Blissfield Boys Surge, Then Sweep to Attain Bowling Royalty for 1st Time
By
Perry A. Farrell
Special for MHSAA.com
February 27, 2026
TAYLOR – Plymouth Christian Academy had been consistent Friday at Skore Lanes, earning the top seed for match play, sweeping its first match and winning the first game of its Division 4 Quarterfinal.
Then the Eagles ran into a Blissfield team on a roll as well.
PCA did take a 2-1 lead in their Semifinal before Blissfield won the last two games – rolling a 246 in the match decider. The Royals then swept Riverview Gabriel Richard in the championship match to claim their first Finals team title in boys bowling.
Blissfield’s lineup of Cash Moore, Alex Kudlac, Preston Iffland, Jon Cheney and Matthew Anderson dominated the Final, winning 191-114, 219-157 and 214-137.
The Royals also had reached the Semifinals in Division 3 a year ago but were a few students short of remaining in that classification this year. Moving to Division 4 was somewhat of a disappointment after coming so close in the Division 3 bracket.
“We were kind of upset about it,’’ said Moore, the leadoff bowler in the Final. “We had made the final four a year ago. We adjusted. I thought we bowled well all day. I thought (Gabriel Richard) might have run out of gas.’’
Plymouth Christian capitalized on a 943 score in the second round of singles to claim the top spot in qualifying with a 3,360. Jonesville, which finished Division 4 runner-up the last two seasons and was seeking its first championship since 2014, was second in qualifying at 3,337 pins, and New Lothrop placed third at 3,316.
PCA advanced against Bay City All Saints (3-0) in the first round of the best-of-five Baker game match format. Blissfield had eliminated Burton Atherton (3-0) to advance.
Jonesville’s hope of finally reclaiming the title stayed alive with a victory over Traverse City Christian (3-1) to advance to the Semifinal against Riverview Gabriel Richard, which had eliminated New Lothrop (3-2). Gabriel Richard won 3-1 against Jonesville to advance to the Final.
“We just kept going,’’ said Blissfield’s Iffland. “We didn’t miss our spares. If we got down during the day we got back up. If someone was hot we just kept riding each other.
“This was awesome. Last year we came up just short (in Division 3). It was sweet that we got it this year.’’
Be the Referee: Bowling Pins
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
February 3, 2026
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment – Bowling Pins - Listen
We’re back on the bowling lane today, ready to throw our first ball of the third frame. Strikes were recorded in each of the first two frames, and we’re now one strike away from a turkey.
We roll a perfect ball that hits the pocket with power and sends all 10 pins flying. What a shot! Three strikes in a row … so we think.
Once the pins settle, we notice that one pin bounced off the side wall and landed upright back on the lane, like it had never been touched. But we know it was knocked down to begin with. Is this a strike, or a 9?
Get your spare ball ready – it’s a 9. If a pin is still standing after your throw, no matter how, it’s still considered a standing pin.
Previous 2025-26 editions
Jan. 27: Ski Gates - Listen
Jan. 20: Cheer Judges - Listen
Jan. 13: Basketball Over the Back - Listen
Jan. 6: Bowling Ball Bounces Out of Gutter - Listen
Dec. 9: Puck on Goal Netting - Listen
Dec. 2: Goaltending vs. Basket Interference - Listen
Nov. 25: Football Finals Instant Replay - Listen
Nov. 18: Volleyball Libero Uniforms - Listen
Nov. 11: Illegal Substitution/Participation - Listen
Nov. 4: Losing a Shoe - Listen
Oct. 28: Unusual Soccer Goals - Listen
Oct. 21: Field Hockey Penalty Stroke - Listen
Oct. 14: Tennis Double Hit - Listen
Oct. 7: Safety in Football - Listen
Sept. 30: Field Hockey Substitution - Listen
Sept 23: Multiple Contacts in Volleyball - Listen
Sept. 16: Soccer Penalty Kick - Listen
Sept. 9: Forward Fumble - Listen
Sept. 2: Field Hockey Basics - Listen
Aug. 26: Golf Ball Bounces Out - Listen