SPORTS COLUMNIST PETER JAKEY:
A fundraiser with a twist
A fundraiser with a kick The Huron Sports Boosters will be trying to add a little more excitement to Friday nights at Gilpin Memorial Field — and maybe put a few dollars in their coffers. They?ll be putting on a new field goal kicking contest/fundraiser. Two names will be drawn during the second quarter of Huron football games, including tomorrow?s game against St. Ignace, with 25-yard field goals attempted at halftime. The prizes include a $100 gift certificate from Glen?s Market and a $100 savings bond from Huron National Bank. The person whose name is drawn, and only the person who has the winning ticket, will be able to attempt the kick.
The boosters have had a shot contest at basketball games in recent years, but some winning raffle ticket holders have let others shoot for them. In many cases it was the high school athletes, but that won?t be allowed for this contest, according to booster president Mike Stempky. Winners of the raffle will be able to attempt their kick from a tee, so if you?re going to try your luck, you might want to consider wearing hard shoes to the game Friday. Tickets will be $1 each. Stempky said the next booster meeting will be Monday at 7 p.m. at RCHS and Stempky is hoping for another good turnout.
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THIS WEEK I?m profiling Rogers City senior LaVerne Pettit, who has to be considered the most consistent performer for the Huron golf team so far this season. He has finished as the team low shooter the past several weeks. Pettit finished fourth overall at the Bulldog Invitational a couple of weeks ago, which landed him on the all-tournament team. Pettit also shot a 44 for Rogers City at St. Ignace Monday — only four strokes from the number one spot held by two St. Ignace golfers.
I pulled LaVerne from seminar class Tuesday at RCHS, to run by a list of questions. Here?s what he had to say: Pettit?s favorite ice cream: Chocolate chip cookie dough/Moose Tracks. Favorite holiday: Christmas. Most memorable athletic accomplishment: going to state as a freshman. Favorite thing as a kid: bike Biggest influence on your life: mom. Favorite color: green. Dream car: Ferarri or a Porsche. Hobby: golfing and building computers. Favorite food: pizza. Favorite beverage: Pepsi. Most prized possession: rebuilt computer. Best gift ever received: golf clubs. Favorite subject: math.
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IF YOU WERE a fly on the wall in my living room Tuesday you would have seen me watching a WNBA game on my glow box. Oh, the horror. Or should I say: Oh the Shock! I had returned from the Posen basketball game and almost had forgotten about the Game Three championship on ESPN 2. I was flipping through the channels, looking for something to watch at 10 p.m., and came across the game, which had three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and Detroit down. With coach Bill Laimbeer, who I thought last year was hired as a publicity stunt, Detroit went from being the worst team in the league to becoming the best, and it was an exciting finish to the game.
And no, I didn?t go honking my horn down Michigan Avenue in Posen. Someone would have called the sheriff?s department wondering what was going on.
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DEFENSE SURE played an important role in victories for Rogers City and Posen in week three. Both defensive squads earn the maximum of four stars. The Hurons recorded a shutout, while the Vikings came up with defensive stands when they needed it most. The P-Town ?D? is very deserving of four stars. Rogers City?s Scott Heinzel was the leading tackler with 12 and had a fumble recovery to earn this week?s Stemcook award.
Jon Konieczny (fumble recovery) and Justin Kelley both had 10 tackles for three stars each. Kyle Greene had two fumble recoveries, including one which he returned 28 yards for a touchdown. Defensive touchdowns are always an automatic four stars. Posen linebacker Ron Kroll earns the award that shares his name. He receives the Kromel this week for his 23 tackles. It seemed as if No. 4 was everywhere on the field.
Curtis Beach turned in another fine performance wi
And the cheering section of Courtney Romel, Kendra Krajniak, Dorothy Romel, and Jaime Litwinski, who chanted ?Defense!? when their beloved Vikings needed it most, they earn one star apiece.