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'Patriot Game' Unites Traverse City Rivals

September 9, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Twenty years ago this fall, Traverse City Central and Traverse City West faced each other in varsity football for the first time as new communities created by the split of the former Traverse City High School.

As was inevitable, the resulting rivalry has become one of the state’s most competitive, with West holding a 12-7 edge in varsity football after winning the first four games of the new series. But an idea five years ago to make the game about more has given an entirely new meaning to the annual neighborly get-together. 

The “Patriot Game” was an idea first stoked by West football coach Tim Wooer, who suggested a military salute game in 2012 after the death of U.S. Marine Justin Hansen, who had been serving in Afghanistan and was one of Wooer’s players when the latter formerly coached at Kingsley.

Historic Thirlby Field was packed with 10,000 fans for that first Patriot Game, played Week 6 that fall. And it was just a start.

The Patriot Game has grown to also honor first responders, including police, fire and medical personnel, and for more reasons than football has become the game for the 3,000 students who attend either Central or West.

In their words, two of those students – Central senior Sarah Berry and West senior Dani Priest, the governors of their school’s respective student senates – explain why the Patriot Game has grown to mean so much, and also what it says about their communities.

Both Berry and Priest have attended all four Patriot Games, and of course will be on hand tonight after a full day of festivities at both schools. (Watch the game live with subscription on MHSAA.tv.) The game again is played at Thirlby, which is the shared home of Central and West as well as Traverse City St. Francis and has been hosting football games since 1896.

Priest: “My favorite memory of the Patriot Game was freshman year. Thirlby Field in itself is just a field where not many high school kids get to experience (that kind) of opportunity, because it an incredible thing that we share between the schools. The stands were completely filled, it was my first-ever high school football game, it was under the lights, it was 500+ kids from West, 500+ kids from Central. The whole community (went) back and forth, back and forth, the game was incredibly close and then West ended up winning (17-14). That was the only game since I’ve been in high school that we’ve won. The feeling after that was incredible especially because I was a freshman and it was new; there were no words. … Especially since our community is so intimate and small, that adds another component. No matter what, because we’re in the same conference, we’re going to play each other. But what is so important about the Patriot Game itself is the students are so involved in this game.”

As has become tradition, the student sections will wear patriotic colors – tonight, West will be a sea of Blue and Central of red. The schools hold various fundraisers, including selling T-shirts leading up to the game. Money raised this year will be donated to Veteran 2 Veteran, a local program that sets up mentors for veterans as they return to civilian life.

Berry: “Last year I helped to build a memorial at our field, so that was really special and really awesome to present that to the veterans who were at the game. This year, something that I think is going to be really special is we’re doing a thing called ‘Bucks for Vets.’ We’re going to bring all the student senators and run through the stands for two minutes and get all the donations from as many people as we can to go toward this organization. The organizations that we support every year are chosen through a council. I’ve been on the council for three years now and meeting with all of the organizations. They’re able to pitch to us why they need the money, where they’re going to use the money so it will affect veterans in the area, and we’re able to choose what organization – they all deserve money – but what organization needs the money. So all of the money from the game is going toward them and not just extra new special things.”

Classes began Tuesday, giving student officers at both schools limited time to drum up enthusiasm for today’s events – although there’s already ample buzz. Both schools will hold assemblies today. At Central, veterans and first responders will be welcomed in to tell some of their stories. At West, student leaders will hold more of a pep rally to make sure the entire student body, especially new classmates, know details for the night and why they should be there.

Berry: “We have an assembly every year right before the game where we honor all of our veterans and all of our first responders, and I think that really explains to (students) why it’s such a big deal. During that assembly, everyone is completely silent. They have so much respect. Our whole school still talks about how astounding that assembly was to thank all of them (last year), and I really think they know how much it means. It’s really hard not to be emotional about it during the assembly because we have families that come in and they lost a loved one in a war, and we have people who came back from combat a few years ago, so it’s really easy to understand how much it means to everyone. Normally, all of our other assemblies, people are rowdy, (but) this one assembly everyone has so much respect. It’s amazing. You always hear, ‘Oh yeah, the veterans are losing their lives in the war. They’re fighting for our country. They’re risking their lives.’ But to actually hear from someone who has experienced the death firsthand, it really opens your eyes.”

Both teams are 2-0, and this will be the first time they'll match up with perfect records. Both also are expected to contend in the Big North Conference; Central won the league title and West was third a year ago. But those teams make up only a part of what is, of course, an educational event. 

Priest: “What we learn from the Patriot Game is there’s so much more than just high school. There’s so much more than just a Central/West rivalry. There are people out there fighting for our country, and we all stand together. Both of our schools are at one place realizing there’s more than just us. We have to be thankful that we have the opportunity to be at this game, cheering on our teams.”

Berry: “People definitely learn a lot about respect. You definitely notice how much respect everyone has during the game, toward other people; it’s amazing. Definitely in past years, I’ve learned how much veterans do for us. And not only veterans, but the responders, police, everyone. It’s astounding. I guess I just wasn’t aware previously how much they really risk and how much they really do. That’s the main thing I learned, and I think a lot of people in the school could say the same thing. And you really learn a lot about your community as well. (The game) is sold out every single year. The student sections are covered in a sea of blue and red, and you just learn how much support can be given to our community.”

Ticket sales at the stadium gate begins at 2 p.m. Veterans, reservists, active military and first responders will be admitted free of charge through special entrances, and later student senators from both schools will camp out at the entrances to make sure no special guests are waiting in line when festivities begin. A motorcade of American Legion Riders, local motorcycle police and North Flight emergency medical transport personnel will ride into the stadium, and colors will be presented by member of the U.S. Coast Guard Color Guard and first responder Honor Guard.

As the West marching band plays, student senators from both schools will form a tunnel for veterans and first responders to walk through as they enter the field and then line up at the 50-yard line, where they will be greeted by both football teams.

After the playing of taps and a memorial announcement of names, the junior varsity football teams from both schools together will take hold of a giant American flag stretching sideline to sideline as the band plays the national anthem. There will then be a flyover before the coin toss and opening kickoff.   

Berry: “I think doing (the Patriot Game) with West makes it extremely special. Because not only do we have friends on the other side, but using the game in this way is extremely smart. We’re able to come together for a common cause, on common ground, in that we want to honor all these people and honor what they’ve done for us, and that really ties it all together. … I’ve been asked if I want more people to be in the student section from Central supporting the veterans or more people from West, but really, we want everyone there. We want everyone to do well. We want everyone to be able to thank everyone, and it’s just an extremely supportive thing. Of course we want to win, but win or lose, it’s a great experience.

Priest: “I think what makes it special with Central is honestly, we know these kids. We see them, we’re friends with them. The only thing that makes us different is we go to different schools. We live in the same town, we do the same things, in our free time we go to the same ski hills, we go to the same beaches, we go to the same restaurants, we see each other around town, we participate in the same social events. Seeing your friends and people that you care about as well, not only as your rival but you care about them, makes it so much better.”

An estimated 100-150 veterans and first responders attended the 2015 Patriot Game, and 150 or more are expected tonight with moderate temperatures and mostly clear skies expected. The schools are preparing for a crowd that could eclipse 8,000 fans total. 

Priest: “I know people who don’t have kids in high school. My neighbors, actually, have elementary school kids, and they’re like, ‘We’re coming to the game. We bought T-shirts.’ Because they just want to help out with the cause. It’s broadcast on the news, it’s on the radio, it’s everywhere. It just shows so much how no matter if it’s your school or if it’s your kids, people just want to get involved and they want to know how they can help.”   

Berry: “It explains so much about Traverse City’s personality and just how giving the entire community is, and accepting. Traverse City is such a special place in that everyone comes at you with open arms. Our community is so giving towards veterans. The hearts of everyone grow bigger during this game. Going there can definitely affect the way you view the city.

“There’s so much love in that stadium. And everyone wants to be there. It’s the event of Traverse City for the high schools. If you’re going to go to any of the games, I would tell you, you have to be at the Patriot Game.”

Click for more information from the Patriot Game website.

PHOTOS: (Top) Traverse City Central players shake hands with veterans before the first "Patriot Game" in 2012. (Top middle) Junior varsity players from Central and West hold the giant flag during last season's national anthem. (Middle) West players converge on a Central ball-carrier in front of a packed Thirly Field in 2015. (Below middle) A helicopter provides a fly-over as the Traverse City Central band takes the field. (Below) Students dress in blue and red in support of veterans and first responders saluted during the game. (Photos by Rick Sack/TC Rick Photo.)

Negaunee's Kai Lacar gets a few yards before being tackled by Kingsford's Wyatt Scott (24) and Caleb Kleist (30).

1st & Goal: 2023 Week 4 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 18, 2023

We're just a few days past the fourth week of this high school football season. A few of Michigan's high school leagues have yet to even begin play.

MI Student AidBut for several others, we already are getting ideas of which teams might be celebrating championships when the regular season is done – and we're likely to look back at Week 4 as playing a big part.

Several conference favorites and other early impressers met over the weekend, and a number of standings shifters are highlighted below: 

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Gladwin 44, Clare 28 The Flying Gs (4-0) took over first place alone in the Jack Pine Conference, but only after flipping this game during the final 25 minutes. Clare took a 21-3 lead with 1:07 left in the first half – but Gladwin responded with a touchdown pass with 29 seconds left before the break, and then Jhace Massey threw another after an onside kick to get the margin to just five points by halftime. Clare (2-2) pushed the lead back to 12 to start the second half, but Gladwin then scored 28 unanswered points, and Massey finished with those two passing touchdowns and three more running the ball. Click for more from MI Sports Now.

Watch list Almont 29, North Branch 22 Almont (4-0) gave up just its first points of this season in starting the heart of the Blue Water Area Conference schedule with this win over the reigning co-champion Broncos (2-2), and with the other co-champion Armada and current co-leader Croswell-Lexington up over the next two weeks, respectively.

On the move Ubly 56, Harbor Beach 20 Ubly (4-0) stands alone atop the Greater Thumb Conference East standings after scoring its season high to get past the Pirates (3-1). Montrose 29, Ovid-Elsie 22 Montrose (4-0) will play Chesaning for first in the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference this week now having defeated reigning champion Durand and the reigning runner-up Marauders (2-2). Midland Bullock Creek 28, Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary 0 Bullock Creek (2-2) is seeking its first winning season since 2019 and avenged a 14-13 loss to MLS from last year to get back to even this fall with both losses so far by only seven points apiece.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Lake Orion 17, West Bloomfield 13 Lake Orion (4-0) is off to its best start since finishing 9-2 in 2019, its four wins equaling last year’s total and the team’s most since that last winning season. The Dragons went ahead for good with 1:24 to play, giving them their first win in the annual matchup since 2013. Lake Orion’s defense came up especially big, holding the Lakers (3-1) to their fewest points in a regular season game since also scoring 13 in the 2018 finale. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

Watch list Detroit Cass Tech 14, Detroit Martin Luther King 7 The result of this matchup generally means a Detroit Public School League division title for the winner, and Cass Tech is among three teams without a loss early in the PSL Blue after De’Mari Hendrix put them ahead to stay with a score during the final minute.

On the move Southfield Arts & Technology 42, Birmingham Groves 35 The Warriors (4-0), No. 8 in the Division 1 coaches poll, got the weekend rolling with a Thursday night win over Division 2 No. 5 Groves (2-2). Novi 39, Brighton 21 Novi avenged last season’s 41-6 loss to the Bulldogs (1-3) and is 3-1 for the first time since 2013. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 40, Detroit Country Day 0 NDP (4-0) avenged last season’s 35-19 District Final loss to Country Day (1-3) while winning its third-straight game by 40 or more points this fall.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER East Lansing 40, DeWitt 34 East Lansing (2-2) scored first and then held off a second-half Panthers comeback attempt to remain one of three teams undefeated in Capital Area Activities Conference Blue play. The Trojans also ran their winning streak over DeWitt (1-2) to two in adding to last season’s 36-30 win, as this has become one of the annual must-see games in the Lansing area. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Watch list Lansing Sexton 28, Charlotte 0 By moving to 4-0, Sexton has equaled last season’s win total and all but guaranteed its best finish since its most recent winning season in 2017. The J-Dubbs shut down a Charlotte offense that averaged 42 points per game during the Orioles’ 3-0 start.

On the move Mason 37, Williamston 12 Mason (4-0) just keeps churning, this time extending a winning streak over Williamston (2-2) to four after the last two matchups between them had been decided by eight points or fewer. Belding 49, Comstock Park 21 Belding (3-1) has run its Ottawa-Kent Conference Silver winning streak to eight with all but one of those victories by double digits as it seeks to repeat as champion. Beal City 50, Houghton Lake 8 Beal City is winning its games by an average score of 47-7 after this one over a much-improved Bobcats team that sits 3-1.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Charlevoix 50, East Jordan 6 Charlevoix (3-1) has handed the first loss this season to its last two opponents, and East Jordan (3-1) very well could go on to contend in the Northern Michigan Football Conference Legacy. This provided the Rayders with more momentum as they head into this week’s matchup with Benzie Central that could eventually decide the NMFC Leaders title. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.

Watch list Kingsley 64, Boyne City 13 Kingsley (3-1) is averaging just under 50 points per game after putting up a season high against the Ramblers (2-2), another contender in the NMFC Leaders.

On the move Frankfort 55, Johannesburg-Lewiston 0 Frankfort (4-0) earned its second-straight shutout of the Cardinals (2-2), but the Panthers’ defense has shined all season giving up just under 11 ppg. Traverse City St. Francis 28, Grayling 22 The young Gladiators (2-2) might be finding their stride after two straight losses, settling in against a Grayling team that’s 2-2 and had topped 30 points in all of its first three games. Gaylord 9, Petoskey 0 An impressive defensive stand put Gaylord (4-0) in position to play Cadillac this week for sole possession of first place in the Big North Conference, with Petoskey (2-2) among those hoping to stay in the race with another chance or two coming up to impact it.

Traverse City West defenders pursue a Grand Blanc ball carrier during the Bobcats' 43-7 win.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Jackson Lumen Christi 28, Detroit U-D Jesuit 6 Lumen Christi’s first game as part of the Detroit Catholic League saw the Titans (4-0) give up their first points of the season, and only six in adding to the impressiveness of this victory over last year’s CHSL AA champion Cubs (3-1). Click for more from the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

On the move Napoleon 42, Manchester 21 The Pirates took an important first step as they seek to repeat as league champions, this time of the new Cascades Conference East. Manchester (3-1) had given up only 29 points total over its first three games, but Napoleon (4-0) upped its early scoring average to 42 ppg and its regular-season winning streak to 14.

On the move Adrian 29, Tecumseh 7 Adrian is 4-0 for the first time since 2010 and hadn’t defeated Tecumseh (1-3) since 2011. Grass Lake 42, East Jackson 8 Grass Lake (4-0) also is undefeated at the top of the Cascades Conference East, with Napoleon up next. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard 34, Riverview Gabriel Richard 6 AAGR avenged last season’s 11-point loss to RGR (1-3) to move to 4-0 – giving the Fighting Irish one more win than all of last season and guaranteeing their best finish since 2019.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Constantine 27, Schoolcraft 21 Constantine (3-1) twice led by double digits and held on to run their winning streak against the Eagles (3-1) to two. The Falcons will start Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore play this week on the best-possible note, especially key as all six league teams area 2-2 or better heading into the league schedule. Click for more from the Three Rivers Commercial-News.

Watch list Dowagiac 39, Parchment 14 Dowagiac has had a mostly rough last three seasons, going a combined 5-20, but head into Lakeland Conference play this week with more wins than all of the last two seasons combined and after handing Parchment (3-1) its lone defeat.  

On the move Benton Harbor 34, Buchanan 27 Benton Harbor (2-2) opened Lakeland play with its third-straight game decided by seven points or fewer, but this one a win over the reigning league champion Bucks (2-2). Watervliet 18, Coloma 16 These two played for the 111th time – ranking 11th among Michigan high school rivalry games – and after the rivalry took a break the last two years. Paw Paw 40, Vicksburg 17 A testament to their tough schedule, the Red Wolves (4-0) made the playoffs last season at 4-5 – and all four of their wins so far this fall are over 2022 playoff teams.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Negaunee 13, Kingsford 12 The Miners started the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper schedule a win down, losing to Gladstone two weeks ago. But the reigning champs are right back in the mix after handing Kingsford a narrow defeat in the teams’ first meeting since 1994. The Flivvers (3-1) had reached 34 points in all three of their wins before Negaunee slowed them down. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Watch list Menominee 44, Calumet 0 With Gladstone, Negaunee and Kingsford handing each other defeats, Menominee (4-0) sits on the top of the Copper standings with those three coming up, but also having given up only six points this season with three shutouts.

On the move Houghton 34, Ishpeming Westwood 16 After two losses to open the fall, Houghton (2-2) has bounced back with two wins and gets Menominee next. Sault Ste. Marie 21, Escanaba 7 The Blue Devils (3-1) met a slightly more familiar opponent in their second game as part of the Big North Conference, adding a second win in two seasons over Escanaba (1-3). Manistique 52, West Iron County 0 After taking an eight-point loss to Ishpeming in Week 2, Manistique has two straight wins (and two straight shutouts) to get to 2-2 – after winning two games total in 2022 and 2021.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Rockford 42, Caledonia 16 The Rams (4-0) hurdled perhaps their toughest obstacle early as they pursue a fifth-straight Ottawa-Kent Conference Red title. Rockford’s defense shut down a Caledonia attack that averaged 42 points per game over its first three, and in doing so also avenged last year’s one-point District Final loss to the eventual Division 1 runner-up Fighting Scots (3-1). Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Watch list Muskegon 42, Muskegon Mona Shores 21 The Big Reds (2-2) ran their streak in another of the state’s most competitive rivalries to three straight wins, with M’Khi Guy throwing two touchdown passes and running for another score against the Sailors (2-2).

On the move Allendale 61, Hamilton 38 The Falcons (4-0) are another team on the rise, with their four wins equaling their totals of both of the last two seasons and this victory the only loss for a Hamilton team that at 3-1 has already bested its 2022 finish. Saugatuck 15, Union City 14 The Trailblazers won just two games last season but are 4-0 for the first time since 2016 and with this win over the reigning Big 8 Conference champ Chargers (3-1) their most impressive. Big Rapids 25, Reed City 14 The Cardinals (3-1) earned their first win over Reed City (1-3) since 2009, and in doing so stayed in a tie atop the Central State Activities Association Gold.

8-Player

HEADLINER Carson City-Crystal 45, Merrill 30 Carson City-Crystal (4-0) made its move to 8-player football this season coming off five straight 11-player playoff seasons. The Eagles’ first three wins this fall came against teams that are a combined 1-11, but this one over the reigning Division 1 runner-up Vandals (3-1) tells plenty about how quickly they are advancing in the new format. Click for more from the Greenville Daily News.

Watch list Gobles 53, Martin 16 The Tigers (4-0) have absolutely dominated this season, outscoring their opponents by a combined 237-24 – and that includes this win over reigning Division 1 champion Martin (2-2), which had won the last two meetings with Gobles by a combined 110-6.

On the move Brown City 46, Deckerville 28 The Green Devils (4-0) are in their second season of 8-player and first as part of the North Central Thumb League Stars – and they are tied for first after handing annual contender Deckerville (3-1) its only defeat. Pickford 44, Rudyard 42 By nearly the closest of margins, Pickford (4-0) ended a two-game losing streak to Rudyard (3-1) and after falling 34-6 last season. St. Ignace 30, Indian River Inland Lakes 28 The Saints (4-0) just keep climbing as well, with Inland Lakes (3-1) the third team they’ve handed a first loss this season.

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PHOTOS (Top) Negaunee's Kai Lacar gets a few yards before being tackled by Kingsford's Wyatt Scott (24) and Caleb Kleist (30). (Middle) Traverse City West defenders pursue a Grand Blanc ball carrier during the Bobcats' 43-7 win. (Top photo by Cara Kamps. Middle photo by Terry Lyons.)