A Duff Said: Recent Episodes
Duff Tyler
A Duff Said is just that - enough said on the people making an impact in Michigan sports and the stories you need to hear.
Kael Gahan just wrapped up a stellar career as a pitcher for the Lake Orion baseball team. He is headed to Duke University to play college baseball for the Blue Devils. I discussed his time coming up with the Dragons and his future plans.
The Lake Orion boys basketball team won 77-50 over Harper Woods on Senior Night. It was a career night for Ethan Sharkey. In his final game in the Lake Orion gym, Sharkey scored a career-high 24 points. He described what this night was like for him and shared his thoughts about his time as a starter for the varsity squad. I also talked to fellow senior Sam Blakely about how he hopes his community will remember his contributions to the basketball and football teams.
Lake Orion junior Izzy Wotlinski has become a leader for the Lake Orion girl's basketball team. Her journey hasn't been easy as she has had to overcome tearing her ACL twice. Wotlinski hasn't let that slow her down as she is determined to help lead the school to another district title.
Sam Ali is the sports director of two TV stations in Flint, Michigan. When Michigan won the national championship in college football earlier this month, broadcasting rules prohibited him from showing footage of the game during his sportscast. So he improvised with comic illustrations of the game. His sportscast caught the attention of several national media outlets. Ali's artwork made him a viral star.
The Saginaw Valley State football team celebrated Senior Day with a blowout win over Northern Michigan last week. The Cardinals wrap up the season this Saturday on the road against Michigan Tech. Coach Ryan Brady recapped last week's win and discussed some impressive performances that came out of it. We also previewed this week's game against Tech.
The Saginaw Valley State football team has won its last two games and prepares to tangle unbeaten Davenport on Saturday. I spoke to Cardinals' Coach Ryan Brady about those wins and who stood out for his team defensively. We also discussed the Cardinals' mindset going into their meeting with Davenport.
Lake Orion senior linebacker Kaydon Degraffenreid didn't like football when he was younger. He has since developed it into his biggest passion and the Dragons are glad that his family moved from Florida to Lake Orion. The Dragons are 6-0 and ranked sixth in the state this week thanks in part to his presence on defense. I spoke to him about his journey and what it means to him to be a part of the community.
In Lessons From Coach Watkins, Steve and I discuss how teams can use these last three weeks of the regular season to be prepared for the postseason despite what their record might be.
Saginaw Valley State Coach Ryan Brady joined me to preview the Cardinals' matchup with top-ranked Ferris State.
Joey DeBrincat has been one of the many players that have contributed to the success of the Lake Orion football team. I caught up with him and discussed his football journey.
I also spoke to Saginaw Valley State football coach Ryan Brady to discuss the Cardinals' (2-2) matchup with in-state rival Grand Valley State.
Saginaw Valley State lost a tough game last week at Truman State. I talked to head coach Ryan Brady about that 21-7 defeat and how the Cardinals plan to bounce back this week at home against undefeated Indianapolis.
For the first time since 2012, Lake Orion football is 4-0. Last week, the Dragons took down third-ranked West Bloomfield 17-13 on their home turf. Lake Orion is ranked sixth in the state in Division One. The dragons are tied for tied with Clarkston for first place in the OAA red. I spoke to Coach Chris Bell and seniors Joey Debrincat and Kayden Degraffenried. They told me they expected to achieve this level of success. We also discussed how they plan to stay undefeated after this Friday’s showdown against Stoney Creek.
Michigan Congressman John James is not only ecstatic about the Lions' week one win over Kansas City, he was not only ready to hang a banner on it, he proclaimed his love for the Lions on the House Floor. Usually, that's reserved for important matters facing our country. But while standing next to a painting of coach Dan Campbell, James used his time to address Congress to talk about the Lions. Talk about your Sir, this is a Wendy's moment.
Lake Orion native Mitchell Debrincat is in his first season as the starting tight end for Saginaw Valley State. I talked to him about his journey from being a member of the Lake Orion football team to playing for the Cardinals. We discussed the work that went into it as well as his passion for music. We also talked about his cousin, NHL star Alex Debrincat, and his return to Michigan as one of the newest members of the Red Wings. They have never actually met, but that could change this season!
The Saginaw Valley State football team opened the season with a 34-24 win over Winona State. I talked to Coach Ryan Brady about his team's performance in that victory. We also discussed the upcoming season, the difficult schedule for the Cardinals and the players on his roster that he's expecting to be key contributors to his team. We also preview the Axe Bowl game with rival Northwood.
During the summer, many kids play in travel sports to enhance their skills. This can benefit high school athletes wanting to take that next step in college sports. But what should parents look for before signing their kids up to play travel sports? Steve Watkins and I discuss the various aspects that summer travel sports provide. We also talked about the experiences he had with those athletes after they returned to his program.
In this edition of Lessons From Coach Watkins, Steve and I discuss what high school athletes should be doing during summer break with the fall sports season about a month and a half away. Steve discusses what types of exercises they should be performing regularly. He also stresses the importance of having fun, but staying out of trouble.
Ryan Slocum has been a regular contributor to this podcast. But he also has one of his own called The Job Guys. It's a podcast for professional wrestling fans. Slocum has always been a fan. He came up with a way to discuss wrestling news and events. He shared with me the thinking behind the show and the many topics he talks about on his podcast.
The Saginaw Valley State football team held its annual spring game on April 15. Coach Ryan Brady joined me to talk about how things went for his players. We also discussed how his team is branching out into Michigan communities to teach kids about the game. We also discussed the possibility of recent grads Trevor Nowaske and Nick Whiteside getting selected in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Trevor Nowaske had a solid career as a member of the Saginaw Valley State University football team. He recently put on a show for NFL scouts at his Pro Day. Nowaske's performance has many draft experts and columnists believing that he could hear his name called during the upcoming NFL Draft.
I talked to Nowaske about how he put in the work to go from Division II's GLIAC to the NFL. He shared stories about his journey and why he thinks he would be a great addition to any NFL roster.
I also share my story about the last SVSU player selected in the NFL Draft and the legendary playoff performance he had with the Green Bay Packers.
Ben Hassenger combined his love for music and the Detroit Tigers into his very own spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Hassenger wrote songs about his memories following the club and his many trips to Tiger Stadium that wound up in the Hall of Fame archives.
In "The Voice of Summer", Hassenger sang about how much Ernie Harwell meant to him and the state of Michigan. During our conversation, Hassenger told me about what Harwell meant to him and Tigers' fans across the state. In his song "The Corner", Hassenger sings about the final game at Tiger Stadium and saying goodbye to the old ballpark at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull Avenues in Detroit.
Hassenger shared both songs with me and explains how he got his other nickname, Michigan's Ukulele Ambassador.
When I first met Steve Watkins, he told me about the time he tried out for the St. Louis Cardinals farm system. Steve was considering playing college football on a full-ride scholarship or grinding it out in the minors. While he decided to pursue football, he enjoyed his time with the Cardinals. While he was there, he met a fellow prospect named Earl. Earl eventually made it to the big leagues with the Cardinals. He wowed fans with spectacular defensive plays and ultimately, cart-wheeled his way into the Hall of Fame.
Jake Champagne averages over 20 points per game for the Oxford High School boys' basketball team. The sophomore phenom has emerged as one of the top performers in the OAA. I caught up with Jake to find out how he reached that level early in his career. I also spoke with his coach, Steve Laidlaw, about his development. We also discussed how he earned the nickname, "Smiley Shark" and his recent interest in chess.
Hosting the Super Bowl can have an enormous impact on a city. In 1982, Pontiac hosted Super Bowl 16 in the Silverdome. Steve Watkins told me what it was like for the city to have the whole world come to town for the Big Game. We discussed how the city benefited from it and why it never returned to Pontiac. Steve also had tickets to that game but wound up selling them. The buyer turned out to be his childhood hero.
During the State of the Union, President Biden spoke about "the talk" that people of color have with their children on how to react if they are pulled over by the police.
In this edition of Lessons From Coach Watkins, Steve tells me about the talk he had with his parents about how to handle that situation. Steve also told me how things have changed since those days. He also told me what he thinks police reform should look like in places that have more people of color living there like Pontiac.
Steve Gale decided it might be fun to be the public address announcer for Freeland High School sporting events. It started as a favor to the school back in 1992. He's been doing it ever since. His voice has become synonymous with Freeland and he's been honored many times for his work.
Maddie Ebbert is one of the senior leaders of the Lake Orion girls' basketball team. It's important to her to carry that role on the floor and around Lake Orion. I spoke with her about playing for a Lake Orion team that has emerged as a solid program in Oakland County. We discussed her history with basketball and reveal the next chapter for her in the sport.
Lake Orion High School junior Ethan Sharkey is your typical gym rat. He's always down to shoot hoops, even if he is the only kid on the court. That made him the perfect person to fill in when the Dragons' boys' basketball team's star player went down with an injury. Sharkey made the most of that opportunity. We discussed that moment and his love for basketball.
Lake Orion senior guard got a scare early in the boy's basketball season. He suffered a wrist injury that he worried might have sidelined him for the year. Instead, it wasn't severe and he returned to the court to lead his team on a four-game winning streak heading into this week's action.
I caught up with him to talk about his last season's goals on the hardwood for the Dragons and why basketball means so much to him.
Desman Stephens scored 10 points and 10 rebounds in Clarkston's 38-35 win over Lake Orion on Tuesday. I caught up with him to talk about that win. We also discussed his passion for football. He caught a last-second game-winning touchdown pass to give Clarkston its first regional title in four years. We talked about that and so much more.
Dan Campbell has accomplished more as head coach of the Detroit Lions than the guy he replaced, not that the bar was set very high. I explain. Also, I preview this week's Lions vs. Jets game, which could decide which former metro Detroit high school football player comes with the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year.
In this week's edition of Lessons From Coach Watkins, Steve talks about why he became a high school football coach. He shared with me the qualifications he had to be a head coach and what's expected if someone wants to get into coaching the sport.
New Lothrop (10-2) takes on Traverse City St Francis (12-0) in the state semifinals on Saturday. The winner will play for the Division 7 state championship at Ford Field. I talked to Hornets' Coach Clint Galvas about his team's preparation for the game and keeping their focus on the task at hand. We also discussed his team having to play outdoors in cold and snowy conditions and what this ride through the state tournament has meant to this small mid-Michigan community. The Hornets also recently unveiled sharp new uniforms for the playoffs. It turns out there is a story to them.
New Lothrop won a sixth regional championship under Head Coach Clint Galvas by defeating Elkton-Pigeon Bay Port 29-20. Galvas joined me to talk about the victory. We also discussed the impact that Alec Wenzlick had on this game and throughout his time on the New Lothrop football team. Galvas also informed me about what the Hornets' biggest incentive is to keep their season going. It might not be just about winning a state championship.
Saginaw Valley State had its playoff hopes dashed in a disappointing loss last season to Michigan Tech. The Cardinals (7-3) face Tech this Saturday with a shot at getting into the DII playoffs at stake. Head Coach Ryan Brady joined me to discuss the Cardinals' win over Northern Michigan last week and how his team is preparing for this crucial game to end the regular season.
High school football players are always excited to win a district championship, but how long should that celebration last? In this week's Lessons From Coach Watkins, Steve tells me that kids should enjoy it, but be cautious of letting things get in the way.
New Lothrop defeated Pewamo-Westphalia 28-7 to capture the district championship. Hornets Coach Clint Galvas joined me to discuss how his team dominated the second quarter to come away with the victory. We discussed the Hornets' great play on both sides of the ball. We also talked about New Lothrop's regional showdown with Elkton-Pigeon Bay Port next week.
Rochester Adams defeated Rochester 28-14 to claim a second-straight district championship. The Highlanders (10-1) overcame a scoreless first half to run away with the win over their cross-town rival Falcons. Coach Tony Patritto joined me to talk about the win. We also discussed:
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How Adams pulled away in the second half.
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How Nick Paterra turned a fake punt into a touchdown.
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How important it is for the players to celebrate to winning a second-consecutive district title.
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How special it was for the Rochester community to have two area teams battle it out for the district championship.
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The Highlanders rematch next week with Clarkston.
Saginaw Valley State heads across the Mackinaw Bridge and straight to Marquette to face Northern Michigan this Saturday. The Cardinals (6-3) are coming off a 29-28 loss at home to Davenport last week. It was a one-point loss to an undefeated and nationally-ranked Panthers team that dominated the clock and capitalized on four Cardinal turnovers. SVSU looks to rebound against the Wildcats and keep their goal of making the DII playoffs alive. Coach Ryan Brady joined me to break down the Davenport game and preview their showdown at Northern Michigan.
Videos taken after the Michigan State vs. Michigan game last Saturday showed several MSU players attacking Michigan players while heading up the Lloyd Carr tunnel back to the locker room. The videos have since gone viral and as of this posting, eight players from Michigan State have been suspended.
In this week's Lessons From Coach Watkins, Steve gives his thoughts as to why this happened and how it could have been avoided. The former high school football coach also discussed how he kept situations like that from happening with players on his team. We also talked about how parents and coaches work together to keep the players safe from violent acts like this and the impact of suspending players has on a coach.
New Lothrop's Jack Kulhanek threw three touchdown passes and ran in four more to lead the Hornets to a 47-30 win over Bendle to begin postseason play. Coach Clint Galvas joined me to talk about the win and previewed next week's district title matchup against the Hornets' postseason rival Pewamo-Westphalia.
Rochester Adams' quarterback Parker Picot scored six touchdowns to lead the Highlanders to a 49-35 win over Lake Orion. The Mr. Football candidate scored three runs that were more than 50 yards each. Coach Tony Patritto joined me to talk about Picot's impact on the game, as well as receiving Co-Coach of the Year honors in the OAA Red and facing community rival Rochester next week for the district title.
In terms of scoring, Freeland's 61-41 win over North Branch looked more like a basketball game instead of a district-opening high school football game. On a night in which both clubs were lighting up the scoreboard, one play ended up being the difference in the game. Coach Kevin Townsend explained the impact that it had and the player that made it to save the Falcons' season.
Coach Steve Watkins had a team he was confident could win a state championship in 1997. Watkins' team was so good, the media took notice and began covering their playoff run. This turned out to have a negative effect on his team. Steve explains in this week's Lessons From Coach Watkins.
Saginaw Valley State (6-2, 1-2 GLIAC) has won its last two games and hosts conference co-leader Davenport (7-0, 3-0) at home on Saturday. During my weekly conversation with Cardinals coach Ryan Brady we discussed the following:
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Winning on the road last week over Wayne State.
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Derrick Hinton Junior scoring the game-winning touchdown and developing into one of the team's top playmakers.
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Jarius Grissom coming into the game to play quarterback in the third quarter and powering the offense to victory.
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SVSU's mindset facing a nationally-ranked opponent for the fifth time this season.
New Lothrop ended the regular season with a 21-7 win on the road against Lake Fenton. Coach Clint Galvas spoke with me as he and the team were on the bus ride back home. Among the things we discussed:
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Finishing the season with a strong performance on both sides of the ball.
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The members of the offensive line and the tremendous job they've done this season for the Hornets.
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Junior quarterback Jack Kulhanek's combined three-touchdown performance against the Blue Devils.
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Preparing for the district tournament.
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How the Hornets will gather to watch the Sunday Selection show for the postseason tournament draw.
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The song that New Lothrop uses to get hype before and after games.
Freeland fell behind 28-7 early against Cros-Lex on the road on Friday. The Falcons battled back to tie the game before the Pioneers responded to grab the lead and win 41-34. I spoke with Coach Kevin Townsend after the game and discussed the following.
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The explosive plays by the Pioneer offense.
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How Freeland (7-2) came roaring back.
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How this loss differed greatly from the Falcons' earlier loss to Frankenmuth.
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Getting prepared for the playoffs.
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The importance of a bus ride home with his players.
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Selection Sunday plans.
One obstacle that Steve Watkins had to deal with in teaching kids how to play high school football was getting them to understand that what they saw in video games and on TV was not the type of football they would be playing. In this week's conversation with Watkins, we discussed how he taught them how plays are actually designed to work and how to execute them effectively. He also talked about getting his kids to understand that there are no superstars with money at the high school level and everything is conducted as a team.
Saginaw Valley State snapped a two-game losing streak by pummeling No. 8 Indianapolis 38-14 on homecoming weekend. Among the topics I covered this week with Cardinals' head coach Ryan Brady:
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Derek Thomason's scoop-6 on a blocked punt to begin the scoring for SVSU.
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Nathan Talaki getting his first sack of the season.
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The numerous SVSU players that are among the GLIAC leaders in sacks this season.
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SVSU's current spot in the conference and how the Cardinals could still be in the race for the championship.
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Facing Wayne State in a pivotal conference road game on Saturday.
New Lothrop lost 23-21 to Durand on Friday. Despite losing to the fourth-ranked team in Division 6, Coach Clint Galvas had some positives to reflect on. The Hornets look to snap a two-game losing skid this Friday against Lake Fenton.
We discussed:
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How the Railroaders emerged victorious.
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How Galvas built the New Lothrop program into what it is today.
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Managing player and parent expectations.
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Connecting with former players.
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Where the Hornets stand going into the regular-season finale.
The Rochester Adams Highlanders defeated Harper Woods to improve 7-1 this season. Coach Tony Patritto joined me to talk about his team's win.
We also discussed:
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Players that were able to step in and make some big plays.
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Managing player expectations.
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Playing in the always-tough OAA Red.
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Preparing to play Stevenson on Friday.
Freeland defeated Birch Run 40-6 on Friday. Despite some players dealing with illnesses, the Falcons (7-1) got an important road win before the tremendous showdown next week against Cros-Lex.
Among the topics I discussed with Coach Kevin Townsend:
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dealing with sick players when the temperature starts to fall.
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How he built the program that he has at Freeland.
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Managing expectations for players and their parents.
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Preparing for the regular season finale and possibly locking down home field for the playoffs.
High school football comes with a lot of distractions, particularly from the people in the stands. Fans make noise and parents want to coach and get their kids playing time. Steve Watkins shared with me how his team dealt with those distractions.
Saginaw Valley State was a little more than a minute away from upsetting the No. 1 ranked Ferris State Bulldogs last week. The reigning DII national champions managed to score and escape with a 33-28. It was the second-straight loss for the Cardinals (4-2) as they look to bounce back this week against No. 8 Indianapolis on Saturday. Coach Ryan Brady joined to recap the loss to Ferris State and to preview his team's homecoming matchup against Indianapolis.
After coming up short against the second-ranked team in the country in Division II, Saginaw Valley State prepares to host the top-ranked team in the country - and defending DII national champion - Ferris State. Head Coach Ryan Brady broke down the Cardinals' 29-10 loss at Grand Valley State from last week and talked about this week's game against the Bulldogs.
New Lothrop defeated cross-town rival Montrose to improve to 6-0. Coach Clint Galvas joined me to talk about how special it is for his guys to win this showdown and what it means for both communities.
Rochester Adams defeated Oxford in week six of the high school football season. Head Coach Tony Patritto joined me to talk about the win. We also discussed this week's matchup with Stoney Creek.
Ben Wagner was one of the many people I worked with in broadcasting at Indiana State University. We called baseball games for ISU in the early 2000s. He was way better than me at it. Now the play-by-play voice of the Toronto Blue Jays, Wagner called Aaron Judge's historic 61 home run.
Freeland defeated Bay City John Glenn 52-0 in week five of the 2022 high school football season. Falcons' coach Kevin Townsend joined me to talk about the following:
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Rebounding from getting shut out by Frankenmuth the week before.
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Where the Falcons stand in the playoff race.
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Preparing to play Swan Valley on homecoming.
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Rehearsing for his son's wedding and then getting to the game against Glenn.
Steve Watkins coached high school football in inner-city Pontiac for more than 20 years. His teams often traveled to predominately white suburbs. Watkins told me how he instructed his kids to ignore the many differences between them and their opponents and just focus on football.
Saginaw Valley State dominated Michigan Tech last week and now moves on to the toughest stretch of its schedule. It starts with a road game against Grand Valley State. It's a battle between two nationally ranked teams. Coach Ryan Brady joined to recap the Cardinals' win over the Huskies and the challenges they'll face this week against the Lakers.
New Lothrop shut out Byron on Friday, 61-0. It was the Hornets' third shutout in a row. Head Coach Clint Galvas joined me to talk about the win and the status of Nick Barnett. Barnett suffered a seizure on the sidelines during a game a few weeks back. Galvas talked about his senior leader making it back on the field for the Hornets.
Rochester Adams defeated West Bloomfield 35-18 in a crucial OAA Red matchup on Friday. Head Coach Tony Patritto joined me to talk about his team's win and the players that helped make it happen.
Saginaw Valley State was one win away from going to the Division II playoffs last season. Michigan Tech denied them the opportunity. The Huskies defeated the Cardinals by one point in the season finale. The Cardinals head to Houghton in Michigan's Upper Peninsula with a score to settle.
Brady Beedon was never a Marine City fan. As a member of the Marysville High School football team back in the early 20-teens, the Mariners always got the better of Beedon's Vikings on the field. But now, as a broadcaster for this Friday's showdown between the two St. Clair County schools, his perspective has changed.
Rochester Adams defeated Lake Orion 42-21. Coach Tony Patritto joined me to talk about how his Highlanders rebounded from a tough loss against Clarkston the week before.
It is more than just a game when Freeland plays in the Clash for the Cure game. Kevin Townsend joined me to talk about why in this game the players are playing for the names on the back of their jerseys.
Former Pontiac Central football coach Steve Watkins talks about how he built a positive culture for his program. He also discussed how changed perceptions of his inner-city football team.
A look at the bold Twitter predictions that did not hold up in Lincoln, NE, or South Bend.
It's not just a game on the Saginaw Valley State University schedule. It is the game of the season. The Cardinals face in-state rival Northwood in the annual Axe Bowl. Coach Ryan Brady joined to talk about the rivalry and the Cardinals' recent dominant win over nationally-ranked Bowie State.
The final episode of the Detroit Lions training camp on the HBO series Hard Knocks aired this week. It was emotional seeing the players that didn't make the roster. Did Eminem predict David Blough wouldn't make the team 20 years ago? Also, is Hard Knocks the football equivalent to Game of Thrones?
Rochester Adams defeated cross-town rival Rochester 34-18 on Thursday. Highlanders Coach Tony Patritto joined me to talk about the game, his players and why he doesn't like the phrase "bragging rights."
When Algonac High School was forced to cancel its high school football season because the team didn't have enough kids on the roster to compete at the varsity level, I asked former Pontiac Central High School football coach Steve Watkins how he made the decision to promote kids to that stage.
Saginaw Valley State crushed West Virginia Wesleyan 72-0 in the Cardinals' opening game of the 2022 season. Coach Ryan Brady joined me to talk about it.
A scary situation occurred on Thursday night during New Lothrop's 40-14 win over Chesaning. Team captain Nick Barnett suffered a seizure on the sidelines and had to be rushed to the hospital. Coach Clint Galvas spoke to me over the phone about the situation and how his kids responded to it during the game.
Freeland Coach Kevin Townsend talks about his team defeating Alma 59-14. He also discussed how he overcame some early obstacles in his career and how he discovered his placekicker during a powderpuff football game.
Kevin Townsend joined me to talk about Freeland's 42-3 season-opening over Clare. He also talked about becoming a grandfather in the offseason.
Brady Beedon from Get Stuck on Sports joined me on the first edition of A Duff Said Live. We discussed the decision by Algonac High School to cancel its high school football season because the team lacked enough experienced players. We also discussed the impact that decision had on the Blue Water Conference.
Saginaw Valley State University rode a five-game winning streak into the final game of the 2021 season. They lost a heartbreaker that left them in fourth place in the GLIAC. The preseason predictions have them finishing in the same spot this year. I spoke to Cardinals Coach Ryan Brady about those predictions. He and his players believe that if they further what they developed in the preseason, then the only ones that can beat them are themselves.
Steve Watkins coached high school football in Pontiac, Michigan for many years. He was passionate about teaching kids the game. But he also wanted them to learn more than just football. He wanted his players to be exceptional kids on and off the field. I created a new segment on this show, "Lessons From Coach Watkins." Each week, Watkins shares the lessons he picked up coaching the sport. This week, he explained how he got his kids to do good things on the field and around the city of Pontiac.
During the pandemic, I met a lot of people on Twitter that became like a long-distance inner circle. I met published authors, medical professionals, podcast hosts and people that share my love of sports. Out of all those people, one person has become very special to me. A woman named Michelle in California. She became a fan of my podcast. She has been very supportive of my goals with it. When I announced I was creating a patron program for A Duff Said, she was the first person to contribute. During a recent live stream, my main guest was running late. Michelle was listening and I took her call. This is our conversation.
Bob Lovell started hosting Indiana Sports Talk 29 years ago. It was created to be like ESPN Game Night for high school and college sports on the radio. Lovell is a Hall of Fame basketball coach from Indiana. Indiana Sports Talk gave him the chance to pursue a new passion. Since 1994, the show has gained in popularity going from being carried on a handful of radio stations to being broadcast on 50 stations across the Hoosier State. I spent two years on the show as a scoreboard update anchor and reporter. This month, I will start my own Michigan version of Indiana Sports Talk here on Podbean. I invited Lovell on A Duff Said Live to talk about why a show like this can tremendously impact high school athletes and the communities they represent.
Since 1946, Holly High School has been known as the home of the "Bronchos." It's actually pronounced Broncos, but with an H. When I first saw it back in 2016, my reaction was "W-T-H?" Many people, including school alumni and town residents, had no idea why it was there. Well, I went to Holly to solve this mystery. My story was posted on the Holly High School Hall of Fame page on the school's website. In this episode, I open the vault and revisit this classic masterpiece of mine. And I explain more about how Holly became the Bronchos and list a few other schools that carry the moniker.
Between the football field and the basketball court, Freeland High School graduate Bryson Huckeby had a four-year run that most kids can only dream about. He was a four-year starter at quarterback for the Falcons' football team. Back in November 2021, Huckeby helped lead the school to back-to-back appearances in the state semifinals for the first time in school history. He was inches away from a touchdown that would have gotten them to the state championship game. Five months later, he was on the court in the Breslin Center at the state semifinals for the undefeated Falcons' basketball team. While he didn't win a state championship in either sport, his efforts didn't go unnoticed. The Anderson University men's basketball team offered a spot on their roster. Located in his home state of Indiana, the native Hoosier is coming home and looking forward to playing in a state where basketball is everything.
David Fitzpatrick never considered himself an activist or a public speaker. But as a father, he never thought he would witness the horror that he did on November 30, 2021.
On that day, a student brought a gun to Oxford High School. He killed four students and wounded several others. Fitzpatrick stood anxiously in the school parking lot awaiting word of his daughter. Though she made it out safely, his family and many others will never be the same after that day. That's why they gathered in downtown Oxford on June 11, 2022, to demand that something be done to prevent further tragedies like these from happening.
Two high schools roughly four miles apart in the community of Saginaw, Michigan produced one of the greatest basketball rivalries in the state. Saginaw High School and Arthur Hill turned out talented athletes who became professional athletes. Oftentimes, these two schools met on the hardwood three times a year. There were times when tickets to these games were a hot commodity and often scalped outside the gym. Ryan Slocum joined me to talk about his new documentary about this legendary rivalry and its future.
Allie Lanctot is in her first season as the head coach of the softball team at Oxford High School. Lanctot turned a bad break in high school into a dream of becoming a coach. Her father, Steve Laidlaw, has been coaching boys basketball at Oxford for the last 13 years. Now the two of them are coaching at the same school where they have spent most of their lives.
They shared with me the impact sports has had on them and how they've turned it into successful careers.
In her senior season, Mya Spisz wanted to leave her mark with the Oxford (Mich) softball team. She has put up phenomenal numbers, including a career-high nine home runs. She also went legend in a double-header against Armada. Spisz went 8-9 with two homers, three doubles and 10 RBI. I spoke with her about her performance midway through the Wildcats' season. We also discussed how her sister became her role model for playing softball and what her goals are next year when she begins playing for Hope College.
Five months after the tragic shooting at Oxford High School, the school and the community have embodied the phrase Oxford Strong. I spoke with four members of the Oxford baseball team to find out what Oxford Strong means to them. Brady Carpenter, Tony Hatzigeorgiou, Eddie Bieniasz and coach Dave Herrick shared with me how their paths with baseball began and where each of them is headed.
The Lake Orion baseball team is off to a solid start and looking to make a deep run in the postseason. Coach Andy Schramek is in his 23rd season with the school. He talked to me about his ever-changing coaching philosophy and outlook for this year's club.
Juniors Joey Bruno, Rickey Green and Cooper Villereal joined me to talk about their goals for this season. They also talked about the best post-game sandwiches and which Major League pitcher they'd like to face at the plate.
Justin Pintar has spent the last 14 years as an assistant coach with the Clarkston High School football team. He learned a lot under legendary head coach Kurt Richardson. Richardson stepped down in January after leading the program for 35 years. He won 274 games and three state championships in his time with the Wolves.
Pintar was chosen as his replacement in March. Pintar talked to me about growing up as a high school football and basketball player in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and dreaming about becoming a head coach.
His first opportunity landed him and his family in Clarkston back in 2007. He became the offensive line coach for the Wolves and became a staple of their success for years to come.
We discussed his experiences with the program, the school and the community. He told me that he intends to keep up Clarkston's reputation as a powerhouse in Michigan high school football.
The girls' basketball team at Marysville High School has been successful throughout Ryan Rathje's 19 years as head coach.
The Vikings had many winning seasons, but they never won a regional championship despite having many talented players over the years.
This year's group finally captured the regional crown and played in the state quarterfinals for the first time in school history. The championship was a lasting achievement for the eight seniors on the team and for Rathje and his staff, which includes some of his former players.
Audrey Wischmeyer was the water girl for the Lake Orion girls basketball team when her sister, Evelyn, played for the team. Evelyn never got to experience the thrill of winning a district championship for the Dragons. But Audrey dreamed of making the team herself someday.
As a junior this past season, Audrey helped lead Lake Orion to the school's first district title since 2010. Part of that victory was for her family that shares a special bond on the basketball court.
The Warren De La Salle Collegiate boys basketball team captured the ninth regional championship in school history back on March 16.
No other program has won more regional titles in Macomb County than De La Salle. But as the Pilots try to make their way back to the Final Four among Michigan high school teams, they don't want to touch any other trophies other than a state title. So who is carrying the other tournament trophies they win along the way?
The regional tournament included some of the best teams in Macomb County. Dakota, Chippewa Valley and Roseville were the top three teams in the MAC Red conference. They were all hoping to represent the county in the state quarterfinals.
All three coaches joined me to discuss their programs.
The Lake Orion High School girls basketball team hadn't won a district championship since 2010. For more than a decade, the Dragons lost in the opening game of the tournament.
This year, players wrote down on cards what their goals were for this season. Many of them listed winning a district title.
When the Dragons upset OAA White Conference rival Rochester to win the championship, one could say it was in the cards.
Coach Robert Brydges joined me to talk about their magical run and the group he has coming back next season that hopes to repeat as champions.
Chris Bell coached the Lake Orion High School football for 18 seasons and guided the Dragons to a state championship in 2010
He stepped away from his coaching duties in 2016 to become the school's athletic director. When the opportunity to coach football and continue to be the AD opened up last November, he was eager to get back to coaching.
We talked about his goals in this second stint with the team and the challenges that come with it.
I also spoke to Jose Andrades of the Lake Orion boys basketball team and the success he's had in his first season as coach of the Dragons.
Seniors Alden Ritt and Trevor Witt have been teammates for many years and they've enjoyed this last season together on the hardwood. Next year, they'll be conference rivals when Ritt goes on to play basketball for Grand Valley State and Witt plays football for Saginaw Valley State. They told me what that will look like for their longtime friendship.
Lake Orion varsity football coach John Blackstock decided to resign as head coach of the Dragons back in November.
He took over the program in 2017 and coached for five seasons. He guided the Dragons to three state playoff appearances.
I caught up with him to talk about why he felt he needed to step down and what is next for him.
A reporter was recently doing a live report on a TV station in West Virginia when she was struck by a car.
While the national media applauded reporter Tori Yorgey for finishing her live shot, another veteran reporter has a different view on how that story should have been told.
Nicole Vowell spent a decade in TV news and believes it is time for the business to stop the practice of making journalists work in the field by themselves. Vowell spends her time working with journalists on the stress of the job and the impact it has on their mental health.
Vowell and I went over many topics of the business that the general public likely doesn't know about. We talk about how the job of a journalist includes working for less than desirable salaries, being asked to perform the tasks of that used to be assigned to many people (now it's all rounded up into one role referred to in the business as a multi-media journalist), working in unsafe conditions like severe weather, working in the public eye by yourself and often times having to deal with harassment from people and more.
For 12 years, Pastor Buddy Frantz would hype up the crowd at the Palace of Auburn Hills as the Red, White and Blue Afroman.
He would launch t-shirts into the crowd, interact with the fans and get everyone fired up for Detroit Pistons basketball.
From the days of the Pistons' teal uniforms to the 2004 championship team, to the Malice at the Palace brawl, Buddy was a part of it all.
The character became a staple of the arena. When the Pistons left the arena to play its games at Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit, Frantz decided to stay behind.
Mount Clemens High School basketball standout Nevaeh Williams has accomplished a lot in her four years with the Bathers.
She recently scored 60 points in a game, making her one of only five players in the state of Michigan to accomplish that feat.
I spoke with her about that game and her career at Mount Clemens.
In my new segment, "It's A Little Known Fact", I explain the history behind Mount Clemens' unique nickname.
I also revisit the days covering the Indiana State men's basketball team during the late 90's/2000's and the legendary moments it had on Senior Nights.
Then, I share a story I did with comedian Dave Coulier on his hockey playing days.
And, I share some big news on my favorite Michigan basketball family, the Sac Family.
During the '90s, the Indiana State University men's basketball program returned to being a winning program for the first time since Larry Bird left the program in 1979. They won two Missouri Valley Conference championships and made it to the NCAA Tournament twice under the direction of coach Royce Waltman.
Part of the Sycamores' success came from a brief, but intense rivalry they had with Indiana University. Despite being separated by an hour along one highway, the two schools didn't play each other much during the 20th century.
The Hoosiers were a Top 25 program at the time led by Hall of Fame basketball coach Bob Knight. Despite being the smaller school in a mid-major conference, ISU took their in-state rivals to the wire. All three games they played were decided by a total of 10 points and Indiana State claimed victory in two of those meetings. All three of them had moments that have become legendary.
I spoke with Indiana resident David Hooper about those games and the brief turnaround of success that took place for Indiana State.
On the night of November 14, 1998, Matthew Ulm and I embarked on a trip to Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana. We were there to get video highlights of Indiana State University's men's basketball game with Indiana University.
It was also on this night that I met legendary basketball coach Bob Knight. He won more than 900 games in his career and won three national championships while at IU.
As you're about to hear, I was a little starstruck being in the same room with the Hall of Fame coach, and my one and only encounter with him turned out to be rather dubious.
Brooke Daniels has turned L'Anse Creuse North High School's girls' basketball team into a powerhouse.
Before she arrived, the program had gone 41 years without winning a regional championship. She not only helped one bring to the school in 2021, but she also was instrumental in the Crusaders achieving their first-ever undefeated regular season.
Daniels has scored more than 1,000 points in her high school career and she's planning to play for the Oakland University women's basketball program next year.
Her accomplishments have made her a candidate for the coveted Miss Basketball award in the state of Michigan.
I talked to her about what she has done in her time at L'Anse Creuse North. I also talked to her new head coach, Claire Kapral. She's coaching high schools girls basketball for the first time ever with a team hoping to win a state title.
It's a lot different from the goal that she recently accomplished - becoming a mom.
Mario Impemba spent 33 years as a baseball announcer. His dream was to be the play-by-play voice for his hometown Detroit Tigers.
He landed the job with the Tigers' TV broadcasts in 2002 and he would go to describe the excitement of Tigers' baseball for 17 seasons.
He learned a lot in his career and he shared those lessons and experiences with me.
During our discussion, Mario talks about memorable games and the sacrifices it took to get to have his dream job.
He also has a new book out aimed at teaching younger broadcasters how to achieve their dreams of making it in sports broadcasting.
This week, I caught up with Rochester Adams football coach Tony Patritto to discuss his team's run to the Michigan Division 1 state championship game. It's the Highlanders' first trip to the state finals in football since 2003. Adams had to overcome several obstacles and came back in a few games to get to this point.
Belleville is making its first trip in school history to Ford Field to play for the state championship. After three-straight losses in the state semifinals, the Tigers finally found what's been missing the last three years to reach the top. What was it? Hit the play button to find out.
Zach Line was a seven-year veteran in the NFL. He played for the Minnesota Vikings and the New Orleans Saints.
As his career drew to a close, he wanted to return to his hometown of Oxford, Michigan. It just so happened, the high school football team was in need of a new head coach.
It turned out to be the perfect beginning for the next chapter in his life. Line shared that journey with me and much more.
I also recap what the Lake Orion Dragons did in their game against Utica Eisenhower, plus Tony Patritto joined me to talk about his team's upset over the defending state champions.
The high school football season starts this week in Michigan. I caught up with head coaches at six different schools to discuss their teams and expectations.
Tyrice Grice has been with West Bloomfield for nearly 10 years, but this season is his first as head coach of the Lakers. The goal for his team remains the same: continue to play at a high level and repeat as state champions, even with the target on their back from other teams.
Tony Patritto won a state title with Rochester Adams in his first season as the coach of the Highlanders back in 2003. This year is all about teaching his guys to have resilience as they look to rebound from a tough season in 2020.
John Blackstock's Lake Orion Dragons had some games slip away from them in 2020. This year is all about reaching for the success they had two years ago.
Aaron Marshall had tremendous success as a player in high school and college. Now in his first season as the head coach at Southfield A&T, he plans to bring that kind of success to his hometown football team.
Kevin Townsend guided his Freeland Falcons to the state semifinals last year and brings back a lot of talent to his year's group. Even though the Falcons moved up to Division 4 this season, the goal to reach the state finals remains the same.
Joe Spencer guided Swartz Creek to a remarkable turnaround in 2020. The Dragons hope to build on that success this year.
Before they were All-Stars. Before they won the World Series, dozens of major league baseball players started their careers by taking the field at Dow Diamond in Midland, Michigan.
Like all the other minor league parks around the country, Dow Diamond didn't host a single game in 2020. The minor league baseball season was canceled. The financial impact on the industry was devastating. Thousands of jobs were lost.
I spoke with Great Lakes Loons radio announcer Brad Tunney about what the organization experienced with no baseball season. We also discussed how the team and its radio station partner survived, and what it's been like moving forward.
Tunney also shared his experiences as a minor league baseball announcer and how his career has evolved in the "new normal."
Longtime Michigan sportscaster Ryan Slocum joins me to tell me to talk about what all he has been up to since becoming a sports anchor in the digital world. The six-time Emmy winner shared his experience doing play-by-play for a high school all-star game and discusses the possibility of moving to the booth on regular basis.
He also talked about his latest sports documentary on a high school basketball player from Saginaw in the 1990s that was well on his way to joining the ranks of big-time players in the NBA, but some bad decisions in high school nearly ended his chances of ever stepping on the court in college.
Ryan and I also talked about his other documentaries and the enjoyment he gets out of working on them.
Zev Moore moved to Israel with his family when he was 11-years old. Since then, he's become one of the country's top young baseball prospects. The New Jersey native was recently named to the extended roster for the Israeli Olympic Team.
He's also serving in the Israeli Defense Force. It's time-consuming for the 19-year-old to balance baseball and being in the military, but he's hoping it will lead him to his ultimate goal of one day playing in Major League Baseball.
Clarkston head football coach Kurt Richardson joined to talk about the Wolves winning their conference title and their preparation for Oxford in the opening game of the playoffs.
Lake Orion coach John Blackstock joined me to talk about the Dragons' loss last week to West Bloomfield. He also shared his thoughts on traveling to Grand Blanc to take on the Bearcats in the opening game of the playoffs.
Scott Reese was a buddy of mine from my college days at Indiana State University. We worked in radio together at WISU-FM, and on other projects over the years.
Despite being legally blind, he never let that stop him from living his dreams. In high school, he gained national celebrity status as the placekicker for the football team. He loved to tell stories about those days.
Sadly, Scott was murdered outside his Indianapolis apartment in October 2019.
This edition is to pay tribute to my friend and share his legacy. I have included my conversation with him in September 2019. I also spoke with one of our friends from those days: David Hooper. David and I share our memories of Scott, as well as our time at ISU.
The latter half of this podcast contains recordings that Scott and I did six years ago as part of another podcast I hosted. He shares his opinion on a number of topics, including supporting the LGBTQ community, his disdain for Meatloaf being played in the gym and those silly requests you get on Facebook.
Freeland High School junior Bryson Huckeby is the quarterback for the Falcons' football team. He joined me to talk about his first career win over Swan Valley and how this season has gone up to this point. He also shares his favorite hype song before a game and who he thinks is the best superhero of all time.
The Swartz Creek Dragons won only one game in 2019. But this year, they've opened a new stadium, dealt with a Covid-19 scare at their school and had their season pushed to the spring and then brought back for this fall. Despite all this, the Dragons are 3-1. Coach Joe Spencer dropped by to talk about their amazing turnaround.
Other guests this week include Clarkston coach Kurt Richardson, Freeland coach Kevin Townsend and Lake Orion coach John Blackstock.
Clarkston and Lake Orion are two communities roughly 12 miles apart in Oakland County, Michigan. Friday night, they renew the oldest high school football rivalry in the Oakland Activities Association Red Division on the Dragons' home turf.
To preview the game, I spoke with Clarkston head coach Kurt Richardson and Lake Orion coach John Blackstock.
The city of Flint has three former residents representing them in this year's NBA Playoffs: Kyle Kuzma and JaVale McGee of the Lakers and Monte Morris of the Denver Nuggets.
Longtime Flint sports anchor Ryan Slocum joined me to talk about what it means for Flint to add to its storied list of professional athletes and where they rank among the city's all-time greats.
Jim Whymer epitomized what it means to be a sports journalist. He was passionate about the games, the kids and the communities that he covered in his 34 years as the sports editor of the Port Huron Times Herald. He mentored the younger writers on his staff. He made sure that the smallest team in the tiniest town of Michigan's Thumb Region got mentioned in the paper. He always knew that somewhere, a story or box score he typed up would end up on someone's refridgerator or scrap book. And that's what he enjoyed most about the job.
Whymer died on Thursday, following a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. I had the good fortune to know him and have conversations about his fight with cancer on a previous podcast that I hosted. Here are some old clips that I put together that describe his legacy. There will never be another like Jim Whymer.
Midland High School senior Therese Joffree was looking forward to something new this spring. An avid runner in both cross country and track, she was eager to take up tennis for her final season as an athlete for the Chemics. But the Coronavirus Pandemic took away that opportunity. But she's built plenty of memories at Midland. She's looking to create many more as a runner at Hope College this fall.
Taryn Vielma was the captain of the Midland High School soccer team. She was looking forward to leading the team to a fourth-straight district title. But the Coronavirus Pandemic took away her senior season. Now, she's eager to move on to Michigan State University to study microbiology. She hopes to one day work on infectious diseases with the CDC or a federal research facility.
Elijah Vlassis was a three-year starter for the Freeland High School baseball team. He was eager to begin his senior season with the Falcons, but the Coronavirus Pandemic caused the cancelation of all high school sports in the state of Michigan. It was a huge disappointment for the outfielder. He talks about his time at Freeland and moving on to play baseball at Alma College next year.
Baseball runs deep in the Vlassis family and Elijah talks about how the game created a special bond with him and his father and grandfather.
Brighton High School senior Sophie Dzeikan is an absolute baller for the girls' basketball team. The 6-foot-3 center has led the team to nearly 70 victories and two straight district championships.
She's been one of the top players in her conference and in Livingston County. She's a contender for the coveted Miss Basketball award in the state of Michigan.
I caught up with Dzeikan to discuss her accomplishments and her future as a member of the Bowling Green University women's basketball team.
I also spoke with her teammate, fellow senior Martha Pietila, to talk about the impact she has had on the basketball program and the community.
This week, I sat down with Dakota High School senior Cam Grant. Cam is averaging 14 points per game, as well as 13 rebounds, four assists and 4.4 blocked shots per game.
She has always been that kind of all-around great player for Dakota. She also tries to do the little things that help lift up and encourage others. That's not just on the court, but in life.
Despite missing half of her junior year because of an ankle injury, Dakota has won 66 games with her in a Cougar uniform. No other player in the storied history of the Dakota girls basketball program has ever enjoyed that many victories while on the team.
I spoke with Cam and her head coach, Phil McCune, about how she achieved that success and how it has made her a candidate for Miss Basketball in the state of Michigan.
We also discussed her future plans as a member of the women's basketball program at Ball State University and how well she knows the state of Indiana's history and culture.
The L'Anse Creuse North boys' basketball team was just 1-20 in 2019. They suffered some staggering defeats in a season in which nothing was going their way.
This year has brought about an amazing turnaround for the Crusaders. They're on pace for the program's first winning season in four years and they're hungry for a championship. They've dubbed this season the #RevengeTour, and so far, they've lived up to it.
I sat down with seniors Micai Johnson and Jordan Brossoit to discuss what it's been like to experience a winning season, something they haven't had in their previous three years at LCN.
I also spoke with Coach Jay Seletsky about how he's turned his program around and how he dealt with some of the hardships of losing.
Goodrich girls basketball senior, Maddie Voelker, has had an amazing career for the Martians. She's the all-time leading scorer in program history and is currently the top scorer in the Flint Area among girls and boys players. Voelker is also a candidate for the prestigious Miss Basketball award for the state of Michigan.
I caught up with her and Goodrich Coach Jason Gray to talk about the impact she has had for the school, as well as her future as a member of the Northwood University women's basketball program.
On this week's show, I spoke with Freeland High School girls basketball senior, Kadyn Blanchard, about her recent contributions to the Falcons on the court and her future plans at Ferris State.
I spoke with the girls' basketball coach, Matt Hirschenberger, about taking over the program after coach Tom Zolinski passed away. I asked him how he is fitting into his first head coaching role.
The Bridgeport boys' basketball team has now won 46 regular-season games in a row after beating Freeland this past Friday. I talked to coach Kevin Marshall to find out what's behind their dominance.
They're called the Sac Family: a group of Freeland neighbors whose boys started playing together in the backyard and wound up bringing success to Freeland High School's athletic teams. I spoke with the Sac Moms to find out about their history and what the future holds for this circle of friends.
Scott Reese was a buddy of mine from my college days at Indiana State University. We worked in radio together at WISU-FM, and on other projects over the years.
Despite being legally blind, he never let that stop him from living his dreams. In high school, he gained national celebrity status as the placekicker for the football team. He loved to tell stories about those days.
Sadly, Scott was murdered outside his Indianapolis apartment back in October.
This edition is to pay tribute to my friend and share his legacy. I spoke with one of our friends from those days: David Hooper. David and I share our memories of Scott, as well as our time at ISU.
The latter half of this podcast contains recordings that Scott and I did six years ago as part of another podcast I hosted. He shares his opinion on a number of topics, including supporting the LGBTQ community, his disdain for Meatloaf being played in the gym and those silly requests you get on Facebook.
John Fattal was playing basketball at Corunna High School just six years ago. Now he is the head coach of the boys' basketball team at Freeland High School. His journey to get there took him a long way in a short time. Fattal went from watching his idol, Kevin Clough, play basketball at Corunna to playing for Clough as a member of the Cavaliers. Eventually, Fattal ended up being on Clough's coaching staff while in Seymour, Indiana.
It's been quite a ride for Fattal. He joined me to talk about it and what his expectations are for his first job as a varsity boys basketball coach.
Anthony Troshak is about to begin his sixth season as head coach of the Brown City High School boys' basketball team. He takes pride in being the "only coach in Michigan to lose six games in one week."
That winless season led to a promotion and ultimately landed him in Brown City, where he guided his team to a regional championship just two years ago.
He shared with me his coaching philosophy, his memories with his players and his journey to becoming a successful varsity basketball coach.
The Central Michigan University volleyball team is having one of its best seasons in recent years. When Mike Gawlik took over the program four years ago, he wanted to make his players winners on the court. But he also wanted to give them the skills to succeed in life after volleyball. And so he created: Adulting 101. It's a course for the players in his program to learn about simple things in life like going to the grocery store, picking out the right clothes, and changing a flat tire. I spoke Gawlik about the many different topics he's held in the course and how it has led to the success of the program.
For decades, the football program at Beaverton High School in Michigan was far from successful. When Aaron Seiser took over, he soon turned them into a winner. This season, the Beavers collected some historic wins for the program and is 10-0 for the first time in school history.
Freeland coach Kevin Townsend also dropped by to talk about collecting his 100 coaching victory and his team's playoff game against Ogemaw Heights.
Jimi and Jheras Grey are the Grey Wolves, a Viking-style duo in Pure Pro Wrestling that's hoping to conquer the tag team division and one day have a match on prime time television.
They share their hopes for an upcoming tag team invitational in PPW, as well as their journey into professional wrestling.
Olivia Viney made history in 2013 when she became the first female to play and score points in an MHSAA state championship football game. She was the placekicker for the Marine City High School football team.
Six years later, Michigan ranks eighth in the country with the number of girls playing high school football.
Viney talks about when she decided to take up the sport, what it was like to be a girl in a guy's world and how she ultimately became the best kicker the program has ever had.
Pure Pro Wrestling is a family-friendly organization based in Michigan that has opened its doors to just about anybody who wants to live their dream of being a pro-wrestler.
I interviewed Father Time, an older man that competes in the ring despite being blind. Jessica is a mother of five kids and a woman eager to get in the ring and show what she can do. Kaneki is a junior grappler that's getting to live his dream as a pro wrestler while still in high school.
Brandon Day is a legendary high school wrestling coach in Michigan. In 18 years, he's coached the Richmond High School wrestling program to eight state championships and guided 16 of his wrestlers to individual state titles.
But he also sees a pattern brewing in youth sports programs that are having a negative effect on kids: Athletes are becoming uncomfortable with their roles when they make high school teams, parents pushing their kids to develop their talents at too young an age, and youth coaches promising those parents that their kids will be stars.
He explains his concerns and how he thinks society can change things around.
The Midland Chemics are ranked No. 1 in the state of Michigan in Division 2. The Mount Pleasant Oilers are ranked fifth in Division 3 and have won 18-straight games in the regular season. The two square off in a Saginaw Valley League Blue matchup that could end up determining the winner of the conference.
I spoke with Chemics Coach Eric Methner and Oiler Coach Jason McIntyre about their teams, their philosophies they have on coaching and the lessons about life they try to teach their kids.
The Lake Orion Dragons aren't a team loaded with future Division 1 football stars. They just go out and play with heart. They went from 3-6 two years ago to being undefeated midway through the season and ranked fifth in the state in Division One in Michigan.
I spoke with head coach John Blackstock; as well as quarterback Blaze Lauer, running back Kobe Manzo, wideout Drew VanHeck and linebacker Issac Kinne about how they've put their motto, "Attack Success" to go good use.
I also spoke with Freeland High School sophomore Sophie Argyle. It's not easy to be the youngest sister to three talented college athletes, but Sophie went out and got the school's first-ever hole-in-one in a golf outing, giving her bragging rights over her older sisters.
Atlanta Braves fans were desperate for management to bring back former closer Craig Kimbrel to boost their bullpen in the early portion of the season.
The Braves went with guys like former Tigers closer Shane Greene instead. Braves fan should feel great about that decision after both pitchers' recent outings.
This week, I caught up with the Montrose High School football team. The Rams are ranked third in Division 6 in the state of Michigan. They host New Lothrop on Friday, which is ranked No. 1 in Divison 7. The Rams shared their thoughts on the game and their season.
I also talked to Freeland Coach Kevin Townsend about his team's matchup with Frankenmuth. The game is part of the annual Clash For the Cure to raise money to help people in their fight with cancer.
Scott Reese is legally blind. But that didn't stop him from being the placekicker for his high school football team at Griffith High back in the mid-1990s. Scott's story garnered national media attention and inspired a lot of people.
We talk about those days, as Scott first tried to be a kicker and how he succeeded at it. We also discussed how far people with disabilities have come in participating in sports.
The L'Anse Creuse High School football team has struggled to win more than one game in each of the last five seasons. Orande Roy served 20 years in the United States Army and is now the head coach of the program. He shares his coaching style and how his military background is building a winning attitude with the Lancers.
Marsae Joseph and Jackson Saleh also sat down with me to talk about the impact Roy has had on them so far.
Clint Galvas has spent the last ten years coaching the football team at New Lothrop High School. Behind him and quarterback Avery Moore, they won the Division 7 state championship last year.
Galvas and Moore share their thoughts on this year's group, their playoff run from 2018 and what it will take to win another title.
Jack Dreyer does not look like a high school football kicker. One college coach certainly didn't think so until he saw Dreyer boot the ball past the uprights with room to spare. How did that coach react after seeing that? You'll hear that and how the senior linebacker for the Freeland Falcons found a new passion in football.
Bill Schaffer has been coaching football for 43 years. When he arrived at Bentley High School in 2018, he had to change the culture of the program, which has had little success in the last 25 years. His first goal was to make sure his guys didn't go to bed hungry.
The USA Patriots boys basketball team has been on a great over the last three years. They pulled off on an unbelievable upset in 2018 in the state tournament. Their coach, Mark Gainforth, and former player, Hunter Bohn joined me to talk about the program and what it's like to represent the Thumb.
Chuck Vierk took up lacrosse as a beginner in college. After he graduated, he wanted to coach the sport. Since getting his first job in 2012, he's coached several winning programs. This past year, he took over at Grand Blanc. The Bobcat boys' lacrosse program was known for having talented players, but not for being winners. In just one season, he turned his roster into both.
Damon Brown has been coaching the Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart Academy girls basketball team for more than a decade. He's guided the school to the state semifinals twice while dealing with personal tragedies. His advice is to remind people that basketball is a game, win at life.
Clint Galvas has been the high school football coach at New Lothrop High School for ten years. After a decade of coming up short in the state playoffs, the Hornets won a state championship and have some new bling.
Jack Townsend is the latest member of the Sac Family to go on to play sports at the collegiate level. He comes from a circle of friends on a Freeland cul-de-sac that has made a big impact on the Freeland community. I spoke with him and his father, Freeland football coach Kevin Townsend, about their journey.