Gull Lake Players Find Opportunities to Play, New Friendships as Part of 'Parchment Pride'
By
Pam Shebest
Special for MHSAA.com
September 22, 2026
PARCHMENT — When he took the field for his senior football season, Lucas Hutchinson did not expect to be wearing maroon and white.
The navy blue and white of Gull Lake High School was more his style.
But before the season started, an unusual series of events found Hutchinson and his 18 Gull Lake teammates without any team at all.
That’s when Parchment athletic director Brennan Davis stepped in, contacting Gull Lake AD Karyn Furlong and offering a solution: a cooperative team.
All of a sudden, those 19 players found a new football home.
“Obviously I’d rather be wearing navy blue and white but I’m happy to play in whatever color I can,” Hutchinson said. “Now that I’m playing for Parchment, I gotta have that Parchment Pride so I wear it with honor, and even though it’s not the color I wanted to wear, I’m excited to wear it.”
Gull Lake canceled its football season Aug. 12 after a preseason camp incident that resulted in school and law enforcement investigations.
Davis said his team’s numbers were down this year and adding the Gull Lake players would be the boost his team needed.
“I had heard about Gull Lake canceling their season due to safety concerns, and the schedule they’re playing is tough – to go into the game with 20 kids against some perennial powers,” Davis said. “So I reached out to Karyn (Furlong) on a Wednesday morning (about combining the teams). I heard back from her a few hours later.”
From there, a co-op team was born with the assurance that none of the players involved in the incident would be on the team.
The two groups held their first combined practice a week before the Aug. 27 season opener with just one snag.
“One issue we had was helmets,” Davis said. “We had a specific number of maroon helmets that would have outfitted our varsity and JV players, but then (Gull Lake) came over, they had white helmets.
"We asked the Gull Lake players to give up their white helmets for maroon helmets and gave the white to the JV players.”
First-day jitters
Several Gull Lake players, including Hutchinson, were a bit nervous that first practice.
“I didn’t know how we were going to work together and get along,” Hutchinson said. “I knew no one, but I do now,” he laughed. “When I first went into the locker room it was with a bunch of random faces I didn’t know. I was definitely eager to know everybody.”
He said he was worried about the way he and his teammates would be treated.
“Past two years, I was starting on varsity both ways, so even though I was getting to play football, I was worried how things were going to change, for not just me but all the guys from Gull Lake being treated equally and getting playing time. It transitioned smoothly, definitely no favoring with the coaches.”
Parchment quarterback Jordan Bagley said before the rosters combined the Panthers were preparing for a tough season with just 20 players.
“We knew we were going to have a lot of two-way players so that means we weren’t going to drag butt at practice,” the junior said. “We had to show up and bring it every day.
“It was definitely going to be a tough season mentally and physically. That’s a lot of wear and tear on your body.”
He added that Gull Lake players give the Panthers extra depth.
“It lets everybody come out fresh,” he said. “It reduces the risk of injuries, too. They don’t have to worry about coming out of the game if they’re gassed or need a breather, so it’s a big help.”
A bonus for Parchment was Hutchinson and junior quarterback Zac Pfenning, both past all-Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference first-teamers.
“We have a lot more skill positions so that’s always good for receivers and defensive backs to rotate in,” Bagley said. “They bring some leadership, too. Kessler (Johnson) is a good leader who’s helped X (Xavier Garcia). Depth and more players and a lot of new friendships.
"This has been one of better experiences for football in my career. I’ve actually enjoyed it a lot. It’s been a very positive thing for both sides, I believe. Everybody gets to play some football.”
Todd Nunn, Parchment’s second-year head coach, said he was excited to have his team’s numbers doubled.
“I don’t think we could have asked for a better practice that first day,” he said. “The group seemed to gel well; the Parchment kids were explaining to the Gull Lake kids our offensive plays, helped them understand the defense that was being called. It was like they’d been there the whole time.”
Nunn is no stranger to co-op teams.
He coached at Burr Oak, which combined with Colon for the four years he was there.
“I knew what it felt like being the team coming over to the main school,” he said. “I understood some of the reservations the Gull Lake kids might have coming over here.
“We sat the kids down, explained what was happening and how it would benefit them, not having to play both sides of the ball, getting more time to come to the sidelines to get a break. I think they were very receptive to that.”
Parchment and Gull Lake cheerleaders also have combined for several games.
“The co-op was just for football, but our cheerleaders and Gull Lake’s cheer team and coaches are good friends,” Davis said. “They have practiced together previously over the summer.
“We decided on a specific schedule where their cheerleaders would cheer with ours, four or five games.”
In addition, the football team will play a home game for Senior Night at Gull Lake, against Lawton on Oct. 16. The Blue Devils have 14 seniors and five juniors on the team.
Parchment has six seniors, 11 juniors and three sophomores.
Quick transition, perfect fit
The ease with which the process came together surprised Davis.
“Everything fell into place, which was strange because things usually take forever,” he said.
Over the course of one week:
- Davis and Furlong talked on a Wednesday.
- Parchment already had a staff development day scheduled that day and talked about the cooperative possibility.
- A Southwestern Athletic Conference meeting had been previously postponed from Tuesday to Thursday, and all 18 teams approved the co-op.
- “We did not involve the kids until prior to the (Parchment) board meet on Monday at 5.” Davis said. “I met with four of our team leaders at 4:50, board meeting at 5, meet the team night at 6:30, Gull Lake board meeting at 7, so that whole night was a lot.”
- The MHSAA then approved it.
With the season under way, the Panthers take a 2-2 record into Friday’s game against Kalamazoo United, another co-op team made up of Kalamazoo Christian and Hackett Catholic Prep players.
“(Gull Lake) kids follow our strength and conditioning requirements,” Davis said. “Whenever we have an away game, the kids drive here, ride our buses to our events.
“If there are disciplinary issues, they are a Parchment student-athlete, they function as Parchment students. Luckily nothing (bad) has happened.”
Bagley said the combined team has resulted in friendships that will last beyond this season.
“I got to meet a lot of new people, made a bunch of new friendships, which I’m really thankful for,” he said.
Hutchinson said he and his teammates have adjusted well.
“The first week it was weird seeing everyone wearing a different color (than he wore at Gull Lake), running out to a different field and having it be our home field. But now I’ve embraced it. Now I’m a Parchment Panther … for football,” he added, laughing.
Pam Shebest served as a sportswriter at the Kalamazoo Gazette from 1985-2009 after 11 years part-time with the Gazette while teaching French and English at White Pigeon High School. She can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Calhoun, Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties.
PHOTOS (Top) At left, Parchment quarterback Jordan Bagley (2) hands off during a game this season, and at right, Lucas Hutchinson (10) carries the ball downfield. (Middle) Clockwise from top left: Parchment athletic director Brennan Davis, varsity football coach Todd Nunn, senior Lucas Hutchinson and junior Jordan Bagley. (Below) Hutchinson wears the maroon and white of the Panthers. (Action photos by Kelci Henton. Headshots by Pam Shebest.)
1st & Goal: 2024 Week 7 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 14, 2024
A total of 45 varsity teams remain undefeated after seven weeks of this 2024 football regular season.
That total is at least 12 fewer than five days ago after a seismic Week 7 that saw several more league races decided and plenty of movement on the playoff point lists with just two games left for most before the field of 288 is selected.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Chesaning 23, Ovid-Elsie 7 Chesaning (7-0) won this matchup of undefeated teams to clinch a share of the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference title, the program’s second straight as it continued a 13-game league winning streak. Chesaning can make the championship outright this week against Durand, while Ovid-Elise (6-1) closes its league schedule with New Lothrop. Click for more from WJRT.
Watch list Fenton 41, Flushing 21 Fenton (7-0) continued its Flint Metro League dominance by finishing a seventh-straight divisional title run in claiming the Stripes championship outright. Flushing fell to 5-2 but still has guaranteed its best finish since 2019.
On the move Standish-Sterling 27, Ogemaw Heights 25 Standish-Sterling’s benefit from this was a 10-spot jump to No. 16 on the Division 6 playoff list as the Panthers improved to 4-3, but Clare also ended up with a share of the Jack Pine Conference Division 1 title with Ogemaw Heights (6-1) taking its first loss. Goodrich 42, Ortonville Brandon 14 The Martians (6-1) also capped a Flint Metro League title, in the Stars division, after finishing second a year ago. Brandon fell to 4-3. Marysville 19, St. Clair 13 Marysville (6-1) finished a perfect run through the Macomb Area Conference Silver to claim its first league title since 2016 and send St. Clair to 5-2.
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Utica Eisenhower 21, Macomb Dakota 14 Eisenhower (6-1) bounced back from a Week 6 loss to earn a share of the Macomb Area Conference Red championship for the second-straight season, with quarterback Jack Bullock scoring the go-ahead touchdown late to also give the Eagles their second-straight win over Dakota (6-1). The Cougars shared the title after tying for third a year ago. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.
Check out the best moments from this Gametime Live Matchup between the Macomb Dakota Cougars and the Utica Eisenhower Eagles from October 11th, 2024.@DakotaFootball | @IkeVEagles1
In collaboration with Shelby TV
Powered by @lawrencetechu | @salmich | @altaequipment | @MHSAA… pic.twitter.com/vwhjlMw0O3— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 14, 2024
Watch list Oxford 38, West Bloomfield 14 This victory, combined with Lake Orion’s 20-13 win over Clarkston, made Oxford (5-2) the outright Oakland Activities Association Red champion. The Red remains one of the most competitive leagues in the state, and this was Oxford’s first league title since sharing the Flint Metro League championship in 2010.
On the move Macomb Lutheran North 30, Riverview Gabriel Richard 22 Lutheran North (6-1) clinched a share of a second-straight Catholic High School League Intersectional #1 title by handing Gabriel Richard (6-1) its only defeat this fall. Walled Lake Western 37, Milford 0 Western (7-0) posted its third Lakes Valley Conference shutout to move into first place alone and sent Milford (5-2) into a tie for second. Warren Michigan Collegiate 54, Romulus Summit Academy North 13 Michigan Collegiate (6-1) handed Summit (5-1) its lone loss, clinching a share of the Charter School Conference Gold title as it seeks a ninth-straight outright league championship. Grosse Pointe North 42, Warren Fitzgerald 34 GPN (4-3) forced a three-way MAC Gold championship between these two and Madison Heights Lamphere. Trenton 13, Allen Park 6 It’s unlikely Trenton will end up with a share of the Downriver League title, but for a second-straight week it handed the first loss to a contender, this time sending Allen Park to 6-1.
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER Ithaca 42, Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central 19 Ithaca ran its league championship streak to 16 with this outright clincher in the Tri-Valley Conference Blue, and added to a 20-game league winning streak by handing Nouvel (6-1) its first defeat this fall. The Yellowjackets (7-0) can complete a second-straight undefeated regular season with wins over Tecumseh and Shepherd. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.
Watch list Howell 35, Novi 21 By winning this matchup of co-leaders, Howell (7-0) clinched a share of the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West title and sent Novi (5-2) into a tie for second with this week’s opponent Brighton. The Highlanders also tied their number of wins from the last two seasons combined.
On the move East Lansing 39, Lansing Everett 26 The Trojans (4-3) bounced back from two straight losses to hand Everett (5-2) its second and move up to No. 13 on the Division 2 playoff list. Haslett 35, St. Johns 14 Haslett (4-3) was another of the state’s biggest risers this week, moving up 12 spots to No. 21 in Division 4 with this win over Division 3 St. Johns (5-2). Central Montcalm 54, Lakeview 6 Central Montcalm (6-1) clinched a share of the Central State Activities Association Silver title and has won its first three league games by a combined 139-14 score. The six victories are the team's most since 2019.
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER Petoskey 28, Marquette 23 Petoskey (7-0) clinched a share of the Big North Conference championship, its first since 2014, by holding off Marquette (5-2) in a matchup of league co-leaders entering the night. The Northmen also surpassed their six wins from a year ago and guaranteed their most since 2015. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.
Watch list McBain 36, Evart 29 McBain (7-0) clinched a share of the Highland Conference title, its first since 2020, and can claim it outright this weekend against LeRoy Pine River. The Ramblers have reached 35 points in all but one game, trending toward their best offensive output in more than a decade.
On the move Frankfort 27, Muskegon Catholic Central 24 Frankfort (6-1) is holding steady at No. 15 on the Division 8 playoff list after this close win over MCC, which although 1-5 has lost three games by five points or fewer. Traverse City West 30, Mount Pleasant 13 The Titans (4-3) kept their playoff hopes alive in breaking a three-game losing streak, moving up to No. 28 on the Division 2 list. Mount Pleasant (4-3) is No. 24 in Division 3. Charlevoix 44, Mancelona 14 The Rayders (5-2) will carry a four-game winning streak into this week’s matchup with Tawas as they look to complete a second-straight outright league title run. Mancelona (3-4), meanwhile, is hanging on at the No. 30 spot on the Division 8 playoff list.
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 37, Flat Rock 14 A strongly-contested race in the Huron League will go at least partially to SMCC (7-0), as the Falcons claimed a share with this win after defeating Riverview in Week 6. The league title is their first since 2015 and in part the product of a defense that’s given up just 37 points over six league games; both Riverview and Flat Rock (5-2) are averaging 42 or more this fall, but they scored 15 and 14, respectively, the last two weeks. Click for more from the Monroe News.
Check out the highlights of Monroe Saint Mary Catholic Central's win over Flat Rock on Military Appreciation Night from October 11th, 2024. The Falcons won 37-14 and remains undefeated at 7-0 on the season. Powered by @miarmyguard@AthleticsSMCC | @SMCCMonroe pic.twitter.com/4hYfmoiYuo
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 13, 2024
Watch list Jackson Lumen Christi 35, Traverse City St. Francis 7 Lumen Christi (6-1) built on its recently-clinched CHSL AA championship with this impressive win over the Gladiators, their Division 7 championship game opponent in 2022 and the leaders in the Northern Michigan Football League Legends this fall.
On the move Grass Lake 54, Manchester 46 Grass Lake (4-3) helped make Leslie’s title share in the Cascades Conference East an outright championship by knocking Manchester (5-2) out of contention. Chelsea 35, Jackson 0 Chelsea (6-1) finished its second-straight perfect run through the Southeastern Conference White with their second shutout in five league games. Pinckney 21, Adrian 10 Pinckney (3-4) entered this season after going 0-9 a year ago and then lost the first four games of this fall. But the Pirates have won their last three and moved into the No. 32 spot on the Division 4 playoff list.
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER Union City 45, Springport 21 The Big 8 Conference grew back to eight teams this season, but the top of the standings may not change as Union City (7-0) clinched a share of a third-straight championship and can finished it outright this week against winless Quincy. Springport (6-1) scored the most points Union City had given up this season, but the Spartans also allowed their most this fall to a Chargers team averaging 37 per game. Click for more from the Coldwater Daily Reporter.
Watch list Parchment 51, Constantine 30 Parchment (6-1) will play Kalamazoo United this week in a winner-take-all matchup for the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore title, and reigning champion Constantine (5-2) will not be part of a league title mix for the first time since 2018. Parchment had lost six straight to Constantine, including 46-0 a year ago.
On the move Berrien Springs 22, Dowagiac 20 After taking a 22-6 lead into halftime, Berrien Springs (4-3) held off Dowagiac’s comeback push to clinch a share of a second-straight Lakeland Athletic Conference title, with an opportunity to clinch outright again this week against winless Benton Harbor. Portage Central 23, Portage Northern 6 This rivalry win for Portage Central (5-2), combined with Mattawan’s 24-7 upset of St. Joseph, gave the Mustangs a share of the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West title – with an opportunity to make it outright against the Bears (6-1) in Week 9. Schoolcraft 56, Saugatuck 7 These two entered as co-leaders in the SAC Valley, and Schoolcraft (6-1) finished Friday as a champion, earning a share with Saugatuck (5-2) falling into a tie for second place. Battle Creek Harper Creek 32, Hastings 0 Harper Creek (6-1) handed Hastings (6-1) its first loss and also broke the Saxons’ 20-game winning streak in the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference. The Beavers are alone in first with two league games to play.
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Menominee 34, Negaunee 19 Menominee (7-0) did its part to set up this week’s matchup with Kingsford as a winner-take-all for the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper title, ending 2023 co-champion Negaunee’s chances to grab a share. The Maroons had lost their two recent matchups with the Miners, 47-20 a year ago and 44-0 in a 2022 Division 6 District Final. Click for more from the Eagle Herald.
Watch list Houghton 42, Gladstone 17 The Gremlins (3-4) stormed back after two straight losses to avenge last season’s to Gladstone and pull within two spots of getting into the Division 5 playoff field after falling to No. 38 the previous week. Houghton finishes with Negaunee and Hancock and has defeated the latter this season.
On the move Iron Mountain 40, Bark River-Harris 7 The Mountaineers (7-1) defeated their toughest West-PAC Iron opponent in Bark River-Harris (4-3) to clinch a share of the league title, their second in two years in that division. West Iron County 20, L’Anse 14 The Wykons (3-4) finished a season sweep of L’Anse to pull within five spots of making the Division 8 playoff field. Manistique 36, Gwinn 0 Manistique (4-3) posted a second-straight shutout to climb to No. 28 on the Division 8 playoff list.
West Michigan
HEADLINER Grand Rapids Northview 12, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 3 This matchup was for a share of the championship in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Black, and as such carried lofty expectations. But the result still created a degree of stunning as Northview (7-0) handed the Cougars (5-2) just their second league loss over the last eight seasons. Both defenses were impressive to say the least; Northview entered the game averaging 47 points per game, and Catholic Central was averaging 28 ppg after three straight games scoring 35 or more. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Check out the highlights of Grand Rapids Northview's win over Grand Rapids Catholic Central on October 11th, 2024. 🎥 WXMI-TV | @MHSAA | @SportsWildcats pic.twitter.com/jqjZWQ8yLg
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 12, 2024
Watch list Grand Rapids West Catholic 24, Ada Forest Hills Eastern 23 The Falcons (5-2) clinched a share of the O-K White title as Landon Smith booted a 38-yard field goal for the winning points. FHE (5-2) moved into a tie for second place but will be rooting this week for Hamilton, also tied for second and West Catholic’s opponent this week.
On the move Big Rapids 41, Newaygo 20 The Cardinals (6-1) finished a perfect run through the CSAA Red, avoiding a three-way championship that would have resulted from a win by Newaygo (5-2). Hudsonville Unity Christian 50, Grand Rapids South Christian 21 Unity (7-0) earned a share of the O-K Gold title in its first matchup with South Christian (4-3) since losing to the Sailors in a 2022 District Final. North Muskegon 40, Ravenna 0 North Muskegon (6-1) is undefeated in the West Michigan Conference Rivers since the league split into two divisions three seasons ago, and this clinched a third-straight league title for the Norsemen as a win by Ravenna (4-3) would have created a three-way tie for first.
8-Player
HEADLINER Gobles 20, Martin 14 This one met every expectation, as Gobles won a matchup of undefeated rivals to claim the Southwest Michigan 8-Man Football League Red championship outright and avenge a Regional Finals loss to the Clippers (5-1) from a year ago. Gobles (7-0) had entered ranked No. 5 in the Division 1 coaches poll, while Martin was No. 3. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Watch list Fulton 24, Portland St. Patrick 20 The Pirates (6-1) will finish as at least co-champions of the Mid-State Activities Conference Red after handing this first loss to the Division 2 top-ranked Shamrocks (6-1). This may be turning into quite a series, as St. Patrick won their two meetings in 2023 by a combined 11 points.
On the move Deckerville 44, Kingston 0 Despite all the scenarios that could have created co-champions in the Big Thumb Conference Blue over the last few weeks, Deckerville (7-0) answered with authority and its second-straight shutout when a Kingston win would have meant a three-way title share. Climax-Scotts 36, Bellevue 6 Climax-Scotts (6-1) will face Mendon this week for the Southern Central Athletic Association Red outright championship after sending Bellevue (4-3) out of title share contention. Alcona 74, Whittemore-Prescott 16 Alcona (7-0) moved into the No. 1 spot in the Division 1 coaches ranking last week and rolled through clinching a share of the North Star League Big Dipper title with this victory.
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PHOTOS (Top) A Frankfort ball carrier, right, and Muskegon Catholic Central defender prepare to collide near the line of scrimmage Friday. (Middle) Goodrich's Chase Burnett (25) puts up a stiff arm as an Ortonville Brandon defender attempts to catch him. (Top photo by Tim Reilly. Goodrich/Brandon photo by Terry Lyons.)