Harbor Springs extended its winning streak to three games with a commanding 47-0 triumph over Benzie Central on Friday night, improving to 4-1 on the young season. The Rams built a 40-0 lead by halftime and quickly added to it in the second half to secure their first three-game winning run since 2019.
Coach Erik Slifka praised the team’s performance, saying, “All the way around it was a great team win. We’re starting to click on offense.” The ground game led the charge, with all three running backs—Jimmy Calnen, Chaz Brainerd, and Luke Dickinson—scoring at least once. The defense also delivered a strong showing, recording the team’s first shutout since their season opener in 2020. Slifka credited the players’ efforts, noting, “You’ve got to credit the kids. They’re bringing it every week and getting better.”
Harbor Springs’ next challenge is a road game at Lakeview on Friday, October 2, where they will look to notch their fifth win, matching last season’s total.
In Charlevoix, the Rayders fell just short against McBain, losing 28-27 in a tight contest at Kipke Field. Despite the defeat, Charlevoix coach Don Jess emphasized the value of playing strong competition, saying, “It was good to play them and that level of competition. It was a good high school football game, that’s for sure.” The Rayders led 27-22 late in the game but could not stop McBain’s crucial fourth-and-goal play from the three-yard line with 1:25 left. Charlevoix’s subsequent drive ended with a failed fourth-down conversion at midfield.
Jess highlighted the team’s resilience, adding, “We just couldn’t get the stop. We’ve got plenty to work on, but I was really happy with my guys. They battled all game long and fought until the end.” The Rayders had built a 21-6 lead in the first half before McBain staged a comeback. The final score mirrored their playoff meeting from the previous year.
Colin Jess powered Charlevoix’s offense with 147 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries, while Conor Vondra and Greyson Warchol also scored on the ground. Jess completed 15 of 22 passes for 160 yards but threw two interceptions. Carter Greenacre caught seven passes for 62 yards. On defense, Peter Yanchulis recorded seven tackles and two sacks, while Warchol added five tackles, including two for loss. Charlevoix (4-1) will host Grayling on Friday, October 2.
Boyne City snapped its winless streak with a 38-13 victory over Grayling on Friday, improving to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play. The Ramblers ran for 223 yards and passed for 161, with quarterback Drew Bryant throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for one. Bryant completed 8 of 16 passes for 161 yards.
Running backs Bruyn Hauger and Jamie Joseph combined for 137 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Curtis Brewer hauled in five catches for 121 yards and a touchdown. Camden Johnecheck also caught a touchdown pass. Defensively, Brayden Joyce contributed four tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. Joseph had six tackles and returned a fumble for a touchdown, and Hauger recovered a fumble.
Boyne City will face Elk Rapids on the road in a Northern Shores matchup on October 2.
East Jordan continued its dominant run with a 56-13 win over Tawas, marking a second consecutive game where the running clock started early in the second half. The Red Devils led 40-0 by the end of the first quarter and extended the lead to 56-0 by halftime.
Coach Adam Grybauskas noted the challenges his team faced during the week, saying, “We had a bunch of kids sick and it wasn’t a great week of practice because we didn’t have kids there. Kids were getting sent home, but it was good to see we still played well with all of that going on.”
Five different East Jordan players scored, including William Webb, who accounted for two passing touchdowns, a rushing touchdown, and an interception returned for a score. Brady Wilson scored twice, once receiving and once rushing, while Bradyn Russell, Ryan Moody, and Garrison Henry each found the end zone on the ground. The Red Devils improved to 4-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play. They are set to host Benzie on Friday.
According to Yahoo Sports.