Siena Heights men’s basketball wins home opener
Siena Heights senior Courtney Smith shoots over Spring Arbor’s Rob Boss during Tuesday’s game. Smith had game-highs with 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Saints to a 61-56 victory. (Telegram photo by Bashar Alshabi)
By Brian Calloway
ADRIAN, Mich. – Winning close games was a struggle for the Siena Heights University men’s basketball team most of last winter.
This season, the results have been more favorable in those games for Siena.
The Saints continued their strong start to the season by defeating previously unbeaten Spring Arbor 61-56 at the Siena Heights Fieldhouse on Tuesday evening. Junior guard Mark Snipes broke a 56-56 tie with a driving layup in the final minute and added a late free throw to help Siena (3-0) win its home opener and remain unbeaten.
“I think that’s more close games than we won last year,” said Siena Heights coach Al Sandifer, whose team has won each of its games this season by five or fewer points after going 3-10 in those contests last winter. “It feels good to be on the winning end of those close games. In all three games, the other team has had an opportunity to tie the score with 10 seconds or less to go, and all three times they missed.
“Last year they always made it, so maybe luck is a little bit on our side right now.”
Senior Courtney Smith came off the bench to add a double-double with a game-high 14 points and 10 rebounds, while senior Sean Nowaczyk added 13 points for the Saints, who are off to their best start since the 2004-05 season.
“It’s real big,” said Nowaczyk, who was 5-for-8 from the field and 3-for-3 from 3-point range. “Ever since my freshman year we’ve been struggling. It feels great to work so hard and at the start of the season be this successful. We’ve got a lot more stuff we’ve got to work on, so we need to try to get better every day.”
Rob Boss and Willie Pickvet each scored 12 points to lead Spring Arbor, which upset NAIA preseason No. 1-ranked Robert Morris on Oct. 31.
In a game that featured numerous lead changes, Siena Heights never trailed after a bucket by Smith with six minutes remaining. Nowaczyk added a 3-pointer to give the Saints a 53-49 advantage before Spring Arbor’s Jared List answered with a 3. Snipes added a 3 to give the Saints a four-point lead, but Spring Arbor (3-1) came back to tie the game at 56 following a pair of free throws by Boss and a layup by Pickvet.
Following a timeout with 1:09 left in the game, the Saints chipped some time off the clock before Snipes made a driving layup to give Siena a 58-56 lead.
“We were looking to slow it down and use as much clock as we could and get a good shot,” Snipes said. “Coach told me if I saw a lane to drive and be aggressive.
“I hesitated and when I saw the help side on the wing and he stayed, I just drove all the way.”
Boss had a chance to tie the game but missed a pair of free throws with 42.2 seconds remaining and Smith secured the rebound. After working more time off the clock, Snipes was fouled while shooting and split a pair of free throws to push the lead to three.
“We ran sets to get Mark the ball and he certainly delivered down the stretch,” Sandifer said. “We felt like we had an advantage there where he could get the ball to the basket against there guys and he did.”
Spring Arbor missed the potential game-tying 3 with five seconds remaining. Brent Reynolds then was fouled and made a pair of free throws with 3.3 seconds left secure the win and give Siena another narrow victory.
“Honestly I think it’s the trust we’ve got with each other,” said Snipes of the Saints’ success in close games so far. “We’ve got a mature group and we gel together well.”
NOTES
— Smith has a double-double in each of Siena’s three games. He is averaging 13 points and 12 rebounds.
— Snipes finished with eight points and scored six of those points in the game’s final five minutes.
— Senior Jake DeRoeck (Adrian High School) saw his first action of the season for Siena. He missed the first two games of the season due to injury. DeRoeck had two points and two rebounds in just under 10 minutes.
— Boss and Nowaczyk were teammates at Brighton High School.
Colts upset Cougars in Class D district final
Lenawee Christian’s Tenille Marowelli lays out for a ball as Andrea Sebby, right, and Tayleen Marowelli (3) watch during Saturday’s Class D district championship match against Hillsdale Academy on Saturday afternoon. No. 4-ranked Hillsdale Academy defeated No. 2 LCS in four sets to win the district title. (Telegram photo by Linda Campbell)
By Brian Calloway
Daily Telegram Sports Editor
ADRIAN, Mich. – Hits were pounded into the net or out of bounds. The defense couldn’t cleanly field balls and uncharacteristic mistakes were made.
For the No. 2-ranked Lenawee Christian volleyball team, it was anything but a typical performance.
Those struggles proved costly and the end result was a rare district loss for LCS. The Cougars fell in four sets to No. 4-ranked Hillsdale Academy in Saturday’s Class D district championship match at Lenawee Christian. The Colts avenged a regular-season loss to LCS with the 22-25, 25-21, 26-24, 26-18 win.
“This is just disappointing today,” LCS coach Sue Howard said. “Today we just didn’t play the way we could play. Defensively we didn’t hold up, and our offense wasn’t on either.
“We had a team meeting yesterday talking about preparing for the game, but I don’t know. We have to replace five seniors that had really nice careers playing ball and I’m just disappointed for them to go out this early. It’s too bad the district had three ranked teams in it. That’s the luck of the draw or not. I give (Hillsdale Academy) credit. They played very well. I mean, all the games were close, but in the end we got into a hole we couldn’t quite get out of.”
Not even an opening-set loss, a fire alarm that delayed the match for nearly 20 minutes during the early stages or a deficit for most of the third match could slow down the Colts, who earned a spot in Tuesday’s Class D regional against Taylor Baptist Park.
“I think we really came together as a team,” first-year Hillsdale Academy coach Katherine Jones said. “That was a big thing. Our defense worked really well because we started blocking a lot, and we played really good defense. We started doing everything as a team. We came together, had faith in everybody and confidence in ourselves. That’s how we won.”
Lenawee Christian (39-4-4) was shooting for its 10th district title since 2000 and was in position to do that. After the teams split the first two sets, the Cougars were in control of the third set. LCS had a six-point advantage at 15-9 before the Colts worked their way back into the match. Net hits and hitting errors by the Cougars helped Hillsdale Academy rally to take a 24-22 advantage.
Lenawee Christian battled to tie the set at 24 before the Colts got a side out and then an ace by Grace Leutheuser to earn the 26-24 win.
“Our girls have confidence when were down to not give up and keep pushing.” Jones said. “That was probably the turning point, for sure.”
LCS struggled in all facets early in the fourth set and fell behind 14-6. Several service errors by Hillsdale Academy accounted for most of the Cougars’ points early in the set.
“I think we just came out flat,” Lenawee Christian senior Montanna Ashline said. “They just came out more aggressive than we did.”
The Cougars didn’t mount a significant threat in the set until they trailed 24-12. With senior Tenille Marowelli serving and Ashline playing strong at the net, the Cougars strung together several points. Hillsdale Academy eventually secured the 25-18 win and the district title.
The way the set ended left Ashline wishing that’s the way the Cougars would have played from the start.
“I think that we would have went to a fifth game if we started the way we finished,” Ashline said.
But that wasn’t the case as the early deficit and the fourth set and the uncommon mistakes throughout the match led to the season-ending loss for the Cougars.
“We dug ourselves into a hole and they didn’t let up on the pressure, which they shouldn’t have,” Howard said. “Kids who normally don’t make mistakes made mistakes, and what are you going to do when that happens?”
Saints have something to prove
Siena Heights senior Courtney Smith goes up for a dunk during a WHAC game last season. Smith is one of 13 upperclassmen that will try to lead the Saints to their first winning season since 2005-06. (Telegram file photo)
By Brian Calloway
Daily Telegram Sports Editor
ADRIAN, Mich. – Progress has been made by the Siena Heights men’s basketball program each of the past two seasons, but senior guard Cory Umfress knows things can be even better.
The Saints will try to take another step forward and emerge as contenders for the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference title this season. A roster full of experienced players will look to help Siena put together its first winning season since 2005-06.
“We feel like we have a pretty good chance to put Siena back on the map and get things going again and hopefully get to the tournament,” Siena Heights senior forward Courtney Smith said. “That’s what we’ve been working for.”
The Saints had a five-win improvement last season, ending the year with a 15-16 record. A 3-10 record in games decided by less than five points prevented Siena from taking a bigger step forward last season. Finishing games is one of the top priorities for the Saints this year.
“In a sense we have a lot to prove,” Smith said. “As far as the season goes last year, we knew we could compete and there were games we should have won and teams we should have beat. You know, I guess that’s the way the dice rolls and we’re going to learn from it, get better from it and prove ourselves this season. Everybody is on the same page as far as that goes so that helps us out a lot. Everyone is pumped to win.”
Umfress agreed and believes doing the little things will help change the Saints’ fortunes this season.
“We definitely have got to do the little things like focusing in timeouts, focusing in the film room and play games from the start,” Umfress said.
“Coach (Al Sandifer) thought that one of our main weaknesses last year was not paying enough attention in the film room and preparing ourselves mentally before the game. As far as that, we’re always doing situational things in practice. In the film room, you can tell from the guys that we have, that we’re all focusing and we know that’s just as serious as practice.”
The Saints will be aiming to improve on last year’s fifth-place finish in the WHAC. Siena’s roster has 13 upperclassmen and 15 of the 16 players on the varsity squad were a part of the program last year. The experience returning has Sandifer optimistic about the season.
“The only new player is (transfer) Jonathon Jones and the other 15 players were all with us last year,” said Sandifer, who is entering his third full season as Siena’s coach. “It’s made it a lot better and the kids know what to expect. The experience has meant a lot and its something we haven’t had in the last few years. We’re a lot further along than we were at this point last year, and I hope it pays off.”
Despite having 15 returners, the Saints do have to replace their top two scorers from last season in All-WHAC performers Curtis Stephens (14.2 points per game) and Brian Champine (12.5 points per game, 6.1 rebound per game).
Junior guard Mark Snipes averaged 7.9 points last season and is Siena’s leading returning scorer. Senior guard/forward Sean Nowaczyk averaged 6.8 points, while Smith poured in 6.7 points and a team-leading 6.4 rebounds per game last winter. In addition to those three, Sandifer believes several others are capable of providing the Saints with scoring.
“I think we’ll have some balance and there will not be one player we point to,” Sandifer said. “We’ve got several players who are capable and someone will emerge. I’m not sure who that will, but someone will.”
Siena Heights will have a chance to prove itself early as it opens the season against several teams who were ranked or received votes in the NAIA top-25 poll. The Saints will face No. 9-ranked Indiana Wesleyan, No. 14 Embry Riddle, No. 23 St. Francis and honorable mention-ranked teams Northwestern Ohio, Notre Dame College and Spring Arbor during their non-conference schedule.
With all the returning players in the program, the Saints believe they can have success in the non-conference portion of the schedule and challenge for a WHAC title. Siena was picked to finish fifth in the league’s preseason poll.
“We’ve had the same people for three years and now we just have to put it together,” Umfress said. “I don’t think it would be a surprise (if we contended for a WHAC title). I think they would definitely be like OK and kind of like …”
“They’re back.” Smith chimed in.
Completing the puzzle
Adrian College’s Shawn Skelly (20) gains control of the puck as Eric Miller (7) trails the play during an exhibition game last season. The duo combined for 48 goals and 68 assists last season, while helping Adrian to a 27-1-1 record. (Telegram file photo)
By Brian Calloway
This season the Bulldogs control their fate.
With the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament for the first time this season, all Adrian has to do is win the Harris Cup to get a shot at competing for a national title.
“I believe we have the team (to win a national title) there’s no question,” Adrian coach Ron Fogarty said. “I think that the pieces of the puzzle are in place. I think they’ve been in place the last two years. The difference is we have an opportunity to control our destiny.”
The Bulldogs had the best record in Division III each of the past two seasons only to get denied a spot in the NCAA tournament. Knowing they will have an opportunity to compete in the NCAA tournament by taking care of business on the ice is refreshing to Adrian.
“(Knowing we can get in the tournament) kind of takes the pressure off, but at the same time we’re a very determined team,” said Adrian junior goaltender Brad Fogal, who went 25-1-1 and had a .928 save percentage last year. “Nothing is going to change our goals for this year. Just because we can win the (MCHA) tournament and move on doesn’t mean we don’t want to win every game. That’s still our goal day in and day out. That’s just the makeup of the team and how the guys feel in the dressing room.”
Junior forward Eric Miller, who ranked second in the nation with 2.08 points per game last winter, agreed.
“Nobody wants to lose and our goal is not to lose,” Miller said.
Adrian, which went 27-1-1 last winter and is ranked No. 6 in the United States College Hockey Online preseason poll, has its sights set on completing the puzzle with a national title this season. Finishing as the top team in Division III has been a vision for the Bulldogs since their inaugural season two years ago.
Adrian won the MCHA regular season and tournament titles during each of its first two seasons, while compiling a 53-4-1 record. They are once again the favorites to win the league title.
With a bulk of their team returning, the Bulldogs will try for a three-peat in the MCHA. Adrian lost senior leader Adam Krug (22 goals, 30 assists in 2008-09) to graduation, but returns a large portion of its offensive firepower in junior forwards Shawn Skelly and Miller. Skelly and Miller helped the Bulldogs have the nation’s best power play (35.9 percent) and top scoring offense (6.52 goals per game) last season.
Skelly led the nation in goals (30) and points per game (2.4) last year en route to being named the MCHA Player of the Year and First Team All-West Region by USCHO.com. Miller led the team with 40 goals in the 2007-08 season, and had 18 goals and 33 assists last winter.
“They are two special players that we are very fortunate to have around for a couple more years,” Fogarty said. “They are difference makers and you have to have a couple on your team each year in order to win championships. We’re fortunate to have two guys that can change a game with one shot. We have a lot of guys that have been a point a game guys for us that will have an opportunity to step up offensively. I believe it will help take a load off those guys.”
The Bulldogs also ranked second in the nation in scoring defense last winter, limiting opponents to 1.69 goals per game. Junior defensemen Jeremy Klaver, Chris Stansik, Quinn Waller and Bobby Hineman played roles in that success, while Fogal had a strong season between the pipes. Stansik, Waller and Fogal each earned All-MCHA recognition last winter.
While the end goal is a national title, Adrian knows it will have to take each game as it comes and make improvements throughout the season.
“Now since we have the automatic qualifier, I think it’s just like a building process for the 25 games during the season until the playoffs to work at everything and get to the best we can be,” Skelly said. “We obviously know we can play with the best of the best. It’s just getting that opportunity is what we’ve been trying to do for the last two years. This year we have a good opportunity to do that.”
Adrian will travel to face the United States National Developmental team at 7 p.m. Saturday before opening the regular season on the road against MCHA rival Marian on Nov. 6. The Bulldogs ended last year with 26 straight victories and will try to extend that streak.
“We’ve had two phenomenal seasons but those are over now,” Skelly said. There is one goal this year and that is to go play the best we can each game and go game-by-game. At the end of the season we want to be skating around the ice with a national championship trophy.”
Bulldogs hope to make noise in NCHA
By Brian Calloway
Daily Telegram Sports Editor
ADRIAN, Mich. – After finishing .500 in its inaugural season, the Adrian College women’s hockey team made strides last winter under rookie coach Melissa Lomanto.
The Bulldogs won 18 games and proved they could compete with the best in Division III, knocking off several ranked teams along the way. Adrian finished the season winning 10 of its final 11 games en route to finishing its second year of competition 18-6-1. With a majority of their team returning for this season, the Bulldogs hope to piece together another strong winter.
Adrian junior Stacey Kempson is one of several key returning players for the Bulldogs. Kempson had a team-high 37 points last season. (Telegram file photo)
“Definitely (we would like to carry the momentum into this year),” said second-year Adrian coach Melissa Lomanto, who helped the Bulldogs to a seven-win improvement last winter. “We had a strong finish at the end of last year and lost two games in the second semester. The kids are in great shape and have been working hard. This year we’re way ahead of where we were last year at this time. Everyone that is back knows the expectations.”
The Bulldogs return senior goaltender Dana Timm and their top three scorers from last year’s squad in juniors Stacey Kempson (37 points) and Jessica Grubbs (36 points) and sophomore Brooke Zaleski (20 points). Timm was 17-6-1 between the pipes last season while finishing third in the nation with a .946 save percentage.
Kempson had 18 goals and 19 assists and ranked fourth in the nation with 1.54 points per game. Grubbs led the nation with 25 goals and eight game-winning goals and also added 11 assists. Zaleski had six goals and 14 assists during her freshman season.
Kempson, Grubbs and Zaleski accounted for 58.3 percent of Adrian’s goals last season.
“Timm already is playing like a rock right now and working hard,” Lomanto said. “We lost a few kids out of the lineup, but I think we’re still going to be all right. Our top line of Kempson, Grubbs and Zaleski is already playing well. They are probably one of the strongest lines in Division III hockey.”
Those four players will try to help the Bulldogs to success in their inaugural season in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association. Adrian, which was picked to finish third in the league’s preseason poll, went 10-3-1 against NCHA teams last season and 3-1 against teams that were in the NCAA tournament.
The Bulldogs, who were an independent each of the last two seasons, hope to challenge for a league title and earn the NCHA’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
“(The fact that we’re in a league) is huge, but we’re focusing on right now and taking one game at a time,” Lomanto said. “The focus is on Neumann on Friday. We’re only taking baby steps and hoping it all adds up. If we do our job all year, it will pay off at the end.”
Adrian opens its season tonight at Neumann and will play its first six games on the road. The Bulldogs have just nine home games this winter and will host Chatman in their home opener on Nov. 29.
Krauss in charge of Albion offense
(Albion College/Dave Trumpie photo) Albion College freshman quarterback Spencer Krauss throws a pass during the Britons’ 20-0 MIAA victory over Olivet on Oct. 3.
By Brian Calloway
Daily Telegram Sports Editor
ALBION, Mich. – Spencer Krauss saw his opportunity and took advantage.
With the Albion College football team struggling offensively during its first two games, the redshirt freshman quarterback was called on to give the Britons a spark. Krauss (Clinton High School) did just that, helping Albion score its first touchdown of the season in the final quarter of a 20-10 loss to Thiel (Pa.) in Week 2. Since then he has been the starter for the Britons.
“I got a shot in the second game of the season, and they threw me in and I did well,” said Krauss, who sat out in 2008 while rehabilitating from a knee surgery he had in the fall of 2007. “It was my first opportunity to play Division III football and I was real excited when they told me I was going in. I knew it was an opportunity that if I did well, I’d have a chance to see more playing time.”
In three starts this season, Krauss has led Albion to a 1-2 record. He helped the Britons knock off Olivet 20-0 for their first victory of the season earlier this month. Krauss has completed 57 of 110 passes for 530 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in four games this fall for Albion (1-4, 1-1 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association). The Britons have averaged 13 points in Krauss’ starts.
| Who: Albion (1-4, 1-1 MIAA) at Adrian (3-2, 1-0 MIAA) |
| When/Where: 1 p.m., Performance Stadium |
| Last Meeting: Adrian won 28-6 in 2008. |
| All-time series: Albion leads 52-26-1 |
| Last week: Adrian is coming off its bye week, while Albion suffered a 14-6 loss to Hope last Saturday |
After sitting out last season, Krauss faced an uphill climb in his quest to become the starter. Returning quarterbacks Tom Fusee and Alex Harris both started games for the Britons last season and already had a handle of the offense.
“We’ve got a lot of good quarterbacks around and I knew it was going to be tough to try to earn a spot,” Krauss said. “… We had three quarterbacks fighting for the same spot. (With me sitting out last year) it showed real early and I struggled. I think the coaches decided that if I played it was going to be a gradual process. It’s been a heck of a learning experience and I’ve learned a lot over the past month.”
Albion coach Craig Rundle has been impressed with Krauss and believes he is making improvements every week.
“He’s got a strong arm, a big-time arm, which is good,” Rundle said. “He is still working on his mechanics and being more patient in the pocket. He has good awareness, especially for a guy that has played as little as he has. He wasn’t a drop back passer in high school and he has been getting used to that.
“ … I think he’s gotten better each week. Basically he’s a freshman quarterback and has only played three games. He’s getting better each week in terms of understanding the offense and reading defenses.”
Krauss knows he will have to continue to make improvements, especially heading into Saturday’s MIAA contest against Adrian College.
“Obviously we need to improve tremendously this week to have a shot against the very physical and diverse Adrian defense,” Krauss said. “I’m really excited (for the game). Adrian is a great school and has great facilities. It’s going to be exciting and I hope we can put on a good show for everyone.”
LCAA rivals to clash
Blissfield’s Cody Spotts avoids an Onsted player as he rushes for a gain during last year’s contest between the LCAA rivals. Blissfield and Onsted enter tonight’s key LCAA contest with identical 4-1 records.
By Brian Calloway
Daily Telegram Sports Editor
BLISSFIELD, Mich. – The Blissfield and Onsted High School football teams have controlled the Lenawee County Athletic Association recently.
The two schools have combined to win the last four LCAA titles and are both still in the hunt to win a league championship this season.
With Hudson still perfect in LCAA play, both teams will need to win out and receive help in order to have a chance at claiming their third league crown in five years. One team will be eliminated from title contention tonight when Onsted (4-1, 2-1 LCAA) travels to face Blissfield (4-1, 2-1) in a key LCAA tilt.
The Royals and Wildcats are tied for second in the league standings and are a game behind Hudson with two league contests remaining.
“(This game) is very important because we’ve already lost one,” Blissfield coach Ron Estes said. “If we have any aspirations to get to the playoffs and have as good of a year as we think we can, every game is important.
“… (Onsted) is in the same boat we’re in and we’re looking forward to (the game).”
| Onsted and Blissfield have split their last six meetings against each other. The winner of the contest has gone on to win the LCAA title the past four seasons. Here is a look at the recent history between the league rivals. |
| Year — Final score 2008 — Onsted 33, Blissfield 14 2007 — Blissfield 18, Onsted 10 2006 — Onsted 27, Blissfield 6 2005 — Blissfield 16, Onsted 13 2004 — Onsted 25, Blissfield 17 2003 — Blissfield 35, Onsted 10 |
Since 2003, Blissfield and Onsted have split their six meetings with the teams alternating wins. Onsted defeated Blissfield 33-14 in Week 6 last season en route to winning the LCAA title. In 2007, Blissfield defeated the Wildcats 18-10 in double overtime.
“We’ve had some good battles the past five years, and some back-and-forth games,” Onsted coach Dan Terryberry said. “We know we’re going to have to come out and play our best to beat Blissfield.”
Onsted, which received votes in the latest Division 5 state poll, has won two straight since suffering a 30-26 loss to Hudson in Week 3. The Wildcats defeated Ida 21-13 in Week 4, and Erie Mason 49-20 last Friday.
“(Hudson) was a tough loss for us,” Terryberry said. “Give our team another minute and maybe we go down and score. I thought that was our best game still, even though we lost. We started slow against Hudson and can’t afford to do that against Blissfield.”
Blissfield, which is trying to win its first LCAA title since 2007, received votes in this week’s Division 6 state poll. The Royals rebounded from their 35-30 loss in Week 4 to Hudson with a 14-0 victory over Ida last week. Junior quarterback Eric Schmidt returned to the Royal lineup last week after missing the previous two games with an injury.
While the offense was out of sync against Ida, Estes was pleased with the way the defense performed.
“Defensively we really came back (from the loss to Hudson),” Estes said. “I think we forced Ida to punt six or seven times. I’m really pleased with how we played defensively. We’re not used to losing a lot of games, so when you do, that’s always a real test (to see how you respond).”
Erie Mason at Hudson: Division 7 No. 4-ranked Hudson can clinch a share of the LCAA title by beating winless Erie Mason tonight. With a win, the Tigers (5-0, 3-0 LCAA) can secure a spot in the state playoffs and earn their first league crown since 2004.
Adrian at Ypsilanti Lincoln: With a victory over Ypsilanti Lincoln, the Division 3 No. 8-ranked Maples can clinch a share of the Southeastern Conference White Division title. Adrian (4-1, 3-0 SEC White) took sole possession of first-place after its 43-19 win over Ypsilanti. Lincoln (2-3, 2-1) was tied with the Maples for first place but suffered a 49-9 loss to Chelsea last week.
Chelsea at Tecumseh: The Indians will try to stay in the hunt for the SEC White title when they host Chelsea in their homecoming game. Tecumseh (2-3, 2-1 SEC White) has won two straight (beaten Ypsilanti and Dexter) since opening the season with three straight losses. Chelsea (4-1, 2-1) will try to avenge last year’s 28-26 Week 8 loss to the Indians.
Vandercook Lake at Addison: The Panthers are in a three-way tie with East Jackson and Grass Lake for second place in the Cascades Conference. Addison (3-2, 3-1 Cascades) will try to rebound from last week’s loss to Manchester tonight against Vandercook Lake. The Jayhawks’ last win over Addison came in 1996.
Clinton at Madison: Clinton will look to remain perfect in the Tri-County Conference when it faces Madison tonight. The Redskins (4-1, 3-0 TCC) rolled to a 40-8 win over Whiteford last week to stay unbeaten in the league. Madison (3-2, 1-2) overcame a 27-0 deficit to record a 40-33 win over Morenci last week.
Summerfield at Morenci: Summerfield can clinch a playoff spot by defeating Morenci in today’s TCC tilt. Summerfield (5-0, 3-0 TCC) has won two of its three league games by five points or less — including last week’s 40-35 win over Sand Creek. Morenci (2-3, 1-2) has lost two straight TCC games by less than seven points.
Britton-Deerfield at Whiteford: The Patriots have lost three straight since opening the season with two straight wins. Britton-Deerfield (2-3, 0-3 TCC) will try to get its first league victory tonight against Whiteford (3-2, 2-1). Both teams are coming off losses as BD fell to Whitmore Lake and Whiteford lost to Clinton last week.
Sand Creek at Whitmore Lake: Off to their worst start in three decades, the Aggies (1-4, 0-3 TCC) will try to get its first league win tonight against Whitmore Lake. Sand Creek suffered a 40-35 loss to Summerfield last week, while Whitmore Lake (4-1, 2-1) defeated Britton-Deerfield 25-6.
Detroit Urban Lutheran at Lenawee Christian: The Cougars (2-3) will look to halt a two-game losing streak when they face Detroit Urban Lutheran (1-4) in their homecoming contest on Saturday afternoon. Urban Lutheran earned its first victory last week when it defeated Marine City Cardinal Mooney 16-14. LCS suffered a loss to New Lothrop last week.
Storm stun Adrian
Lake Erie overcomes 21-0 deficit to record overtime victory over Bulldogs.
By Brian Calloway
Daily Telegram Sports Editor
ADRIAN, Mich. – Sean Bedevelsky torched the Adrian College football team with his arm for most of Saturday night, but it was his legs that capped a come-from-behind victory.
The Lake Erie sophomore quarterback’s 1 1/2-yard run for a 2-point conversion in overtime propelled the Storm to a 29-28 victory over Adrian College and spoiled the homecoming festivities at the Multi-sport Performance Stadium.
Adrian College junior running back Myke Johnson encounters Lake Erie defensive back Aaron Gaines in the second quarter of Saturday’s non-league game. The Bulldogs suffered a heartbreaking 29-28 overtime loss in their annual homecoming contest. (Daily Telegram photo by Andrea Ellis)
Bedevelsky converted the conversion on a broken play to help the Storm earn the win.
“It was supposed to be a stretch play to the right, but it was a broken play since I fumbled the snap,” said Bedevelsky, who wound up sprinting to the left corner of the end zone. “Sometimes broken plays are the best plays. Once I saw the end zone, I knew I had to get there.”
Adrian (2-2) had possession first in overtime and had its three-play drive capped by Jared Edwards’ 5-yard run. Bedevelsky ran for a 20-yard score on Lake Erie’s overtime possession and the Storm originally kicked the extra point to knot the score at 28. A roughing the kicker penalty on Adrian gave the Storm another shot and they elected to go for the victory.
The penalty was one of many missed opportunities or miscues that cost Adrian, which had a 21-0 lead early in the third quarter.
“It was a great effort and I’m proud of our kids, but disappointed we came up short,” Adrian College coach Jim Lyall said. “ … We made too many mistakes to beat a good team.
“In a game of this nature, you can’t afford to make too many mistakes.”
Despite giving up 21 unanswered points over the final two quarters, the Bulldogs had a chance to win the game in the closing seconds. The Bulldogs drove 52 yards over the final half minute with Mike McGee’s 32-yard pass helping to set up a 29-yard field goal attempt by Zach Scoville with six seconds remaining. The kick was blocked by Lake Erie’s Josh Freeman, sending the contest to overtime.
Adrian scored in the opening and final minute of the second quarter to hold a 14-0 lead at the intermission. Joe Beehler caught a 5-yard pass from McGee to start the scoring, before Adrian struck again just before the half when Jackson Hanks scored on a 7-yard shovel pass.
The Bulldog defense recovered a fumble on Lake Erie’s opening drive in the second half and converted it to a score. Hanks, who had a career-high five catches for 68 yards, scored his second touchdown when he avoided going down when stacked up by the defense and pulled away for the 31-yard score.
Adrian wouldn’t score again until the overtime and Lake Erie began its comeback led by Bedevelsky, who had 296 yards passing and ran for 53 yards. He started the comeback when he threw a 12-yard TD pass to Demetrius Gray midway through the third quarter. The Storm scored again with a little more than five minutes left in the fourth on Tony Howard’s 2-yard run.
After the Bulldogs intercepted a pass near the goal line and failed to run out the clock, Lake Erie got another chance and capitalized. Bedevelsky threw a 45-yard touchdown to Dave Romeo with 32 seconds left in the fourth to complete the comeback.
“That was probably the eighth time we ran that play,” Bedevelsky said. “(Adrian) is good up front and in the middle, but we kept finding holes in the middle of their secondary.”
McGee completed 21 of 28 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns, while Beehler had seven catches for 62 yards to lead Adrian offensively.
The Bulldogs will try to rebound next week when they travel to Kalamazoo to open Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play.
“We don’t have a choice,” Lyall said. “Next Saturday will be here before you know it, and we have to get ready for a real good Kalamazoo team. It’s a tough loss, but we’ll get it going. We’ll get back to it.”
NOTES
- Adrian freshman fullback Derek Shell (Onsted) had the first reception of his career.
- Lake Erie improved to a 2-0 in overtime.
- In the pre-game ceremony, Todd Meyers (baseball), Troy Niblock (football) and Krissy Sheets (softball) were honored as Adrian’s top senior athletes for the 2008-09 school year.
McGee off to strong start for Bulldogs
By Brian Calloway
Daily Telegram Sports Editor
ADRIAN, Mich. – All summer, Adrian College offensive coordinator Jeff Hancock emphasized to quarterback Mike McGee the importance of putting everything together.
With two years under his belt in the Bulldog offense, Hancock knew this fall needed to be a big one for the junior signal caller.
So far, McGee has answered the call and gotten off to a strong start for Adrian. He has been the most efficient passer in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association through the first third of the season and is on pace to have a career year.
“We had veteran guys that he has thrown to before and I expected him to be like this at this point of his career,” Hancock said. “He has had two years to learn and it’s time for him to step up.”
Adrian College quarterback Mike McGee fires a pass during a game against Capital on Sept. 5. McGee has thrown for 782 yards and six TDs this fall.
With the ground game struggling the first two weeks, McGee stepped up and set career-highs for passing yards in the first two games of the season. He set a career-mark with 305 yards passing during Adrian’s season opening loss to Capital. McGee then exceeded that mark when he passed for 318 yards and three touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 31-16 win against Defiance.
“I owe it all to my o-line,” said McGee, who transferred to Adrian from Ohio University in 2007. “They’ve been blocking great and giving me enough time back there to be able to make my progressions. With two years in the offense, I pretty much know a lot so that helps me to get to these heights. So I want to thank my o-line, my teammates and my coaches for putting us in the right position to get these stats and win games.”
| Who: Lake Erie College (2-2) at Adrian College (2-1) |
| When/Where: 6:30 p.m., Multi-sport Performance Stadium |
| Last Meeting: Adrian won 37-17 in 2008. |
| All-time series: Adrian leads 1-0 |
| Last week: Adrian rolled to a 41-7 road victory over Bluffton, while Lake Erie recorded a 31-21 win over Saint Joseph’s College (Ind.) |
McGee, who has completed 49 of 83 passes for 782 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions, has spread the ball to 10 different receivers this season. Half of those receivers have caught touchdown passes from McGee. He ranks 30th nationally with a passing efficiency of 157.21.
“Mike understands our offensive scheme and what the defenses are trying to do,” Lyall said. “Because of that, he knows where the weaknesses are.
“… He’s very accurate and naturally he’s pretty calm. Because of that, he doesn’t allow situations of the game to rattle him.”
McGee will look to continue his strong start when the Bulldogs host Division II school Lake Erie College at 6:30 p.m. today in their homecoming game. Adrian had its best performance of the season in all facets in a 41-7 victory over Bluffton last week. The Bulldog ground game ended its early season struggles with 241 rushing yards, while Adrian also picked up 216 yards through the air.
Adrian’s defense didn’t surrender any points to Bluffton (the Beavers’ scored on a kick return) and forced five turnovers (three fumbles, two interceptions).
“We definitely have a tremendous amount of speed on defense,” Lyall said. “It starts right up front. When you have people that are mobile and are able to line them up on your defensive front, it puts opposing quarterbacks under a lot of pressure.”
Lake Erie, a second-year varsity program, will be looking to move above .500 and avenge last year’s 37-17 loss to Adrian. The Storm (2-2) recorded a 31-21 victory over Saint Joseph’s College (Ind.) last week. Lyall is wary of Lake Erie’s offense, which averages 209.5 yards on the ground and 180.8 yards through the air. Quarterback Sean Bedevelsky (698 yards passing, four TDs, 114 yards rushing, three TDs) and Tony Howard (320 yards rushing, 4 TDs) lead the Storm’s offensive attack.
Adrian’s defense hasn’t allowed any points in seven of its last eight quarters and Lyall expects the unit to be in position to limit Lake Erie’s top players.
“I feel confident that coach (Jim) Deere will put our defense in the positions we need to be in order to make plays,” Lyall said. “Now it’s a matter of going out, enjoying the game and executing.”
Davis steps up for Bears
“It was a great feeling for me to finally get some meaningful snaps, and to get out there and have a chance to make some plays,” said Davis, a former Michigan State player who was selected by the Bears in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL draft.
Chicago Bears tight end Kellen Davis (Adrian High School) scores on a pass from quarterback Jay Cutler in the second quarter of Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Associated Press)
Davis, who is 6-foot-7 and 262 pounds, had no catches and registered four tackles while mainly playing on special teams during his rookie season. With veteran tight end Desmond Clark out with a rib injury, Davis finally got the opportunity he had been waiting to receive. Davis took full advantage of his chance to get on the field as he finished with five catches for 38 yards in Sunday’s win.
“Most definitely (the NFL is a league where you have to take advantage of your opportunities),” Davis said. “It was unfortunate what happened to Desmond, but I had to step up. It’s my job to come in and step up so it was pretty simple.”
With the Bears trailing 7-0, Davis caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Jay Cutler with 19 seconds left in the second quarter that helped tie the game.
“Of course I was excited to get my first touchdown,” Davis said. “I was a lot more excited than I thought I would be.”
Pittsburgh regained the lead in the third quarter before Chicago rallied for the win with 10 points in the fourth quarter. Davis had an 8-yard reception that put the Bears into the red zone and helped set up rookie Johnny Knox’s touchdown that tied the game at 14. Kicker Robbie Gould made the game-winning field goal with 15 seconds left.
“(Getting this win) was a big step for us as a team,” Davis said. “Just to rebound from the loss we had up there (in Green Bay), it was really big for us to come back and get this win. It’s definitely a great start to the season.”
With Clark likely out a few more weeks, Davis hopes to build on his performance and continue to show the coaches he is capable of making plays.
“I feel this is the first step of many to be starting my career,” Davis said. “… This is just a stepping stone and we need to take it to the next level — both me personally and as a team.”
