Trojans Find Familiar Success in 8-Player
October 5, 2016
By Dennis Grall
Special for Second Half
Football players, coaches and fans all know what it takes to produce winning teams: score a lot of points, don’t give up many, run, pass, catch and tackle.
While 11-player football is the traditional way to play the game, declining school enrollments have forced numerous schools to adjust if they want to keep offering the sport. They are learning that 8-player football requires the same things to be successful.
Crystal Falls Forest Park for decades dominated the ranks of Class D, which later became Division 8. The Trojans used a pretty simple game plan: find a stud running back, hitch their wagon to his burly shoulders and overpower any team which happened to be on the field.
Forest Park claimed the initial two Class D championships when the playoffs began in 1975 and added another title in 2007. The Trojans also won 23 Great Western Conference crowns.
But enrollment kept dropping, as it has throughout the state, and a year ago Forest Park officials decided to join the movement to 8-player football. There are 51 teams at that level this year, and nearby Felch North Dickinson, another long-time small-school power, will join the mix in 2017.
The decision was controversial when it was accepted by a 4-2 board of education vote last October, and many staunch Forest Park fans were aghast. But that apparently has cooled down, no doubt helped by a 5-1 start to this initial season.
“I don’t hear the griping of people against it,” said veteran coach and former Forest Park player Dave Graff. “The people in the know realize where our numbers are. That type of (negative) talk has gone by the wayside.
“We still have traditionalists out there who think 8-man is not football. This program is steeped in tradition, and you don’t get acceptance in one year’s time.”
The Trojans suit up 22 players for each varsity game, but nine are freshmen and sophomores who would be playing junior varsity football if Forest Park offered that level. “If we had jayvees we would not be able to function as a varsity unit,” Graff said.
The school enrollment is about 150 students this year, and Graff said he has been hearing it may drop by about 25-30 students next year. Forest Park has not fielded a full jayvee schedule for the past six years.
Even more astounding is this observation from Bill Santilli, the school’s athletic director since Aug. 1 and a former all-state running back and long-time coach: “I really fear that in the next two years Forest Park will not have a football program.”
Wow … this tradition-laden, statewide power on the threshold of no football?
Santilli added: “I’m fearful in the sense that four freshmen are playing, and we lose eight seniors. You do the math.”
He said Graff and Forest Park are being proactive and have worked with their Western Eight Conference to institute a junior high level of 8-player football and are also trying to get a grade 5-6 program started, possibly in flag football.
The school’s youth program has stayed with the 11-player game, and 2015 8-player MHSAA champion Powers North Central has kept an 11-player junior varsity. “It just doesn’t seem to be working because we’re all struggling with numbers there also,” said Santilli.
To give football a chance to hang around, he said, “We have to focus our attention on that youth level. We’re trying to build interest.”
While declining enrollment is forcing the switch to 8-player football, Santilli said, “Declining participation is probably more of a factor than it is enrollment. There are athletes in our school that in my opinion would make our football team better, but for some reason have not elected to play.”
Noting the game “nationwide is under attack,” he said it is safer now than ever because of increased improvement in equipment and extensive stress on safety. “Changes being made at every level are making the game as safe as it can be,” Santilli added.
Graff and Santilli, as players and coaches, have seen the values the sport provides.
“What are you trying to teach in football? We’re trying to teach work ethic, morals, not doing what is wrong when people aren’t watching, trying to teach character,” Graff said. “We are trying to raise people to be successful in our society and improve our society. We stress doing it right, we stress not missing the opportunity to do something good, the little things in life.
“Football is not just a rough sport. There are such great opportunities to teach things in life like discipline, teamwork, effort, enthusiasm, mental toughness, making good people.”
Santilli pointed out those lessons occur in both the 11-player game and the 8-player game. “It is still football. I’ve seen some great blocks and tackles and collisions out there,” said Santilli, who still resembles the powerful fullback who led the Trojans to their first Class D title in 1975 en route to a distinctive U.P. Sports Hall of Fame playing and coaching career.
“I don’t see that any different with 8-man; there are just fewer players.”
Santilli said some of his former teammates who now have youngsters playing have been hard to convince the switch to 8-player was necessary. “It is taking them a little bit longer to adapt to the change,” he said.
But, he said, “The players have slowly bought into the change. For them it is still the same game. There is the same excitement with the players, the same intensity when they take the field. They are just ready and waiting for the competition.”
Santilli, with his strong and successful background with the Trojans, might be the ideal observer of the switch, agreeing the game still requires athletes to make plays to stop other athletes.
“It is a different technique, a different style player more geared to open field situations (on both sides of the ball). Dave is still bringing Forest Park style football into his coaching, giving the ball to (Dan) Nocerini and powering it right at you.”
Nocerini is the latest standout back in a string of stars from Santilli and Graff who also included Mark Flood, Lee Graff, Dan Lato, Gerard Valesano and Dean Arcand. In just six games this season, the 6-foot-2, 217-pound senior has rushed for 1,186 yards and 20 touchdowns, highlighted by an opening-game 414 yards rushing and seven TDs.
“It is definitely a lot more open than I expected,” Nocerini said after that explosive opener at Rapid River. “Instead of beating a safety or a corner, you just have to beat one guy (downfield).”
He also said the players “have moved on. Everybody likes football; you just put your helmet on and go play.”
The acceptance of 8-player has been easier because the Trojans are as powerful as ever, losing only to North Central 60-42 in Week 2. They are averaging 56.3 points per game and allowing 28.3.
“People will see we have to go 8-man. There isn’t a choice,” Graff said. “We as coaches have come to grips with that ,and I think the community is coming to grips with it. The tradition is always there.”
Denny Grall retired in 2012 after 39 years at the Escanaba Daily Press and four at the Green Bay Press-Gazette, plus 15 months for WLST radio in Escanaba; he served as the Daily Press sports editor from 1970-80 and again from 1984-2012. Grall was inducted into the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame in 2002 and serves as its executive secretary. E-mail him at [email protected] with story ideas for the Upper Peninsula.
PHOTOS: (Top) Dan Nocerini of Crystal Falls Forest Park barges through a huge hole for a four-yard touchdown against Rapid River defenders David Johnson, left, and Gavin Harris (55) in their season opener. (Middle) Parker Sundell finds some running room after getting around Rockets defender Levi Miller. (Below) Roy Hagglund of Crystal Falls Forest Park reaches for a pass as Austin Wicklund of Rapid River defends. (Photos by Dennis Grall.)
1st & Goal: 2024 Week 4 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 19, 2024
We’re steadily moving toward the midpoint of this football regular season, but league races already could begin sorting themselves out with at least a few of our premier matchups this week.
Two of our highlighted games – in Detroit and the Upper Peninsula – decided league championships a year ago. We’re still figuring things out this fall, of course, but several more games to watch this week appear to have similar potential.
All games listed below are tonight unless noted, with results as they are reported posting all weekend on the MHSAA Scores page – and updated standings also available by clicking the schools on the score list.
Bay & Thumb
Croswell-Lexington (2-1) at North Branch (3-0) WATCH
North Branch went from co-champion of the Blue Water Area Conference in 2022 to 4-5 overall a year ago, but the Broncos appear primed for another run. They’ve yet to give up a point while scoring a combined 179 over their three victories, although Croswell-Lexington should provide their toughest challenge so far. The Pioneers did lose a tough 14-0 matchup with Armada to start their BWAC schedule two weeks ago, but won last season’s meeting with North Branch 34-14 and rebounded last week with a 41-20 win over Richmond.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Millington (3-0) at Cass City (2-1) WATCH, Saginaw Heritage (2-1) at Davison (2-1), Clare (3-0) at Gladwin (2-1), Freeland (3-0) at Flint Powers Catholic (2-1) WATCH.
Greater Detroit
Detroit Martin Luther King (2-1) at Detroit Cass Tech (2-1) WATCH
The Public School League’s most competitive rivalry is set for its latest installment with Cass Tech ranked No. 4 in Division 1 and King No. 3 in Division 3. Cass won both meetings last year, 14-7 and 24-23, and actually has won three straight in the series with an anticipated rematch likely in the PSL championship game at the end of this regular season. Both are already tested with wins over top Ohio teams and losses against Michigan title contenders, Cass to Rockford and King to Warren De La Salle Collegiate.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Detroit Catholic Central (3-0) at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (2-1) WATCH, Clarkston (2-1) at Rochester Adams (3-0) WATCH, Macomb Dakota (3-0) at Sterling Heights Stevenson (3-0) WATCH, Toledo Central Catholic, Ohio (3-1) at Warren De La Salle Collegiate (3-0).
Mid-Michigan
Owosso (3-0) at Corunna (3-0) WATCH
Aside from a 12-year stretch when these neighbors met on opening night, and even with those games included, it’s been a while since this matchup has had this kind of punch. Corunna has won the last five between them, all by at least 21 points, and the Cavaliers are on the move again after last season’s Division 5 runner-up finish. But Owosso already has as many wins as a year ago, and one more this fall will guarantee the Trojans their best finish since 2012.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Parma Western (3-0) at Hastings (3-0), Newaygo (3-0) at Howard City Tri County (3-0), Holt (2-1) at Grand Ledge (2-1) WATCH, Durand (2-1) at Ovid-Elsie (3-0) WATCH.
Northern Lower Peninsula
Boyne City (2-1) at Kingsley (2-1) WATCH
Kingsley has bounced back from a two-point loss to Reed City in its opener to look very Kingsley-like, last week rushing for a school-record 668 yards in a win over Grayling, according to the Traverse City Record-Eagle. Boyne City also opened with a loss but quickly has bounced back, avenging a 2023 defeat to Charlevoix last week 45-21. Kingsley won last year’s matchup 64-13, but this time these two are back in the same league, the Northern Michigan Football League’s Legends division.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Charlevoix (1-2) at East Jordan (3-0) WATCH, Grand Blanc (2-1) at Traverse City West (3-0) WATCH, Frankfort (2-1) at Johannesburg-Lewiston (2-1) WATCH, Cheboygan (2-1) at Kalkaska (1-2) WATCH.
Southeast & Border
Napoleon (2-1) at Manchester (3-0) WATCH
After posting its best finish last season since 2015, Manchester is continuing to make nice strides under first-year leader and previously-successful Addison coach Joshua Lindeman. The Flying Dutchmen’s start includes a 20-8 win over Lindeman’s former team in Week 2, and this weekend provides an opportunity to break a five-game losing streak against Napoleon, which defeated Manchester in the regular season and playoffs both of the last two seasons. Napoleon fell to much-improved Onsted to start this fall but has two wins to roll into this Cascades Conference East opener.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Ann Arbor Huron (2-1) at Dexter (2-1), Riverview Gabriel Richard (3-0) at Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (3-0). FRIDAY Hudson (2-1) at Onsted (2-1) WATCH, Clinton (2-1) at Blissfield (2-1) WATCH.
Southwest Corridor
Decatur (3-0) at White Pigeon (3-0) WATCH
Decatur is 3-0 for the first time since 2014 and handed Petersburg Summerfield its only defeat with a 30-27 Week 2 win. The Raiders also have been among few to have success against White Pigeon since the formation of the Southwest 10 Conference in 2017, most recently winning their 2022 matchup before White Pigeon took last year’s 36-12. The Chiefs’ regular-season winning streak is up to 16 games as they look to repeat as league champion.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY South Haven (2-1) at Constantine (3-0), Vermontville Maple Valley (2-1) at Union City (3-0) WATCH, Paw Paw (3-0) at Vicksburg (2-1) WATCH, Allegan (2-1) at Kalamazoo United (2-1).
Upper Peninsula
Negaunee (3-0) at Kingsford (3-0) WATCH
Last season’s 13-12 win was Negaunee’s first over Kingsford, according to a Marquette Mining Journal report, and ended up eventually gaining the Miners a shared Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper title with the Flivvers as the teams went on to finish a combined 18-5. Negaunee was one of few opponents to slow Kingsford’s attack last year, and that defensive flex has continued as the Miners have given up only 14 points over their first three games this fall. Kingsford has been even better, allowing just eight points so far.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Calumet (2-1) at Menominee (3-0) WATCH, Bark River-Harris (1-2) at Gwinn (2-1), Ishpeming Westwood (1-2) at Houghton (1-2), Iron Mountain (3-0) at West Iron County (1-2) WATCH.
West Michigan
Byron Center (3-0) at Muskegon Mona Shores (3-0) WATCH
Byron Center’s recent surge and move into the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green this season has added serious intrigue to this matchup. The Bulldogs won 10 games last season for the third time over the last eight seasons and have continued to pick up steam, with a 43-20 win over East Kentwood in Week 2 especially notable. Mona Shores, meanwhile, has navigated one of the toughest opening slates with wins over Grand Blanc, River Rouge and Flint Hamady – all on the road.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Zeeland East (2-1) at Zeeland West (3-0) WATCH, Grand Rapids Northview (3-0) at East Grand Rapids (2-1) WATCH, Rockford (3-0) at Hudsonville (2-1) WATCH, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (3-0) at Hudsonville Unity Christian (3-0).
8-Player
Ishpeming (3-0) at Pickford (3-0)
Ishpeming’s move to 8-player football this season got its biggest boost yet with last week’s 50-28 win over Gaylord St. Mary, but the Hematites can establish themselves among championship contenders over their next two games. First up is Pickford, a Division 1 semifinalist a year ago, before a Week 5 meeting with last season’s Division 1 runner-up Indian River Inland Lakes. Pickford hasn’t been challenged much yet, although a 40-12 win over Powers North Central always will be impressive.
Keep an eye on these: FRIDAY Alcona (3-0) at Atlanta (3-0) WATCH, Deckerville (3-0) at Brown City (3-0),
Kingston (3-0) at Mayville (2-1). SATURDAY Morrice (3-0) at Portland St. Patrick (3-0).
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PHOTO Harrison Township L'Anse Creuse's Donovan Rey (3) breaks through an opening during his team's 54-20 win over Macomb L'Anse Creuse North last week. (Photo by Adam Sheehan.)