Another fall football season passes for Glen Lake and Suttons Bay. With stadiums packed and students showing school pride, parents watching their boys on Friday night is a feeling like no other. Both the Lakers and the Norsemen left it all under the Friday night lights. The Dream Team is voted on by Glen Lake coach Jesse Smith, Suttons Bay coach Garrick Opie, and Enterprise sports editor Brian Freiberger.
MVP: Benji Allen (Glen Lake)
Glen Lake senior Benji Allen retained his crown as Dream Team MVP for the second straight season. Allen has started on varsity since his freshman year and admits the game builds character.
“All of those coaches who hold us to a higher standard to build us into better men outside of football,” Allen said. “Football teaches you to get your priorities done and never give up. I think there’s not a bond or a family in any other sport like football.”
Allen’s favorite moment of the season was defeating Frankfort and East Jordan for the first time in his career. Allen had 129 tackles, nine sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions to cap off an impressive career. Offensively, he had 12 rushing touchdowns and was an all-around athlete playing quarterback, running back, receiver and full back at any given moment.
Keaton LaCross (Glen Lake)
Glen Lake senior Keaton LaCross overcame an injuryfi lled junior year to play an integral role for the Lakers as quarterback during his 2024 campaign.
“It felt great to lead our team to the first district win in a long time and then to get to the district finals where I know we came up short, but it felt great to compete especially in our last game of the season,” LaCross said.
LaCross threw for 865 yards and 11 touchdowns during his senior campaign to lead the Lakers through the air. LaCross earned the athlete of the week earlier in the season by going 3-for-3 for 89 yards in the first win of the season against Manton.
Boden Fisher (Glen Lake)
One of the most unique athletes to wear a Laker jersey is senior Boden Fisher. Whether you need an explosive play or a 45-yard field goal, Fisher always provided a spark offensively, defensively, or on special teams.
“I didn’t play for as long as I wish I could have. I started my sophomore year but I think the biggest thing I took from it is the family you get from the team,” Fisher said. “I’ve never had a relationship with a team like that. To be able to play alongside your best friends and have a great season, it just builds so much chemistry between all your friends and you build relationships.”
Fisher had only 18 catches and 400 receiving yards. He also started defensively in the secondary and was arguably the best kicker in northern Michigan.
Dominic Stein (Glen Lake)
Glen Lake sophomore Dominic Stein joined the Dream Team after leading his team at the left tackle and middle linebacker positions. Stein was a leading blocker for the Lakers rushing attack that tallied 2,800 yards and 41 rushing touchdowns, plus 14 passing touchdowns.
“(Stein) was a leader on the offensive line and you turn around as a sophomore, he was second to Benji in tackles defensively with 107,” Glen Lake coach Jesse Smith said.
Stein hopes to grow into a better teammate and leader in the future to help turn the Lakers into state championship contenders. “The week two win against Frankfort showed us that we have a different team this year,” Stein said.
Fletcher Middleton (Glen Lake)
Glen Lake junior Fletcher Middleton was one part of a three, sometimes four-headed dragon Glen Lake possessed. Middleton ran for 1000 yards on 90 carries with over 10 yards per carry. He was a formidable player on both sides of the field and contributed 97 tackles and 13 sacks.
Sam Dykstra (Glen Lake)
Glen Lake junior Sam Dykstra rushed his way onto the dream team with 907 yards and 10 touchdowns. His favorite moment was getting revenge on Frankfort for the first time in five years and winning the first playoff game in five years.
“I’d never experienced something like that before and it was just really cool,” Dykstra said.
The junior will hope to take his team to the promised land in 2025 during his senior season.
Sully Seymour (Glen Lake)
Glen Lake senior Sully Seymour made the Dream Team thanks to his defensive line combination that caused havoc all season long. Seymour had six tackles and eight tackles for loss on the defensive line. Seymour would even sub in on offense and play fullback for the Lakers.
Grayson Opie (Suttons Bay)
Suttons Bay senior quarterback Grayson Opie showed his athleticism all season long for the Norse. He helped Suttons Bay come back to a triumphant season. Opie has learned a lot from football and has made many relationships and friendships with his classmates and teammates at Suttons Bay and St. Mary. These friendships have formed through the sport.
“(Football) teaches me to be disciplined, work harder… I think this year was probably the closest a team has ever been, brothers to me, like a family. We all helped each other out when we were down, we all encouraged each other. We all pushed each other to be better and I really am happy with the way it turned out,” Opie said.
Opie didn’t miss a game and played both ways, rarely leaving the field.
Jackson Loucks (Suttons Bay)
Suttons Bay senior Jackson Loucks improved every season for the Norse troughout his career.
“(Loucks) would not go down easy. He toughed it out, when he got banged up in games or otherwise he would just tough it out and stay out there and keep grinding. He did a great job,” Suttons Bay coach Garrick Opie said.
Loucks played running back and linebacker for the 5-3 Norsemen.
“Football offers many takeaways; a few that I’ve gained are discipline, teamwork/collaboration, hard work,adaptability, and perseverance. Some of my favorite memories include beating Brethren on homecoming, bus rides to and from games, defeating Mesick twice, and playing with a great group of guys. My advice to younger players is to listen to coaches and older players, as they possess a wealth of experience and knowledge that will help you become a better football player and, overall, a better person,” Loucks said.
Luke Bramer (Suttons Bay)
Lake Leelanau St. Mary senior Luke Bramer was another player who was on the field the entire game for the Norsemen.
“Even when (Bramer) was banged up on the field and you could see it in his eyes, but he wouldn’t say anything and he stayed out there for the team and really played tough, ran the ball and made some great plays defensively as a corner,” Suttons Bay coach Garrick Opie said. “ I keep on hearing and seeing the word grit with the Lions and I think that describes Bramer, Schichtel, Jackson, Grayson and the whole team.”
Gavin Schichtel (Suttons Bay)
Suttons Bay sophomore Gavin Schichtel played center alongside his stout offensive and defensive line teammates.
“They did a great job this year blocking and I credit them with our run game,” Suttons Bay coach Garrick Opie said. “Gavin is probably the most positive and enthusiastic player. He listens and plays hard every play. (Schichtel) has been that way since he played Pop Warner and he’s been enthusiastic.”
HONORABLE MENTION: Plenty of players from Suttons Bay and Glen Lake earned spots on the dream team.
Suttons Bay sophomore Zachariah Raphael was dominant on both sides of the ball for the Norsemen. Glen Lake junior Jacob Peplinski was another defensive standout and had 101 tackles on the season.
Another offensive lineman from Glen Lake to receive Dream Team honors is David Kish.
