Success breeds success.
Michigan Lutheran Seminary football coach Karl Schmugge is a firm believer in that adage. After watching the Cardinals finish 11-2 a year ago and make it to the Division 7 semifinal round, he can’t be blamed for thinking that success has rubbed off on this year’s group of student-athletes.
The Cardinals were 5-0 as of press time and were prepping for their biggest game of the year Oct. 2 against Ithaca. With the Tri-Valley Conference West Division up for grabs, in one of the biggest regular-season games in school history, MLS is taking a cautiously optimistic approach to the rest of the season.
“Last year’s success taught the players how difficult it is to get that far, and how hard you need to work to get that far, and how it’s good to be a little lucky at times,” Schmugge said.
“A dream season only happens when a team comes together and trusts each other to execute the plan. They don’t need to keep their eyes on any big picture, but they just need to treat each play as it is the most important play of the season. If they do that, and give it their all, that’s all a coach can ask for.”
Schmugge’s team is led by a solid quarterback-running back combination that is capable of scoring every time it touches the ball.
Junior running back Casey Williams is one of the premier players in the state, and senior quarterback Andrew Schroeder has provided a huge lift after making the transition from wide receiver this season.
Together, they give Schmugge a very potent 1-2 combination that gives defenders headaches.
“Casey is a great football player and has continued to improve each year,” Schmugge said. “He has the most talent of any player I have ever coached and can have a huge impact on a game through his offense, defense, and special teams play. I’m not concerned about him plateauing, because he works very hard in the off-season.”
Schmugge is equally impressed with Schroeder. “On the one hand, it was a tough decision to move Andrew to quarterback because he is such a talented wide receiver and has the ability to be the best wide receiver in the area, with his athletic ability and huge hands,” he said. “But on the other hand, we needed an athlete at QB, and Andrew had played QB on the JV level. It puts the ball into his hands and allows him to make plays.”
Midland Dow wins fifth straight Tri-Cities Swim Title
The Chargers won their fifth straight Tri-Cities Swim Championship Sept. 26 at Saginaw Valley State University.
The championship was unexpected this year, after Dow lost to Heritage by close to 50 points earlier in the season in a head-to-head dual meet.
However, Dow pulled off the victory at the Championship and defeated Heritage, 603-569.
Dow didn’t win a single individual event, while Heritage won 8 of 12, but its team depth, in a meet that scores the top 16 athletes, allowed the Chargers to pull off the victory.
Heritage won eight races, including a record-setting 200 medley relay.
The team of Shelby Santos, Kyra Villalon, Eliza Gorsline, and Ariana Shokoohi set both school and meet records with a time of 1:51.28.
John Glenn finished the meet third with 350, led by 200 IM winner Kimble Darbee (2:16.38) and diving champion Julia Klida. Midland High was fourth, followed by Bay City Western (281), Bay City Central (113), Essexville-Garber (55), and Nouvel Catholic Central (18).
Saginaw High Streaking
The Trojans defeated Heritage, 35-15, Sept. 25 for their first victory over the Hawks in 11 seasons. It was Saginaw’s second consecutive victory.
Wide receiver Marquise Goodman led the Trojans’ rushing attack with 14 rushes for 112 yards, three touchdowns, and two two-point conversions.
Chesaning Rolls
The Indians defeated Swan Valley for the first time since 2007 on Sept. 25. The final of the Tri-Valley Conference Central Division game was 49-21.
Chesaning finished with 410 yards rushing, led by Bryan Moore with 255 yards on 15 carries. Jacob Redmond followed with 116 yards on 17 carries. The loss was the second of the season for Swan Valley, which now has more regular-season losses than it had over the last three seasons.
Chemics on Mission
Midland eclipsed its win total from 2014 with a 55-7 victory over Bay City Western. But Midland heads into its two toughest games of the season, against Carman-Ainsworth and Lapeer. Both games are at Midland.
Chargers Keeping Pace
Midland Dow is keeping pace with the rest of the teams in the Saginaw Valley League after defeating Powers Catholic, 35-30, on homecoming Sept. 25. Midland Dow’s record as of press time is 4-1, with its only loss to Mt. Pleasant the first game of season. Quarterback Bruce Mann is a dual threat. He passed for 149 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for 104 yards and one touchdown.
Freeland continues to win
A late field goal gave Freeland a crucial Tri-Valley Conference Central Division victory over Ovid-Elsie. Freeland won the game 24-22. In two weeks, the Falcons face rival Swan Valley, but they can’t get caught looking ahead. Freeland plays a much-improved Shepherd team that rolled over Hemlock after two close losses to Bullock Creek and Swan Valley.