CHEBOYGAN – I’m not ready to give up on Cheboygan-area high school sports for the 2023-24 school year just yet.
It was a lot of fun, the players, coaches and fans were fantastic and many of the matches were incredible.
So as I continue my version of Cheboygan’s ESPY Awards presentation, in part two I want to highlight some of the best experiences I’ve had over the past year.
Great atmosphere: Superior Dome, Marquette (Inland Lakes vs. Martin State Football Title Game) – The state football championship game is something I’ve always wanted to cover, and I finally got my chance last November when Inland Lakes played Martin in an 8-man Division I showdown. I was blown away by the Yooper Dome in a classic title game where the Clippers beat the Bulldogs. The raucous atmosphere, the big plays, and being in such a big venue is a memory I’ll never forget.
Best coaching jobs:Meyer, Simoniak and Price top the list of top Cheboygan area coaches for 2023-24
Best Games:The Inland Lakes-St. Ignace football rematch is the best high school game of the year in 2023-24.
Best upset: Cheboygan Girls Basketball Beats St. Ignace – Before the game started, it seemed like Cheboygan had no chance of beating this version of the Saints. This was far from the well-running machine, championship winning teams that Dorine Ingalls had produced in the past. Still, the Saints were strong. But on this night, the Chiefs found the winning stitches in front of their hometown crowd, holding off the Saints, 33-30, for their first win over their rivals across the Mackinac Bridge since 2015. It was a great night for a Cheboygan team that has improved greatly under second-year coach Walter Hanson.
Most exciting moment: OnAway baseball team stuns Inland Lakes – Harbor Springs was down to one out. You could feel the excitement from the glory-hungry OnAway players – and glory came. What happened next was a wild Cardinals celebration around Cardinals pitcher Cole Selke after the team won the regional championship, 3-1. It hadn’t been a smooth ride last year for OnAway sports, but it was a heartwarming moment for the entire community.
Most heartbreaking moment: Inland Lakes Football Loses in State Title Game – Let’s take a look back at last November’s game at the Superior Dome. The Bulldogs held a commanding 26-6 lead going into the fourth quarter against defending champion Martin and thought they had the upper hand. But the Clippers staged an incredible comeback to pull off a stunning 30-26 victory, leaving IL players, coaches and supporters heartbroken. As painful as the aftermath of this game was for Inland Lakes, it was another – a great run by an outstanding team.
The loudest moment: Cheboggan Boys Beat Onaway in Basketball – I didn’t think the struggling Chiefs had much hope of beating the fast-paced Cardinals, but I was wrong. The best part of the game was how loud the crowds on both teams got during a tight match. Heck, a couple of guys got ejected (I won’t mention names!) It was a wild night. Either way, as the Chiefs came close to winning, it was party time in the student section of Cheboggan and the gym was the loudest it’s been in years.
Contact Sports Editor Jared Greenleaf atinquiryFollow him on X, formerly known as TwitterFollow
