By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports
(August 27, 2022 9:22 AM) It was a friend of Michael Humphreys who told him about the brotherhood of Napoleon High School.
So three years ago Humphreys took a leap of faith and switched from Vandercook Lake High to Napoleon, sat out for one football season, and got physically stronger.
The decision is paying off for the all-state caliber lineman.
Humphreys is one of the linemen hoping to steer the Pirates to the Michigan High School Athletic Association playoffs after just missing the post-season tournament last year – despite a 6-3 record.
Humphreys says missing the playoffs last year is an incentive.
“That really boosts us up … we don’t want that to happen again,” Humphreys said. “I love being around these guys.”
Along the way, the 6 feet, 2 inch 300 pound lineman has learned to love the weightroom.
He can bench press 325 pounds, deadlift 495, and squat 435 for an astounding 1,255 pounds. Humphreys finished just outside of the top 10 last year in a statewide powerlifting competition.
“Our motto on the football team this year is to be the hammer,” Humphreys said. “Guys are always pushing to be stronger in the weightroom so we can be the hammer (not the nail).”
Humphreys said that transferring to Napoleon was more about the culture than just football. Vandercook Lake was transitioning to 8-man football about the same time.
“Football is football … it is great playing 11-man football,” Humphreys said.
He would like to play college football next year.
“Football has taught me a lot about teamwork and good companionship,” Humphreys said. “The players and coaches here are great … they love to lift one another up.”
Highlight game
Napoleon 37, Columbia Central 21
Columbia Central High School jumped out to a 21-7 lead, but Napoleon responded by holding the Golden Eagles scoreless the remainder of the game to retain the Jug in the rivalry game.
Napoleon won the annual game 37-21 at home on Thursday.
Cody Richardson and CCHS shocked the Pirates with a 70-yard touchdown run of the first play of the game for a 7-0 lead.
A touchdown run by Braden Ellison and a touchdown catch by Ty Farmer put the Golden Eagles ahead 21-7.
But Napoleon responded and took a 22-21 halftime lead on a 14-yard touchdown run by Mason Roth, a 54-yard touchdown pass from Grant Bradley to Kayden Fowler, and a 65-yard punt return score by Holden VanPoppel.
Columbia Central threatened to take the lead near the end of the third quarter but fumbled on the 1-yard line.
Napoleon’s quarterback Bradley scored on a 47-yard touchdown run on the ensuing drive.
A 26-yard field goal by Cooper Wyers of Napoleon gave the Pirates a 10-points lead.
Bart Laretz of Napoleon scored with just over a minute remaining for the final score of the game.
Laretz was the workhorse for the Pirates with 163 yards on 22 carries. Bradley finished 8-of-11 passing for 133 passing yards.
VanPoppel finished with seven tackles and a fumble recovery for Napoleon.
Roth and Bradley tallied six tackles apiece on defense for the Pirates.
CCHS was led by Richardson with 119 yards and one touchdown. Ellison rushed for 79 yards and one score and Farmer finished with 38 receiving yards and one score.
Defensively, Farmer tallied 15 stops and Colton Plate added 14 stops for CCHS.
History
The win is the second consecutive victory for the Pirates in the rivalry game. The Golden Eagles had won five in a row from 2015 -2019. No game was played due to COVID-19 in 2020.
What’s next
Columbia Central will travel to Adrian next Thursday for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Napoleon will start its Cascades Conference season with a road game at East Jackson beginning at 7 p.m. next Thursday.
Other area games of interest
Jackson 35, Monroe 20: The Vikings ran for more than 300 yards on the ground, as Charles Thompson rushed for 143 yards and Kryson Cooper rushed for 128 yards. Gibson Drummond scored a pair of touchdowns for the Vikings. The win was the first for new head Coach Antonio Parker. The Vikings host Grand Ledge on Thursday at 7 p.m. in a non-conference contest.
New Lothrop 12, Lumen Christi 7: Two ranked teams met in week one with the home team earning the win. Lumen Christi scored first on a 5-yard run by Joe Lathers at the 3:34 mark of the first quarter. But the Titans were shut down in a defensive clash. Lathers finished with 56 rushing yards and 48 passing. Devian Franklin and Luke Smith led the defensive charge for the Titans with six tackles apiece. Reid Garcia and Britton Hampton each recorded interceptions for LCCHS. Lumen Christi will host Traverse City St. Francis next Friday at 7 p.m. in another game of perennial powerhouse teams.
Addison 44, Pine River 0: The names have changed, but the results haven’t. Addison rushed for nearly 300 yards in a non-conference win over Pine River to start the season. Spencer Brown rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns and Keelan Mullin scored twice for Addison in the win. The Panthers will travel to Manchester next Thursday for an early Cascades Conference showdown. Addison has won 20 consecutive conference games in the Cascades.
Hudson 44, Hanover-Horton 8: Davon Ackley scored the only touchdown for the Comets on a 77-yard fumble recovery. The Comets will travel to Michigan Center on Thursday for a 7 p.m. tilt.
Tecumseh 54, Michigan Center 0: The Cardinals were blanked on the road Thursday night. Michigan Center hosts Hanover-Horton Thursday for a Cascades Conference battle at 7 p.m.
Manchester 20, Whitmore Lake 6: Manchester High School quarterback Kannon Duffing was 9-for-13 for 146 yards with Jaxon McGuigan grabbing seven passes for more than 100 yards, according to a report by MLive. Jeff Loomis finished with nine tackles and Bubba Duffing added eight stops for the Flying Dutchmen.
East Jackson 26, Potterville 22: The Trojans trailed 14-0 at halftime, but scored 26 points in the final two quarters to pull out the win. Caleb Weaver rushed for nearly 100 yards and scored two touchdowns and quarterback Austin Tingley threw for 216 yards and two scores. Mason Dingee tallied six tackles and Dylan Osborne added five stops for EJHS. Joe Niehaus earned his first win as a head coach in the victory. The Trojans will host Napoleon on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Cascades Conference opener.
Climax-Scotts 28, Concord 26: Anthony Evans had more than 200 yards of offense and was responsible for three touchdowns for the Yellow Jackets in the loss. Mekhi Wingfield scored on touchdown passes of 13 and 25 yards and Ja’Vion Taylor scored on a 70-yard kickoff return for Concord.
Northwest 28, Eaton Rapids 6: The Mounties rushed for nearly 400 yards for the first win for head Coach Stafford Newsome. Izayiah Hawes led the charge with 233 rushing yards and two touchdowns for NWHS. Adam Haselius scored two touchdowns on offense and finished with 11 tackles for the Mounties. Northwest will host Gabriel Richard next Thursday at 7 p.m.
Tri-Unity Christian 77, Vandercook Lake 0: The Jayhawks fell on the road in 8-man football. Vandercook will travel to Bangor next Thursday for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
Grass Lake 35, Royal Shine 7: The Warriors earned a road win to begin the 2022 season. Grass Lake will host Big Eight Conference Reading next Thursday at 7 p.m.
Stockbridge 38, Springport 6: Jalen Rogozinski was responsible for four scores and 200-plus yards of offense for the Panthers. Damien Hayes also scored two touchdowns for Stockbridge. The Panthers will host Ypsilanti on Thursday at 7 p.m. while Springport will host Bronson with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
Ithaca 60, Homer 39: The two teams scored nearly 100 points in the season opener. It doesn’t get any easier for the Trojans as they will travel to Jonesville for a 7 p.m. contest next Thursday.
Dansville 26, Leslie 7: Leslie High School will host Whitmore Lake on Thursday with a 7 p.m. kickoff.
Western 27, St. Johns 22: The Panthers used big plays to earn the win at home. Caden Oliver scored on runs of 59 and 7 yards and finished with 103 rushing yards. Alex Trudell scored on a 90-yard touchdown and Noah Berdiner added a 64-yard touchdown. The Panthers finished with 303 rushing yards. Landon Heavy tallied 17 tackles, Gibby French recorded 12 tackles, and Oliver added 10 tackles and a fumble recovery. The Panthers will travel to Detroit Country Day for a 7 p.m. kickoff next Thursday.
Hillsdale 35, Jonesville 12: Hillsdale jumped out to a 21-0 lead midway through the third quarter. Stephen Petersen scored two offensive touchdowns and one on a fumble recovery and Peter Moore added two rushing scores for the Hornets. Dominic Aponte ran for 90 yards for Jonesville and one score. The Hillsdale defense held Jonesville under 200 yards for the game. The Hornets will host Berrien Springs on Thursday beginning at 7 p.m. while Jonesville hosts Homer at the same time.