Is there a better state for sports than Michigan? We all know about the pro sports in our state, save for the Lions (who I have hope for), and the top-notch collegiate athletics throughout Michigan, but I'm amazed at the caliber of talent produced by our high schools. Case in point -- last week's NFL draft. Jake Long, the draft's No. 1 overall pick graduated from Lapeer East High School, while the draft's No. 6 overall pick Vernon Gholsten prepped at Detroit Cass Tech. Two players from the state of Michigan in the top six picks in the NFL draft. No other state this year can claim that fact.
In college hockey, the University of Michigan's Kevin Porter, from Northville, won the Hobey Baker Award as the nation's top player. The Hobey Baker Award is equivalent to college football's Heisman Trophy. In fact, two of the three Hobey Hat Trick finalists were from Michigan. The second player for our state in the final three was Oxford's Nathan Gerbe of Boston College. Pretty impressive for Michigan to have two of the top three collegiate hockey players in the nation.
In college wrestling, Michigan had one national champion in Davison's Brent Metcalf (Iowa) and one national runner-up in Wynn Michalak (CMU). Besides Metcalf and Michalak, six other Michigan wrestlers earned All-American honors including Grandville's Bubba Gritter (CMU), Allen Park twins Christian Sinott (CMU) and Brandon Sinott (CMU), Davison's Jonathan Reader (Iowa State), Novi's Josh Churella (U-M) and Davison's Paul Donahoe (Nebraska).
In college volleyball, Michigan had four players (out of 36 total) selected for the three NCAA All-American teams. Only California, with six players, had more. Named second team All-American were Leland's Alisha Glass (Penn State) and Fraser's Angie McGinnis (Florida). Earning third team All-American accolades were Monroe's Ashley Schatzle (MSU) and Saline's Lauren Paolini (Texas).
All in all, Michigan has shown itself very well in the world of sports.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Friday, December 14, 2007
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.
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.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
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.
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.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
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?
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?
Thursday, November 8, 2007
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.
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.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
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.
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.
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