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Playmaking Sargent Powers Chargers

November 25, 2015

By Bill Khan
Special for Second Half

FLINT — Most high school football coaches aren't comfortable having their quarterbacks, no matter how athletic they are, perform double duty by playing defense.

The risk of injury or excessive fatigue is simply too great.

Flint Powers Catholic's Bob Buckel is no different than the majority of his peers.

"I'll be honest, I don't feel comfortable having him on the field all the time," Buckel said of senior quarterback Noah Sargent.

And, yet, having Sargent play defensive back when he isn't running the offense is one of the reasons why Powers (11-2) will play Zeeland West (13-0) for the MHSAA Division 4 championship at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Ford Field.

Sargent's team-high third interception of the season played a major role in Powers' 21-14 come-from-behind victory over Detroit Country Day in the Semifinals last Saturday in a snowstorm at West Bloomfield

He had already ignited a comeback from a 14-0 halftime deficit by tossing a 38-yard touchdown pass to Peyton Beauchamp. Sargent's one-handed interception later in the third quarter at the Country Day 20-yard line set up a 20-yard touchdown run by Reese Morgan.

Showing off one more aspect of his skill set, Sargent scored the winning touchdown on a 2-yard run with 26 seconds left in the game, putting Powers in the MHSAA championship game for the third time in school history. The 2005 team won the Division 4 championship, while the 2011 squad won the Division 5 title.

Putting an exclamation point on his performance, Sargent knocked down Country Day's final desperation pass as time expired.

"Noah understands we don't want him to get killed on defense," Buckel said. "We really try to put him on the best receiver and keep him out of harm's way. I heard someone earlier in the year say, 'When you get to the playoffs, you've got to save him.' I said, 'When you get to the playoffs, you have to play every play like it's your last play.' You throw him out there and hope for the best; the best happened last Saturday."

Sargent has 19 tackles, ranking ninth on the team. He is part of a defense that has allowed only 21 points in four playoff games and posted a school-record six shutouts.

"Coach really only plays me as a cover guy," Sargent said. "He doesn't like to throw me down (near the line). He uses me in coverage on third-and-long situations and passing downs."

As a quarterback, Sargent has displayed the kind of dual-threat capability that was integral to Powers' last MHSAA championship four years ago. Garrett Pougnet ran for 159 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 258 yards and four touchdowns in Powers' 56-26 rout of Lansing Catholic in the 2011 title game.

Sargent is Powers' leading rusher, in addition to its leading passer. He's run 134 times for 1,026 yards and 15 touchdowns, including an 83-yard scramble on third down for a touchdown in the playoff opener at Goodrich. He's 104 for 181 for 1,563 yards, 18 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Five of those touchdown passes came in a 41-0 victory over Goodrich, as he had a hand in all six touchdowns.

"We knew Sargent was the show," Goodrich coach Tom Alward said. "They've got good receivers, but Sargent's the one that makes them go."

Sargent is the son of Mike Sargent, an all-state linebacker at Powers in 1983 and a tight end on Michigan State's 1988 Rose Bowl championship team. Both of Sargent's parents went to Powers, and Noah attends his parents' alma mater with his sister, Nikole, who was the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 shot put champion as a junior last spring. 

"He's a good leader," said senior tight end Nick Thompson, Powers' leading receiver with 27 catches for 448 yards and seven touchdowns. "He's humble. He's not selfish. He has the aspects of a good leader. You can see it on the field, obviously, and at practice. We trust him."

Sargent isn't the only Charger with a rich Powers pedigree.

Running back Reese Morgan and receiver Matt Wiskur had brothers on the 2011 championship team. Brooks Morgan was a starting receiver, while Ethan Wiskur was a starting defensive back who had an interception in the 2011 title game.

Watching in the stands as middle school students, the younger Morgan and Wiskur brothers had all the incentive they needed heading into high school.

"That's my main motivation," said Wiskur, who has 23 catches for 383 yards and five touchdowns. "They're the strongest team I've ever seen. They had great leaders. They were 5-4 going into the playoffs. They knew they were going to win states the whole time. They were confident in themselves, and they lived up to that."

A similarity between the 2011 and 2015 teams is their slow starts. Powers was on the brink of playoff elimination after six games, starting out 2-4 in Buckel's first season at the helm. This year's team lost its opener, 27-11, to a Flushing team that went 3-5 the rest of the way. The Chargers were 3-2 before winning their last eight games.

"I remember they didn't have a very good start, but they had a lot of heart and they made a big run in the playoffs and kind of shocked everyone," said Morgan, who has run 146 times for 987 yards and 10 touchdowns while catching 27 passes for 317 yards and two scores.

"The talent on that team was incredible. We have the same chance they did of winning."

When Powers steps foot onto the turf at Ford Field on Friday, the current team will play under the watchful eye of youngsters who hope to one day have the same experience.

"Any high schooler wants to leave a legacy when they leave," Sargent said. "Our whole team is trying to make a mark on Powers history."

Bill Khan served as a sportswriter at The Flint Journal from 1981-2011 and currently contributes to the State Champs! Sports Network. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Sanilac, Huron, Tuscola, Saginaw, Bay, Arenac, Midland and Gladwin counties.

PHOTOS: (Top) Powers Catholic quarterback Noah Sargent drops back to pass against Midland Dow this season. (Middle) Sargent unloads a throw during the 35-30 loss, but has led the Chargers to an 11-2 record this fall. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)

A Lansing Everett receiver pulls in a pass during the Vikings' Week 4 32-0 win over Lansing Waverly.

1st & Goal: 2025 Week 4 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 22, 2025

The Week 4 football schedule gave us an idea of what was coming. But it's fair to say this weekend's statewide slate of games even exceeded expectations.

MI Student AidMetro Detroit matchups Detroit Catholic Central/Orchard Lake St. Mary's and Detroit Cass Tech/Martin Luther King were predictably notable. But we also saw our first league champion crowned, impressive winning streaks broken and another extended, and a pair of programs reach successes they haven't enjoyed in multiple decades. Saline's Tommy Carr threw eight touchdowns passes, and Holland receiver Finn Galloway scored a combined seven rushing and receiving. 

And that was just the start. 

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Cass City 17, Millington 14 (OT) Cass City has reached the playoffs 11 straight seasons and is a regular league title contender. But this still had to be unexpected given reigning Division 7 champion Millington’s 25-game regular-season winning streak and the Red Hawks’ 1-2 record entering the night. Cass City’s overtime field goal – and stifling defense – played lead roles in dealing the Cardinals (3-1) their first loss since a 2023 Division 7 Semifinal. Click for more from the Bay City Times.

Watch list Richmond 24, Armada 17 The Blue Devils (4-0) are back – and tied for the early lead in the Blue Water Area Conference after defeating Armada (3-1) for the first time since 2019 and after losing this matchup 42-0 a year ago. Dominic Bonnetti scored the go-ahead touchdown with 45 seconds to play.

On the move Clio 26, Owosso 21 After finishing 0-9 last year, Clio (4-0) has its most wins in a season since 2001. This one came against an Owosso team (3-1) that hadn’t lost entering the evening. Gladwin 28, Clare 26 The Flying Gs (1-3) earned their first win, but it definitely is one they won’t forget as they avenged last year’s loss to rival Clare (3-1). Linden 42, Holly 6 The Eagles (4-0) are off to their best start since 2012, and Holly (2-2) already has more wins than a year ago after avenging 2024 losses in Weeks 2 and 3.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Detroit Catholic Central 29, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 14 The Shamrocks (4-0) have a notable lead atop the Catholic High School League Central with this win joining a Week 2 victory over Toledo Central Catholic to give DCC an impressive over the other expected main contenders this fall. Samson Gash starred, and the Shamrocks’ defense held OLSM (3-1) to 30 points fewer than the Eaglets’ season average. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

Watch list Detroit Cass Tech 27, Detroit Martin Luther King 22 These two have met a second time the last five seasons, and the first round this time went to the Technicians (4-0) as they held on after building an early lead on three CJ Sadler scores. King is 2-2 with two losses by a combined seven points.

On the move Ecorse 18, Warren Michigan Collegiate 16 The Red Raiders are (4-0) after winning four games all of last season, and this effort ended Michigan’s Collegiate’s 42-game Charter School Conference winning streak going back to 2016. Macomb Dakota 28, Sterling Heights Stevenson 14 Dakota (4-0) remains one of two teams tied atop the Macomb Area Conference Red standings after handing Stevenson (3-1) its first loss. Redford Union 8, Dearborn Heights Robichaud 0 Union (3-1) and its 32-game winning streak in the Western Wayne Athletic Conference turned away one of its toughest challenges during the streak, from a Robichaud team (3-1) seeking a third-straight playoff appearance this fall.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Haslett 21, Mason 14 (OT) Add this to a one-point Week 2 win at Fenton decided during the final minute, and Haslett has claimed two key nail-biters with this avenging an overtime loss that decided the Capital Area Activities Conference Red title a year ago. Kory Amachree ran for the go-ahead score, and the Vikings (3-1) then closed out the win with an interception to send Mason to 1-3. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Watch list Beal City 42, McBain 7 The Aggies (4-0) continued a defensively-dominating start by avenging last season’s 29-25 loss to McBain (2-2) that ended up deciding the Highland Conference title. Beal City has given up 17 points total over four games.

On the move Stockbridge 25, Union City 18 Although the Panthers (1-3) have had a rough start, this certainly could get things rolling as they ended Union City’s 21-game winning streak in the Big 8 Conference and handed the Chargers (3-1) their first loss overall this fall. Grand Ledge 30, Holt 24 The Comets (4-0) are shaping up as contenders again in the CAAC Blue with this their fourth-straight win over the rival Rams (2-2). Mount Pleasant 28, Traverse City Central 13 The Oilers (4-0) faced another tough challenge in the Saginaw Valley League North but held on for a key road victory at Central (2-2).

Lansing Catholic defenders close in on a Charlotte ball carrier during the Orioles’ 35-17 win.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Kingsley 38, Boyne City 6 The Stags (3-1) played arguably their best game this season in advance of this week’s matchup with Traverse City St. Francis. Those two and Boyne City (3-1) shared the Northern Michigan Football League Legends title a year ago, and Kingsley also with this win avenged last year’s District Final loss to the Ramblers. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Watch list Gaylord 19, Petoskey 13 It’s difficult to not come back to the Blue Devils (4-0) who defeated the reigning Big North Conference champ Northmen (1-3) and did so with their fourth win this season by seven points or fewer.

On the move Maple City Glen Lake 24, East Jordan 22 Glen Lake (3-1) has opened NMFL Legacy play with three wins, while East Jordan (2-2) has lost two heartbreakers the last two weeks by a combined six points. Mancelona 32, Frankfort 6 The Ironmen (3-1) join Glen Lake as undefeated through the start of NMFL Legacy play, with this breaking a three-game losing streak against the Panthers (2-2). Ogemaw Heights 49, Shepherd 14 The Falcons (3-1) earned what could end up a key win in their repeat drive in the Jack Pine Conference I as Shepherd (3-1) was 3-0 for the first time since 2009 and hadn’t given up a point in its two games prior.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Saline 61, Dexter 34 Tommy Carr approached perfection, completing all but four passes and throwing for eight touchdowns – tied for second-most in MHSAA history for a single game – as the Hornets (4-0) scored their most points since Week 8 of 2023 and became one of only two teams still undefeated in Southeastern Conference Red play after dealing Dexter (3-1) its first. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.

Watch list Monroe Jefferson 39, Riverview 8 We featured Jefferson (4-0) on MHSAA.com last week, and the Bears continued to generate excitement by breaking an eight-game losing streak against Riverview (2-2) and avenging last year’s 61-0 defeat.

On the move Vandercook Lake 17, Addison 16 The last six seasons have seen Vandercook Lake navigate 8-player, an abbreviated schedule and return to 11-player last fall, and the Jayhawks (3-1) with this win eclipsed last year’s total while also avenging a 44-7 loss from last season to Addison – which is 0-4 but with three defeats by a combined nine points. Michigan Center 43, Manchester 8 Michigan Center (4-0) has looked nothing short of powerful so far and opened Cascades Conference play by avenging a 46-35 loss from 2024. Chelsea 35, Tecumseh 6 Chelsea moved to 4-0 and extended its SEC White winning streak to 13 since Tecumseh (2-2) won their 2022 meeting.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Paw Paw 35, Edwardsburg 7 Paw Paw’s first three opponents this season are a combined 12-0, and the Red Wolves (1-3) showed they belong in the conversation too by handing the Eddies (3-1) their first defeat. Ben Miller ran for 171 yards and four touchdowns and made 12 tackles.

Watch list Coloma 60, Saugatuck 42 The Comets didn’t have a team three years ago and had lost both meetings with Saugatuck (2-2) by an average of 35 points since returning. But Coloma is up to 2-2 after also finishing last season strong to make the playoffs.

On the move Dowagiac 41, Marshall 22 Dowagiac (3-1) has been building some nice momentum over the last three seasons and is off to another solid start as it seeks a second-straight playoff berth. White Pigeon 46, Centreville 0 The Chiefs (4-0) earned their third shutout this season as they extended their Southwest 10 Conference winning streak to 13 games going back to a loss to Centreville in 2022. Three Rivers 21, Plainwell 7 The Wildcats also are up to 4-0 overall with the other Wolverine Conference co-leaders Vicksburg and Niles up next over the next two weeks, respectively.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Menominee 25, Calumet 15 The Maroons (4-0) earned the first of what may be three necessary key wins to lock up a Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper title after they finished second to Kingsford a year ago. The Copper Kings (3-1) will remain in the mix as well as both must still see the Flivvers and Calumet already has a win over Negaunee. Click for more from the Houghton Daily Mining Gazette.

Watch list L’Anse 46, Manistique 16 The Purple Hornets (4-0) have taken another step during an amazing start after the program had won once over its previous two seasons – a run that had included 44 and 37-point defeats against the Emeralds (1-3).

On the move Kingsford 35, Negaunee 21 This was another key matchup in the West-PAC Copper, which left the Flivvers (3-1) tied with Menominee for first. Houghton 46, Ishpeming Westwood 44 The Gremlins (2-2) have won four straight in this annual series with this their closest meeting since a three-point victory in 2022. Marquette 20, Saginaw United 12 Coming off a tough one-point loss to Gaylord, the Sentinels (2-2) made a trip downstate for the second week in a row and came back with what could be an important victory over a Division 2 opponent.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Grand Rapids Northview 35, Holland Christian 28 Northview had to defeat Holland Christian (3-1) last season to finish a perfect run through the Ottawa-Kent Conference Black, and this year the Wildcats (4-0) hope they’ve started another one. Northview went ahead late on the first night of league play.

Watch list Rockford 21, East Kentwood 14 The emerging Falcons (3-1) have given the O-K Red yet another power program, but the Rams (3-1) remain just a step ahead after holding on in this matchup.

On the move Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills 49, Cedar Springs 35 Kenowa Hills is 4-0 for the first time since 1992, according to Michigan-Football.com, after avenging last season’s seven-point loss to Cedar Springs. Grand Rapids Catholic Central 10, East Grand Rapids 7 The Cougars (4-0) opened O-K Black play by avenging last season’s three-point loss to EGR (2-2). Muskegon 46, Byron Center 17 Last season’s Week 8 loss helped end Muskegon’s playoff hopes, but the Big Reds (2-2) avenged in a big way as Byron Center (1-3) continued to navigate a loaded early schedule.

Ishpeming's Josh Wojie is able to break a couple of tackles and get past Munising’s MJ Bell for a touchdown during the Hematites 52-14 victory.

8-Player

HEADLINER Portland St. Patrick 48, Fulton 6 These two shared the Mid-State Activities Conference Red title with Morrice last season in part because of a Fulton win over the Shamrocks. But St. Patrick (4-0) has defeated both this season and already clinched the league championship. Click for more from WLNS.

Watch list Deckerville 33, Brown City 20 Reigning Division 1 champion Deckerville (4-0) has won 17 straight games and pulled away in this one after defeating Brown City (3-1) by just two points a year ago.

On the move Felch North Dickinson 62, Ontonagon 42 The Nordics (4-0) have scored 38, then 52, then 58 and now 62 points over the last four weeks as their offense is on pace to far surpass last year’s 425 over nine games. Martin 52, Gobles 6 While North Dickinson is scoring more and more points every game, Martin is giving up fewer and fewer and held the Tigers (3-1) to their fewest since the teams met to decide a Regional title in 2023. Bay City All Saints 49, Peck 12 All Saints (3-1) is a one-point Week 1 loss to Deckerville from a perfect start after handing Peck (3-1) its lone defeat.

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PHOTOS (Top) A Lansing Everett receiver pulls in a pass during the Vikings' Week 4 32-0 win over Lansing Waverly. (Middle) Lansing Catholic defenders close in on a Charlotte ball carrier during the Orioles’ 35-17 win. (Below) Ishpeming's Josh Wojie is able to break a couple of tackles and get past Munising’s MJ Bell for a touchdown during the Hematites' 52-14 victory. (Everett/Waverly photo by Larry Arreguin/Team Arreguin Photos. Lansing Catholic/Charlotte photo by Tom Pierson/TCP Photography. Ishpeming/Munising photo by Cara Kamps.)