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Defense the key in Montrose's 21-0 victory

GOODRICH Defense was the name of the game Friday night for Montrose's varsity football team as the Rams shut down Goodrich's offense en route to an important 21-0 GAC-Red victory. "There's no question that defense won the game for us tonight," commented Ram mentor Dennis Reinhart, whose squad yielded just 99 total yards to the host Martians. "It was certainly the best defense we have played all year and it resulted in a key win for us." While the defense was effectively suffocating Goodrich throughout the evening, the offense, led by senior running back Cody Groulx, was doggedly monotonous as it churned out 269 of its 310 total yards on the ground. After a scoreless first quarter, the Rams scored one touchdown and an extra point in each of the three remaining periods. Groulx scored on a one-yard run midway through the second stanza and Trevor Adams kicked the extra point. Then Groulx scored at 4:11 of the third quarter on a 20-yard dash that finished off a 60-yard march before Adams added another PAT to make it 14-0. Then, on the opening play of the fourth quarter, Groulx punched it in from one yard out and a third straight successful boot gave the Rams their final margin of victory. Montrose had a golden opportunity to put another six points on the scoreboard later in the final period, but fumbled into the end zone for a touchback.

Groulx turned in a workmanlike effort, scoring three TDs and picking up 118 yards on 24 carries to pace the offense. James Person covered 51 yards on nine rushes and Jon Hall gained 58 yards on eight carries. Marvin Boswell had seven tackles and Zach Kuzniar had six stops to anchor the defense. Mitch Schneider, Brandon Rose and Boswell each had a fumble recovery while Schneider added an interception to his defensive resume. "The kids feel good about themselves after the win tonight. Hopefully, this gives us nice momentum heading into next week's game with Mt. Morris." Concluded Reinhart. The win improves Montrose to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in the GAC-Red heading into this Friday's home date with the Panthers.

Indian netters swat Lancers, bow to Dukes

MIDLAND -- Chesaning's varsity tennis squad improved to 6-2 on the season Thursday after a 6-2 win over host Bullock Creek in the Tri-Valley Conference. Travis Maike won a marathon two and one-half hour match at No. 3 singles, going 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-4. At the No. 4 spot, Troy Harmon was a 6-3, 6-3 victor. Jonah Ebenhoeh, at No. 1 singles, dropped a 3-6, 3-6 decision, while Nick Reynolds fell 0-6, 0-6 at No. 2. In doubles play, Blake Johnston and Ryan Deming posted a 6-4, 6-1 victory at No. 1. The No. 2 team of Cole Davis and Zach Devereaux won 6-1, 6-3. At No. 3 doubles, Cody Ferry and Spencer Stutler posted a shut-out 6-0, 6-0 win, while Roy Small and Luke Dankert were 6-4, 6-1 victors at No. 4. On Wednesday, the Indians bowed to Essexville Garber for the second time this year, in an 8-0 decision. At No. 1 singles, Ebenhoeh dropped a 3-6, 1-6 decision. Reynolds fell 1-6, 0-6 at No. 2. Maike went 3-6, 1-6 at the No. 3 spot. Harmon at No. 4 singles had the closest night, succombing 4-6, 6-7 (9-11). In doubles, Deming and Johnston fell 1-6, 0-6 at No. 1. At No. 2, D. J. Brown and Davis fell 1-6, 4-6. At No. 3, Ferry and Stutler lost 0-6, 3-6. At No. 4, it was Jason Juirhead and Leo Devota bowing 4-6, 6-2, 1-6.

VIKINGS VANQUISHED!

Chesaning defense smothers Swan Valley

CHESANING -- The Indian varsity football squad came of age Friday night in a stunning 28-0 win over Tri-Valley Conference powerhouse Swan Valley. Despite sporting a 3-0 record on the young season, the Tribe gridders had only shown flashes of the high caliber football head coach Jim Szappan knew they were capable of playing. But Friday night they put it all together, keyed by the defense. "This feels pretty good," and exuberant Szappan said after the game. "The kids played outstanding tonight, especially the defense. Our defensive guys were all over the field." Szappan added, "Swan Valley has some good skill players. I thought this game was going to be a slugfest, but our defense took control." David Hawes led the Tribe defense, hauling down 12 tackles and an interception. Jesse Maldonado had nine tackles with an interception. Mike Rowe was credited with 10 tackles. The Indian offense got on the board at 6:55 of the first quarter on a nine yard pass from quarterback Joe Bitterman to Hawes. The PAT kick was blocked. Then at 2:15 of the first, Maldonado broke free on a 20 yard TD run. The two-point conversion pass attempt was incomplete. After a scoreless second quarter, Chesaning took a 12-0 lead into the locker room at the half. At the 5:50 mark of the third quarter, Bitterman out-ran the Viking defense on a 63 yard touchdown run. For the two-point play, Bitterman connected with Justin Sweeney on a pass to make it 20-0. The Tribe closed out the scoring at 6:55 of the fourth on a two yard TD plunge by Bitterman. The quarterback connected with Sweeney again for the two-point pass. Bitterman finished the night with 174 yards in 11 carries. He also threw for 64 yards on 6 of 9 passing. "Our offensive line did a nice job tonight, too," Szappan said. "They opened some holes for the backs, and gave Joe good protection on the passing attempts." The Indians will need to maintain their focus this Friday, when they travel to Midland to face Bullock Creek. The Lancers were big winners over Freeland last Friday night. Game time is 7 p.m.

Bulldogs roll past Cavaliers

CARROLLTON -- The Bulldog football express continued to roll Friday night, picking up a convincing 38-0 win over host Carrollton. St. Charles scored on their opening drive, setting the tone for the game. That score came at the 10:46 mark of the first quarter, on a two yard run by quarterback Brian Halas. Marshall Davenport ran in the two-point conversion. Then still in the first quarter, at 4:07, M. Davenport plunged in from two yards out. This time, Halas connected with Dugan Roosa on the conversion pass to make it 16-0. In the second quarter, Halas found M. Davenport on a 25 yard TD pass play. Davenport again ran in the conversion. On the ensuing kickoff, Carrollton bobbled the ball, and St. Charles' Matt Schalow scooped up the fumble and returned it 15 yards for the touchdown. Travis Crane booted the PAT for the 31-0 lead. In the third quarter, Ryan Humpert broke loose for the Bulldogs and went 44 yards to paydirt for the final score of the night. Crane tacked on the PAT kick. The Bulldogs finished up with 278 yards rushing in 46 attempts, and another 74 yards on 2 of 3 passing for 352 yards of total offense. Humpert tallied 130 yards in 12 carries. Jacob Green had 65 yards in 14 trips. M. Davenport had 52 yards in seven carries. "We had our reserves in from about midway through the second quarter," St. Charles coach Bob Welzein said. The Cavalier ended up with 134 yards rushing and another 24 yards on 3 of 11 passing for 158 yards of total offense. Justin Hedrich led the 'Dawged defense with six tackles and three fumble recoveries -- all three lost by the Cavs. Crane had seven tackles, while Jason Smith snagged six, including a quarterback sack. Pat Waswick had four tackles with a sack, and Humpert had five tackles. "Carrollton's a pretty good team," Welzein said. "They did some things well against us. They had one back who ran for 124 yards on us. That's a pretty good night." Next up for the 4-0 Bulldogs is Breckenridge, who came up short Friday night in a 70-36 loss to St. Louis. Game time is 7 p.m. in Bulldog Stadium.

Tribe harriers host TVC Central Jam

CHESANING -- The Indian cross country teams hosted their Tri-Valley Central Jamboree on Tuesday, Sept. 11 in Showboat Park. In the girls' race, Shepherd led the field with 45 ponts. Alma was second with 53, followed by Freeland with 55, Swan Valley with 115, Hemlock with 140, Bullock Creek with 161, Chesaning with 178, and Ovid-Elsie with 212. Leading the way for the Indians was Chantelle Fondren, who finished 18th in 23:18.3. Heather Sawvel was 30th in 24:26.1. Carlie Zervan was 53rd in 27:14.2. Kaylee Turnwald was 59th in 27:43.3. Melissa Martinez was 71st in 29:51.2. In the boys race, Alma was first with 48 points, followed by Shepherd with 60, Ovid-Elsie with 74, Swan Valley with 78, Freeland with 141, Chesaning with 159, Bullock Creek with 182 and Hemlock with 202. Andrew Guzdial paced the Indians, finishing fifth in 17:23.1. Trevor Denton was ninth in 17:57.3. Brandon Bishop was 51st in 20:35.2. Terry Bishop was 85th in 25:32.1.

Hornet harrier gals take first, guys second at Genesee Invite

GENESEE -- New Lothrop's cross country girls took first and the boys took second in Divison 2 at the Genesee Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 8. The Hornet girls scored 41 points to earn first place. Royal Oak Shrine was second with 51 points. Emily Vincke led the New Lothrop gals, placing third in 23:02. She was followed by Kayla Knieper in seventh in 24;27, Amanda Sanders in ninth in 25;13, Brittney Henige in 10th in 25;17 and Ashley Root in 12th in 25:27. Also running for the girls were Chelsea Parsons, 27:49, Celeste Rousseau, 29:42, Amber Sullivan, 32:33, Kristen Baryo, 34:57, Jessica Parsons, 36:18, Carla Pani, 36:19, Tricia Stankiewicz, 37:55, and Neha Gurgar, 41:18. The New Lothrop boys scored 70 points to take second behind Royal Oak Shrine with 59 points. Dakota Allen led the Hornet boys, placing eighth in 20:42. He was followed by Jesse Lorencz in 12th in 21;22, Brandon Praski in 15th in 21:25, Pat Schnell at 16th in 21:26, and Josh Schiefer in 19th in 22:53. Also running for the Hornets were Tiler Bacon, 25:17, Cody Jacobs, 26:11, Matt Knieper, 28:47, and Eric Crenshaw, 33:14. In the junior high race, Sean Vincke was first for the New Lothrop runners with a time of 14:16 in the two-mile race. He was followed by Rachel Vincke in 15:22, Mitch Sovis, 15:37, Josh Stankiewicz, 15:39, Steven Chappelle, 16:07, Keith Schnell, 16:37, Kelsey Bacon, 16:40, Eric Milks, 17:38, Kayla Bila, 17:50, Courtney Seamon, 17:57, Cory Harris, 18:00, Gavin Bennett, 18:18, Amanda Eickholt, 18:53, Kylie Jacobs, 21:03, Corina Bitterman, 21:05, Olivia Moody, 21:48, Julia Johnson, 23:17, Caitlin Clason, 23:50, Natalie Henige, 24:55, Alex Cramer, 25:10, and Courtney Bila, 26:43.

Tribe harriers run at Marauder Invite

OVID -- Chesaning's cross country runners competed in the Ovid-Elsie Marauder Invitational on Sept. 5 The Tribe girls finished 13th out of 18. Chantelle Fondren led the Indians, taking 39th in 24:49.9. Heather Sawvel was 54th in 25:44.5. Lindsey Halvorsen was 108th in 29:23. Carlie Zervan finished 115th in 30:02.7. Melissa Martinez was 132nd in 31:22.4. The Chesaning boys finished 15th out of 18. Andrew Guzdial captured sixth in 18:05.9. Trevor Denton was 18th in 18:33.4. Brandon Bishop was 80th in 21:00.6. Terry Bishop was 100th in 26:21.7. In the middle school race, Jessica Sawvel placed fourth for the Indians in 16;17. Raven Franks was 10th in 17:43. Stephanie Tripp was 11th in 18:03. For the middle school boys, Rob Kovach was first in 13:10. Colton Eurich was 15th in 15:03. Brandon Tripp was 32nd in 23:35.