Season switch an adjustment

It's a few weeks into the winter sports season and so far, so good. With the switch in seasons for girls' basketball, sharing the gym with the boys' hoops team doesn't appear to be an issue, at least with Chelsea and Dexter.

I can only imagine how difficult an adjustment it must be for a school like Pewamo-Westphalia. P-W is a small, farming-community high school just outside Lansing. It's a K-12 school with one tiny gymnasium. I covered P-W at one time during my career and it's small-school athletics at its finest, (think "Hoosiers" for basketball) but its gymnasium is the size of most suburban middle school gyms. When the season switch was announced, it was schools like P-W I thought of first. It's schools like the P-W's of the state who will be hit hardest by the seasonal switch. That's all water under the bridge, however, and the change has been made and everyone must deal with it.

As I've said before, and others throughout the state have mentioned, the switch might not be best for every school or every athlete, but the powers that be have decided and the good people of Michigan, including athletic directors, coaches and community members will make the switch work no matter what it takes. It doesn't mean the switch was totally right, but it means coaches and athletic directors throughout the state will work their tails off to make it as smooth and obstacle-free for the kids as possible. There are too many competent and caring individuals throughout the state involved in high school athletics not to make the switch work, no matter how unwelcomed or difficult it might be for smaller schools.

Football finals at Ford Field

Michigan's high school football season is over. Last weekend, eight teams in eight divisions were crowned state champions at the two-day finals at Detroit's Ford Field. It's been three years or so since the state championships were moved to Ford Field from the Pontiac Silverdome where the finals were held for over 25 years. Though I enjoyed going to the "Dome," I think the overall atmosphere and comfort level is much better at Ford Field.

First off, I don't have to wear gloves and a ski cap to keep warm while watching the finals at Ford Field. At the Silverdome, the temperature was so low icicles formed on the beams supporting the building -- or so it seemed. It's never good when you can see your breath when exhaling and you're indoors! At Ford Field, it's nice and balmy. I can actually work up quite a lather just walking around inside the downtown Detroit stadium. In fact, at this year's finals, I timed how long it took for me to walk one lap around the Ford Field concourse. Now mind you, this was just a saunter. I wasn't power walking or training for the Olympics. Heck, I was balancing two hot dogs and a large, slippery pop as I made my around the concourse. That being said, it took me 10 minutes to make one lap. I was somewhat surprised at how long it actually took. It's a good time-waster between games or at halftime or, if you're like me, you want to try and work off that Big Boy double-decker with fries you just inhaled. For whatever reason, taking a walk around the Ford Field concourse is a good idea.

At the Silverdome, if you tried doing a lap, you'd probably have frostbite by the time you arrived back at your seat, or your nose would be so cold and red you'd rival Rudolph for front of the pack on Santa's sleigh.

Of course, Ford Field is an absolutely stunning complex. From a beautiful brick facade outdoors to first class seating and views inside, Ford Field has to be one of the best football stadiums in the country. It's nice kind of having it to myself during the finals. I love the downtown Detroit location. After last Saturday's finals were complete, I was able to take a ride around downtown and see the gigantic Christmas tree all aglow in Campus Martius Park and watch the skaters make their way around on the rink below. Downtown is on its way back and it's nice to see so much activity happening in Detroit.

Now if Ford Field could only do something about the prices at the concession stands. Whoa, $6.50 for a bratwurst? Five dollars for a large pop? I'd have to walk quite a few laps around the stadium to work up that type of an appetite.

Football season is over

Well, football season is over. Chelsea's 2007 campaign ended last Friday night losing 24-16 against upstart East Lansing (9-3). The Bulldogs, unbeaten at 11-0 and ranked No. 1 entering the Division 3 state regional final (the state quarterfinals to all the old-school gridders out there), battled high winds and rainy conditions in the first half, falling behind 17-0 at the break. The last time Chelsea was behind 17-0 at halftime was...well...I couldn't tell you the last time, now that I think about it. Since I've been covering Chelsea (2000), the only instance I can recall a Bulldog team trailing by 17 points or more at halftime was their state playoff games against Farmington Hills Harrison in 2000 and 2001. Those Hawk teams, led by Drew Stanton, Agim Shabaj, Marcus Woods and Terrill Mayberry, all players who would go on to compete at Division I colleges, won state titles and ended up nationally ranked at the end of the season. If I'm remembering correctly, the 2001 Harrison team finished the season ranked No. 4 in the nation by USA Today.

Anyhow, enough about Harrison, my point is that last Friday's 17-0 halftime deficit was something most Chelsea football fans (at least during the Brad Bush era) aren't accustomed to witnessing, especially at Jerry Niehaus Field. Of course, as one would expect, the Bulldogs, showing the heart of a champion, fought back in the second half and, with a minute left on the clock, had the ball at their own 40-yard line, trailing by eight points with a chance to tie the game and send it into overtime. Alas, the drive fell short, but it certainly didn't diminish the fact Chelsea had another stellar season on the gridiron. Losing for the second straight season in the regional final hurts, but I bet there are a couple hundred or so teams out there that would trade places in a heartbeat with the Bulldogs, simply for the chance to play in such a big game.

It was a great year. Is it August yet?

What a week in Chelsea, Dexter

What a week it's been athletically in Chelsea and Dexter. Over in Dexter, the Dreadnaughts competed for a state championship in two different sports on the same day last Saturday. What an accomplishment for the Dreadnaught athletic department. Though both the boys' cross country and soccer teams finished as state runner-up last Saturday, the fact both squads even had the chance to hoist the state championship hardware, is something worth noting.

In Chelsea, the top-ranked and undefeated Bulldog football team takes on East Lansing in the Division 3 state regional final tomorrow. Chelsea has never advanced past the regional final in football. A year ago, the Bulldogs lost on a last-second touchdown to Fowlerville in the regional championship game. Will history repeat itself, or will Chelsea break through the regional final barrier tomorrow? There is no clear cut favorite in Division 3 this season, so the Bulldogs' chances of reaching Ford Field are the best they've been in years.

Dexter still searching for elusive state playoff spot

Well, another football season is coming to a close -- at least, I should say, another regular season is coming to a close. With Friday's games the prep football regular season will be complete for Chelsea and Dexter. The Bulldog will move onto the playoffs, while the Dreadnaughts will have to wait another year.

Dexter has been so close this season. The Dreads have never made the state playoffs. As I'm writing this, Dexter has three wins on the year. A play here, a tackle there, and the Dreads are a playoff-bound club. Playing one of the area's toughest schedules, Dexter has been in every game its played this season. In its past three contests, the Dreadnaughts have lost by a combined 19 points. Dexter lost by seven points to Adrian (7-1) and Saline (5-3) and five points to Division 3 No. 2-ranked Chelsea (8-0).

I hope the Dreads remain upbeat. I can recall when Dexter was losing by 19 points or more in single games. Those days appear far and few between now. With a strong youth football league, along with talented freshman and JV squads, the future looks bright. The playoffs will soon follow.

Michigan high school football produces top talent

Everyone has heard about football-rich states such as Texas, Florida, California and even Ohio churning out big-time high school gridiron recruits year after year. But not much is said about the top-flight talent produced each season in Michigan. One thing that has always irked me over the years, is the fact Michigan's five Division I playing football universities (U-M, MSU, CMU, EMU, WMU) oftentimes go out of state for the majority of their football recruits. I've never really understood why. I can somewhat see U-M and MSU recruiting out of state and more on a national scale since they are both larger and more prominent programs. However, that doesn't excuse them from at least inking half of their class with in-state talent each year. To me, it's a slap in the face to Michigan high school football and its coaches and players when our major football playing universities look for and eventually sign more out-state players than in-state athletes. Central, Eastern and Western have no excuse. If those programs can't find enough talent here in Michigan to stock their respective rosters with a majority of in-state players, then their recruiting coordinators and other scouts and recruit staff aren't doing their jobs.

It might be completely naive of me, but, hey, I've always been a dreamer, but I believe there's enough talent in Michigan for at least three of our D-I playing schools (each stocked with in-state players) to go to a bowl game every year. If our D-I playing schools would simply increase their recruiting efforts in Michigan, that might someday become a regular occurence.

For those recruiting coordinators out there who don't know, here's a small sampling of some of Michigan's top high school football talent this season. If you haven't already, check out these players and sign them to letters of intent -- they might just help your school have a winning season and earn a bowl invitation.

WR-Fred Smith-6-2, 205-Detroit Southeastern
TE-Joe Lane-6-5, 235-Fowlerville
OT-Dan O'Neill-6-8, 295-Grand Haven
OG-Rocko Khoury-6-6, 285-Traverse City West
C-Dontae Pannell-6-5, 300-Birmingham Groves
OG-Carlin Landingham-6-3, 290-Muskegon
OT-Brent Kryder-6-6, 295-Linden
WR-Jimmy Saros-6-3, 185-Grosse Pointe South
QB-Chris Lum-6-2, 180-Lake Orion
RB-Jonas Gray-5-10, 215-Birmingham Detroit Country Day
RB-Mark Ingram-5-10, 200-Flint Southwestern

PK-Michael Wilson-5-10, 170-East Grand Rapids

DE-Nick Perry-6-4, 250-Detroit King
DT-Michael Martin-6-1, 280-Novi Detroit Catholic Central
DT-Nick Williams-6-2, 270-New Haven
DE-Lonnie Pugh-6-5, 255-Grosse Ile
LB-Jamie Simpson-6-1, 220-Dowagiac
LB-Mitch Zajac-6-1, 245-Holt
LB-Ricky Crosby-6-1, 225-Muskegon
CB-Boubacar Cissoko-5-9, 175-Detroit Cass Tech
CB-James Wade-6-3, 185-Ann Arbor Pioneer
FS-Jonathon Dandridge-6-1, 180-Highland Park
SS-Josh Howard-6-1, 200-Inkster

P-Scott Kovanda-6-3, 180-Novi Detroit Catholic Central

This is just a quick list, there are many, many more top players in the state. If all of our D-I playing schools could improve their in-state signings, I really believe our state schools would fare better on the national playing field.

Local high school sports facilities among area's best

For relatively small towns, the Heritage Newspapers-West communities of Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Milan and Saline have some of the area's top high school sports facilities.

Topping the list of local athletic facilities has to be Saline High School's football field, er, should I say, stadium. The Hornets' gridiron complex is as close to a legitimate stadium as this area gets. Basically enclosed on three of the synthetic field's four sides, the stadium has the feel of a small college atmosphere when packed to capacity. During my career, I've covered Division III college football games at numerous MIAA schools and Saline's stadium and facilites are as good, if not better, than some of the collegiate fields I've visited.

Also topping the list of facilities in our area has to be Chelsea's dynamic baseball and softball stadiums. I've been to many a ball field throughout the years and the Bulldogs' complex is second to none. With stadium seating at each field wrapping around home plate between both dugouts, along with top-of-the-line press boxes crowning each field's stands, covered fencing lining the outfield, electronic scoreboards and manicured fields that would make Detroit's Comerica Park jealous, Chelsea's baseball and softball stadiums are arguably two of the best, not only in the area, but in the state.

In Dexter, the Dreadnaughts have one of the county's best, all around sports facilities. With a sparkling gymnasium, elevated track and the area's premier soccer stadium, Dexter's athletic facilities match the school's sports success. This past school year, the Dreadnaughts captured four state championships, with one each in boys' cross country, boys' soccer, girls' golf and boys' track and field. Just missing a state crown was Dexter's girls' soccer team which was ousted in the state semifinals. Not many schools throughout the state can match the Dreadnaughts' success on the field, or facilities-wise.

Over in Manchester and Milan, both schools have outstanding facilities. Manchester's football field is one of the area's gridiron jewels, while Milan's gymnasium is cozy, yet modern, and can be one of the area's loudest when packed to the gills.

All in all, for their size, the small communities dotting western Washtenaw County's landscape have some of the top high school sports facilities and programs in the state.

Spring sports season a blur

Chelsea and Dexter high school sports are quickly coming to a close. The spring season is always one, big blur.

Starting in mid-April and ending normally in early June, the spring sports campaign is a dizzying array of doubleheaders, quad meets and endless invitationals all crammed into barely one and a half months.

Add on Little League baseball, recreation sports and youth soccer and it's a hectic time to say the least.

I wouldn't have it any other way. I'd rather be busy and working at warp speed, rather than sitting around twiddling my thumbs and listening to the clock tick.

Thankfully, Chelsea and Dexter have plenty of top teams and skilled athletes to make my working life interesting and exciting.

Over in Chelsea, an individual who's starting to turn heads is junior hurdler Evan Carpenter. Just a junior, the speedy track standout has set school records in the 110-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles in the past two weeks. One of the records he broke had stood for over 40 years.

Staying on the track, Dexter senior Dan Jackson, who'll run next season for the University of Notre Dame, is one of the state's best distance runners. Look for Jackson to compete for a state individual title in anything from the 800-meter run to the 3,200-meter run at next month's Division II state meet.

Oddly enough, Jackson's stiffest competition for an individual state crown will more than likely come from junior teammate Bobby Aprill. Last fall, Aprill edged out Jackson by a blink of an eye for the Division II cross country individual state title. As one might expect, Aprill is also one of the state's best in distance races on the track.

Though crazy and hectic, the spring sports season is headed toward a fantastic finish.

Don Richter
Chelsea Standard/Dexter Leader

Hello Chelsea and Dexter sports fans. Welcome to my blog.

This is the place to spout off about Bulldog and Dreadnaught athletics.

What’s on your mind?

What’s your beef?

I want to know what you think about our sports coverage. How can we improve? What stirs your passion regarding Chelsea/Dexter athletics? What are some of your favorite Bulldog and Dreadnaught sports memories? Who was the best local athlete you ever saw or competed against? Tell me.

It truly is amazing the wealth of talent churned out each year by both Dexter and Chelsea athletic programs.

What other communities the size of Chelsea and Dexter can claim the number of top-flight, big-time athletes in all sports that our two towns produce?

What makes Dexter and Chelsea athletes special? Let me know. Give me an ear full.

I look forward to writing about my experiences covering Chelsea/Dexter athletics and hopefully providing you, the reader, a different and unique look at local sports other than the usual scores and statistics.

E-mail me at drichter@heritage.com and let me know what’s on your mind concerning Dexter and Chelsea athletics.

By Don Richter