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Northmen Stadium Opens to Excitement, 'Awe'

September 1, 2016

By Dennis Chase
Special for Second Half

PETOSKEY – Petoskey kicked off a new era in football last Thursday with the unveiling of Northmen Stadium, a multi-use facility that will be home for football, soccer, lacrosse, band and track & field.

More than 4,000 spectators turned out on a beautiful late August night to watch Petoskey open its season against Ada Forest Hills Eastern. School officials believe it was the largest home football crowd in Petoskey history.

Even a 35-14 setback could not dampen the enthusiasm and pride displayed by those in attendance.

“To see the stadium from the road is one thing – and that excited people,” Superintendent John Scholten said. “But once they got inside and saw it first-hand, there was an awe factor. It was like, ‘Wow!’”

Northmen Stadium replaces Curtis Field, which was built in 1927 and served as the home for Petoskey football for 88 years.

“Our community is very tradition-oriented, very values-oriented,” Dan Ledingham, president of the football boosters, said. “Curtis Field means a lot to us. It’s very symbolic – the roots from where we started. Multiple generations played on that field. I know families who go three to four generations deep. But it was time.”

“It’s time” was actually the theme for the $10 million bond proposal that the electorate approved by a 64 to 36 percent vote in 2014.

“It (Curtis Field) served the community well, but it was pretty tired,” Scholten said.

In addition to the $10 million bond, the school received significant donations and coordinated efforts with other sinking fund projects.

“The whole (campus) renovation is closer to $15 million,” Scholten said.

The project includes the stadium, reconstruction of six tennis courts, a rebuilt softball field, two new soccer practice fields, and a cross country 5K trail that ties into a community walkway and includes three culvert tunnels under realigned Northmen Drive.

It’s all part of a concerted effort to bring the school’s athletic facilities – once scattered around the city – to the campus location. The school had already built a stunning new high school gymnasium and an on-site baseball field.

“When I moved up here (from Maple City Glen Lake) two of the old icons from the Glen Lake days, Denny Dame and Ivan Ford, said you’re moving to the nicest gym in the north,” Scholten said. “I’m a little biased, but I think we now have one of the nicest football facilities in the north, too.”

The stadium is the centerpiece of the latest project. The property’s topography featured a “semi-natural bowl” on the southeast side. Construction workers moved 300,000 cubic yards of dirt to build up the other side, creating a complete bowl appearance.

“The fact it sits down in a bowl makes it unique,” athletic director Dave Smith said. “There are lots of places that have nice stadiums, but they’re flat and the bleachers go up. With this, there’s not a bad seat in the house because it sits down in that bowl.”

The main entrance is near the mezzanine in the north end zone, which is where the concessions and restrooms are located. It features a plaza that overlooks the field. A tunnel runs underneath the mezzanine where the players and band enter and exit the field.

“It’s a very cool place to see a game,” football coach Kerry VanOrman said. “When the band marches through the tunnel, it’s like you’re at Michigan State or Michigan.”

Team rooms, a training room and an officials room are located off the tunnel.

A 40-foot video scoreboard anchors the south end zone. There’s also a messaging board attached to the mezzanine.

The synthetic turf is lined for football, soccer and lacrosse. The soccer team opens its home season Tuesday.

The stadium seats 2,950, but there is additional lawn seating on the hillside. Plus, based on opening night, fans seem to enjoy watching from the mezzanine.

“That elevation overlooking the field gives you the best view,” Ledingham said. “You can see everything, and you can feel the energy coming from the crowd.”

Workers scrambled to get the stadium ready for opening night. In fact, just 48 hours beforehand Ledingham wondered if it would be game ready.

“There were tractors and trucks, concrete and tiles,” he said. “Everything was everywhere. It looked like a true construction site that maybe in a month would be close (to done). I was wondering, ‘What’s Plan B?’ Kent (Cartwright, the school’s chief financial officer) said, ‘There is no Plan B. We are on this field.’ It was neat to see it all come together.”

Smith agreed.

“It was unbelievable the number of people there, from the construction crew to the subcontractors, working extra hours, late hours, that last month to make sure we could get in there and play on that (Thursday),” he said. “Two days out, I was also wondering how this is going to happen. But it did.”

The school received a temporary occupancy permit to open the stadium. Finishing touches were still being completed this week.

The opening culminates nearly 10 years of work. A bond proposal to fund separate football and soccer stadiums was rejected by voters in 2007.

“We had a nice plan,” Scholten said, “but it was just when the recession was starting. We did all the pre-work with the surveys and it looked like the confidence was there, but when the economy went south, (the vote) went south, too.”

Officials regrouped and, after the lingering recession ended, pared back the plan and took it to the voters.

“It was unfortunate timing (in 2007),” VanOrman said. “They were smart in waiting for things to pick up. They did a good job planning it, locating it and even tying it into the city walkways. It kind of includes everybody into it.”

Officials changed the location of the stadium, building it on what was two practice fields so it could utilize existing locker rooms and showers at the school. Two additional locker rooms will be added.

“We listened to the community,” Scholten said. “We were a little extravagant (in 2007) so we came back with a different plan. We worked real hard to say, ‘We listened to you, we trimmed it back, we feel we’re being responsible.’ We worked hard to build that confidence back up.”

The cross country trail will facilitate skiers as well as runners and walkers. The new eight-lane track replaces the outdated six-lane version at Curtis Field.

“We couldn’t host anything big because of that,” Scholten said.

Scholten expects the new facility will make Petoskey an attractive choice for hosting MHSAA tournaments.

Parking, an issue at Curtis Field, was addressed, too. Spectators can now use the high school and middle school lots, as well as new parking spaces near the stadium.

The improvements now leave hockey and downhill skiing as the only sports played off campus, Smith said.

“From an athletic director’s standpoint, I love how most of our facilities are now on school grounds,” he said.

He also loves the positive buzz the stadium’s generated. Ledingham called opening night “surreal.”

“It was amazing to see our community come together to enjoy it,” he said.

The unveiling attracted fans from nearby communities as well.

“The energy and support was great,” junior kicker Noah Ledingham said. “You run on to that field, see the lights, see (the crowd) and it just makes you want to play harder.

“To be the first team to play on that field is an amazing feeling because it’s a new chapter (in Petoskey football) and you know you’re making history.”

The Northmen, with just two key returnees back, struggled early, falling behind Forest Hills Eastern 28-0 before rallying to make it a game.

“I was pleased with the way we played in the second half,” VanOrman said. “It was 28-14 with 3:30 left in the game. We went for an onside kick and it blew up in our face. They recovered and ran it back to our 15 and then scored. (Eastern’s) a good football team. It was a good measuring stick for us to see where we have to get better.”

The night might also pay dividends. Forest Hills Eastern officials are talking about extending the two-year deal with Petoskey that is set to expire after the Northmen travel down there next season.

“They liked it so much they want to come back in two years,” Smith said. “I would say that’s a compliment right there.”

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) Petoskey's stadium, at dusk, hosted Ada Forest Hills Eastern for its debut. (Middle above) The Northmen take to their new field for the first time. (Middle below) Fans packed the home stands, which are part of a "bowl" circling the playing surface. (Below) The new football field is just one part of the renovated Petoskey athletic complex. (Aerial photos by Charles Dawley/Up North Imaging. Game photos by Scott Moore.)

Mendon’s J.T. Lux (23) follows a blocker and pulls away from a Martin defender during his team’s Regional Final win.

1st & Goal: 2024 Playoffs Week 2 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 11, 2024

If at first you don’t succeed … wait until the playoffs?

MI Student AidThat became the storyline for some of the most intriguing rematches during District title weekend for 11-player football and Regional championship weekend for 8-player brackets.

Of 72 MHSAA playoff games total, 23 were rematches from the regular season. A total of 15 teams won both the first meeting and the second – but that means eight teams that lost before advanced this time around, and plenty shaking up brackets in major ways.  

11-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Macomb Dakota 41, Utica Eisenhower 14 Dakota’s only loss this season was Week 7 to Eisenhower, 21-14. But the Cougars (10-1) avenged in a big way with Brady Hamby reaching the end zone four times to lead the team to a District title after these two shared the Macomb Area Conference Red championship. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.

District Digest Howell 35, Brighton 33 Justin Jones broke Howell’s single-season records for rushing yards and touchdowns, adding 225 and four, respectively, as the Highlanders (11-0) held off the rival Bulldogs (8-3) in a rematch from Week 8. Hudsonville 19, Grandville 16 The Eagles (10-1) also had to hold on in a rematch from the regular season, adding this to a Week 7 victory over Grandville (6-5). Grand Blanc 29, Oxford 7 Grand Blanc (9-2) won this clash of league champions to secure its first District title since 2021 and end Oxford’s season at 7-4, its winningest since 2018.

11-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Byron Center 30, Muskegon Mona Shores 23 Byron Center (10-1) was only slightly behind Mona Shores (9-2) on the final Division 2 playoff points list, and with this win moves ahead as the highest-ranked team on their side of the bracket. Mona Shores had won their Week 4 meeting 14-12. Click for more from FOX 17.

District Digest East Lansing 50, Dexter 49 East Lansing scored and connected on a 2-point conversion pass with no time left on the clock to claim a third-straight District title and end Dexter’s season at 10-1. Saginaw Heritage 17, Midland 7 This was another rematch reversal, as Heritage (8-3) avenged its 28-13 loss to Midland (9-2) from Week 7. Warren De La Salle Collegiate 35, Grosse Pointe South 21 De La Salle (8-2) clinched a fifth-straight District title by handing Grosse Pointe South (10-1) its only defeat.

11-Player Division 3

HEADLINER Zeeland West 42, St. Joseph 0 West (10-1) ran its District championship streak to three and has outscored its two playoff opponents by a combined 74-6 after posting its first shutout of this season. St. Joseph (9-2) was averaging 36 points per game entering the matchup. Click for more from the Holland Sentinel.

District Digest River Rouge 20, Riverview 14 Rouge (6-4) has won four straight after opening 2-4 and claimed this District title by defeating the same two opponents as a year ago, Southgate Anderson and then Riverview (9-2). Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 28, Coopersville 17 The reigning Division 3 champion Rangers (9-2) earned a rematch with Zeeland West, which won their first meeting in Week 6. Coopersville finished 7-4. Petoskey 38, Mount Pleasant 10 The Northmen (11-0) extended their record-setting season by reaching 11 wins for the first time with their first District title since 2014. Mount Pleasant finished 6-5.

DeWitt’s Traverse Moore (2) eludes a Lowell defender during the Panthers’ 49-35 win in Division 3.

11-Player Division 4

HEADLINER Grand Rapids South Christian 35, Hudsonville Unity Christian 28 In perhaps the upset of the weekend, South Christian avenged a 50-21 loss to Unity (10-1) from Week 7, moving to 7-4 while toppling what was the top team on the Division 4 playoff points list heading into the postseason. Unity led by one at halftime and pulled within one again with 8:21 to play before the Sailors finished the win. Click for more from Michigan Sports Radio.

District Digest Haslett 24, Chelsea 9 The Vikings (8-3) went to Chelsea (8-3) and brought home a District title for the second season in a row, this time adding to a seven-game winning streak to earn a Regional Final rematch with Goodrich. Goodrich 27, Freeland 21 The Martians pulled ahead by two touchdowns with 2:13 to play and held off Freeland’s late comeback attempt to clinch a third-straight District title. The Falcons finished 9-2 after also falling to Goodrich in a District Final last year. Macomb Lutheran North 43, Croswell-Lexington 42 (OT) Lutheran North (10-1) clinched a second-straight District championship and reached 10 wins for the first time, ending Croswell-Lexington’s run at 7-4.

11-Player Division 5

HEADLINER Grand Rapids Catholic Central 21, Grand Rapids West Catholic 18 A late blocked punt and a go-ahead touchdown pass gave Catholic Central (7-4) a ninth-straight District championship with this third-straight playoff win over its rival. West Catholic (7-4) also saw its 2023 season end against the Cougars in a Regional Final. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

District Digest Gladwin 28, Ogemaw Heights 19 Gladwin (8-3) not only avenged last year’s District opener loss but also a 12-7 Week 3 defeat this fall to Ogemaw Heights (9-2). Frankenmuth 37, Belding 7 The undefeated Eagles’ defense continued to shine, this time slowing down a Belding offense that was averaging 46.5 points per game entering the weekend. The Black Knights finished 9-2. Armada 63, Hazel Park 0 Armada (10-1) claimed its first District championship in this sport, also reaching double-digit wins for the first time, while Hazel Park (7-4) capped its first winning season since 2017 and winningest since 2010. 

11-Player Division 6

HEADLINER Boyne City 21, Kingsley 15 The reigning champion is out as Boyne City (9-2) avenged its most recent loss, 26-20 to Kingsley (8-3) from Week 4 in what also was a rematch of two of the three champions from the Northern Michigan Football League Legends. The District title was Boyne’s first since 2014. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.

District Digest Newaygo 35, Central Montcalm 34 Newaygo (9-2) claimed its first District title since 2012, thanks in part to stopping Central Montcalm (9-2) on a 2-point conversion attempt after a fourth-quarter touchdown. The Hornets finished their winningest campaign since 1999, according to Michigan-Football.com. Lansing Catholic 31, Ovid-Elsie 28 Lansing Catholic (8-3) finished a run through the elite from the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference, with this win over the runner-up Marauders (8-3) following the District-opening victory over MMAC champion Chesaning. Marine City 38, Warren Michigan Collegiate 28 Marine City (9-2) claimed its first District title since 2021, handing Michigan Collegiate (9-2) its first loss since Week 1. Michigan Collegiate had entered the postseason third on the Division 6 playoff-points average list, and Marine City was fourth.

11-Player Division 7

HEADLINER Menominee 35, Traverse City St. Francis 32 (OT) Menominee (10-1) emerged with arguably its best win this fall as it works to return to Ford Field this month. The Maroons had played only one other single-digit game this season – a two-point Week 8 loss to Kingsford – but held on to get to overtime and then get past the Gladiators (7-4). Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.

District Digest Pewamo-Westphalia 17, Ithaca 14 The Pirates (9-2) are repeat District champions as they improved to 3-2 in one-score games this fall, while Ithaca finished 10-1 after its second-straight perfect regular season. North Muskegon 27, McBain 7 The Norsemen (10-1) also finished a second-straight District title run, this one by locking down a McBain offense that was averaging 42 points per game entering the weekend. The Ramblers finished 9-2. Hudson 30, Union City 7 The Tigers (10-1) won their first District title since 2021 with a fifth-straight game holding the opponent to single-digit scoring — and this time while also putting up the most points Union City (9-2) allowed this fall, its winningest since 2011.

Grand Blanc’s Nik Lemons (5) finds the edge as Oxford tacklers pursue.

11-Player Division 8

HEADLINER Harbor Beach 37, Clarkston Everest Collegiate 7 As this season has rolled on, Harbor Beach (11-0) has been more and more impressive. Since a two-point win Week 1 over Cass City, the Pirates haven’t let an opponent closer than 30 points – and Everest (9-2) was arguably its toughest challenge to date, scoring 36 points per game and giving up just under eight before Harbor Beach sailed through. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.

District Digest Iron Mountain 21, East Jordan 18 Iron Mountain (11-0) emerged from its closest challenge this fall to earn a Regional rematch with Beal City, which defeated the Mountaineers a year ago. East Jordan finished 8-3. Reading 30, Springport 29 This was another regular season loss avenged, as Reading (7-4) continued to rebound from last season’s rare sub-.500 finish and after falling 28-24 to Springport in Week 6. Beal City 21, Maple City Glen Lake 14 A second-straight District trophy didn’t come easily for the Aggies (9-2), who went on the road and defeated a league champion that at 9-2 finished its best season since 2019.

8-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Mendon 26, Martin 22 There will be a new Division 1 champion. Martin’s two-year reign came to an end as J.T. Lux ran in the winning score for Mendon (10-1) with two seconds to play. He finished with 147 yards at more than 10 per carry and also had an 84-yard touchdown run during the third quarter – although Martin (9-2) did take the lead during the fourth quarter, setting up Lux’s final heroics. Click for more from the Sturgis Journal.

Regional Roundup Indian River Inland Lakes 32, Alcona 26 Inland Lakes (11-0) played only its second single-digit game this season and its closest to date, but held strong to repeat as a Regional champion and end Alcona’s season at 9-2 with both losses by eight or fewer points. Deckerville 40, Kingston 6 Deckerville (11-0) added to a 44-0 win over Kingston (8-3) from Week 7 to repeat as a Regional title winner. Pickford 44, Ishpeming 6 The Panthers (11-0) also finished a season sweep with a Regional title, having already defeated Ishpeming 65-14 in Week 4. The Hematites ended their first 8-player season 6-3.

8-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Crystal Falls Forest Park 34, Powers North Central 12 In perhaps one the most defining short-range turnarounds of the playoffs so far, Forest Park (10-1) bounced back from losing a league-deciding matchup 45-34 to North Central in Week 9 – and to claim a first Regional title since the Trojans won Division 2 in 2017. The Jets finished 9-2, one win better than a year ago. Click for more from MyUPNow.

Regional Roundup Onekama 48, Au Gres-Sims 44 After four tough seasons during which Onekama won a combined eight games, the Portagers are 10-1 and returning to the Semifinals for the first time since 2018 – and after avenging a 52-30 loss to Au Gres-Sims (9-2) from a year ago. Morrice 46, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 14 The Orioles (10-1) eliminated a league opponent for the second time in two playoff games and this time to win a second Regional title in three seasons. Sacred Heart finished 7-4. Britton Deerfield 60, Pittsford 26 The Patriots (10-1) set a program record for wins with their first Regional championship, handing Pittsford a second defeat after also downing the Wildcats (8-3) in their season opener.

MHSAA.com's weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Click to connect with MI Student Aid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

PHOTOS (Top) Mendon’s J.T. Lux (23) follows a blocker and pulls away from a Martin defender during his team’s Regional Final win. (Middle) DeWitt’s Traverse Moore (2) eludes a Lowell defender during the Panthers’ 49-35 win in Division 3. (Below) Grand Blanc’s Nik Lemons (5) finds the edge as Oxford tacklers pursue. (Top photo by Gary Shook/GSPHOTO. DeWitt/Lowell photo by L.C. Arreguin/Team Arreguin Photos. Grand Blanc/Oxford photo by Terry Lyons.)