Sports

Clare runners reflect on strong season

Editorial StaffNov 15, 20242 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — it was a season Clare runners wont soon forget.Laura Leis, a sophomore, was 113th at the Division 3 state finals in 20 minutes 57.1 seconds.“There are many parts of cross country that I like,” Leis…

Trailblazers’ season ends with district loss to Decatur

Editorial StaffNov 13, 20244 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorDECATUR—Chris Foley gave the Saugatuck faithful reason to cheer late in the first quarter of the Trailblazers’ Division 8 football district title game against Decatur on Friday, Nov. 8.With Saugatuck trailing 8-0, Foley broke free for a…

Allegan swim & dive claims conference championship

Editorial StaffNov 13, 20244 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor OTSEGO—After posting a perfect 7-0 record during the regular-season portion of the Southwest and Central Swim Conference schedule, the Allegan girls swim & dive team entered the Conference Championship Meet as the team to beat.And try…

Rebels roll to Round 2 of playoffs

Rebels roll to Round 2 of playoffs

Editorial StaffNov 13, 20243 min read

By Katie McElvy The Rebel defense opened the first round of the AISA AAA Playoffs with a three-and-out, and Luke Tarver followed with a 23-yard pick up and a 30-yard touchdown run as Chambers hosted the Clarke Prep Gators.The Gators…

Paw Paw plays draw honors

Editorial StaffNov 13, 20241 min read

By John Raffel The following football players for Paw Paw have named Wolverine Conference honors:1st Team offense- Darrin Strey and Julian Hernandez Offensive Line, Ben Miller and PJ DeYoung Running back.1st Team Defense- Darrin Strey D line, Bryson Newell Linebacker,…

Mendon upsets defending champ Martin on last-second TD to win regional title

Mendon upsets defending champ Martin on last-second TD to win regional title

Robert TomlinsonNov 11, 20245 min read

By Steve Eldridge MENDON — “Nothing like a win in Mendon on a Saturday.” Those were the words of Mendon head coach Bobby Kretschman, after he saw his team score a last-second touchdown to defeat two-time defending state champion Martin,…

Cross Country State Finals  for AR Nov 8 2024

Editorial StaffNov 8, 20244 min read

Bidwell Second at MHSAA D-2 Cross Country Final (Marshall): Marshall High School runner Jack Bidwell (520) is just behind T.J Hansen of Freeland during the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 2 state cross country finals at Michigan International Speedway.…

Clare volleyball advances to district finals

Clare volleyball advances to district finals

Editorial StaffNov 8, 20242 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent BIG RAPIDS — Clare (17-15-2) extended its season by at least one more match on Wednesday.The Pioneers advanced to Thursday’s title match against Reed City with a 25-16, 25-17, 25-10 win over the Warriors (5-20) at Big…

Saugatuck football gets past White Pigeon

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20243 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorWHITE PIGEON—Entering the fourth quarter of its Division 8 opening-round playoff game against White Pigeon on Friday, Nov. 2, coach Bill Dunn’s Saugatuck football team seemed to have the game well in hand.After all, the Trailblazers had…

Saugatuck girls place 13th at Finals

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20243 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor BROOKLYN—Saugatuck girls cross country coach Angelina Bauer entered the Division 3 State Finals hoping her team could secure a top-10 finish.And while the Trailblazers fell a little short of that—they finished 13th with 353 points—Bauer was…

Hopkins football falls to Catholic Central

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20242 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor GRAND RAPIDS—In Hopkins’ Division 5 football playoff opener against Grand Rapids Catholic Central on Friday, Nov. 1, Viking running back Justin VanWagner rushed for 102 yards on 19 carries.The was the good news for Hopkins.The bad…

Bulldogs close season with 37-0 win

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20241 min read

The LaFayette Bulldogs closed out their 2024 football season last Friday against the Barbour County Jaguars. LaFayette traveled to Clayton, Alabama and defeated the Jaguar’s 37-0.The Dogs were in search of ending the season with a “W” after suffering a…

Gobles loses in playoffs

Editorial StaffNov 6, 20241 min read

By John RaffelCorespondent GOBLES — Gobles’ undefeated football season came to a close with a 52-22 loss at home against Martin on Friday.Martiin (8-1) avenged a loss to Gobles 20-14 during the regular season.“We always expect our playoff opponents to…

Late TD caps off wild playoff opener for Mendon against Climax-Scotts

Late TD caps off wild playoff opener for Mendon against Climax-Scotts

Robert TomlinsonNov 2, 20246 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CLIMAX — Whenever Mendon and Climax-Scotts face off on a football field, fans expect to see a ton of points on the board. Just like their last matchup two weeks ago, both teams delivered on that…

Cross Country Roundup TR boys 2nd at regionals, move on to state finals

Editorial StaffNov 1, 20244 min read

PORTAGE — Three Rivers’ boys’ cross country team is on its way to the state finals.The Wildcats took second place at the MHSAA Division 2 Boys’ Cross Country Regional meet held at Portage West Middle School on Saturday, Oct. 26,…

Clare wins Jack Pine Conference volleyball title

Clare wins Jack Pine Conference volleyball title

Editorial StaffNov 1, 20241 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — Clare triumphed over St. Louis on Wednesday night, clinching the Jack Pine Conference volleyball title for the first time since 2002.The scores were 25-23, 25-13, and 25-18.Amelia Ryzyk had a big night with 25 assists,…

Rebels cruise past Cougars with unstoppable ground attack

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20243 min read

by Katie McElvy On September 2, the Chambers Academy Rebels visited the Fort Dale Eagles. As Luke Tarver took the ball to the house on a 63-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage, a veteran Eagle fan turned…

Otsego girls continue winning tradition with regional championship

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20242 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PORTAGE—Coming into this season, Otsego cross country coach Steve Long figured his girls team would be good, but he didn’t know exactly what to expect.After all, the Bulldogs graduated two of the top three runners in…

Allegan swim wraps up perfect regular season

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20242 min read

STURGIS—The Allegan girls swim & dive team wrapped up its regular season with a hard-fought 94-91 win over Sturgis on Tuesday, Oct. 22, securing a perfect 7-0 record in the SCC conference.“Our undefeated season has been a testament to the…

Teams prepare for football playoffs

Editorial StaffOct 30, 20244 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent The regular season has ended and now local teams are getting ready for the playoffs.Paw Paw, Gobles, Lawton, Mattawan and South Haven have qualified for the football postseason which starts on Friday.Mattawan is in Division 2 and…