Broncos, Panthers Rally for Vulcans Hero
September 21, 2012
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Both North Branch football coach Patrick Forster and Birch Run coach Chris Gilliam remember facing Travis Mills when he suited up for the opposing Vassar Vulcans as a talented running back just short of a decade ago.
And that made them more than glad to help out the U.S. Army Staff Sergeant as he recovers from serious injuries sustained during his third tour of duty in Afghanistan.
The Broncos and Panthers and their respective communities have been raising money to assist Mills, a 2005 Vassar High School graduate who according to the web site TravisMills.org, is only the fourth quadruple amputee from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive those injuries.
Mills' parents Dennis and Cheri will be presented with a donation during a brief ceremony at halftime of tonight's Panthers/Broncos football game at North Branch High School.
Mills currently is out of state, but according to a recent Tuscola County Advertiser report will be moving back to Vassar on Oct. 3, and will attend the school's Homecoming game two days. His incredible story and recovery have made national news, links to which can be found on his update web site along with donation directions and information.
For additional media coverage heading into tonight's event, click WJRT-12 and Lapeer Area Review.
PHOTO courtesy of TravisMills.org.
Moment: Marcotte's Return Sets Record
November 12, 2020
By John Johnson
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties
Lake Linden-Hubbell took advantage of a Mendon miscue in the 1991 MHSAA Class DD Football Final to prevent a potential score and extend its lead at the time with one the longest defensive scoring plays in a championship game.
After falling behind 8-0 midway through the first quarter, Mendon marched down the field to the Lakes' 8-yard line. On a 3rd-and-8, quarterback Mike Smith rolled left and under pressure lofted an errant pitch which was picked up by Lake Linden linebacker Rick Marcotte, who ran 79 yards the other way on the final play of the first quarter for the longest fumble return in a title match.
It was the second time that weekend the fumble return record had been broken. In the Class C finale the day before, Nate Cierlak of Muskegon Catholic Central returned a fumble 56 yards for a score against Harbor Beach.
Marcotte's score gave the Lakes a 14-0 lead at the time. Smith, however, would engineer a scoring drive off the ensuing kickoff, negotiating the last 10 yards himself to start the comeback for the Hornets, who would score the next 22 points en route to a 30-14 victory and second championship in three years for coach John Schwartz’s squad.