Northern Powers Building on Tradition
October 28, 2016
By Dennis Chase
Special for Second Half
TRAVERSE CITY – Matt Stapleton jokes when he talks about his 19-year run as the Frankfort football coach.
“If you ask how many games we’ve won while I’ve been here, the answer would be, ‘Not enough,’” he quipped. “And if you ask how many we’ve lost, it would be “Too many.’”
Well, nobody is asking that second question, particularly this season. Frankfort heads into tonight’s MHSAA Division 8 playoffs with a perfect 9-0 record. The Panthers are one of two unbeaten in the northern Lower Peninsula. Traverse City St. Francis is the other.
That should come as no surprise to those who follow football in the north. The two schools are the winningest programs, percentage-wise, in the area. St. Francis ranks seventh in the state with a winning percentage of 76.8 percent since the school started playing football in 1951. Frankfort ranks 24th with a 71.4 winning percentage since 1950.
St. Francis, which has won six MHSAA championships, just put together back-to-back unbeaten regular seasons for the second time in school history. The 1991-92 teams also accomplished the feat. Gladiators head coach Josh Sellers played on the 1991 team as did offensive line coach Aaron Biggar and offensive coordinator Scott Doriot, who was also the quarterback on the 1992 Class C title squad.
“After (last Friday’s win) I told the team, ‘Hey, welcome to the club, guys,” Sellers said.
“They took it in stride, but they should be happy and excited about it,” Doriot added. “It’s super special, a heck of an accomplishment.”
Frankfort, meanwhile, completed its first 9-0 regular season since 2004.
Now the two programs are back in familiar territory – the playoffs. St. Francis, which hosts Harbor Springs on Saturday in a Division 7 contest, is in the postseason for the 30th time since 1983. During one stretch, the Gladiators, who have reached the MHSAA Finals nine times, qualified 22 years in a row. Frankfort, which hosts Evart tonight, is in the playoffs for the 28th time in the last 32 years. The Panthers own two MHSAA crowns, and during one six-year stretch played for the title five times.
Maintaining that tradition is a powerful motivator at the two schools.
“It’s a ‘your turn’ mentality,” Stapleton said. “Each team has its own identity, but the goals remain the same. For this team, it’s our turn, our opportunity.”
The same holds true at St. Francis.
“We want to follow in the footsteps of the guys before us,” senior back Gabe Callery, a water boy on some previous MHSAA championship teams, said. “That’s why we set our goals so high, because we’ve seen what those teams did. Now we want to taste it for our own.”
Like many, Callery had an older brother play in the Gladiators program. So he and his teammates know the bar is set high.
“It’s expectations,” Sellers said. “The coaches don’t have to push (playoffs) as one of our goals. It’s engrained in the kids, especially in the multi-generational families that have been a part of the program here.”
St. Francis and Frankfort made strong playoff runs last season. The Gladiators reached the Division 6 Semifinals before losing to eventual champion Ithaca. Frankfort fell to Division 8 champion Muskegon Catholic Central in the Regional. St. Francis and Frankfort led those games in the second half.
Both teams have had just one tight game this season, and it came at home with Maple City Glen Lake. St. Francis downed the Lakers 21-13 in Week 2, while Frankfort rallied for a 26-21 triumph in Week 6. Those were the only two losses Glen Lake, a Division 6 qualifier, suffered during the regular season.
For the Panthers, that game was a defining moment. Not only did it put Frankfort in position to win the Northern Michigan Football League Leaders division, but it proved the Panthers could play with character and toughness under fire.
“That was an incredible (game), a good test for us to see if we could play at a high level for four quarters,” Stapleton said.
It helped to create an identity, he added.
“In those (pressure) situations, do you crumble or step up?” he said. “We stepped up pretty well.”
The players thought so, too.
“After that game, we thought, ‘Wow, we could make something happen this year,’” Panthers senior quarterback Tige Stockdale said.
“It meant a lot to us,” junior running back/linebacker Griffin Kelly added. “That was one of our goals – to beat Glen Lake. We worked hard and (played) with a lot of heart. We were the underdogs. I don’t think they expected it.”
St. Francis, meanwhile, cruised to the Northern Michigan Football League’s Legends crown, taking the title outright with a 22-0 win over Boyne City last Friday.
The Gladiators are an experienced team with 19 seniors on the roster.
“Experience is our strength,” Sellers said. “A good number of our seniors were on varsity as sophomores, especially up front on the offensive line. We have two juniors on the front seven, and one is a third-year varsity starter.”
St. Francis lost some key cogs to graduation in the backfield, but Callery returned for his third varsity season.
“He didn’t get a lot of touches last year,” Sellers said, “so he’s making up for lost time.”
Callery leads the ground game with 891 yards in eight games (one win was a forfeit), averaging 9.1 yards per carry. Tim Bott’s average is even better at 12.5 yards per carry. He’s picked up 401 yards on just 32 carries. Joey Muzljakovich has 390 rushing yards.
Sophomore quarterback Danny Passinault, who won a three-way battle for the job, oversees the offense, which averages 40 points per game. He’s completed 26 of 44 passes for 509 yards and 12 touchdowns. Chris Kolarevic (seven) and Michael Hegewald (four) have caught 11 of the 12 TD passes.
“We’ve been on an upward trend (offensively) the last four or five games, although I didn’t think we played our best against Boyne,” Doriot said.
Defensively, the Gladiators are limiting opponents to six points and just under 170 yards in total offense per contest. Ryan Lints, Kolarevic, Muzljakovich and Matt Biggar are the team’s leading tacklers. Lints, a lineman, has five sacks, Callery three interceptions.
The Gladiators are relatively healthy entering the postseason.
“We had a hold-your-breath moment against Cheboygan when we lost (back) Connor McGee,” Sellers said. “He dislocated his elbow, and we thought he would be out five to six weeks. But we found out today (Monday) he’s back. He missed two games.”
At Frankfort, Stapleton’s been pleased with his squad’s consistency in improving every week. He said that loss to Muskegon Catholic last November was a “springboard” for his players.
“Our kids were like, ‘We just went toe-to-toe with the team that won the last three (Division 8) state championships,’” Stapleton said. “Our kids felt disappointed because we could have won that game. We just didn’t finish.”
And that’s been the mindset this season.
Unlike St. Francis, the Panthers are not senior heavy. At times, Stapleton’s started four seniors on offense, four on defense.
Kelly is the sparkplug. He’s rushed for 1,250 yards on 132 carries (a 9.5-yard average) in eight games (one win was a forfeit).
“What’s nice about Grif is that he’s not consumed by statistics,” Stapleton said. “There’s only been three games he’s had carries in the fourth quarter.
“He’s a special player. He makes calling plays pretty easy. You want the ball in his hands. If he gets stuffed one play, he’s going to make something happen the next.”
Kelly runs behind a line that features 6-foot-3, 300-pound junior tackle Matt Stefanski, a “legitimate” college prospect, Stapleton said. The Panthers start three seniors and two juniors up front.
“I have a lot of trust in them,’ Kelly said of his line. “They’re outstanding.”
Stockdale is another weapon. He’s rushed for nearly 600 yards and passed for 300. He’s accounted for 15 touchdowns. Junior receiver Matt Loney is averaging 16 yards a reception for an offense that is scoring 43 points a game.
Kelly leads the defense with 85 tackles. Stefanski anchors the middle with seniors Colton Ryder and Wil Darling providing the pressure from their end positions and channeling plays to the interior.
Not unexpectedly, the future continues to look bright at St. Francis and Frankfort, too. The Gladiators junior varsity team finished unbeaten for the third year in a row, while the Frankfort JV team went 8-1, on the heels of two unbeaten campaigns.
For now, though, it’s a one-game-at-a-time mantra in the playoffs.
“We have one week guaranteed,” Frankfort’s Kelly said. “You never know if you’re going to have practice (the following) Monday.”
At St. Francis, Callery, for one, is savoring the final stretch of his high school career.
“Maybe it’s the weather getting cold, but it’s a different feel,” he said. “And if you don’t feel different during the playoffs, something’s wrong with you. It’s a special time.”
Dennis Chase worked 32 years as a sportswriter at the Traverse City Record-Eagle, including as sports editor from 2000-14. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco, Alcona, Oscoda, Crawford, Kalkaska, Grand Traverse, Benzie, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Presque Isle, Cheboygan, Charlevoix and Emmet counties.
PHOTOS: (Top) Frankfort quarterback Tige Stockdale prepares to pitch during an Aug. 26 win over Manton. (Middle) St. Francis' Chris Kolarevic works upfield during his team's win over Cheboygan on Oct. 7. ( Below) Griffin Kelly (4) hurdles a would-be tackler for a touchdown against Central Lake on Sept. 2. (Photos by Amy Plumstead [Frankfort] and Leslie Julian [St. Francis].)
Awe Working to Reignite Three Rivers, Bring Best of Past to New-Look Home
By
Scott Hassinger
Special for MHSAA.com
September 11, 2024
THREE RIVERS – Jeff Awe had always been content as an assistant during his 30 years coaching high school football.
All that changed in early April when Awe accepted the head varsity position at Three Rivers. Awe had spent 27 of those years as a Wildcats assistant before taking over the program.
"Becoming a varsity football coach was never on my radar," said Awe, who spent the last three years as head coach of the Wildcats junior varsity, guiding them to an 8-1 record last fall.
Awe felt he could help rejuvenate a program that stumbled to a 1-8 record in 2023 and suffered its first losing season since 2020.
“With the kind of season we had I could see, at least in my mind, exactly what needed to be done to turn this program around,” Awe said. “I wanted to bring some positivity back to Three Rivers football. The timing and circumstances made it the right time to pursue it.”
Awe, who played for and coached under former Three Rivers coaches Scot Shaw, Jeff Zonyk and Tom Foghino – all members of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame – has brought back some of that positivity already with increased participation. More than 80 players came out for the sport between the varsity and JV teams.
Three Rivers defeated Charlotte 36-0 in the season opener two weeks ago at newly-renovated Armstrong Field, avenging a 52-22 loss from 2023. The Wildcats are 1-1 overall after losing a hard-fought 10-7 decision Friday at Adrian. Three Rivers hosts 2023 league champ and Regional finalist Niles in Friday's Wolverine Conference opener.
Shaw, coincidently, is currently the head coach at Niles.
Awe played for Shaw, Three Rivers' head coach from 1986-2004, and was a standout receiver and cornerback earning first-team all-conference his senior year.
Three Rivers finished with back-to-back 9-0 records in Awe's freshman and sophomore years. Awe was a starter as a senior on the first Wildcats team to make the playoffs in 1986.
"In my junior year we went 8-1 but lost our last game to Coldwater and didn't make the playoffs under the old system," Jeff Awe recalled. Three Rivers finished the 1986 regular season 8-1 as well on the way to that first playoff berth.
Awe is graduate of Western Michigan University and a long-time science teacher at Three Rivers Middle School. His long-range vision for the football program is to combine the old-school mentality from when Three Rivers was the most physical and disciplined football team every week with new-school principles.
"I want to build a bridge from our youth flag football program all the way up to the varsity level. I want to be able to put a coaching staff in place that can take over the program someday when I am done and keep it going strong," Jeff Awe said.
Three Rivers, mainly a spread offense team for several years, has returned to its old-school I-formation principles. But the passing game will remain a big part of the Wildcats' attack.
"We're going to have multiple looks on both sides of the football. With the way high school football is played now, we have to ready to adjust and adapt every week," he said.
"Right now I want our seniors to have a great year. We're excited and ready to go, and I like the way the summer went. Now we have to win some games and compete against some very good football teams on our schedule."
Awe feels fortunate to have been influenced by a number of great football minds over the course of his career like Zonyk, Foghino, Shaw and J.J. Wagner at Three Rivers, along with Mendon's John Schwartz and the late Bob Critz.
"We all did a lot of good things together. All of those guys taught me a great deal about the game," Awe said.
However, the lessons he learned as a player from Shaw have really stuck with him.
"Scot is a master at motivating his players, getting teams ready mentally, and he knows how to make you feel like a million bucks with just a comment or two. He can get his athletes to run through a wall and do things you thought were impossible,” Awe said. “I loved playing and coaching for him, and now I'll be coaching against him.”
Awe worked tirelessly over the summer promoting the Three Rivers football tradition.
"I've worked hard by having former players and coaches who have been successful in life come in and speak to our kids. There is a huge legacy here about what it means to put that Wildcat jersey on. I'm bringing the old nameplates back. The front of the uniform sports the name of the community you play for, and the name on the back is your family," Awe said.
"When you learn how to go out on the field and work hard and be disciplined, those are life lessons these kids will take with them into adulthood and beyond. I want them to understand that whatever number they wear there are people all over the country who once wore that number who are paying attention. They want to see if the individuals on this team are doing the correct things to make themselves successful."
Three Rivers features much more experience on the field than in the past. Brayden Carpenter and Aiden Williams are the lone sophomores on a 38-player varsity roster that features 17 seniors. Senior cornerback Jace Gray and two-way lineman Sam Reynolds, along with junior quarterback Mason Awe (Jeff’s son), have emerged as three of the team’s leaders on and off the field.
Gray, a 5-foot-9, 190-pound linebacker, has 18 tackles over two games after a team-high 12 against Adrian.
"Jace is the heart and soul of our defense. He is incredibly instinctive and has a knack for forcing turnovers,” Jeff Awe said. “He is a big reason we hope to be greatly improved on defense this season.”
Reynolds, a three-year varsity letterman, helps anchor much-improved offensive and defensive lines with his 5-10, 240-pound frame. "Sam is one of our best players and leaders. He is our strongest kid and anchors both sides of our line. We are looking forward to a big year from him," Awe said.
Mason Awe (5-11, 190) completed 4-of-5 passes for 57 yards against Charlotte. "Mason is smart, athletic and one of our leaders on offense. He can make plays with his arm, legs and brain and is a complete player at the quarterback position," Jeff Awe said.
Senior tailback Lamonta Stone leads Three Rivers in rushing with 34 carries for 267 yards and three TDs over those first two games. Other impact players on defense include senior linebackers Tre Rohrer (5-10, 185) with 16 tackles and a fumble recovery, and Landon Moreland with 16 stops.
Senior Max Burg (6-6, 260) is another key returning starter on the Wildcats' offensive line.
Reynolds sees a much different attitude from teammates this season.
"Everyone wants to be at practice this year. Coach Awe has created a camaraderie in our program that hasn't existed for a while,” said Reynolds, who aspires to become a coach and math teacher.
“My varsity experience has helped me with the physicality and the speed of the game. We got a bad taste in our mouth last year and aren't going to settle for a losing season.”
Gray feels he and his teammates are more connected with one another.
"The experience I bring back is valuable, and it gives me an advantage on the field. My strength and senior leadership are factors I hope contribute to us winning more games and making the playoffs," Gray said.
Mason Awe enjoys the special relationship he has as a son of the head coach.
"It's special because off the field I can go home and talk with him about how the practice or game went, the plays and what is working or not working. We have a good relationship, and we think alike on the field," Mason Awe said. "Our team wants to be the toughest and most gritty one out there. That's a trademark of old Three Rivers teams and we want to go back to that. I like being a big part of the offense, making plays and helping the team win. Confidence is a big key coming off last year. It will be the defining factor. This is a strong group, and we've been playing together for a while."
Awe's coaching staff consists of Mitch Walters, Nate Foley, Drew Bosma and Zac Robare at the varsity and JV levels, along with Scott Muffley, Toby Gose and Al Schmucker at the middle school level.
Armstrong Field introduces improvements
Three Rivers has played its home football games at Armstrong Field since 1951. Voters approved a bond in 2019 for upgrades to the stadium and the 40-year-old fieldhouse that was built during the early 1980s.
The renovations also included construction of a new weight room at the high school (completed in 2022), along with the installation of a new track, video scoreboard, artificial turf and new gating.
"We compete in the Wolverine Conference where over half of our schools play their football games on artificial turf,” said Three Rivers athletic director Matt Stofer. “It's been a long five years, but it’s cool to see it finished. Our community and alumni, along with our student-athletes have been great about everything, and the stadium looks great."
Finding a safe playing surface and one that could withstand multiple uses were major factors.
"We wanted to find a surface that other schools had a lot of success with. We traveled to and took a look at fields in St. Joseph, Chelsea, Olivet College and some other schools," Stofer added.
The high school soccer teams, band, physical education classes and youth football program also will have access to the facility.
Two of the biggest changes inside the facility are new gating and a new sound system.
"Before the renovations you could just pull into Armstrong Field, and you were right there. You can still drive in, but now you have to physically get out of your car to pay and enter the stadium through one of the two new gates located at the end near the concession stand," Stofer explained. "These changes allow us to lock up the facility now when we need to."
The new video scoreboard, purchased by an anonymous donor, will include a new sound system.
"It's been quite a busy summer,” Stofer said. “We've traveled to Stevensville Lakeshore and up to Holland West Ottawa to work with their video crew in a few training sessions. We're very excited about what we can use it for once we learn everything. Our goal for now is just to get it up and running.”
Scott Hassinger is a contributing sportswriter for Leader Publications and previously served as the sports editor for the Three Rivers Commercial-News from 1994-2022. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties.
PHOTOS: (Top) From left: Three Rivers varsity football coach Jeff Awe and players Mason Awe, Jace Gray and Sam Reynolds. (Middle) A new video scoreboard complete with a sound system is among new features fans will see this season at Armstrong Field in Three Rivers. (Below) Three Rivers Community Schools superintendent Niki Nash gathers with students, school officials and community members near midfield Aug. 29 to cut the ribbon prior to the first home football game played on newly-renovated Armstrong Field. (Top photo by Scott Hassinger; scoreboard and ribbon-cutting photos by Matt Stofer.)