Awe Working to Reignite Three Rivers, Bring Best of Past to New-Look Home
By
Scott Hassinger
Special for MHSAA.com
September 11, 2024
THREE RIVERS – Jeff Awe had always been content as an assistant during his 30 years coaching high school football.
All that changed in early April when Awe accepted the head varsity position at Three Rivers. Awe had spent 27 of those years as a Wildcats assistant before taking over the program.
"Becoming a varsity football coach was never on my radar," said Awe, who spent the last three years as head coach of the Wildcats junior varsity, guiding them to an 8-1 record last fall.
Awe felt he could help rejuvenate a program that stumbled to a 1-8 record in 2023 and suffered its first losing season since 2020.
“With the kind of season we had I could see, at least in my mind, exactly what needed to be done to turn this program around,” Awe said. “I wanted to bring some positivity back to Three Rivers football. The timing and circumstances made it the right time to pursue it.”
Awe, who played for and coached under former Three Rivers coaches Scot Shaw, Jeff Zonyk and Tom Foghino – all members of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame – has brought back some of that positivity already with increased participation. More than 80 players came out for the sport between the varsity and JV teams.
Three Rivers defeated Charlotte 36-0 in the season opener two weeks ago at newly-renovated Armstrong Field, avenging a 52-22 loss from 2023. The Wildcats are 1-1 overall after losing a hard-fought 10-7 decision Friday at Adrian. Three Rivers hosts 2023 league champ and Regional finalist Niles in Friday's Wolverine Conference opener.
Shaw, coincidently, is currently the head coach at Niles.
Awe played for Shaw, Three Rivers' head coach from 1986-2004, and was a standout receiver and cornerback earning first-team all-conference his senior year.
Three Rivers finished with back-to-back 9-0 records in Awe's freshman and sophomore years. Awe was a starter as a senior on the first Wildcats team to make the playoffs in 1986.
"In my junior year we went 8-1 but lost our last game to Coldwater and didn't make the playoffs under the old system," Jeff Awe recalled. Three Rivers finished the 1986 regular season 8-1 as well on the way to that first playoff berth.
Awe is graduate of Western Michigan University and a long-time science teacher at Three Rivers Middle School. His long-range vision for the football program is to combine the old-school mentality from when Three Rivers was the most physical and disciplined football team every week with new-school principles.
"I want to build a bridge from our youth flag football program all the way up to the varsity level. I want to be able to put a coaching staff in place that can take over the program someday when I am done and keep it going strong," Jeff Awe said.
Three Rivers, mainly a spread offense team for several years, has returned to its old-school I-formation principles. But the passing game will remain a big part of the Wildcats' attack.
"We're going to have multiple looks on both sides of the football. With the way high school football is played now, we have to ready to adjust and adapt every week," he said.
"Right now I want our seniors to have a great year. We're excited and ready to go, and I like the way the summer went. Now we have to win some games and compete against some very good football teams on our schedule."
Awe feels fortunate to have been influenced by a number of great football minds over the course of his career like Zonyk, Foghino, Shaw and J.J. Wagner at Three Rivers, along with Mendon's John Schwartz and the late Bob Critz.
"We all did a lot of good things together. All of those guys taught me a great deal about the game," Awe said.
However, the lessons he learned as a player from Shaw have really stuck with him.
"Scot is a master at motivating his players, getting teams ready mentally, and he knows how to make you feel like a million bucks with just a comment or two. He can get his athletes to run through a wall and do things you thought were impossible,” Awe said. “I loved playing and coaching for him, and now I'll be coaching against him.”
Awe worked tirelessly over the summer promoting the Three Rivers football tradition.
"I've worked hard by having former players and coaches who have been successful in life come in and speak to our kids. There is a huge legacy here about what it means to put that Wildcat jersey on. I'm bringing the old nameplates back. The front of the uniform sports the name of the community you play for, and the name on the back is your family," Awe said.
"When you learn how to go out on the field and work hard and be disciplined, those are life lessons these kids will take with them into adulthood and beyond. I want them to understand that whatever number they wear there are people all over the country who once wore that number who are paying attention. They want to see if the individuals on this team are doing the correct things to make themselves successful."
Three Rivers features much more experience on the field than in the past. Brayden Carpenter and Aiden Williams are the lone sophomores on a 38-player varsity roster that features 17 seniors. Senior cornerback Jace Gray and two-way lineman Sam Reynolds, along with junior quarterback Mason Awe (Jeff’s son), have emerged as three of the team’s leaders on and off the field.
Gray, a 5-foot-9, 190-pound linebacker, has 18 tackles over two games after a team-high 12 against Adrian.
"Jace is the heart and soul of our defense. He is incredibly instinctive and has a knack for forcing turnovers,” Jeff Awe said. “He is a big reason we hope to be greatly improved on defense this season.”
Reynolds, a three-year varsity letterman, helps anchor much-improved offensive and defensive lines with his 5-10, 240-pound frame. "Sam is one of our best players and leaders. He is our strongest kid and anchors both sides of our line. We are looking forward to a big year from him," Awe said.
Mason Awe (5-11, 190) completed 4-of-5 passes for 57 yards against Charlotte. "Mason is smart, athletic and one of our leaders on offense. He can make plays with his arm, legs and brain and is a complete player at the quarterback position," Jeff Awe said.
Senior tailback Lamonta Stone leads Three Rivers in rushing with 34 carries for 267 yards and three TDs over those first two games. Other impact players on defense include senior linebackers Tre Rohrer (5-10, 185) with 16 tackles and a fumble recovery, and Landon Moreland with 16 stops.
Senior Max Burg (6-6, 260) is another key returning starter on the Wildcats' offensive line.
Reynolds sees a much different attitude from teammates this season.
"Everyone wants to be at practice this year. Coach Awe has created a camaraderie in our program that hasn't existed for a while,” said Reynolds, who aspires to become a coach and math teacher.
“My varsity experience has helped me with the physicality and the speed of the game. We got a bad taste in our mouth last year and aren't going to settle for a losing season.”
Gray feels he and his teammates are more connected with one another.
"The experience I bring back is valuable, and it gives me an advantage on the field. My strength and senior leadership are factors I hope contribute to us winning more games and making the playoffs," Gray said.
Mason Awe enjoys the special relationship he has as a son of the head coach.
"It's special because off the field I can go home and talk with him about how the practice or game went, the plays and what is working or not working. We have a good relationship, and we think alike on the field," Mason Awe said. "Our team wants to be the toughest and most gritty one out there. That's a trademark of old Three Rivers teams and we want to go back to that. I like being a big part of the offense, making plays and helping the team win. Confidence is a big key coming off last year. It will be the defining factor. This is a strong group, and we've been playing together for a while."
Awe's coaching staff consists of Mitch Walters, Nate Foley, Drew Bosma and Zac Robare at the varsity and JV levels, along with Scott Muffley, Toby Gose and Al Schmucker at the middle school level.
Armstrong Field introduces improvements
Three Rivers has played its home football games at Armstrong Field since 1951. Voters approved a bond in 2019 for upgrades to the stadium and the 40-year-old fieldhouse that was built during the early 1980s.
The renovations also included construction of a new weight room at the high school (completed in 2022), along with the installation of a new track, video scoreboard, artificial turf and new gating.
"We compete in the Wolverine Conference where over half of our schools play their football games on artificial turf,” said Three Rivers athletic director Matt Stofer. “It's been a long five years, but it’s cool to see it finished. Our community and alumni, along with our student-athletes have been great about everything, and the stadium looks great."
Finding a safe playing surface and one that could withstand multiple uses were major factors.
"We wanted to find a surface that other schools had a lot of success with. We traveled to and took a look at fields in St. Joseph, Chelsea, Olivet College and some other schools," Stofer added.
The high school soccer teams, band, physical education classes and youth football program also will have access to the facility.
Two of the biggest changes inside the facility are new gating and a new sound system.
"Before the renovations you could just pull into Armstrong Field, and you were right there. You can still drive in, but now you have to physically get out of your car to pay and enter the stadium through one of the two new gates located at the end near the concession stand," Stofer explained. "These changes allow us to lock up the facility now when we need to."
The new video scoreboard, purchased by an anonymous donor, will include a new sound system.
"It's been quite a busy summer,” Stofer said. “We've traveled to Stevensville Lakeshore and up to Holland West Ottawa to work with their video crew in a few training sessions. We're very excited about what we can use it for once we learn everything. Our goal for now is just to get it up and running.”
Scott Hassinger is a contributing sportswriter for Leader Publications and previously served as the sports editor for the Three Rivers Commercial-News from 1994-2022. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties.
PHOTOS: (Top) From left: Three Rivers varsity football coach Jeff Awe and players Mason Awe, Jace Gray and Sam Reynolds. (Middle) A new video scoreboard complete with a sound system is among new features fans will see this season at Armstrong Field in Three Rivers. (Below) Three Rivers Community Schools superintendent Niki Nash gathers with students, school officials and community members near midfield Aug. 29 to cut the ribbon prior to the first home football game played on newly-renovated Armstrong Field. (Top photo by Scott Hassinger; scoreboard and ribbon-cutting photos by Matt Stofer.)
1st & Goal: 2024 Week 7 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 14, 2024
A total of 45 varsity teams remain undefeated after seven weeks of this 2024 football regular season.
That total is at least 12 fewer than five days ago after a seismic Week 7 that saw several more league races decided and plenty of movement on the playoff point lists with just two games left for most before the field of 288 is selected.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Chesaning 23, Ovid-Elsie 7 Chesaning (7-0) won this matchup of undefeated teams to clinch a share of the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference title, the program’s second straight as it continued a 13-game league winning streak. Chesaning can make the championship outright this week against Durand, while Ovid-Elise (6-1) closes its league schedule with New Lothrop. Click for more from WJRT.
Watch list Fenton 41, Flushing 21 Fenton (7-0) continued its Flint Metro League dominance by finishing a seventh-straight divisional title run in claiming the Stripes championship outright. Flushing fell to 5-2 but still has guaranteed its best finish since 2019.
On the move Standish-Sterling 27, Ogemaw Heights 25 Standish-Sterling’s benefit from this was a 10-spot jump to No. 16 on the Division 6 playoff list as the Panthers improved to 4-3, but Clare also ended up with a share of the Jack Pine Conference Division 1 title with Ogemaw Heights (6-1) taking its first loss. Goodrich 42, Ortonville Brandon 14 The Martians (6-1) also capped a Flint Metro League title, in the Stars division, after finishing second a year ago. Brandon fell to 4-3. Marysville 19, St. Clair 13 Marysville (6-1) finished a perfect run through the Macomb Area Conference Silver to claim its first league title since 2016 and send St. Clair to 5-2.
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Utica Eisenhower 21, Macomb Dakota 14 Eisenhower (6-1) bounced back from a Week 6 loss to earn a share of the Macomb Area Conference Red championship for the second-straight season, with quarterback Jack Bullock scoring the go-ahead touchdown late to also give the Eagles their second-straight win over Dakota (6-1). The Cougars shared the title after tying for third a year ago. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.
Check out the best moments from this Gametime Live Matchup between the Macomb Dakota Cougars and the Utica Eisenhower Eagles from October 11th, 2024.@DakotaFootball | @IkeVEagles1
In collaboration with Shelby TV
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— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 14, 2024
Watch list Oxford 38, West Bloomfield 14 This victory, combined with Lake Orion’s 20-13 win over Clarkston, made Oxford (5-2) the outright Oakland Activities Association Red champion. The Red remains one of the most competitive leagues in the state, and this was Oxford’s first league title since sharing the Flint Metro League championship in 2010.
On the move Macomb Lutheran North 30, Riverview Gabriel Richard 22 Lutheran North (6-1) clinched a share of a second-straight Catholic High School League Intersectional #1 title by handing Gabriel Richard (6-1) its only defeat this fall. Walled Lake Western 37, Milford 0 Western (7-0) posted its third Lakes Valley Conference shutout to move into first place alone and sent Milford (5-2) into a tie for second. Warren Michigan Collegiate 54, Romulus Summit Academy North 13 Michigan Collegiate (6-1) handed Summit (5-1) its lone loss, clinching a share of the Charter School Conference Gold title as it seeks a ninth-straight outright league championship. Grosse Pointe North 42, Warren Fitzgerald 34 GPN (4-3) forced a three-way MAC Gold championship between these two and Madison Heights Lamphere. Trenton 13, Allen Park 6 It’s unlikely Trenton will end up with a share of the Downriver League title, but for a second-straight week it handed the first loss to a contender, this time sending Allen Park to 6-1.
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER Ithaca 42, Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central 19 Ithaca ran its league championship streak to 16 with this outright clincher in the Tri-Valley Conference Blue, and added to a 20-game league winning streak by handing Nouvel (6-1) its first defeat this fall. The Yellowjackets (7-0) can complete a second-straight undefeated regular season with wins over Tecumseh and Shepherd. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.
Watch list Howell 35, Novi 21 By winning this matchup of co-leaders, Howell (7-0) clinched a share of the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West title and sent Novi (5-2) into a tie for second with this week’s opponent Brighton. The Highlanders also tied their number of wins from the last two seasons combined.
On the move East Lansing 39, Lansing Everett 26 The Trojans (4-3) bounced back from two straight losses to hand Everett (5-2) its second and move up to No. 13 on the Division 2 playoff list. Haslett 35, St. Johns 14 Haslett (4-3) was another of the state’s biggest risers this week, moving up 12 spots to No. 21 in Division 4 with this win over Division 3 St. Johns (5-2). Central Montcalm 54, Lakeview 6 Central Montcalm (6-1) clinched a share of the Central State Activities Association Silver title and has won its first three league games by a combined 139-14 score. The six victories are the team's most since 2019.
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER Petoskey 28, Marquette 23 Petoskey (7-0) clinched a share of the Big North Conference championship, its first since 2014, by holding off Marquette (5-2) in a matchup of league co-leaders entering the night. The Northmen also surpassed their six wins from a year ago and guaranteed their most since 2015. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.
Watch list McBain 36, Evart 29 McBain (7-0) clinched a share of the Highland Conference title, its first since 2020, and can claim it outright this weekend against LeRoy Pine River. The Ramblers have reached 35 points in all but one game, trending toward their best offensive output in more than a decade.
On the move Frankfort 27, Muskegon Catholic Central 24 Frankfort (6-1) is holding steady at No. 15 on the Division 8 playoff list after this close win over MCC, which although 1-5 has lost three games by five points or fewer. Traverse City West 30, Mount Pleasant 13 The Titans (4-3) kept their playoff hopes alive in breaking a three-game losing streak, moving up to No. 28 on the Division 2 list. Mount Pleasant (4-3) is No. 24 in Division 3. Charlevoix 44, Mancelona 14 The Rayders (5-2) will carry a four-game winning streak into this week’s matchup with Tawas as they look to complete a second-straight outright league title run. Mancelona (3-4), meanwhile, is hanging on at the No. 30 spot on the Division 8 playoff list.
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 37, Flat Rock 14 A strongly-contested race in the Huron League will go at least partially to SMCC (7-0), as the Falcons claimed a share with this win after defeating Riverview in Week 6. The league title is their first since 2015 and in part the product of a defense that’s given up just 37 points over six league games; both Riverview and Flat Rock (5-2) are averaging 42 or more this fall, but they scored 15 and 14, respectively, the last two weeks. Click for more from the Monroe News.
Check out the highlights of Monroe Saint Mary Catholic Central's win over Flat Rock on Military Appreciation Night from October 11th, 2024. The Falcons won 37-14 and remains undefeated at 7-0 on the season. Powered by @miarmyguard@AthleticsSMCC | @SMCCMonroe pic.twitter.com/4hYfmoiYuo
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 13, 2024
Watch list Jackson Lumen Christi 35, Traverse City St. Francis 7 Lumen Christi (6-1) built on its recently-clinched CHSL AA championship with this impressive win over the Gladiators, their Division 7 championship game opponent in 2022 and the leaders in the Northern Michigan Football League Legends this fall.
On the move Grass Lake 54, Manchester 46 Grass Lake (4-3) helped make Leslie’s title share in the Cascades Conference East an outright championship by knocking Manchester (5-2) out of contention. Chelsea 35, Jackson 0 Chelsea (6-1) finished its second-straight perfect run through the Southeastern Conference White with their second shutout in five league games. Pinckney 21, Adrian 10 Pinckney (3-4) entered this season after going 0-9 a year ago and then lost the first four games of this fall. But the Pirates have won their last three and moved into the No. 32 spot on the Division 4 playoff list.
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER Union City 45, Springport 21 The Big 8 Conference grew back to eight teams this season, but the top of the standings may not change as Union City (7-0) clinched a share of a third-straight championship and can finished it outright this week against winless Quincy. Springport (6-1) scored the most points Union City had given up this season, but the Spartans also allowed their most this fall to a Chargers team averaging 37 per game. Click for more from the Coldwater Daily Reporter.
Watch list Parchment 51, Constantine 30 Parchment (6-1) will play Kalamazoo United this week in a winner-take-all matchup for the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore title, and reigning champion Constantine (5-2) will not be part of a league title mix for the first time since 2018. Parchment had lost six straight to Constantine, including 46-0 a year ago.
On the move Berrien Springs 22, Dowagiac 20 After taking a 22-6 lead into halftime, Berrien Springs (4-3) held off Dowagiac’s comeback push to clinch a share of a second-straight Lakeland Athletic Conference title, with an opportunity to clinch outright again this week against winless Benton Harbor. Portage Central 23, Portage Northern 6 This rivalry win for Portage Central (5-2), combined with Mattawan’s 24-7 upset of St. Joseph, gave the Mustangs a share of the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West title – with an opportunity to make it outright against the Bears (6-1) in Week 9. Schoolcraft 56, Saugatuck 7 These two entered as co-leaders in the SAC Valley, and Schoolcraft (6-1) finished Friday as a champion, earning a share with Saugatuck (5-2) falling into a tie for second place. Battle Creek Harper Creek 32, Hastings 0 Harper Creek (6-1) handed Hastings (6-1) its first loss and also broke the Saxons’ 20-game winning streak in the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference. The Beavers are alone in first with two league games to play.
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Menominee 34, Negaunee 19 Menominee (7-0) did its part to set up this week’s matchup with Kingsford as a winner-take-all for the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper title, ending 2023 co-champion Negaunee’s chances to grab a share. The Maroons had lost their two recent matchups with the Miners, 47-20 a year ago and 44-0 in a 2022 Division 6 District Final. Click for more from the Eagle Herald.
Watch list Houghton 42, Gladstone 17 The Gremlins (3-4) stormed back after two straight losses to avenge last season’s to Gladstone and pull within two spots of getting into the Division 5 playoff field after falling to No. 38 the previous week. Houghton finishes with Negaunee and Hancock and has defeated the latter this season.
On the move Iron Mountain 40, Bark River-Harris 7 The Mountaineers (7-1) defeated their toughest West-PAC Iron opponent in Bark River-Harris (4-3) to clinch a share of the league title, their second in two years in that division. West Iron County 20, L’Anse 14 The Wykons (3-4) finished a season sweep of L’Anse to pull within five spots of making the Division 8 playoff field. Manistique 36, Gwinn 0 Manistique (4-3) posted a second-straight shutout to climb to No. 28 on the Division 8 playoff list.
West Michigan
HEADLINER Grand Rapids Northview 12, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 3 This matchup was for a share of the championship in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Black, and as such carried lofty expectations. But the result still created a degree of stunning as Northview (7-0) handed the Cougars (5-2) just their second league loss over the last eight seasons. Both defenses were impressive to say the least; Northview entered the game averaging 47 points per game, and Catholic Central was averaging 28 ppg after three straight games scoring 35 or more. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Check out the highlights of Grand Rapids Northview's win over Grand Rapids Catholic Central on October 11th, 2024. 🎥 WXMI-TV | @MHSAA | @SportsWildcats pic.twitter.com/jqjZWQ8yLg
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 12, 2024
Watch list Grand Rapids West Catholic 24, Ada Forest Hills Eastern 23 The Falcons (5-2) clinched a share of the O-K White title as Landon Smith booted a 38-yard field goal for the winning points. FHE (5-2) moved into a tie for second place but will be rooting this week for Hamilton, also tied for second and West Catholic’s opponent this week.
On the move Big Rapids 41, Newaygo 20 The Cardinals (6-1) finished a perfect run through the CSAA Red, avoiding a three-way championship that would have resulted from a win by Newaygo (5-2). Hudsonville Unity Christian 50, Grand Rapids South Christian 21 Unity (7-0) earned a share of the O-K Gold title in its first matchup with South Christian (4-3) since losing to the Sailors in a 2022 District Final. North Muskegon 40, Ravenna 0 North Muskegon (6-1) is undefeated in the West Michigan Conference Rivers since the league split into two divisions three seasons ago, and this clinched a third-straight league title for the Norsemen as a win by Ravenna (4-3) would have created a three-way tie for first.
8-Player
HEADLINER Gobles 20, Martin 14 This one met every expectation, as Gobles won a matchup of undefeated rivals to claim the Southwest Michigan 8-Man Football League Red championship outright and avenge a Regional Finals loss to the Clippers (5-1) from a year ago. Gobles (7-0) had entered ranked No. 5 in the Division 1 coaches poll, while Martin was No. 3. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Watch list Fulton 24, Portland St. Patrick 20 The Pirates (6-1) will finish as at least co-champions of the Mid-State Activities Conference Red after handing this first loss to the Division 2 top-ranked Shamrocks (6-1). This may be turning into quite a series, as St. Patrick won their two meetings in 2023 by a combined 11 points.
On the move Deckerville 44, Kingston 0 Despite all the scenarios that could have created co-champions in the Big Thumb Conference Blue over the last few weeks, Deckerville (7-0) answered with authority and its second-straight shutout when a Kingston win would have meant a three-way title share. Climax-Scotts 36, Bellevue 6 Climax-Scotts (6-1) will face Mendon this week for the Southern Central Athletic Association Red outright championship after sending Bellevue (4-3) out of title share contention. Alcona 74, Whittemore-Prescott 16 Alcona (7-0) moved into the No. 1 spot in the Division 1 coaches ranking last week and rolled through clinching a share of the North Star League Big Dipper title with this victory.
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PHOTOS (Top) A Frankfort ball carrier, right, and Muskegon Catholic Central defender prepare to collide near the line of scrimmage Friday. (Middle) Goodrich's Chase Burnett (25) puts up a stiff arm as an Ortonville Brandon defender attempts to catch him. (Top photo by Tim Reilly. Goodrich/Brandon photo by Terry Lyons.)