Sports

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CONSTANTINE — Slow starts can kill a team in football, especially late in the state playoffs.Constantine’s football team learned that firsthand, as the team came up empty on its first three possessions on the way to…

By Steve Eldridge White Pigeon football coach Shawn Strawser was hoping that the fourth time would be the charm, as the Chiefs squared off against the defending state champion Whiteford Bobcats in the Division 8 playoffs Friday night. Whiteford had…

By John Raffel Correspondent MCBAIN – Caleb Miller had a memorable season as a receiver and linebacker for a McBain team which won a district title. “I believed our team did pretty well in and out of our conference,” Miller…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PARCHMENT—In its Division 2 regional final against Edwardsburg on Thursday, Nov. 9, the Otsego volleyball team utilized a diversified offensive attack.Three Bulldogs racked up at least 10 kills, led by a team-best 13 from Brooke Smalldon.Unfortunately…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PARCHMENT—Second-year Otsego volleyball coach Kelsey Swoboda often talks about her team’s competitive spirit.And that competitiveness was on full display during the Bulldogs’ regional semifinal against Parma Western on Tuesday, Nov. 7.After losing the first set 26-24,…

By Katie McElvy Fireworks rang out over Torbert-Allen Field once again on Thursday night signifying that the Chambers Academy Rebels would once again play for a state championship. After appearing in six straight championships, the Rebels have been on a…

By John RaffelCorrespondent GOBLES – Libby Smith had quite a season as a freshman for Gobles’ cross country team.Smith was seventh in the Division 4 state in 18:58.3.Her personal record was 18:41.0, which she met earlier in the season.“Our team…

By Steve Eldridge CONSTANTINE — On a beautiful day for a high school football playoff game, Constantine did not disappoint, as the Falcons hung on to eke out a 21-14 win against the visiting Buchanan Bucks. The victory gave Constantine…

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Three Rivers’ boys’ cross country team, as well as Jennifer Hernandez from the girls’ cross country team, competed in Saturday’s MHSAA Division 2 cross country finals at Michigan International Speedway.The boys’ team finished 26th out of 27…

The Harrison volleyball team lost their postseason game against Evart on Nov. 1 with a final score of three sets to one. The team ended the season with a record of 2-24-1.No stats were available or found at the time…

By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – Marion’s undefeated 8-player football team will be hosting a Division 2 8-player state semifinal game on Saturday against Lake Linden-Hubbell.Marion is 10-0 after last week’s 48-6 over Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart.Sacred Heart ended its season…

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorThe opening possession of the Division 8 football district final between host Saugatuck and White Pigeon on Friday, Nov. 3, started so well for the Trailblazers.Saugatuck put together a sustained drive that took more than five minutes…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor OTSEGO—Elephants are known for having excellent long-term memories.Apparently, Bulldogs have pretty good memories, too—at least the ones who play volleyball for Otsego.A year after being upset by archrival Plainwell in the final of a Division 2…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor BATTLE CREEK—The Allegan girls swim & dive team made it through the dual-meet portion of the SCC schedule unbeaten.At the Conference Championships on Thursday, Nov. 2, and Friday, Nov. 3, the Tigers proved that regular-season success…

By Katie McElvy The Chambers Academy Rebels eliminated Escambia Academy in the first round of the AISA AA Playoffs on Friday night in a convincing 55-18 win. The Rebels wasted no time finding the endzone as Koreen Henry and Luke…

By John RaffelCorrespondentMATTAWAN – Last week Mattawan defeated West Ottawa in the semi finals and Zeeland East in the finals to capture a district Division I volleyball title. Mattawan was set to play this week in Division 1 regional action…

TR boys’ team makes state finals, Hernandez qualifies for girls; WP girls make first-ever state finalPORTAGE — Three Rivers will be well-represented at Michigan International Speedway this Saturday.The Wildcats’ boys’ cross country team finished third at the MHSAA regional at…

By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – Marion got off to a thundering start in the 8-player football playoffs with a 64-14 rout on Friday for the Bay City All Saints. It was 20-6 after the first quarter, 34-14 at halftime and…

By Kaitlyn Campbell The Harrison volleyball team played three games in the Jack Pine Conference quad on Oct. 25 and lost all three of them against Gladwin, Shepherd and Farwell, each with a final score of two sets to none.In…

By John RaffelCorrespondent GOBLES – Gobles hosted its first playoff game since 2014 this past Friday and defeated Mendon by a final score of 50-14.“The win marked a few important feats for the program: it was our first playoff win…