Manchester (2-1) at Grass Lake (3-0) - JTV Napoleon (1-2) at Addison (1-2) Vandercook Lake (0-3) at Hanover-Horton (0-3) Michigan Center (1-2) at East Jackson (1-2) Lumen Christi (1-2) at Northwest (0-3) - JTV Jackson (2-1) at Lansing Sexton (1-2) Coldwater (2-1) at Western (1-2) Reading (0-3) at Concord (3-0) Ida (3-0) at Columbia Central (2-1) - JTV
Michigan Center (1-1) at Napoleon (0-2) East Jackson (1-1) at Grass Lake (2-0) - JTV Addison (0-2) at Vandercook Lake (0-2) Hanover-Horton (0-2) at Manchester (1-1) Hastings (0-2) at Northwest (0-2) - JTV Lumen Christi (1-1) at Harper Creek (2-0) Western (0-2) at Marshall (1-1) East Lansing (1-1) at Jackson (1-1) - JTV Columbia Central (2-0) at Hudson (2-0) Concord (2-0) at Jonesville (0-2)
Thursday Night High School Football Results Cascades Conference East Jackson 30 Vandercook Lake 28 Michigan Center 30 Hanover-Horton 6 Grass Lake 38 Napoleon 18 Manchester 21 Addison 8 Interstate 8 BC Pennfield 48 Western 34 Marshall 17 Coldwater 7 Harper Creek 35 Northwest 0 Friday Night - Hasings at Lumen Christi LCAA Columbia Central 46 Leslie 26 Portland 40 Hillsdale 0 Big 8 Concord 28 Homer 26 Springport 48 Reading 20 CAAC Blue Friday Night - Jackson at Ypsi Lincoln
By Mike Moore Staff Writer Parma — This was a playoff team a year ago, and one, that despite an influx of youth, wants to be the same in 2016. Thursday night may have a lot to say as to whether or not that hope becomes reality. One week after dropping the season opener, the Western football team faces a sort-of must win as it welcomes in Battle Creek Pennfield. Or, a loss will force the Panthers to win six of their final seven games to get back in the postseason. “This is a huge game for us,” coach Dave Mifsud said. “”We have a team that’s confident, but being 0-2 would do a lot to invite some doubts. We have to go out, get this win, and start moving forward.” Western fell to Grosse Ile 41-21 in the season opener, though Mifsud cautioned about any panic geared toward the defense. “They had a punt return for a touchdown, a pick-6 and another interception that set up the third score,” he said. “So it wasn’t all on the defense.” But some of it was. Western allowed 280 yards rushing in the…
Grand Rapids West Catholic 30 Lumen Christi 13 Coldwater 33 Jackson 22 Columbia Central 34 Napoleon 14 Climax-Scotts 48 Michigan Center 14 Clinton 48 Manchester 12 Concord 22 Hanover-Horton 0 Grass Lake 32 Stockbridge 18 Hudson 26 Addison 8 Springport 40 Vandercook Lake 7 Whitmore Lake 12 East Jackson 6 Grosse IIe 41 Western 21 Eaton Rapids 20 Northwest 17
Photo by Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports Parma Western Panthers Last season’s record: 6-4 Returning starters: 4 on offense, 2 on defense First Game: Aug. 26 at Grosse Ile Offensive keys: There is no shortage of talent for the Panthers on the offensive side of the ball, especially at quarterback. Steele Fortress, who started half the season under center last year and passed for roughly 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns, is back at the spot to lead the group. “We plan on being pretty balanced between the run and the pass,” coach Dave Mifsud said. “The big key is the development of the offensive line. We have to protect Steele.” Luke Raczkowski will be a key player as a slot back who can run the ball and catch it. Luke French “is also a playmaker we’re excited to have,” Mifsud said. Defensive keys: While the offense has some key components back and in place, the Panthers’ defense has just two starters back in the mix. Fortress and Raczkowski, those two guys, will lead the group. “But really, it all comes down to how fast we mature as a defense,” Mifsud said. “We have…
By Mike Moore Staff Writer The natural and obvious rivalries remain on the gridiron and hardwood. But don’t forget the springtime when school is winding down, summer beckons, and the baseball state playoffs officially heat up. Now, an extra little flavor for good measure. Taking part in the Eaton Rapids Division 2 district, the Western and Northwest baseball teams are set to square off in a semifinal at 10 a.m. Bragging rights on the line, sure. But a ticket to the district final, and shot at a regional appearance serves as the cherry on top. “Anytime you play Northwest, there is that added flavor,” Western coach Scott Oliver said with a laugh. “It makes it fun to be a part.” Northwest coach Cory Parrott is a 1999 grad of Western. “That adds something to it,” he said. “But it’s not about me. It’s about this rivalry. There’s a respect you have to have. We expect a good, competitive game.” That’s the way the first two meetings this year went. In both games of a May 17 doubleheader, Northwest led entering the seventh inning. In both games, Western found…
Photos by Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports. Photos from Selby Track & Field Classic Photo Gallery. Click here for a complete list of the Selby Track Classic results.
By Mike Moore Staff Writer Parma — When it comes to having the tools in place, well, Tonya Bassett and her Western softball team can put a big fat check mark in that column. Now, as the state playoffs quickly approach, it’s up to the Panthers to make the most of their opportunity. “It’s on us to put everything together,” Bassett said. “That’s the key this time of year.” As of Wednesday, Western was 28-4 overall and had clinched a share of the conference title with Coldwater after going 12-2. The team has one doubleheader remaining against Napoleon Thursday before kicking off district play June 4 against Northwest. And that’s when the real fun begins. “You have to find a way to play errorless softball, pitch and hit,” Bassett said. “We hope to go on a little run here.” Playing errorless maybe asking a lot, and the team’s hitting has been somewhat up and down all year. But the pitching is where the Panthers can flex some muscle. Taylor Nicols and Kortney Jones have been lights out all spring. Nicols is coming off a 17-strikeout performance Tuesday in the…
