2015 Week 8 Football Playoff Listing
October 13, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Here is a list of Michigan High School Athletic Association football playing schools, displaying their win-loss records and playoff averages through the seventh week of the season.
Schools on this list are in enrollment order for 11-player teams, with 8-player teams ordered by playoff average. An asterisk (*) beside a record indicates a team has eight or fewer games scheduled. A caret (^) beside a school’s name indicates a team is one win away from playoff qualification.
Those schools with 11-player teams with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules, or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer, will qualify for the MHSAA Football Playoffs beginning Oct. 30. Schools with 5-4, 4-3 or 4-4 records may qualify if the number of potential qualifiers by win total does not reach the 256 mark. Schools with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer may be subtracted from the field based on playoff average if the number of potential qualifiers exceeds the 256 mark.
Once the 256 qualifying schools are determined, they will be divided by enrollment groups into eight equal divisions of 32 schools, and then drawn into regions of eight teams each and districts of four teams each. Those schools with 8-player teams will be ranked by playoff average at season’s end, and the top 16 programs will be drawn into regions of eight teams each for the playoff in that division, which also begins Oct. 30.
To review a list of all football playoff schools, individual school playoff point details and to report errors, visit the Football page of the MHSAA Website.
The announcement of the qualifiers and first-round pairings for both the 11 and 8-player playoffs will take place at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 on the Selection Sunday Show on FOX Sports Detroit. The playoff qualifiers and pairings will be posted to the MHSAA Website following the Selection Sunday Show.
11-Player Playoff Listing
1. Macomb Dakota ^, 2921, 5-2, 79.143
2. Grand Blanc, 2727, 4-3, 57.429
3. Clarkston ^, 2707, 5-2, 70.000
4. Utica Eisenhower, 2669, 4-3, 68.143
5. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 2634, 6-1, 90.857
6. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley ^, 2611, 5-2, 82.143
7. East Kentwood ^, 2581, 5-2, 77.571
8. Howell ^, 2567, 5-2, 70.857
9. Rockford, 2561, 4-3, 64.000
10. Dearborn Fordson, 2477, 4-3, 56.571
11. Detroit Cass Tech, 2285, 6-1, 88.857
12. Northville, 2281, 7-0, 100.571
13. Brighton, 2211, 6-1, 89.714
14. Troy Athens, 2153, 4-3, 57.714
15. Detroit Catholic Central ^, 2138, 5-2, 69.095
16. Utica Ford ^, 2080, 5-2, 77.000
17. Canton ^, 2076, 5-2, 74.286
18. Lapeer, 2059, 7-0, 96.000
19. Plymouth, 2057, 6-1, 87.286
20. Ann Arbor Pioneer, 2025, 6-1, 87.714
21. Hartland ^, 2017, 5-2, 76.571
22. West Bloomfield, 1932, 7-0, 101.714
23. Dearborn, 1921, 4-3, 52.429
24. Saline *, 1879, 7-0, 101.714
25. Livonia Stevenson, 1831, 6-1, 90.000
26. Grandville, 1825, 4-3, 54.286
27. Warren Mott ^, 1810, 5-2, 74.429
28. Holt ^, 1788, 5-2, 64.000
29. Davison, 1765, 4-3, 55.429
30. Hudsonville, 1763, 6-1, 93.000
31. Belleville, 1735, 6-1, 87.143
32. Romeo, 1673, 7-0, 106.286
33. Grand Ledge, 1663, 7-0, 91.429
34. Waterford Mott, 1651, 4-3, 54.286
35. Grosse Pointe South ^, 1629, 5-2, 74.286
36. Livonia Churchill, 1620, 4-3, 54.429
37. Livonia Franklin, 1615, 4-3, 53.429
38. Walled Lake Northern ^, 1611, 5-2, 71.286
39. Warren DeLaSalle, 1572, 6-1, 92.857
40. Sterling Heights ^, 1561, 5-2, 67.429
41. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1537, 7-0, 105.143
42. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1533, 4-3, 53.143
43. Oak Park, 1530, 4-3, 56.857
44. Warren Cousino, 1514, 4-3, 53.571
45. Detroit U-D Jesuit, 1486, 4-3, 56.095
46. Traverse City Central, 1474, 7-0, 105.524
47. Walled Lake Western, 1462, 7-0, 107.429
48. Midland, 1419, 6-1, 86.571
49. Dearborn Edsel Ford, 1380, 4-3, 52.857
50. Lincoln Park ^, 1363, 5-2, 68.286
51. Portage Central, 1351, 7-0, 101.714
52. Wyandotte Roosevelt ^, 1346, 5-2, 73.286
53. Battle Creek Lakeview ^, 1344, 5-2, 72.000
54. Grosse Pointe North, 1341, 4-3, 55.286
55. Detroit East English ^, 1338, 5-2, 67.857
56. Swartz Creek, 1322, 4-3, 58.286
57. Southfield-Lathrup ^, 1320, 5-2, 61.857
58. Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills, 1280, 4-3, 53.143
59. Southfield ^, 1269, 5-2, 72.286
60. North Farmington, 1267, 4-3, 53.714
61. Port Huron Northern, 1260, 4-3, 57.556
62. Midland Dow, 1256, 6-1, 82.857
63. Royal Oak, 1248, 4-3, 50.429
64. Berkley ^, 1248, 5-2, 64.143
65. Birmingham Groves, 1248, 7-0, 94.857
66. Jackson ^, 1244, 5-2, 59.571
67. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1239, 7-0, 101.714
68. Farmington Hills Harrison, 1218, 6-1, 88.571
69. Farmington, 1176, 4-3, 58.857
70. Mattawan, 1175, 4-3, 55.571
71. Lowell, 1168, 6-1, 90.000
72. Gibraltar Carlson ^, 1140, 5-2, 65.286
73. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1124, 6-1, 86.286
74. East Lansing, 1123, 4-3, 54.286
75. Muskegon, 1113, 6-1, 95.429
76. Fenton, 1108, 6-1, 89.571
77. Ypsilanti Community, 1088, 4-3, 55.000
78. Byron Center ^, 1070, 5-2, 69.000
79. Holly, 1068, 4-3, 60.143
80. Redford Thurston, 1064, 4-3, 56.857
81. Mt. Pleasant ^, 1061, 5-2, 69.000
82. Ortonville-Brandon, 1060, 4-3, 56.714
83. Allen Park, 1058, 6-1, 88.571
84. St. Johns ^, 1053, 5-2, 75.857
85. Zeeland East, 1040, 4-3, 68.571
86. Mason ^, 1033, 5-2, 65.429
87. Orchard Lake St. Mary's *, 1032, 6-1, 92.286
88. Hamtramck, 984, 4-3, 43.143
89. St. Joseph, 980, 6-1, 83.857
90. East Grand Rapids ^, 975, 5-2, 78.857
91. Petoskey ^, 970, 5-2, 68.762
92. DeWitt, 960, 7-0, 108.571
93. Romulus ^, 956, 5-2, 65.143
94. Trenton, 953, 6-1, 86.429
95. Linden, 947, 6-1, 88.857
96. Cedar Springs ^, 943, 5-2, 66.429
97. Gaylord ^, 940, 5-2, 58.762
98. Sturgis ^, 926, 5-2, 61.143
99. Riverview ^, 912, 5-2, 55.143
100. Grand Rapids Christian, 905, 4-3, 58.857
101. Parma Western, 876, 4-3, 51.286
102. Haslett, 875, 4-3, 58.000
103. Stevensville Lakeshore, 874, 4-3, 62.429
104. Warren Fitzgerald, 871, 4-3, 47.857
105. Fruitport, 865, 4-3, 46.238
106. Marshall, 863, 6-1, 82.000
107. Coldwater, 863, 7-0, 94.857
108. Vicksburg ^, 858, 5-2, 62.000
109. Edwardsburg, 851, 7-0, 86.857
110. Sault Ste. Marie ^, 850, 5-2, 69.952
111. Bay City John Glenn, 847, 4-3, 44.810
112. Chelsea, 845, 6-1, 73.571
113. Zeeland West, 840, 7-0, 98.286
114. Ada Forest Hills Eastern, 828, 7-0, 89.143
115. Dearborn Divine Child, 827, 4-3, 54.857
116. Milan ^, 820, 5-2, 66.714
117. Plainwell, 807, 4-3, 48.571
118. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 794, 7-0, 75.429
119. Marysville ^, 783, 5-2, 72.000
120. Goodrich ^, 754, 5-2, 63.952
121. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 728, 6-1, 87.429
122. Allendale, 720, 4-3, 45.286
123. Warren Lincoln, 697, 4-3, 43.571
124. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy ^, 692, 5-2, 57.714
125. Detroit Country Day, 685, 6-1, 77.000
126. Comstock Park ^, 682, 5-2, 67.714
127. Detroit Cesar Chavez Academy ^, 681, 5-2, 48.429
128. Croswell-Lexington ^, 668, 5-2, 54.143
129. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 668, 7-0, 85.714
130. Hudsonville Unity Christian ^, 665, 5-2, 57.143
131. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 658, 6-1, 85.143
132. Williamston, 657, 4-3, 52.143
133. Whitehall, 656, 4-3, 48.143
134. Corunna, 656, 6-1, 71.238
135. Alma, 642, 4-3, 46.429
136. Detroit Collegiate Prep, 632, 7-0, 81.333
137. Benton Harbor, 631, 4-3, 58.857
138. Lake Fenton, 625, 4-3, 48.952
139. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 624, 7-0, 76.571
140. Saginaw Swan Valley, 613, 4-3, 48.714
141. Dowagiac, 611, 4-3, 52.143
142. Flint Powers Catholic ^, 610, 5-2, 66.143
143. Big Rapids, 609, 4-3, 45.429
144. Richmond, 605, 6-1, 70.429
145. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 602, 4-3, 41.857
146. Remus Chippewa Hills, 600, 6-1, 72.429
147. River Rouge, 593, 6-1, 75.000
148. Clawson, 592, 4-3, 42.143
149. Birch Run, 583, 4-3, 46.571
150. Dearborn Heights Robichaud ^, 573, 5-2, 64.000
151. Gladwin, 571, 4-3, 41.143
152. Freeland, 563, 7-0, 90.286
153. Portland, 563, 7-0, 94.857
154. Essexville Garber, 557, 4-3, 46.714
155. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, 556, 4-3, 46.857
156. Detroit University Prep, 555, 4-3, 46.476
157. Southfield Bradford Academy, 550, 4-3, 39.286
158. Ida, 548, 7-0, 86.857
159. Kingsford ^, 547, 5-2, 64.000
160. Marine City, 540, 4-3, 52.571
161. Muskegon Oakridge, 538, 6-1, 65.524
162. Algonac, 532, 7-0, 84.571
163. Frankenmuth, 529, 7-0, 84.571
164. Olivet ^, 524, 5-2, 59.429
165. Chesaning, 523, 4-3, 47.286
166. Detroit Henry Ford ^, 523, 5-2, 53.571
167. Lansing Catholic, 517, 6-1, 71.714
168. Almont, 513, 6-1, 66.000
169. Onsted, 509, 4-3, 37.286
170. Detroit Central Collegiate ^, 508, 5-2, 53.429
171. Berrien Springs, 495, 7-0, 81.714
172. Parchment, 493, 4-3, 39.714
173. Stockbridge ^, 493, 5-2, 55.143
174. Ovid-Elsie ^, 491, 5-2, 62.286
175. Reed City, 491, 7-0, 76.000
176. Dundee, 489, 4-3, 39.429
177. Standish-Sterling, 489, 4-3, 42.286
178. Grayling ^, 489, 5-2, 56.286
179. Clinton Township Clintondale, 486, 4-3, 53.286
180. Menominee, 480, 7-0, 91.143
181. Harper Woods, 476, 4-3, 38.476
182. Manistee, 469, 6-1, 60.238
183. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 463, 6-1, 60.286
184. Buchanan, 459, 7-0, 80.000
185. Grand Rapids West Catholic ^, 442, 5-2, 67.714
186. Kalkaska, 437, 4-3, 40.571
187. Clare, 437, 4-3, 44.714
188. Kingsley, 431, 4-3, 39.571
189. Harrison ^, 430, 5-2, 51.429
190. Hillsdale ^, 430, 5-2, 55.286
191. Jackson Lumen Christi ^, 426, 5-2, 67.857
192. Warren Michigan Collegiate ^, 421, 5-2, 62.333
193. Calumet ^, 419, 5-2, 53.833
194. Lakeview, 417, 4-3, 39.286
195. Sanford Meridian Early College, 408, 7-0, 76.571
196. Detroit Pershing, 405, 4-3, 38.000
197. Ithaca, 402, 7-0, 78.857
198. Byron, 399, 4-3, 40.000
199. Delton Kellogg ^, 398, 5-2, 57.143
200. Millington, 398, 6-1, 75.143
201. Montague, 396, 7-0, 75.429
202. Burton Bendle, 393, 6-1, 61.429
203. Oscoda, 391, 4-3, 34.857
204. Detroit Edison Public School Academy ^, 390, 5-2, 44.429
205. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 389, 7-0, 91.429
206. Montrose, 386, 4-3, 42.857
207. Morley Stanwood ^, 386, 5-2, 50.429
208. Constantine, 385, 4-3, 47.857
209. Negaunee, 385, 6-1, 61.405
210. Maple City Glen Lake, 384, 4-3, 42.143
211. Boyne City, 383, 6-1, 67.143
212. Niles Brandywine ^, 380, 5-2, 42.143
213. Adrian Madison, 379, 4-3, 37.429
214. Vassar, 377, 6-1, 60.143
215. Mason County Central, 376, 4-3, 46.571
216. Laingsburg ^, 373, 5-2, 41.571
217. Watervliet, 372, 6-1, 69.429
218. Madison Heights Madison, 367, 6-1, 76.286
219. Manchester, 365, 6-1, 56.857
220. Schoolcraft, 357, 7-0, 78.857
221. Charlevoix ^, 350, 5-2, 47.000
222. Leroy Pine River, 349, 4-3, 43.857
223. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 345, 7-0, 78.857
224. Lawton ^, 342, 5-2, 48.143
225. Vandercook Lake, 341, 7-0, 67.429
226. Clinton, 335, 7-0, 73.143
227. Traverse City St. Francis, 320, 7-0, 83.810
228. Ishpeming Westwood, 315, 4-3, 44.048
229. Hesperia, 310, 7-0, 69.714
230. Sandusky, 310, 7-0, 72.000
231. Iron Mountain, 309, 4-3, 38.690
232. McBain ^, 307, 5-2, 56.429
233. Hartford, 305, 4-3, 44.429
234. Cass City ^, 304, 5-2, 44.429
235. Bridgman, 303, 6-1, 52.286
236. Gobles, 301, 4-3, 44.143
237. Union City, 298, 4-3, 36.571
238. Marlette, 298, 4-3, 38.143
239. Homer, 294, 6-1, 61.143
240. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, 292, 4-3, 37.000
241. Pewamo-Westphalia, 292, 7-0, 68.571
242. Flint Hamady, 291, 6-1, 55.762
243. Dansville, 289, 6-1, 52.286
244. Springport, 287, 4-3, 38.571
245. Saginaw Nouvel, 285, 6-1, 66.667
246. Riverview Gabriel Richard ^, 284, 5-2, 53.143
247. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett ^, 282, 5-2, 50.143
248. Harbor Springs, 281, 4-3, 32.571
249. Flint Beecher *, 278, 5-1, 67.762
250. Ishpeming *, 278, 6-0, 72.000
251. Carson City-Crystal, 277, 4-3, 32.571
252. Detroit Loyola ^, 276, 5-2, 65.429
253. New Lothrop, 276, 7-0, 75.429
254. Ubly ^, 271, 5-2, 48.286
255. Saugatuck, 271, 7-0, 65.143
256. Cassopolis ^, 270, 5-2, 50.857
257. Whittemore-Prescott, 267, 4-3, 41.000
258. Concord ^, 267, 5-2, 49.143
259. Decatur ^, 266, 5-2, 42.429
260. Lincoln Alcona ^, 265, 5-2, 38.857
261. Unionville-Sebewaing ^, 262, 5-2, 50.714
262. Detroit Allen Academy, 258, 4-3, 36.571
263. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 255, 6-1, 50.857
264. Indian River Inland Lakes, 251, 4-3, 32.714
265. Onekama, 250, 6-1, 45.286
266. Petersburg-Summerfield ^, 240, 5-2, 47.143
267. Beal City, 228, 6-1, 67.571
268. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 226, 6-1, 61.429
269. Merrill, 225, 4-3, 42.000
270. St. Ignace, 225, 7-0, 64.000
271. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 223, 6-1, 64.857
272. Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech, 219, 4-3, 44.714
273. Mayville, 217, 4-3, 31.429
274. L'Anse, 215, 4-3, 40.714
275. Pittsford, 211, 4-3, 34.143
276. Newberry ^, 211, 5-2, 44.500
277. Vestaburg ^, 205, 5-2, 37.429
278. Mendon, 200, 4-3, 39.857
279. Bark River-Harris ^, 194, 5-2, 45.655
280. Morenci ^, 191, 5-2, 50.714
281. Munising, 191, 6-1, 53.143
282. Central Lake ^, 189, 5-2, 38.143
283. Fowler, 183, 6-1, 48.714
284. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian ^, 178, 5-2, 50.286
285. Muskegon Catholic Central *, 177, 5-1, 66.619
286. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 170, 6-1, 44.667
287. Crystal Falls Forest Park *^, 163, 4-2, 39.417
288. Climax-Scotts, 163, 7-0, 54.095
289. Frankfort, 160, 6-1, 62.143
290. Waterford Our Lady, 157, 7-0, 78.857
291. Lake Linden-Hubbell, 155, 7-0, 68.000
292. Colon, 153, 4-3, 35.524
293. Hillman, 146, 6-1, 44.714
294. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 142, 4-3, 37.714
295. Bay City All Saints, 118, 4-3, 28.810
296. Clarkston Everest Collegiate, 113, 4-3, 40.000
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Posen, 84, 7-0, 60.571
2. Battle Creek St. Philip, 144, 7-0, 57.143
3. Owendale-Gagetown, 49, 7-0, 56.762
4. Powers North Central, 198, 7-0, 52.571
5. Morrice, 169, 6-1, 50.000
6. Deckerville, 178, 6-1, 47.000
7. Waldron, 88, 6-1, 46.571
8. Peck, 152, 6-1, 43.000
9. Cedarville, 144, 5-2, 40.286
10. Lawrence, 189, 6-1, 40.113
11. Rapid River, 111, 5-2, 40.000
12. Portland St. Patrick, 87, 6-1, 39.571
13. Stephenson, 186, 5-2, 37.857
14. Engadine, 85, 5-2, 36.714
15. New Haven Merritt Academy, 148, 5-2, 35.619
16. Pickford, 164, 4-3, 30.429
17. Onaway, 196, 4-3, 29.429
18. Bellaire, 134, 4-3, 28.571
19. Marion *, 145, 4-3, 28.048
20. Webberville, 184, 4-3, 26.286
21. Caseville, 91, 4-3, 24.476
22. Kinde-North Huron, 147, 3-4, 21.857
23. Akron-Fairgrove, 99, 3-4, 21.810
24. Kingston, 187, 3-4, 21.143
25. Tekonsha, 148, 3-4, 21.000
26. Baraga, 164, 3-4, 20.857
27. Ewen-Trout Creek, 126, 2-5, 14.714
28. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 190, 2-5, 14.405
29. Burr Oak, 75, 2-5, 13.143
30. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 108, 2-5, 12.714
31. Eben Junction Superior Central, 123, 1-6, 8.857
32. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 103, 1-6, 8.143
33. Hale *, 132, 1-5, 7.810
34. Ontonagon, 129, 1-6, 7.571
35. Pellston, 170, 1-6, 6.857
36. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 120, 0-7, 3.143
37. Litchfield, 92, 0-7, 3.143
38. Flint Michigan School For The Deaf *, 47, 0-6, 2.476
39. Covert *, 91, 0-5, 2.167
40. Brimley, 142, 0-7, 2.000</p">
Football Title Reflects Kingsley's Current Success, Recalls Loved Ones Passed
By
Tom Spencer
Special for MHSAA.com
December 1, 2023
Kingsley football fans have become pretty familiar with VIP parking for home games over the last couple of seasons.
They may just start looking for a Kingsley VIP lot at Ford Field. The Stags just captured the MHSAA Division 6 championship trophy with a 38-24 victory over Almont, their second Finals championship and first since 2005.
The road to the Finals started with Kingsley hosting two playoff games, allowing great use of the VIP Parking of Trina’s Touchdown Club. The lot is adjacent to the school’s Rodes Field and provided in loving memory of Katrina “Trina” Kay Schueller, who passed away Oct. 21, 2021, at Munson Medical Center.
Those playoff games filling Trina’s Touchdown Club’s parking lot featured wins over Mason County Central 61-12 and Manistee 37-18, and 51-27 over Gladstone in the Regional Final. Kingsley then traveled down the road and defeated Reed City 37-7 in the Semifinal.
There may not have been designated VIP parking in Cadillac and Ford Field for the Stags’ followers, but there were a lot of VIPs at both stadiums with Schueller on their minds. Pretty much everyone with an affiliation with the highly-successful program or familiarity with the community’s struggles have become VIPs to the Kingsley coaching staff and many others.
Most certainly among the VIPs are head coach Tim Wooer, assistant coach Conner Schueller, his brother Carter Schueller, and his father Mike Schueller.
Conner was set to play the biggest regular-season game of his career the day after his mom passed. It was the regular-season finale against rival Traverse City St. Francis.
Wooer vividly remembers the moments leading up to that matchup, noting how difficult it was for Conner. But his then-fullback and now-assistant coach demonstrated amazing strength and maturity he stills exhibits today.
“He’s in his senior football season, and his mom is in the hospital for four weeks — he’s balancing that playing football and going to school,” Wooer recalled. “And then she passes, and he has the strength to come back to school and deliver the news to our team.
“I am sobbing watching this kid, and I’m just amazed,” Wooer continued. “The next night is Parents Night, and he’s on the field with his dad and brother without his mom.”
Conner still played, making a 4th-down goal line tackle to prevent a St. Francis touchdown. The Gladiators won the game, but Conner won the day, conquering much just to dress for the game.
The Stags went on to playoff wins over Kingsford 28-10 and Clare 32-6. They bowed out with a 33-18 Regional loss to Frankenmuth.
Conner’s junior year of 2020 had been cut short as the Kingsley was forced to forfeit its District Final to Reed City because several players and coaching staff tested positive for COVID-19. The Stags had Ford Field in their minds that season too after playoff wins over 38-13 Standish-Sterling 38-13 and Gladwin 63-16.
Conner, who celebrated his 20th birthday at Saturday’s Final, remembers his playing days and the challenges presented him.
“At the time it was ‘she’s not there,’ especially my senior year she wasn’t there to watch me and finish it out, but I know she’s watching above,” he said. “We were about to go play Reed City my junior year for Regionals, and everyone got sick and it ended our season unfortunately.”
Those challenges were on his mind at Ford Field, and running through his mind when he saw his brother and father in the stands. Carter, now a senior at Kingsley, had been unable to play football due to injuries.
“I thought about my brother – he unfortunately didn’t play this year due to his injuries, and I don’t really blame him for that,” Conner said. “I thought about him as well because it was just me and my dad and my brother now.
“It was very emotional,” Conner continued. “I got a glimpse of him in the strands.”
Carter also was filled with gratitude for the coaching staff for welcoming and mentoring him. He had become keenly aware of the amount of time coaches spend away from family at practices and going through film.
In addition to his family, Conner was thinking about many others in the Kingsley community – and other senior classes like his that didn’t get the chance to celebrate a championship.
He also was thinking about Justin Hansen, a 2003 graduate of Kingsley. Hansen was a captain on the 2002 conference championship team. He went on to become a special-operations Marine sergeant and was killed in action July 24, 2012, while deployed in Afghanistan. Hansen was on patrol as part of an operation in search of a high-value target when his team was hit with small arms fire.
On Saturday, Wooer was wearing a red T-shirt with the letters “USA” on the front and the name “Hansen” on the back. It also featured the number 54, Hansen’s in high school.
Wooer, who turned 54 in July, wore the shirt in Hansen’s memory knowing Hansen would be on the veteran coach’s mind and symbolizing Hansen’s presence with the team at Ford Field.
Wooer wants to make sure Hanson is never forgotten and reminds the soldier’s family the entire community remains behind them.
“I believe it is part of our job as a community to show our love to this family and help in any way possible to help them get through this process,” Wooers said. “After the funeral, we all went about life.
“We certainly still think about Justin and feel the pain,” he continued. “But nothing like a family does.”
Hansen’s tragic passing led to the creation of the annual Patriot Game in Traverse City in 2012 while Wooer was coaching Traverse City West. The game features crosstown rivals West and Traverse City Central every year and strives to honor veterans, first responders, active duty military, and area heroes who died while serving their country.
Saturday’s win over Almont left Wooer emotionally exhausted after all the preparations to do it right for the senior class, the school, the Kingsley community, the Schueller family and Hansen. Collectively, they’ve really become more like a family to the Stags coaching staff and many, many others.
“In terms of emotions, there is no doubt Justin was on my mind throughout the game,” Wooer said. “Trina and Conner have been – those are two huge pieces.
“And, a lot of my thoughts are with the seniors,” he continued. “You want to win the game, but also it is your last time with them.”
Wooer has learned a lot from his former players and coaches over the years. He’s become close friends with many of them, going back to his early days of coaching as a student-teacher at Elk Rapids. He also coached at Farewell and Traverse City West, the latter from 2008-2017 after a first tenure at Kingsley. He returned to Kingsley in 2018.
Schueller is among several former players and coaches who have been on Wooer’s coaching staffs over the years. Several continue today.
“I could give you lots of other stories about kids I have had,” Wooer said. “There comes this transition where they turn into such amazing men, you catch yourself every once in a while saying, ‘I want to be like him.’
“You get this huge smile on your face because you’re so proud of them, just like a mother or father would,” Wooer continued. “A coach always looks at his players like they’re part of his family.”
In addition to Conner, current assistants with long-term relationships with Wooer are Tom Kaleita, Kyle Smith, Ryan Zenner, Dan Goethals, Josh Merchant, Jordan Bradford, Steve Klinge, Connor Schueller, Mike Arlt, Larry Mikowski, Bobby Howell, Rob Whims and Jason Morrow.
This year’s seniors were Jon Pearson, Eli Graves, Skylar Workman, Gavyn Merchant, Max Goethals, Evan Trafford, Bode Bielas, Grant Kolbusz, James Person, Caleb Bott, Trenton Peacock, Noah Scribner and Gavin Dear. They and the coaching staff will be the center of attention as the community celebrates the football team at 7 p.m. this evening in the high school gymnasium.
The seniors probably won’t need VIP parking tonight. But if it would help, Conner would surely make arrangements to utilize Trina’s Touchdown Club. He’d have to add a shuttle though as Rodes Field is about a mile away from the school.
“It feels amazing — I don’t think it really hit any one yet, but I am sure it will,” Conner said. “After we won, it is truly something – it is something else I can’t explain.
“The seniors finally won it the way they were supposed to,” he continued. “It was a good class of seniors.”
Tom Spencer is a longtime MHSAA-registered basketball and soccer official, and former softball and baseball official, and he also has coached in the northern Lower Peninsula area. He previously has written for the Saginaw News, Bay County Sports Page and Midland Daily News. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco, Alcona, Oscoda, Crawford, Kalkaska, Grand Traverse, Benzie, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Presque Isle, Cheboygan, Charlevoix and Emmet counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Kingsley students support their classmates during Saturday’s Division 6 Final at Ford Field. (2) Stags assistant coach Conner Schueller watches from the sideline during an Almont run back. (3) Kingsley coach Tim Wooer, in red, prepares to present the championship trophy to his team including Schueller, far right. (4) Trina’s Touchdown Club welcomes members to the VIP lot adjacent to the Kingsley stadium. (Ford Field photos by Hockey Weekly Action Photos; touchdown club photo courtesy of the Kingsley football program.)