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'All Together' Onekama Seeks 1st Football Title
November 16, 2018
By Chris Dobrowolski
Special for Second Half
ONEKAMA — The Upper Peninsula is soon to be invaded by Portagers.
The village of Onekama, meanwhile, might resemble a ghost town.
A large and loyal following for the Onekama football team is geared up for a trip to the Superior Dome in Marquette, site of Saturday’s 8-Player Division 2 Football Final, where the Portagers (10-2) are taking on Rapid River (9-3) in their quest for the school’s first MHSAA football championship.
“It’s really energized the community,” said Onekama head coach John Neph. “I’m so happy that our local community has responded so well. It means so much to have this special event going on.”
Yard signs and window decorations have sprung up all over town. Residents have stepped forward to find out how they can aid the team during its journey to the championship game, while fans have shown up to games in droves as the team has advanced farther in the postseason, past the likes of Marion (22-6), Brethren (52-0) and Portland St. Patrick (28-14).
“Everyone’s supporting us. The community here is amazing, especially for the football program,” said running back/linebacker Ben Acton. “We had the most people we’ve ever had for our games in the playoffs this year. It’s awesome seeing everybody out there in the stands and after the games.”
The Portagers have given their fans plenty to cheer about. The program had four playoff wins all-time entering this season, and they have nearly doubled that total with this playoff run.
Getting to the championship game wasn’t at the forefront of Onekama’s goals this season, but it hasn’t come as a complete shock, either. The Portagers had five seniors and three top juniors returning to a squad that went 9-2 in 2017.
“We thought we could be pretty good,” said Neph. “Then we had a really good preseason camp, and we got better. We were very pleasantly surprised with the overall development of our players. Our guys have gotten better and better as the season has gone on.”
It’s a squad that has embraced the team aspect of the game. Sure, there are standouts — Acton and junior running back/linebacker Aaron Powers have been playmakers on both sides of the ball, senior Rylan Clarke has led from his tight end position, and senior Wyatt Lawson and junior Wade Sedlar anchor the offensive and defensive lines, respectively — but the Portagers relish functioning as one cohesive unit.
“This isn’t one person’s team. Or the coaches’ team. It’s our team,” said Neph. “It’s all of us together. That has made a huge difference with the morale, and the long run we’ve had. Sometimes at the end of a season you can get tired of going to practice, and I don’t think we’ve ever experienced that. It’s a group of guys that like coming out here, enjoy working with each other. We have some fun, and we’ve been winning, which helps.”
Onekama has proven it can score points, having topped the 50-point plateau four times. The Portagers like to be known as a stout defensive team, though. They’ve backed that up by shutting out four teams this year, not counting two forfeit victories.
“We really take pride in our defense,” said senior defensive back Ben Johnson, one of four defensive players to receive accolades on the all-Midwest Central Michigan Conference West teams. “We’re a defensive team but our offense — when it clicks, it clicks too.”
The Portagers finished third in the West after they had tough losses to league champion Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (28-26) and runner-up Suttons Bay (13-8). Neph felt like the loss to Suttons Bay, which came two weeks before the start of the postseason, ignited Onekama’s push through the playoffs.
“We lost it late in the game on a long pass,” said Neph. “It felt like we were about to win the game, and to have it taken away from us like that, that was tough. I’m extremely proud of our guys. That’s where the upperclassmen stepped forward and said, ‘We lost today, but we’re going to bounce back and keep going.’ I would say that was a significant turning point for us. We got back to work and moved forward from there.”
The Portagers have reeled off four straight wins and whipped the entire school and community into a frenzy.
“It’s great,” Clarke said of the atmosphere at school. “Our math teacher looked at us today and said, ‘I still can’t believe you guys are going to the Finals.’ Our student support is tremendous. For a small community like us, this is great.”
Advancing this deep into the postseason has created a lot of additional planning and extra responsibilities for Neph and his staff, including making arrangements for hotel accommodations, transportation and meals for the team. He wouldn’t want to have it any other way, with the opportunity to win a Finals championship.
“It would just be an unbelievable, historical moment for our school to win the state championship,” he said. “It would be the crowning event of a lot of people putting hours and hours and hours of work into the football program. For the players, it would be the ultimate experience for them. Something that will last the rest of their lives.”
Win or lose, this season and this playoff performance already has created a deep bond among the 18 players on this year’s Onekama squad.
“We’re brothers,” said Clarke. “We’ll probably be brothers for the rest of our lives. We’ll probably all be coaching our kids together when we’re 30 and 40.”
Chris Dobrowolski has covered northern Lower Peninsula sports since 1999 at the Ogemaw County Herald, Alpena News, Traverse City Record-Eagle and currently as sports editor at the Antrim Kalkaska Review since 2016. 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) Onekama’s Ben Acton (5) finds an opening among four Portland St. Patrick defenders during last week’s Semifinal win. (Middle) Luke Mauntler (7) drags along two Manistee Catholic Central defenders during a Week 6 victory. (Photos courtesy of the Onekama athletic department.)
![Muskegon's Jakob Price (20) finds room to run in his team's win over DeWitt.](/sites/default/files/2022-11/221121_1st%26Goal_2H.png)
1st & Goal: 2022 11-Player Semifinals Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 21, 2022
This season's 11-Player Football Finals field is set. And it's fair to expect phenomenal after how this weekend's Semifinals played out.
Both Division 1 games went to overtime. The Division 5 and Division 8 Semifinals produced Ford Field matchups of undefeated contenders. Three reigning champions advanced, as did two teams that won Semifinals for the first time and two more that won their first during the lifetimes of the players on their rosters this fall.
And that's just a sample of what's to come, as we'll preview all eight matchups Wednesday. For today, we're taking a glance back at all 16 games from a snowy, stormy and mostly frigid but forever memorable Friday and Saturday.
Division 1
SEMIFINAL Belleville 29, Detroit Cass Tech 28 (OT) Arguably the game of the weekend was played Friday night as Belleville took an early 14-0 lead, got behind 21-14, scored with 1:04 left in regulation to force overtime, then answered Cass Tech’s overtime touchdown with a score and game-winning 2-point conversion. The reigning Division 1 champion Tigers improved to 13-0, while the Technicians finished 9-4. Click for more from MLive-Detroit.
Belleville sophomore Bryce Underwood with the game-winning 2-point conversion in OT as the Tigers beat Cass Tech 29-28 in the Division 1 Semifinal. Powered by @LTUAthletics @BryceUnderwoo16 | @BellevilleFB | @BHSBelleville pic.twitter.com/nweEl5iffn
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 19, 2022
SEMIFINAL Caledonia 21, Clarkston 0 An anticipated offense back-and-forth turned into one of the most impressive defensive performances in the state this season as Caledonia shut out a Clarkston offense averaging nearly 41 points per game. The Fighting Scots (12-1) will be playing in their first Final since winning the Division 3 title in 2005. Clarkston finished 10-3. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Caledonia celebrates after beating Clarkston 21-0 in the Division 1 Semifinal. Powered by @USNRecruiter pic.twitter.com/YM6zg2PTl9
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 19, 2022
Division 2
SEMIFINAL Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 20, Dexter 17 (2OT) A Forest Hills Central defense that has been a big part of the story all season showed well again as the Rangers (13-0) advanced to their first Final since 1994. Quarterback Mason McDonald certainly did his part as well, and especially at crunch time, with a game-tying touchdown pass on the last play of regulation and the game-winning scoring run. Dexter finished its first Semifinal season at 12-1. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Highlights of the Forest Hills Central vs. Dexter - Division 2 @MHSAA Football Semifinal
📹WXMI-TV@fhcsportsreport | @Coachtimrogers | @rheathorntontv pic.twitter.com/kvWJDKNiYV
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2022
SEMIFINAL Warren De La Salle Collegiate 43, Birmingham Groves 15 The reigning champion Pilots (12-1) once again followed quarterback Brady Drogosh, who scored four touchdowns, while the defense took care of their side with a ninth-straight game of allowing 18 or fewer points. Groves finished 9-4, an excellent comeback from finishing 2-7 last season. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.
Here are the highlights of our Anvil Award candidate and Illinois commit Mason Muragin (@MMuragin) from De La Salle in their Division 2 Semifinal win over Groves. Delivered by @hungryhowies @DLSFootball_MI | @DLSBroZone | @DeLaSalleAD | @illinifootball pic.twitter.com/5SHl6ZW46B
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2022
Division 3
SEMIFINAL Muskegon 49, DeWitt 21 After two seasons away, Muskegon (11-2) will return to Ford Field for the fifth time in seven years. Quarterback M’Khi Guy showed the way scoring six touchdowns on the ground and throwing for a seventh. DeWitt, last season’s Division 3 runner-up, finished 9-4. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.
Highlights of the Muskegon vs. DeWitt - Division 3 @MHSAA Football Semifinal
📹WXMI-TV@MuskCoFootball | @OnMuskegon | @jhutt5 pic.twitter.com/uEEO12WBWV
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2022
SEMIFINAL Detroit Martin Luther King 52, Mason 17 The reigning champion Crusaders (9-3) also are headed back to the Finals, for the sixth time in eight seasons after shutting down a Mason offense averaging 45 points per game. Dante Moore also offered a few more highlights as his career draws to a close, throwing four touchdown passes. Mason finished a second-straight Semifinal run at 12-1. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.
Our Mr. Football candidate and Oregon commit Dante Moore from Detroit King threw 4 TDs in their 52-17 win over Mason in the Division 3 Semifinal. Delivered by @hungryhowies @dantemoore05 | @oregonfootball | @DetKingFootball | @TheRealSterl | @J2Croft pic.twitter.com/FtdAA3fLdD
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2022
Division 4
SEMIFINAL Grand Rapids South Christian 26, Edwardsburg 20 The Sailors improved to 13-0 and earned their first Finals trip since 2014 by handing Edwardsburg its first loss since the season opener. The Eddies (11-2) pulled within a score late, but South Christian held them off the rest of the way. Click for more from FOX 17.
Highlights of the South Christian vs. Edwardsburg - Division 4 @MHSAA Football Semifinal
📹WXMI-TV@RemiMonaghan | @sailorsports | @SCsailorFB pic.twitter.com/sWAUcleWm4
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 21, 2022
SEMIFINAL Goodrich 51, Riverview 26 The Martians (12-1) are headed to the season’s final weekend for the first time after piling up their second-most points in a game this season and handing Riverview (12-1) its lone defeat. Jace Simerson ran for five touchdowns to lead the way. Click for more from the Flint Journal.
Goodrich senior @JaceSimerson scored five rushing touchdowns in their Division 4 Semifinal win over Riverview. Powered by @LTUAthletics pic.twitter.com/RZtyS9m6cp
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2022
Division 5
SEMIFINAL Gladwin 28, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 21 Arguably the stunner of the playoffs goes to the Flying G’s, which is saying a lot since they remain undefeated at 13-0 but also ended Grand Rapids Catholic Central’s three-season Finals streak a win short of extending it to four. The Cougars (11-2) pulled within the final margin late and had the ball, but a Gladwin interception sealed the program’s first trip to the Finals. Click for more from the Bay City Times.
Here are the highlights of Gladwin's win over Grand Rapids Catholic Central in the Division 5 @MHSAA Football Semifinal
📹https://t.co/duQnD6Kq0j@GladwinFootball pic.twitter.com/9MxZdN3gEF
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2022
SEMIFINAL Frankenmuth 38, Detroit Country Day 0 The Eagles (13-0) earned their second trip to Ford Field in three seasons with arguably the finest defensive effort of a season full of them as they didn’t allow a first down while posting their fifth shutout. Aidan Hoard threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third score. Country Day finished 8-4. Click for more from the Saginaw News.
Frankenmuth celebrates after beating Country Day 38-0 in the Division 5 Semifinal on Saturday. Powered by @MIArmyGuard @FrankenmuthF | @FMuthAthletics pic.twitter.com/wdZyCSRggU
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 19, 2022
Division 6
SEMIFINAL Negaunee 13, Reed City 12 The Miners emerged from one of the snowiest Semifinals by twice coming back, the second time with the eventual game-winning touchdown run by Kai Lacar. The Negaunee (13-0) also reached its first Finals since 2002 by continuing a run of allowing no more than 15 points in a game this season, and even though Reed City (11-2) averaged 44 per game entering the day. Click for more from the Marquette Mining Journal.
Highlights of the Negaunee vs. Reed City - Division 6 @MHSAA Football Semifinal
📹 WJMN-TV pic.twitter.com/P6H47zX9lT
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2022
SEMIFINAL Grand Rapids West Catholic 33, Clinton 14 The Falcons are headed back to the Finals for the first time since 2017 by handing Clinton its only defeat and holding the Redwolves (12-1) to their fewest points scoring this fall. Tim Kloska ran for 349 yards and five more touchdowns for West Catholic (12-1). Click for more from FOX 17.
Highlights of the West Catholic vs. Clinton - Division 6 @MHSAA Football Semifinal
📹WXMI-TV@wcathleticspage | @CoachLGrove | @GRWCFootball | @jhutt5 pic.twitter.com/v1vBXkbjlv
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2022
Division 7
SEMIFINAL Traverse City St. Francis 53, New Lothrop 8 The Gladiators’ dominance seems to become more extraordinary every week as they’re 13-0 for the first time since 2009 and have now won their last two games by a combined 116-8. St. Francis led 20-0 after the first quarter in this one. New Lothrop finished 10-3. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Highlights of the Division 7 @MHSAA Semifinal between Traverse City St. Francis and New Lothrop
📹 WPBN-TV@TCSFFootball | @HarrisonBeeby pic.twitter.com/nBx0oMtUIN
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2022
SEMIFINAL Jackson Lumen Christi 20, Napoleon 7 The Titans (10-3) earned a rematch with one of the opponents that contributed to their 0-3 start this season. Lumen Christi relied on a steady defense that held Napoleon to its fewest points scored in a game this fall. Napoleon also finished its first Semifinal season at 12-1. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen Patriot.
Congratulations to Jackson Lumen Christi. 20-7 win over Napoleon on Saturday in the Division 7 @MHSAA Semifinal. First trip back to the State Finals since 2019. pic.twitter.com/ygnHI7SoeJ
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 20, 2022
Division 8
SEMIFINAL Ubly 41, Iron Mountain 14 The Bearcats have equaled St. Francis’ mastery so far, with this their closest game this season. Ubly (13-0) will return to Ford Field for the second time in three seasons after holding Iron Mountain to its fewest points since a Week 1 defeat to Negaunee and scoring the most the Mountaineers (11-2) gave up this season. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.
Here are the highlights of Ubly's win over Iron Mountain in the Division 8 @MHSAA semifinal. 📹 https://t.co/duQnD6sOBJ pic.twitter.com/6TTWtadwg5
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 22, 2022
SEMIFINAL Ottawa Lake Whiteford 44, Clarkston Everest Collegiate 6 The Bobcats also are headed back to the Finals for the first time since 2017 after defeating Everest (9-4) in the playoffs for the second-straight season. Quarterback Shea Ruddy ran for four scores for Whiteford (13-0). Click for more from the Monroe News.
Ottawa Lake Whiteford senior quarterback Shea Ruddy (@shea_ruddy) had four touchdown runs in their win over Clarkston Everest in the Division 8 Semifinal. Powered by @LTUAthletics pic.twitter.com/DxBJniKJur
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) November 19, 2022
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PHOTO Muskegon's Jakob Price (20) finds room to run in his team's win over DeWitt. (Photo by Tim Reilly.)