Region 1
#4 Crystal Falls Forest Park (44.889) at
#2 St. Ignace (65.764)
Region 2
#2 Muskegon Catholic Central (62.556) at
#1 Frankfort (62.556)
Region3
#1 Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (73.776) at
#1 Waterford Our Lady (90.667)
Region 4
#3 Ottawa Lake Whiteford (52.222) at
#1 Climax-Scotts (67.000)
As the final seconds ticked away on the Aggies season, the scoreboard read 48-13 in favor of the visiting Muskegon Catholic Central Crusaders who walked away with their fourth straight District Championship yesterday. The Aggie defense has been dominant as of late, but it wasn’t enough as the Crusaders racked up 389 yards on the ground and 126 through the air. Even though these numbers look video game like, most of this yardage came solely on big plays with touchdown rushes of 65, 94, 66, 48, and 61 yards, and touchdown passes of 51 and 65 yards.
The game started out in defensive fashion as the teams were scoreless after one, then with 9:38 left in the first half MCC scored on a 51 yard screen pass to put them up 7-0, however, the Aggies had an answer. Set up by a Chase Rollin kick return brought out near midfield and fourth down conversion, Tucker Gross found Thomas McCann over the middle for a 35 yard touchdown pass to tie it up 7-7 midway through the second. But the momentum quickly swung back in MCC’s favor when the Aggies kicked the ball out of bounds on the kickoff and the Crusaders promptly scored on their first play of the drive on a 65 yard run.
After an Aggie punt, MCC was driving again but on third down, the Aggies sacked the Crusader QB and forced a fumble recovering it on the Crusader 41 with time winding down in the half and a chance to go into the locker room tied at 14. The Aggies got into the red zone, but on 4th and 4 from the MCC 16, Gross’s pass was picked off and MCC took over at their own 6. Then two plays later, the Crusaders broke off a 94 yard touchdown run and MCC was up 21-7. The half seemed over but Kyle Yuncker returned the kick into MCC territory, but the Aggies were unable to put points on the board ending the half down by two scores.
After the teams exchanged punts to start the third quarter, The Crusaders broke off another long TD run to put them up 28-7 late in the third, but the Aggies weren’t about to go down without a fight. They drove right down the field and capped it off with a 9 yard run by #9 as Tucker Gross made it 28-13 with 11:55 left in the game. The Aggies tried for an onside kick but failed and MCC scored on the next play with a 48 yard TD run to up the score to 34-14. The Crusader defense then stepped up and stopped the Aggies and then their offense broke off another long touchdown to put the game out of reach at 41-13 with 8:37 to play. MCC would ultimately add another touchdown ending the game with the final score being 48-13.
Even though it seemed like the Aggies got dominated, in my mind, the score wasn’t really indicative of how the game was played. The Aggie offense put up 321 total yards on a very good MCC defense and had more first downs than them. What killed the Aggies was missed tackles and big plays, and penalties at inopportune times. Tucker Gross finished the game 6/18 with 99 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, and also added on 74 rushing yards with a TD. Chase Rollin led the Aggie rush attack again with 101 yards on 11 carries with a long of 58. The Aggies finish their season 9-2 and have nothing to be ashamed of losing to a damn good MCC team that is coming off of two straight State Championships. Not to mention the Aggies won the Highland conference for the fourth straight year. All in all, it was a very impressive season for our Beal City Aggies.
We are, Beal City!
by Josh Williamson
Saturday November 7 there will be a championship game atmosphere at Beal City. As the Aggies look to take on the 2x defending state champions Muskegon Catholic Central. Just to remind you this is only the 2nd round of playoffs as these two power house football teams look to battle it out to make the next round. The Aggies come in after winning 37-0 against Vestaburg and the Crusaders come in off a 49-7 win against Sacred Heart.
Last Friday the Crusaders beat Sacred Heart dominating on both sides of the ball. The Crusaders scored their first 2 touchdown without taking a snap from center. Middle-linebacker Nate Jones was all over the field which led to two interceptions return for a touchdown. The Crusaders can not only get things done on offense but also on defense.
The Aggies come into this matchup as the underdogs but shouldn’t be underrated. Last week the Aggies running attack showed that they can run the ball and score at will. The offense line looked the best it has all year, creating big holes for runner and doing well on pass protection. Look for Chase Rollin to use his speed to get to the side line away from the defense. The coaching staff will remain to keep the Crusader true on defense with quick screen passes and possibly some deep balls down the field.
Saturday game will come down to who wants it more. The teams have put in extreme amounts of practice to prepare for this game. This weekend we will see who worked the hardest. A key factor that will determine this game is penalties. These two teams are explosive one penalty can change the tide of the game. Saturday is coming up soon if the Aggies can limit mistakes and play as they did last week I see a for sure win in their future.
We will catch you at the game Saturday afternoon at Beal City. Go Aggies!!
By Josh Steger
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Twitter: @Beal_CityAggies
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| Passing | Cp/Att | Yds | TD | Int | Lg |
| #9 T. Gross | 5/13 | 74 | 1 | 0 | 24 |
| BCHSRushing | Att | Yds | TD | Long | Fum |
| #17 C. Rollin | 5 | 54 | 2 | 24 | 0 |
| #33 N. Schafer | 4 | 33 | 0 | 30 | 0 |
| #44 J. Matthews | 5 | 32 | 1 | 20 | 0 |
| #1 T. McCann | 3 | 21 | 0 | 20 | 1 |
| #25 K. Yuncker | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| #10 D. Miles | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| #9 T. Gross | 3 | -4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| #32 K. Flaugher | 1 | -5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rest of team | 3 | -5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| BCHSReceiving | Rec | Yds | TD | Long | Fum |
| #32 K. Flaugher | 1 | 24 | 0 | 24 | 0 |
| #25 K. Yuncker | 2 | 23 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| #85 B. Moore | 1 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 0 |
| #17 C. Rollin | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| BCHSTackles | Tk | Ast | Sck | TFL |
| #17 C. Rollin | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| #63 C. Vogel | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| #5 K. Sharrar | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| #24 S. Mauldin | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| #54 J. Robison | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| #50 I. Hoogerhyde | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| #2 C. Hauck | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| #53 B. Upton | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| #25 K. Yuncker | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| #32 K. Flaugher | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| #20 T. Ferguson | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| #65 P. Garrett | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| #12 W. Chilman V | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| #7 C. Winegardner | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Rest of team | 13 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| BCHSDefensive | Sfty | Int | Fum | Blks | TD |
| #17 C. Rollin | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| #5 K. Sharrar | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rest of team | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| BCHSKickoff Returns | Ret | Avg | TD | Long |
| #25 K. Yuncker | 1 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| Rest of team | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| BCHSPunt Returns | Ret | Avg | TD | Long |
| #25 K. Yuncker | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
As the writer of the Player of the Week I have to admit, it is way, way easier to have a skill position put into the spotlight. But I have to give credit where credit is due. The Aggie defense has been on an absolute tear. Without access to a recording of the game or instant replay it’s difficult to see who actually made the tackle or play on defense, so I apologize for that. But see it this way, if you play on defense, whether it be all game or for one snap, you have been apart of a defense that has dominated its opponents. This week against Vestaburg the Aggies defense only gave up a total of 77 yards. Vestaburg ran a total of 48 plays throughout the entire game. The Aggie defense only gave up an average of 1.6 yards per play. To put those numbers in perspective, last year Michigan State had one of the most dominate defenses in college football. The gave up 3.94 yard per play, which is well over double what Beal City gave up against Vestaburg. Am I saying the Aggies defense is over twice as good as last years Spartans? Not quite, but it’s pretty damn good.
One of the most important aspects to this defense is their ability to get off the field on third down. Vestaburg did not convert on a third down the entire game. They were 0 for 10. The aggies also forced 4 turnovers, including 2 Chase Rollin interceptions. The defense will have to continue to stride so they can give the ball back to their offensive play makers. This is certainly a key to success for this team as they continue their path to Ford Field.
Quick note:
The impressive thing is that this isn’t even close to Beal Citys best performance as a defense. Against La Lumiere the defense gave up only 9 yards. 9!!!!!!!!!!!! -11 yards rushing.
By Joshua Lueck
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Last Friday, your Beal City Aggies took down the Vestaburg Wolverines handily with a score of 37-0. It’s District Finals week, and the Aggies will have their hands full with the Crusaders out of Muskegon Catholic Central. The Crusaders are the two time defending champions in Division 8 and are looking for the “3-peat”. Beal City and MCC have faced each other 5 times since 2006, with Beal City’s only win coming in their 2009 championship campaign. I got another chance to talk with Coach Gross about what he saw in the Vestaburg game, about the upcoming battle against MCC, and helped explain the Playoff Point System a little bit.
This game will be a home game thanks to the Playoff Point System that the MHSAA runs. In a nutshell, Coach Gross explained the point system runs off of the size of the school and their record. For instance, if a D8 Beal City team were to beat a D4 school with an even record, they would score more playoff points winning that game than they would if they beat a fellow D8 school with an even record. Come playoff time, whichever team has more playoff points in the matchup will earn home field advantage. In a tough matchup like this, Coach Gross said they’ll take even the smallest of advantages such as playing on their home turf.
Coach Gross was pleased with the execution of the team as a whole in the game against Vestaburg on Friday night. They limited the number of mistakes in their schemes and patterns, they limited turnovers, and the large lead allowed him to work in some more passing plays than normal.
In preparation for the upcoming game, Coach Gross said there really isn’t one key player on MCC that they can single out and try to take out of the equation. They have solid athletes on both sides of the ball, and even have a rather impressive special teams force. He also mentioned that they’re very well coached, and that along with the balanced talent caliber is why MCC is such a successful team. So instead of trying to focus on MCC and how to stop them entirely, Coach Gross is working with his players to stick with the package. The Aggies will keep working on all of their packages they’ve been taught throughout the season and work on running them to perfection. If they play their game, the winning will come along with it. Now is not the time to throw in an entirely new offense or defense and try to teach it in one week.
There was a little scare in the Vestaburg game with Tucker Gross. Coach Gross mentioned that there was a little tweak in his wrist that nagged him during the game, but the Beal City quarterback got himself in the zone and didn’t let it get to him. Coach Gross had him throwing a little bit to make sure he had full use of it still, and he did. Other than that there are no injury concerns for both the Aggies or the Crusaders.
The game will start at 1:30 at Beal City High School on Saturday November 3rd. I hope to see everyone there, and GO AGGIES!
Region 1
District 1
#4 Crystal Falls Forest Park (44.889) at
#3 Bark River-Harris (54.333)
District 2
#2 St. Ignace (65.764) at
#1 Johannesburg-Lewiston (67.444)
Region 2
District 1
#2 Onekama (57.600) at
#1 Frankfort (62.556)
District 2
#2 Muskegon Catholic Central (62.556) at
#1 Beal City (76.111)
Region 3
District 1
#3 Fowler (43.333) at
#1 Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (73.776)
District 2
#2 Sterling Heights Parkway Christian (52.444) at
#1 Waterford Our Lady (90.667)
Region 4
District 1
#2 Pittsford (41.778) at
#1 Climax-Scotts (67.000)
District 2
#3 Ottawa Lake Whiteford (52.222) at
#1 Morenci (60.222)
The Vestaburg Wolverines came into Beal City last night with hopes of pulling off a major upset in the first round of the MHSAA playoffs. Those hopes were quickly dashed as the Aggies recorded their second shut out in three games and cruised to a 37-0 victory to move on to the Region 2 District 2 championship in the Division 8 playoffs.
The Wolverines moved the ball on their first drive into Aggie territory, but their promising drive ended abruptly as Chase Rollin picked off Vestaburg’s sophomore quarterback Seth Stratton for his first of two interceptions on the night. Then, as they do so often, the Aggies marched right down the field capped off with a 21 yard touchdown run by Chase Rollin. When the Wolverines got the ball back they moved backwards and the drive ended with Vestaburg recovering a fumble in their own end zone for an Aggie safety to put them up 9-0 mid-way through the first.
After the free kick and return, the Aggies started in great field position with the football at the Wolverine 39 yard line. After a Tucker Gross pass was completed to Kendall Flaugher inside the 1 yard line, Gross took it in himself to finish the drive and make it 16-0, which is where the first quarter would end. The Aggies and Wolverines then exchanged 4th down stops which gave Vestaburg the ball on their own 4 yard line. But on their first play to start that drive they promptly fumbled the ball and the Aggies recovered on the Wolverine 3. Chase Rollin then did the rest as he buried two Vestaburg defenders for his second touchdown of the game to give the Aggies a 23-0 lead.
On the Wolverines next drive Chase Rollin picked of Seth Stratton again and on 4th and 11 from the Wolverine 15 yard line, Tucker Gross connected with Brad Moore for another Beal City touchdown and the rout was on as the score was 30-0. The Wolverines then got the ball back and turned it over on downs giving the ball to the Aggies on the Wolverine 33. Six plays later Jake Matthews went 4 yards untouched into the end zone to put the Aggies up 37-0. The second half saw nobody score as the two teams went back and forth with each other.
Tucker Gross finished the game 5/13 with 74 passing yards and two total touchdowns. Chase Rollin again led the Aggie rushing attack with 54 yards and two touchdowns. Beal City outgained Vestaburg 206 to 77 en route to their win. Next week the Aggies welcome the two-time defending State Champions Muskegon Catholic Central Crusaders to Beal City for the district championship game.
by Josh Williamson
After another dominate performance by this 5’10” 175 pound senior it’s only fair to give him the credit he deserves. Though the players in previous player of the week articles deserved the spotlight to be shown on them for their performances, Rollin could have easy been the player of the week. Rollin has put up stupid numbers since the Aggies fell to Evart earlier this season.
Since that game Rollin has had 608 rushing yards in just 4 games. An average of 152 yards a game. To give perspective on these great numbers, if Rollin’s numbers were placed in the NCAA database for rushing yards per game this year; he would be ranked second. Only behind Leonard Fournette who’s easily the front runner for the Heisman trophy. The sad part is that Rollin’s numbers could be even higher if Beal City hadn’t been blowing out teams of late. For example, against La Lumiere Rollin only ran the ball two times for 30 and 55 yard touchdowns. LITERALLY, every time he touched the ball he scored a touchdown. I’m not saying he would have kept that pace for the entire game, but with the talent this kid has, crazier things have happened.
Every time Rollin touches the ball he has the ability to bust an average run into a touchdown. His ridiculous yards per carry average is proof of this. His average of 15 yards per carry for that 4 game span is unbelievable. Comparing him again to Heisman front runner Leonard Fournette, Rollin’s average is twice as much.
It is ignorant to say that one single player can carry a football team for a deep playoff run, but is there was such a player it would be Rollin. If Beal City wants to make the run in the playoffs that their hoping for, Chase Rollin will have to continue his great play.
And let it be known, as good as Rollin is, without stellar blocking by the big men up front he wouldn’t be nearly successful as he’s been.
By Joshua Lueck
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Twitter: @Beal_CityAggies
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