Players from Michigan Center High School expected to play key roles include, from left, Kyran Lane, Ethan Applegate, Jordan Krauss, Coach Troy Allen, John Olkowski, and Hunter Clemons.
By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports
(August 20, 2023 1:24 PM ET) Two years ago the Michigan Center High School varsity football team came within one play of making it to Ford Field and the state football finals.
The Cardinals would love to return to that form this season after a 4-5 year in 2022- playing with a lot of youth on the field.
“We had high expectations a year ago and were in every game,” longtime Coach Troy Allen said. “Last year we played as many as five or six freshmen in game.
“We have been waiting on this group … it has a lot of seniors.”
Seniors Lukas Howard (QB/S), Kyran Lake (RB/LB), Avery Nahal (RB/LB), Logan Shelton (OL/DL), Jordan Krauss (OL/DL), Hunter Clemons (WR/DB), Ethan Applegate (RB/DB), Blake Short (OL/DL), and Chase Short (OL/DL) are the core of the Cardinals.
Howard returns to the quarterback position after an injury last year, Lane enjoyed a number of huge games for the Cardinals last year, Nahal returns from a yearlong injury, and Krauss is considered the strongest player on the team.
Spencer Berkeypile (WR/DB/K) made 25-of-32 extra point attempts a year ago for MC.
Players expected to make impacts for the Cardinals are sophomores Travis Collins (WR/RB/DB), Landon Hurd (OL/DL), Chris Fox (OL/DL), Brennan Forward (WR/DB), Braylon Brown (RB/DB), and Hayden Hinkle (QB/S).
Juniors Drew Beadenkopf (WR/LB), Bodee Adkins (WR/DB), Logan Jones (RB/LB) and senior Dayton Spencer (WR/DE) look for starting assignments for the Cardinals.
Michigan Center expects to have 35 players on the varsity roster with eight returners on offense and seven on defense.
“Our senior class if full of great kids,” Allen said. “I am just proud to have them wear the uniform and represent the program in the community.”
Michigan Center High School 2023 Football Schedule
Aug. 24 Lumen Christi at Michigan Center 7 p.m.
Aug. 31 Jonesville at Michigan Center 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 Michigan Center at Columbia Central 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 Michigan Center at Leslie 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 East Jackson at Michigan Center 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 Michigan Center at Grass Lake 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 Napoleon at Michigan Center 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 Michigan Center at Manchester 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 Cascades Conference Crossover TBD
