Vandercook Looking to Build Football Foundation

Key players for the Vandercook Lake High School varsity football team include, from left, Leland Barton, Kyle Cavins, Coach Caleb Baird, Evan Crum, and Marissa Dahn. Photo by Jeff Steers, JTV Sports.

By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports

Last year: 3-6 overall

New Vandercook Lake High School football Coach Caleb Baird is looking to build a foundation for years to come at VCL.

He is hoping a “young coaching staff” can help turn things around for the Jayhawks.

Baird is the fourth head football coach in the last four years for the Jayhawks.

He is a 2012 graduate of Vandercook Lake, was an intern for football and basketball at Eastern Michigan University, and served as an assistant coach under Jake Greer at VCL last season.

Baird said the 2022 Jayhawks will use the motto demand more – on and off the football field.

“Family has always been important to me,” Baird said. “In life we have to hold our family just as accountable as we hold ourselves, hence the motto demand more from yourself, your team, and your coaches.”

Key returnees for the Jayhawks include Even Crum (lineman), Zachary Green (lineman), Kyle Cavins (wide receiver/running back), and Marissa Dahn (lineman).

Freshman Leland Barton will be one of the fastest players on the Jayhawks’ squad.

Baird said the Jayhawks expect to have more than 25 players on the 2022 team. The coach would like to get VCL back to 11-man football in the future.

“That is one of our goals,” Baird said.

Vandercook Lake High School

Football Schedule 2022

Aug. 26 Vandercook Lake at Wyoming Tri-Unity 7 p.m.

Sept. 1 Vandercook Lake at Bangor 7 p.m.

Sept. 9 Maple Valley at Vandercook Lake 7 p.m.

Sept. 15 Britton-Deerfield at Vandercook Lake 7 p.m.

Sept. 23 Vandercook Lake at Concord 7 p.m.

Sept. 30 Vandercook Lake at Farwell 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 Vandercook Lake at Morenci 7 p.m.