P-S 14, Whitmore Lake 13 WEEK 4: P-S 32, Adrian Madison 12 WEEK 5: P-S 40, Sand Creek 35 WEEK 6: P-S 18, Morenci 8 WEEK 7: P-S 18, Ottawa L. Whiteford 13* WEEK 8: P-S 47, Britton-Macon 6 WEEK 9: Clinton 13, P-S 6* WEEK 10: P-S 28, Warren M. Coll. 8* WEEK 11: P-S 28, Detroit Loyola 22* 10-1; PF: 317 (28.8); PA 138 (12.5) *RECORD VS. PLAYOFF TEAMS: 4-1 Wednesday, November 11. 2009Nouvel ousts Bearcats
MONTROSE — What Ubly's volleyball team lacked in size this season was made up for with heart and gritty play.
Unfortunately for the Bearcats, they needed all three — and maybe even a little more — here Tuesday night in this Class C regional semifinal showdown with nemesis Saginaw Nouvel. After a sluggish start, the Panthers used their size at the net to control play, eventually coming away with a 22-25, 25-19, 25-11, 25-21 victory over the Bearcats. Nouvel (21-28-7) advances to Thursday's regional title match against another Greater Thumb East team, Marlette, which knocked off Saginaw Valley Lutheran in an exciting five-game slugfest in the opening semifinal. "Our ball control was a little bit off tonight, and I think we got outplayed at the net," said Ubly coach Andy Gusa. "After the first game, their hitters got going. And we just weren't able to block them." Nouvel's front line of Chelsea Hughes, Jessi Franz and Taylor Boyd didn't do much in the opening game, but came out firing the rest of the night, putting the Bearcats on the defensive. "I think in Game 1 we were a little hesitant and we played back a little bit," said Nouvel coach Jen Comer. "In Game 2, we came out swinging when we got the lead and we capitalized on it. I think that was definitely the difference." As quickly as the Bearcats took control in the opening game, they lost it in Games 2 and 3. Ubly actually led 9-5 in Game 2, but the Panthers came back to tie it at 11 and 17, eventually rattling off eight of the game's final 10 points. From there, the Hughes-Franz-Boyd trio took over. "We weren't tall this year, so we were challenged at the net because of that," Gusa said. "And that kind of hurt us tonight." Franz led the Panthers with 10 kills while Boyd added nine kills. Both players are juniors who have come on late in the season, including in the playoffs. "We've had our juniors play pretty well all year, but in the postseason they have really stepped up their game," Comer said. "Taylor has been on her game and has played very well. "We sort of base a lot of our offense around (Hughes), but if she's having an off night we have some others who are playing really well right now." Nouvel took control early in Game 3, sprinting out to leads of 9-5, 13-7 and 23-9. An Ubly hitting error, combined with an ace from Boyd, gave the Panthers the victory — and a 2-1 edge. The Bearcats rallied a bit in Game 4. After falling behind 8-14, they managed to take a 19-18 edge. But Franz and Hughes came up big at the net over the final few points. Franz had four kills over her team's last seven points, including a big spike on match point. It's the third time in the last five seasons Nouvel has put an end to Ubly's year. "We gave everything we had, but it just wasn't enough tonight," Gusa said. For the Bearcats, Jen White had 35 assists and was 19-of-19 serving while Sam Sweeney added 32 digs and was 15-of-15 serving, Stephanie Baslock 10 digs and 8-of-8 serving, Nicole Franzel 26 digs and 9-of-9 serving, Chelsey Pionk nine kills, Nicole Kubacki nine kills and 13 digs, Caitlyn Holdwick 14 kills and Jessica Gracey eight kills. The Bearcats finish 19-20-4 overall. "The girls worked hard all season," Gusa said. "You can't teach heart, and all the girls had a lot of heart out there. I'm proud of the way they played all season. Winning or losing, they played hard all the time." Here are some photos from the match... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Tuesday, November 10. 2009And the winners are...
OK,
We have the Week 10 winner of the Blog Contest. OldTymer 75 squeezed out a couple of entrants by 2 points to win Week 10. OldTymer 75 had a couple of nice picks, including Kent State over Western Michigan and Minnesota over Michigan State. Please email me at mbogan@hearstnp.com with your address and we will get the prize out to you. The Week 11 winner is Kellen Bickel. Kellen edged out a couple of entrants for the win. He had some fine picks, including Ohio State over Penn State, Nebraska over Oklahoma and the Cowboys over the Eagles. Please email me at mbogan@hearstnp.com with your address and we will get the prize out to you. ONCE AGAIN, THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO PLAYED... AND THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE FOR THESE PAST 2 WEEKS AND THE ENTIRE CONTEST. WE HOPE TO HAVE IT AGAIN COME NEXT FALL. Friday, November 06. 2009Playoffs – District championship night...
It's district championship night in the state of Michigan, including right here in the Thumb.
Ubly hosts Genesee for the Division 7 district title. Champions also will be crowned in games between Reese and St. Charles, as well as Vassar and Millington. Please post any comments/highlights/lowlights from area games. Paul Adams is covering the Ubly-Genesee football game for the Tribune. Mike Bogan is in Carsonville for the Class D volleyball district match between Deckerville and Kingston. Friday, November 06. 2009Bearcats capture C district crown
BAD AXE — With a dive to the floor, a wave of the wrist, and a poke of the arm, Ubly's volleyball team usually gets it done with defense.
But Thursday night in this Class C district final against Unionville-Sebewaing Area, the Bearcats had their all-around 'A' game on display. "We played the best I've seen all season," said Ubly coach Andy Gusa, whose squad hung on for an exciting 25-19, 25-22, 24-26, 15-25, 15-12 title-clinching decision over the Patriots. "In the five games, we only missed one serve. And our serve receive and ball control was on all night." It took Ubly's best effort to get by the Patriots, last season's district champions who advanced all the way to the state semifinals. After falling in the first two games, USA could have packed it in. Instead, the Patriots rallied in Game 3, flourished in Game 4, but ran out of gas in Game 5. "You can't lose the first two, and then come back and expect to dig yourself out of that hole," said USA coach Teresa Rose. "We did a great job coming back, but..." The Bearcats never trailed in the deciding game, jumping out to leads of 2-0, 5-1 and 9-5. USA actually came back to tie the game at 11, but Ubly's Caitlyn Holdwick finished off the Patriots with back-to-back kills on points 14 and 15. That aggressive style of play was something Gusa kept preaching to his Bearcats, who struggled at the net in Games 3 and 4. "We ended the third game with a spike into the net," Gusa said. "After that, I just told the girls, 'Keep swinging. Don't let that bother you.' I wanted them to swing their way out of it — and they did." Holdwick paced the Ubly hitters with 22 kills. Chelsey Pionk chipped in 12 kills while Nicole Kubacki added 11 and Jessica Gracey four. After grabbing Games 1 and 2, the Bearcats actually had a chance to make it a quick evening in Game 3. Ubly led most of the game, eventually grabbing a 24-22 lead on a combination block from Pionk and Holdwick. But USA didn't go down without a fight. The Patriots managed to tie it, and eventually took a 25-24 lead on a Rachel Mowry kill. Ubly's hitting error on game point forced Game 4. "It would have been nice to just do it in that third game and save all that aggravation," Gusa joked. "We just couldn't get those last two points. It's a game of streaks. It was up and down. I thought USA played really well. "When we went into that fourth game I could have almost guaranteed that we were going to lose it. The momentum was all on their side. I was just hoping we could regroup (for the fifth game) and we did. Barely, but we did." USA cruised in Game 4. "I thought we played a little better in Games 3 and 4," Rose said. "We were going for everything. Nothing was hitting the ground. And we attacked more, instead of tipping." The five-game marathon was reminiscent of the Oct. 27 match between the two squads. On that night, USA won the first two games before the Bearcats rallied to force Game 5. The Patriots eventually won the deciding game, 15-9. "It was actually more lopsided than that," Gusa admitted. "They put in their second team in the third game and that was kind of how we got going. They beat us pretty good, I thought." Added Rose: "We just played them last week, and I think the girls might have thought it was going to be a walk in the park. I tell them constantly, 'You just can't do that.'" For USA, Jenny Williamson had four points, 19 receptions, five digs, 17 kills, and one block while Cali Valentine had 15 points, seven digs and 20 assists, Cami Valentine 12 points, 27 receptions, seven digs and two kills, Brittany Gruehn eight points, 14 receptions and five digs, Mowry nine points, six kills and three blocks, Sami Eisengruber 20 kills and two blocks, Chelsey Ewald four points, six digs, two kills and 21 assists, Maddy Payton five kills and three receptions, and Jessica Gremel six kills. After the whirlwind that was the 2008 season, Rose is still satisfied with her young team's performance in 2009. "I thought we had a heck of a season," Rose said. "We finished in the middle of the league, kind of where we thought we'd be. We made it to the finals of the districts... I am happy with what we did. "We have a lot of young players. I think the future is bright for USA volleyball." For Ubly, Holdwick added eight blocks while Pionk added five blocks and 13-of-13 serving, Kubacki 15 digs and four blocks, Gracey six blocks, Stephanie Baslock 15 digs and 13-of-13 serving, Nicole Franzel 25 digs and 14-of-14 serving, Jennifer White 40 assists, 11 digs and 16-of-16 serving, and Sam Sweeney 40 digs and 13-of-13 serving. 19-19-3 overall Ubly travels to Montrose on Tuesday for a regional semifinal showdown with Saginaw Nouvel. The Panthers beat Sanford Meridian, 25-14, 25-18, 25-15, to win their district. The Panthers have had an up and down season, sporting a 19-27-8 overall record. "We're not the tallest team out there," Gusa said. "But we have a great setter, a couple of great defenders, and our hitters have been getting better all the time." The other regional semifinal match Tuesday features 36-18-5 Saginaw Valley Lutheran against Greater Thumb East runner-up Marlette. Here are some photos from the match... ![]() (From left) Nicole Kubacki, Caitlyn Holdwick, Jennifer White (10), Stephanie Baslock (2), Chelsey Pionk (4), Samantha Sweeney and Nicole Franzel (3) celebrate moments after match point Thursday night. ![]() Ubly’s volleyball players and coaches pose with the Class C district championship trophy Thursday night. ![]() Ubly’s Jessica Gracey blocks the ball against USA’s Jessica Gremel. ![]() (From left) Head coach Andy Gusa, assistant coach Erica Philp, Hailey Kubacki (5) and Alicia Heilig celebrate match point. ![]() Ubly's Caitlyn Holdwick spikes over USA’s Andrea Vermeersch. ![]() Ubly's Caitlyn Holdwick battles with USA's Rachel Mowry (11) and Jenny Williamson (6) at the net. ![]() USA's Rachel Mowry spikes over a pair of Ubly defenders, including Chelsey Pionk (4). ![]() USA's Sami Eisengruber goes up for a kill. ![]() Jennifer White sets the ball for the Bearcats while teammate Nicole Franzel (3) looks for a return. ![]() USA's Calie Valentine (1) sets the ball for teammate Sami Eisengruber (14) while Ubly's Nicole Franzel (3) awaits for the return. Wednesday, November 04. 2009All-GTC Soccer 2009
All-Greater Thumb Conference
2009 Boys Soccer Greater Thumb West First Team EPBP Charles Klinesmith, Keeper, Senior Tyler Yoder, Midfield, Senior Josh Winkel, Forward/MF, Senior Brad Feger, Center/MF, Senior Mike Nothelfer, Forward, Senior Peter Mead, Midfield, Junior Bad Axe Jason Currie, Midfield/Sweeper, Senior USA Peter Gacik, Midfield, Senior Arne Meyer, Striker, Senior Kaz Kraynak, Midfield, Senior Joey Southgate, Striker, Sophomore Second Team EPBP Sam VanTifflin, Defender, Junior Adam Mater, Defender, Senior Bad Axe Kevin Hunt, Midfield, Senior Chad Tenbush, Defender, Senior Noah Auger, Sweeper, Junior David Fucinari, Sweeper/MF, Junior Adam Sroka, Defender, Sophomore USA Clinton Krueger, Keeper, Senior Jordan Fritz, Defender, Junior Austin Gokey, Defender, Junior Josh Lakie, Midfield, Senior Cass City Chris Vogelpohl, Defender, Senior Jalen Ferris, Forward, Senior Honorable Mention EPBP Chris Brown, Defender, Senior Trevor Lewis, Defender, Sophomore Bryan Beachy, Defender/MF, Sophomore Timmy Wilson, Midfield, Junior Bad Axe Ryan Smukala, Keeper, Sophomore Brett Turmell, Defender, Junior Kyle Thrushman, Defender, Senior USA Chad Koch, Defender, Sophomore Brad Little, Midfield, Junior Shaun McBrayer, Striker, Freshman Tyler Kuhl, Midfield, Senior Cass City Andy Knight, Midfield, Senior Final GTW Standings 1. USA 6-0 2. EPBP 4-2 3. Bad Axe 2-4 4. Cass City 0-6 Greater Thumb East First Team Harbor Beach Christopher Hagedon, Keeper, Senior Scott Grekowicz, Center/MF, Junior Tyler Guza, Left/MF, Senior Dustin Mazure, Forward, Junior Seth Guza, Forward, Sophomore Marlette Dillon Howe, Defender, Senior Zach Walker, Stopper, Senior Mike Boyne, Forward, Sophomore Caseville Charlie Karafa, Forward, Junior Brown City Andrew Bell, Midfield, Senior Jordan Foster, Defender, Junior Second Team Harbor Beach Doug Booms, Sweeper, Junior Tyler Mausolf, Forward, Junior Marlette Brent Speer, Center/MF, Junior Kody Wisniewski, Midfield, Senior Caseville Cody Sharpe, Keeper, Senior Sergey Skripka, Forward, Senior Brown City Cory Halbert, Forward, Junior Anthony Jakubowski, Midfield, Freshman Sandusky Michael Lowry, Forward/MF, Junior Bradley Ball, Midfield, Junior Xavier Peplinski, Defender, Junior Honorable Mention Harbor Beach Alex Delpiere, Right/MF, Senior Dillon Volmering, Stopper, Junior Ethan Booms, Defender, Senior Brandon Stephenson, Defender, Sophomore Andrew Siemen, Forward, Freshman Marlette JL Mason, Keeper, Junior Matt Gyomery, Midfield, Junior Brandon Lucik, Defender, Junior Casey Johnson, Defender, Freshman Derek Platte, Defender, Sophomore Alex Hayden, Forward, Freshman Caseville Sean Tighe, Midfield, Junior Tyler Claydon, Sweeper, Junior Chris Tighe, Forward, Sophomore Brandon Sprague, Defender, Sophomore Nathan Sell, Defender, Junior Gavin Bowers, Midfield, Freshman Brown City Thomas Kriener, Defender, Junior Sandusky C.J. Cowley, Defender/Forward, Sophomore Patrick Chappus, Midfield, Junior Final GTE Standings 1. Harbor Beach 8-0 2. Marlette 6-2 3. Brown City 4-4 4. Sandusky 1-7 4. (tie) Caseville 1-7 Tuesday, November 03. 2009Blog Football Contest - The Final 2009 Version...
OK, it's Week 11 and that means the final installment of the Tribune Sports Blog Football Contest...
Thanks to all who played this season. This time, we have a special treat. It will be $21 bucks to the winner. Yes, BIG BIG payout... I will hopefully have last week's winner posted later... To the games: 5 pointers Genesee (10-0) at Ubly (10-0) Vassar (7-3) at Millington (9-1) Reese (8-2) at St. Charles (9-1) Rudyard (9-1) at Traverse City St. Francis (10-0) New Lothrop (7-3) at Waterford Lady Lakes (8-2) Lions at Seahawks Western Michigan at Michigan State Connecticut at Cincinnati Ferris State at Saginaw Valley State Cowboys at Eagles 7 pointers Marysville (7-3) at Marine City (10-0) Mount Pleasant (10-0) at Linden (10-0) Reading (10-0) at Hudson (10-0) Midland (9-1) at Lapeer West (9-1) Utica Eisenhower (7-3) at Macomb Dakota (9-1) Purdue at Michigan LSU at Alabama Ohio State at Penn State Oklahoma at Nebraska Northwood at Michigan Tech Tiebreak – Ubly vs. Genesee total points Monday, November 02. 2009News and views from the playoffs...
A recap of this weekend's area action...
News: For the second time this season, Reese comes away with a win over Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port, this time 29-7 in the opening round of the Division 6 playoffs. Views: What's so surprising about this game — and the Oct. 9 meeting between the teams, too — is the way Reese's defense basically manhandled EPBP's offense. In eight quarters, the Lakers managed just one offensive touchdown against the Rockets. Throw out the two Reese games, and this is an offense which averaged 34.6 points. The Lakers averaged 6.5 against the Rockets. Either I overestimated the EPBP offense, or underestimated the Reese defense. Regardless, the Rockets dominated both games, especially in the second half. Reese turned a 12-7 halftime lead in the first meeting into a 30-7 shelling. Friday night, the Rockets led just 14-6 at the half before taking advantage of field position and three Laker turnovers en route to a 22-point win. Both games showed off the Rockets’ speed and athletic ability. I don't think anyone will argue that Reese has a little bit more than the Lakers in those two areas. And I have to admit, a sophomore who was the starting tailback on the junior varsity team at the beginning of the year did an admirable job for the Rockets in the slop at quarterback. Jimmy Hahn threw a touchdown pass in the second quarter, and then “managed” the game in the second half for the Rockets. Meanwhile, the Lakers didn't seem as bothered by the mud as much as the last time, but they still had costly mistakes and miscues. With that said, this group of Laker seniors can hang their hats on the fact they captured a pair of Greater Thumb West championships, racking up a 13-7 record along the way the last two seasons. Unfortunately, they just didn't have much success in the playoffs. News: Ubly has an easy time with Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, rolling to a 52-0 victory in the opening round of the Division 7 playoffs. Views: Did anyone NOT see this coming? I doubt it. The Bearcats chalked up 541 yards rushing while limiting the Crusaders to just 39 — yes, 39 — total yards. Now, the 10-0 Bearcats host 10-0 Genesee this Friday for the district championship. The Wolves advanced with a 43-8 pounding of Brown City on Saturday. Don't be surprised to see Genesee give Ubly a game. Yes, the Wolves haven't been much of a problem for the Bearcats in their two previous playoff meetings in 2006 and 2008, but this might be a different Genesee squad. Genesee quarterback Garret Cook looks like the real deal. He rushed for 112 yards and three TDs against Brown City. He also threw for 173 yards, and added an 85-yard kick return for a score. Ubly's defense will get a much stiffer test against the Wolves. I still see the Bearcats being more physical than Genesee and coming away with the district championship, but it's not going to be a blowout like it was against Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest. News: Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes boots a 20-yard field goal with no time left on the clock to grab a thrilling 30-28 win over Deckerville in the opening round of the Division 8 playoffs. Views: This one was worth the two-hour drive to Waterford. This game was sort of a microcosm of Deckerville's season. The Eagles were close, but couldn't make a big play when they needed it. Two plays, actually, defined that. The first came at the end of the second quarter when Deckerville faced fourth-and-goal from the 6-yard line with just a few seconds to play. Quarterback Cody Hoff's pass was batted in the air and fell incomplete, just out of the reach of receiver Josh Fritch's hands. Then, late in the game, with WLOL backed up and facing third-and-long, Laker quarterback Mike Sullivan scrambled around and floated a pass to a streaking Anthony Caiozzo, who hauled it in and raced down to the 3-yard line. After a spike to stop the clock, freshman kicker Jake Doetsch's field goal squeezed through the left upright. The Lakers started celebrating. The Eagles were consoled. I tip my hat to the Eagles, though. They weathered a long bus ride and a shaky start and played one of their better games of the season. They came up just one play short. News: OK, I would be remiss if a didn't mention that the administrators, Steve Budzynski and Don Schelke, finally got into the pockets — DEEP into the pockets — of myself and Jerry Kranz on Sunday morning at Verona Hills Golf Club. Views: It hurt. Believe me, it hurt. Now, they have the entire winter to gloat. And that's going to hurt most of all. Enjoy it now, boys. Because we're coming out blazing next spring! Here are some photos from the WLOL vs. Deckerville game... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Saturday, October 31. 2009Rockets do it again to the Lakers
In an game eerily similar to the one a few weeks ago with these same two teams, Reese earned a 29-6 decision over Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port in the opening round of the Division 6 playoffs Friday night.
The Rockets led just 14-6 at the half, but took advantage of sloppy play from the Lakers, scoring once in the third quarter and then again early in the final period to put the game away. EPBP's lone score came on a 20-yard fumble recovery from Chris Rowe midway through the second quarter. That means the Lakers mustered just one offensive TD in 8 quarters vs. the Rockets this season. In the first game between these teams in Week 7, the Rockets led just 12-7 at the half before breaking it open for a 33-7 win. A complete recap of the contest will appear in Monday's Tribune. Here are some photos from the game... ![]() Mike Wolschlager hits the hole for the Lakers. ![]() Luke Voelker tries to shake loose for yardage for the Lakers. ![]() Chris Rowe is taken down by a host of Rockets. ![]() A slick ball slips out of the hands of EPBP's John Goins. ![]() Reese's Andrew Mendyk plows into the end zone. ![]() Luke Voelker is wrapped up by a Reese defender. ![]() Chris Rowe finds a hole for the Lakers. Friday, October 30. 2009Payoff is Playoffs – Round 1
It's opening night of the high school football playoffs.
Post scores/comment/lowlights from tonight's games on this thread. Adams is at Ubly vs. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest. Bogan is at Lakers vs. Reese. Good luck to all...
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