Friday Night FINALS

Here are the updated standings and scores from Friday night.

GREATER THUMB WEST

Team W L W L PF PA

USA 3 0 3 1 75 77

Reese 2 0 4 0 159 40

Vassar 2 1 2 2 105 75

Cass City 1 1 3 1 123 54

BCAS 1 2 2 2 119  99

EPBP 0 2 1 3 36 63

Bad Axe 0 3 0 4 14 214

GREATER THUMB EAST

Team W L W L PF PA

Ubly 3 0 4 0 147 42

H. Beach 1 0 3 1 112 62

Marlette 1 1 2 2 74 96

Sandusky 1 1 2 2 165 92

Brown City 0 1 2 2 116 71

Mayville 0 3 0 4 44 191

NORTH CENTRAL THUMB

Team W L W L PF PA

Deckerville 3 0 4 0 184 36

Kingston 1 1 2 2 105 122

North Huron 0 1 1 3 92 166

Memphis 0 1 1 3 63 159

Peck 0 1 0 3 18 120

8-MAN

Team W L W L PF PA

CPS 1 0 3 0 158 48

A-Fairgrove 2 0 2 2 100 102

Owen-Gage 0 1 1 3 110   154

FRIDAY’S RESULTS

GTW

BCAS 51, Bad Axe 8

USA 27, Cass City 21 OT

Reese 41, Vassar 20

GTE

Harbor Beach 31, Brown City 7

Ubly 46, Mayville 6

NCTL

Deckerville 44, North Huron 23

NON-LEAGUE

Marlette 24, EPBP 14

Sandusky 61, Memphis 0

Au Gres 32, Kingston 6

8-MAN

A-Fairgrove 54, Owen-Gage 28

CPS at E. Washtenaw, INC

NEXT FRIDAY’S GAMES

GTW

USA at Bad Axe

BCAS at EPBP

Reese at Cass City

GTE

Ubly at Harbor Beach

Brown City at Mayville

Marlette at Sandusky

NCTL

Peck at North Huron

NON-LEAGUE

Vassar at Memphis

Deckerville at Saginaw Buena Vista

Kingston at Arenac Eastern

8-MAN

CPS at A-Fairgrove

Jackson Da Vinci at Owen-Gage

Week 4: USA, CC emerge as GTW title contenders

SEBEWAING — Reese and Vassar were supposed to contend for the Greater Thumb West championship this season. 

And they are.

Unionville-Sebewaing Area and Cass City?

Not so much.

Cass City came into the 2010 campaign off a disappointing 3-6 season, hired a new head coach, and had plenty of question marks on both sides of the ball.

No matter, the Red Hawks are 3-0 overall and are ranked No. 2 — behind the Rockets — in the GTW in both offense and defense.

Meanwhile, the Patriots endured a 2-7 mark in 2009 and a 1-8 record in 2008 — their worst stretch since 1992-92 — and had just 14 players on their 2010 preseason roster.

No matter, the Patriots are off to a 2-1 start, including a surprising come-from-behind 21-6 win over Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port last week, putting them 2-0 in the GTW.

The two league unbeatens go head-to-head here Friday night in an important GTW matchup.

For USA coach Jason Beagle, it’s another chance to make a winning statement to all the doubters.

“After the last couple of years, these guys have every reason to be down,” Beagle said. “But they have never hung their heads or shied away from what we’ve asked them to do. We have preached to the kids that we can’t control things that are not in our control. We have 14 guys, we have a tough schedule, we have this, we have that..

“But we’re just going to buckle it up and do what we can do.”

What USA does best is get the ball to do-it-all Tim Canfield. USA’s senior co-captain is one of several players who rarely leaves the field. He did plenty of damage last week against the Lakers, rushing for 112 yards and one score. His 60-yard punt return for a touchdown — his second special teams score this season — sparked USA’s fourth-quarter comeback against the Lakers.

“We put a lot of stuff on his shoulders and he’s stepped up for us,” said Beagle.

After running a form of the spread for the last few seasons, USA has gone back to a more traditional offense, hoping to use Canfield’s hard-nosed, open-field ability that way.

“We have gone back to a fundamental running game, but we’re still looking for chances to spring him,” Beagle said. “Tim, in the open field, is tough to catch and bring down.”

Like most opponents, Cass City probably figures it can wear down the Patriots as the game progresses.

The Red Hawks have a 23-player roster, including up to five or six capable tailbacks to put the pressure on the USA defense.

Last week against Bad Axe, the Red Hawks  rushed for 548 yards on 49 carries — good for a flashy 11.1 per carry average — in their 61-0 pounding of the Hatchets.

Alex Varney led the way, rushing for 259 yards and four TDs. He got plenty of help from Austin Osentoski, who had 112 yards and two scores. In all, five different players scored at least once for the Red Hawks.

Beagle knows his team will get a stiff challenge from the Red Hawks. He also knows they might be looking past his undermanned USA squad, considering they host Reese for Homecoming the following week.

Nevertheless, the Patriots will be prepared, especially when it comes to conditioning and playing a full four quarters.

 “Even on game weeks, Monday and Tuesday we run their legs off,” Beagle said. “We know they have to be out there all night.

“There are teams that have 18 or 20 guys on the roster and they play 14 of them. We have 14 guys on the roster and we play 14. There is not a guy on the sideline who is not a good varsity player.”

Here is the Thumb Sportswriters Top 10 Poll...

School Record Pts. LW

1. Millington (3)   3-0 48 -

2. Reese (2)   3-0 47 -

3. Ubly     3-0 40 -

4. Deckerville   3-0 33 - 

5. Cass City   3-0 26 -

6. North Branch   2-1 21 -

7. Vassar   2-1 19 -

8. Cros-Lex   2-1 17 -

9. Caro   2-1 10 -

9. (tie) USA   2-1 10 -

(First place votes in parentheses)

Also receiving votes: Harbor Beach - 2 pts., Brown City - 1 pt.,  Kingston - 1 pt.

A team voted first nets 10 points, second earns nine points, etc. The Thumb Sportswriters Association Poll is voted on by: Chad Wingert - Sports Editor of the Tuscola County Advertiser, Paul Adams - Sports writer for the Huron Daily Tribune, Christian Selich - Sports commentator for Mix 92.1, Eddie Fury of Thumb Tailgater Sports and Rick Glaza - Sports voice of Cruise 102.1

Tribune Power Poll...

The Week 3 Power Poll for the GTC and NCTL as voted on by the Tribune sports staff. The power poll will run each week during the season in the Huron Daily Tribune. 

1. Reese

2. Ubly

3. Deckerville

4. Cass City

5. Vassar

6. Brown City

7. Harbor Beach

8. USA

9. Sandusky

10. EPBP

11. Kingston

12. Marlette

13. BCAS

14. Memphis

15. North Huron

16. Peck

17. Mayville

18. Bad Axe

MY PICKS FOR THIS WEEK...

Bad Axe at BCAS – BCAS QB Drew Janer will run wild.

SCORE: BCAS 41, Bad Axe 6

Cass City at USA – I think Cass City's offensive depth at tailback will wear down the Patriots.

It will not be easy, though.

SCORE: Cass City 26, USA 18

Vassar at Reese – The Rockets seem to be getting better as the year goes on.

SCORE: Reese 33, Vassar 13

Harbor Beach at Brown City – As much as I like the way Harbor Beach has rebounded this season, Brown City is too strong for the Pirates to pull off the mini upset.

SCORE: Brown City 28, Harbor Beach 13

Mayville at Ubly – Enough said.

SCORE: Ubly 50, Mayville 6

North Huron at Deckerville – The Warriors will hang around for a half, but the Eagles have way too much offensive firepower.

SCORE: Deckerville 41, North Huron 16

Marlette at EPBP – Can the Lakers rebound from last week's disappointing loss to USA?

I am not so sure.

SCORE: Marlette 26, EPBP 22

Sandusky at Memphis – The Redskins make it 2 in a row after an 0-2 start.

SCORE: Sandusky 35, Memphis 6

Kingston at Au Gres – Au Gres has not won yet.

SCORE: Kingston 22, Au Gres 12

Owen-Gage at A-Fairgrove – Anyone know the status of Owen-Gage's Hunter Champagne?

If he plays, the Bulldogs have a chance. If he doesn't...

SCORE: A-Fairgrove 44, Owen-Gage 22

CPS at E. Washtenaw – CPS looks like a pretty good 8-man team.

SCORE: CPS 50, E. Washtenaw 20

U-Mass at Michigan – Robinson should have another field day.

SCORE: Michigan 35, U-Mass 13

Notre Dame at Michigan State – Ah, the old night game at Spartan Stadium. MSU never loses at home at night, right?

SCORE: Michigan State 24, Notre Dame 20

CMU at EMU – The Chips aren't as good as they have been in the past, but EMU is just as bad.

And I'm an EMU alum, though I hate admitting it...

SCORE: CMU 33, EMU 20

Eagles at Lions – Is there any team in professional sports which has more bad luck than the Lions?

They had a chance if Kevin Kolb was playing. 

But a Michael Vick vs. Shaun Hill matchup is no match at all.

SCORE: Eagles 30, Lions 20

Who else dares to put their rep on the line?

USA takes 5-game marathon vs. EPBP

Here's a volleyball recap from Tuesday night.

Also, some photos from the USA-EPBP match. 

Click on the photos and they will enlarge...

SEBEWAING — Karen Smith’s first trip back to Unionville-Sebewaing Area as an opponent was a heartbreaking one.

Smith, a former USA coach who is now running the Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port volleyball program, saw her Lakers battle with the Patriots in an exciting Greater Thumb West match here Tuesday night. 

In the end, USA rallied for a grueling 26-24, 22-25, 25-20, 23-25, 16-14 victory over the Lakers.

“We just couldn't finish tonight,” Smith said. “We took early leads in most of the games, and then left the back door open for them.

“It was a very exciting — and frustrating — (match).” 

For the night, Erika Matteson had 19 kills, nine digs and four blocks for the Lakers while Erin Albrecht added 10 kills and eight digs, Ashlyn Albrecht 12 kills and five blocks, Brooklyn Foy 31 assists, Gala Shivley four assists and Kacy Shetler eight digs.

ROUNDUP

North Huron 

sweeps Port Hope

KINDE — North Huron earned its first North Central Thumb League victory of the year, defeating Port Hope (25-15, 25-13, 25-22).

Sara Clancy had 17 kills and two aces to lead the Warriors while Hanna Selaty added 14 digs and seven kills, Amanda Navock 15 assists, three kills and three aces, Ashley Case 15 digs, three aces and three kills, Karlie Goretski four kills and two digs, Clara Yaroch six digs and five assists, Haley Moore four digs and Katie Knoblock three assists.

North Huron is 1-1 in league play. 

CPS falls to Memphis

MEMPHIS — Memphis picked up a 25-13, 25-18, 25-17 NCTL  win over Carsonville-Port Sanilac on Tuesday.

Brooke Alexander had four digs, three kills and two aces for CPS while Emily Kelly had four kills, four digs and three aces, and Kelsey Jones five digs and one ace.

Eagles off to nice start

CASEVILLE — The Caseville volleyball team is off to a fine start to the season.

Earlier, the Eagles rallied from way back to earn a thrilling 25-27, 21-25, 25-15, 25-17, 16-14 win over North Huron.

Rebecca Janke had 12 points, seven aces and 10 kills for the Eagles while Heather Nowak added 24 kills, 16 points and five aces, Haley Buckey 10 points, 29 digs and one ace, and Kelsey Redwantz 12 points.

“The entire team’s determination — combined with Rebecca Janke’s on-court leadership — were critical in our come-from-behind win,” said Caseville  coach David Watts.

On Monday, the Eagles picked up a 25-11, 25-11, 25-9 non-league win over Saginaw Arts and Science.

For the Eagles, Natasha Simmons had 19 points and four aces while Veronica Sauer had six kills and four blocks, and Taylor King four kills and two blocks.

The Eagles are in action this Thursday night at Owendale-Gagetown.

ATTENTION COACHES: All coaches are reminded that the Tribune’s new deadline to print is 6 a.m. That means results need to be into the Tribune office by 5 a.m. for publication that day. Otherwise, results will appear in the the following day’s paper. 

Brooklyn Foy serves for the Lakers.

Gala Shivley saves the ball for the Lakers.

USA’s Andrea Vermeersch (5) goes high in the air for a kill against EPBP’s Erika Matteson (2) and Erin Albrecht.  

Erika Matteson finds a hole for a kill between USA's Mackenzie Treiber and Miranda Fuerst.

Justine Swartzendruber (6) battles with Samantha Eisengruber (4).

Guess which team won the point by the reaction of the USA bench!

Brooklyn Foy and USA's Jessica Gremel battle at the net.

Miranda Fuerst tips the ball over Justine Swartzendruber.

Samantha Eisengruber spikes over Erika Matteson and Rebecca Schember.

And the winners are...

OK, we have our winners finally for Weeks 2 and 3 of the Tribune Sports Blog Football Contest.
For Week 2, none other than Eddie Fury is the winner, going a nifty 18-2.

For Week 3, Peter, DaGreen and NCTLAlum all tied with 80 points, all 3 going 17-3.
But in the tiebreaker, Peter comes away with the victory.

Now, I am going to offer Eddie Fury 2 tickets to the Northern Colorado at Michigan State game slated for Sept. 25. He can take them, or 20 bucks.
If Eddie does not want the tickets, I will offer them to Peter. He can then take them or 20 bucks.

If the tickets are still available, they WILL go to the winner of Week 4 because the game is Sept. 25 at Spartan Stadium.
Thanks for your patience.

The overall standings are coming...
Eddie and Peter please email me at mbogan@hearstnp.com and let me know what you want!

Week 4 Tribune Sports Blog Contest Games

Here are the games for Week 4 of the Tribune Sports Blog Football Contest.
Winners from Weeks 2 and 3 and overall stuff is coming...

THE GAMES...
2 pointers
Bad Axe at BCAS
Mayville at Ubly
Massachusetts at Michigan
North Huron at Deckerville
Sandusky at Memphis

5 pointers
Vassar at Reese
Kingston at Au Gres
Owen-Gage at A-Fairgrove
CPS at Eastern Washtenaw
CMU at EMU
Northern Michigan at Northwood
Lake Erie at Saginaw Valley State
USC at Minnesota
Boise State at Wyoming
Iowa at Arizona

10 pointers
Notre Dame at Michigan State
Harbor Beach at Brown City
Cass City at USA
Marlette at EPBP
Eagles at Lions

Tie breaker – Marlette at EPBP, total points...
Good Luck1

USA uses 4th quarter flurry to clip Lakers

Here is the game story and some photos from the USA vs. Lakers game from Friday night...
You can click on the photos and they will expand!

PIGEON — Jason Beagle and his Unionville-Sebewaing Area Patriots take pride in their conditioning.

It showed here Friday night in their Greater Thumb West showdown with Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port.

Instead of floundering in the fourth quarter, the 14-player Patriots flourished, scoring three unanswered touchdowns in the final 7:41 en route to a surprising 21-6 victory over the Lakers.

“The way we run these guys, they should never be tired,” said Beagle. “Most of the kids do not come off the field. They play 48 minutes. You want to talk about kids in game shape? We’re in game shape, no doubt.”

Nobody was in better game shape than USA senior Tim Canfield. The Patriots’ co-captain rushed for 112 yards and one score, and added a 60-yard punt return for another touchdown. Tyler Dick chipped in an insurance touchdown late for the Patriots, who have now won two straight GTW games after a season-opening loss.

Meanwhile, the stunned Lakers have dropped two in a row after opening the season with a promising road win at Carrollton. The Lakers have scored just once in eight quarters since Week 1.

“Their speed got to us,” said EPBP coach George Gardy. “ I thought we played pretty well  for three quarters and then they came out and played well in the fourth quarter. That was the difference. 

“We just did not do enough offensively. We have to get better.”

The Lakers’ lone score came midway through the second quarter on a 59-yard strike from Brody Lawrence to Tim Warack.

Walter VanHouten led the Lakers with 85 yards on 14 carries.

Other than that, the Lakers were stymied, turning the ball over four times and hurt by untimely penalties which stalled potential scoring drives.

“Lakers are big, they’re bruisers,” Beagle said. “We told them that we just had to hang around. We had to let our conditioning pay off. Our conditioning doesn’t do anything in the first quarter. 

“The defensive line did a good enough job of getting some penetration and throwing off their timing. We limited their big plays. And Mike Bednarski, who got hurt early in Week 1 against Ubly, came back and stepped in and played a great game.”

Neither team mustered much offense in the opening half. EPBP finally got on the board at the 6:49 mark of the second quarter when Lawrence lobbed the ball up for Warack, who made a nice juggling catch and raced the rest of the way into the end zone. 

The Patriots came back and threatened to punch it in late, but were thwarted as the half ended. Despite that, Beagle was optimistic about the second half.

“At 6-0 in the first half against that team, to us, that’s a victory,” he said. “We knew we could come back.”

Things didn’t turn around for USA until midway through the final quarter. EPBP had the ball at its own 35 with a fourth down and less than a yard to go. Instead of gambling and going for it, Gardy played the percentages and punted to Canfield, who made a few moves to the outside and strolled 60 yards for the game-tying TD.

“Last week against All Saints, he had a kick return which changed the momentum of the game,” Beagle said. “And tonight, that punt return did the same thing.”

Indeed.

After an interception by USA’s Dan Rieck — his first of three fourth-quarter picks — Canfield capitalized when he rambled 65 yards for the go-ahead TD. He also added the 2-pointer, making it 14-6 with 5:02 to play.

After another interception by Rieck gave the ball to USA at the Laker 30 with 3:25 left, Dick scooted in from 10 yards for the game’s final score.

USA hosts undefeated Cass City next week in another important GTW battle. 

Beagle will continue to stress conditioning as the season goes on.

“We told them, ‘You’re not going to like this, but this is going to look like track practice, but we have to get you in shape,’” he said. “They haven’t complained. They’re like, ‘OK, let’s go run.’”

The Lakers host Marlette next week in a GTC crossover contest.

“We have to work on some things,” Gardy said. “Hopefully, we can have a good week of practice and get back on track.”

EPBP’s Tim Warack goes high in the air to snare a TD pass against USA’s Dan Rieck. 

A slew of EPBP tacklers bring down USA’s Tim Canfield, including Cody Cucinello (59), Nate Krohn (84), John Eile (40) and Jim Kosinski (61). 

USA quarterback Chris Harper rolls out and looks down field.

Jay Richmond hauls down Chris Harper.

EPBP's Walter VanHouten battles with USA's Dan Rieck

Walter VanHouten is brought down by USA's Alex Khoury.