Suttons Bay defeated Mesick 43-0 in a blowout game, which could be the last game of the season for the Norsemen as the regular season finale opponent Engadine canceled for Friday’s game.
The Norsemen beat Mesick in all aspects of the game Friday, especially in the trenches, where Norsemen blocker had their way opening holes for runners.
“It’s where it all started and they did a great job,” Suttons Bay coach Garrick Opie said. “We were quite efficient with our running backs and we had some different plays that we mixed in that added some fun to the game and we enjoyed ourselves and really enjoyed being on the field together. It was just a great night.”
Suttons Bay offensive lineman Zachariah Raphael and Gavin Schichtel led the way for the offensive line.
Norsemen tight ends Gannon Mitchell, Urijah TwoCrow and Rex Bunek also opened up wide lanes for Norsemen running backs who were untouched for most of the night until reaching the defensive secondary.
“It’s the game as it should be. I say it at the beginning of the year and I’ll finish the year saying that it begins with the (offensive and defensive) lines and their blocks and how well they do. Everything else stems off of that. I think the guys did a great job,” Opie said.
The Norsemen will have to hope they did enough to earn a playoff spot after Engadine canceled for Friday’s game.
This is the first year that MHSAA 8-player football playoff s are calculated through a point system. Coach Opie says the team will have to wait until Sunday to see if Suttons Bay will make a playoff appearance for the first time since 2022.
“It’s unfortunate because we wanted to play one last home game. Especially for our seniors, their parents and everybody involved wanted to see them on the field one more time. That was a bummer. As far as playoffs are concerned we are just patiently waiting at this point,” Opie said. “It’s definitely a bittersweet feeling. You always want to end the season well, and you always want to have as many games as possible for the seniors,” Opie said. “I really want them to be able to play one more together as brothers and as a family.”
