Posen plays its first eight-man game at Cedarville

by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor

Following one of the strangest couple of weeks in the history of the Posen football program, the players finally get to strap’em on and play a game. The season opener is at Cedarville with kickoff set for 7 p.m. Cedarville has had Posen’s number the last past few years. They?ve had some outstanding basketball teams in recent years, and a lot of those athletes have led the football team to some outstanding records as well. The Trojans have made the playoffs five years running and haven?t lost a regular season game since late 2006. So, they?ve had the number of a lot of teams the last half-decade, not just Posen?s.

For the Viking?s historic first match of the eight-man game, the two squads will play on the traditional field, 120 yards-by-53 1/3 yards (160 feet). Head coach Wayne Karsten said one the big differences may be on special teams. There may be a lot more room to run and a lot more touchdowns scored. The Vikings traveled to Harbor Springs last Thursday for a scrimmage. The coach said the starters moved the ball well, while ?some of the young kids got some experience. Overall, it was a great learning experience.”

The coaches also got an idea what other teams might do against them defensively to stop Posen’s eight-man, spread offense. THE PROGRAM received a significant boost this week with junior speedster Corey Hentkowski showing up for practice. He will be eligible for action Friday night. With speed being a key ingredi

ent to the success of the eight-man game, he’ll be a huge asset on both sides of the ball. It brings the senior and juniors up to six players, while the freshman and sophomores still dominate the roster with 10 players on the squad. Sophomore Justin Paull is another late arrival to camp.

A FEW MORE of the scheduling puzzle pieces have come together, although not all the games are going to be under the Friday night lights. So far, only two of the games will be under the Posen football lights. That will be for week three against Brimley and week four against Eastern Washtenaw Multicultural Academy.

Week five is open, while week six will be at Eastern Washtenaw in the Ann Arbor area. Week seven be against the Flint School for the Deaf and will be on a neutral field. The site hasn’t been officially approved, but it could be at Ogemaw Heights High School on a Thursday night. The week eight match up will be against Owendale Gagetown, Saturday October 17 at 2 p.m. in Caseville. Week nine remains open.