Harrisville
Harrisville, MI · Education
Petoskey News Review
Up North Voice
Petoskey News Review
WBKB 11
Alpena Schools, Teachers Union Reach New Contract Agreement
ALPENA, MI — Alpena Public Schools and the Alpena Education Association have ratified a new two-year collective bargaining agreement that takes effect for the 2026-2028 school years, marking a collaborative effort between district administration and teacher leadership to balance educator compensation with long-term financial stability. The agreement received overwhelming support from both the Alpena Public Schools Board of Education and AEA membership. The contract addresses three primary areas: competitive teacher compensation, enhanced support for special education students, and sustainable fiscal management for the district. Under the new contract, teachers will receive a 4% salary increase for the 2026-2027 school year, followed by a 2% increase for 2027-2028. The district designed these increases to attract and retain high-quality teaching staff while maintaining the school system's financial health. "We are incredibly proud of the productive and collaborative spirit that defined these negotiations," said Michele Vilas, Executive Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations for Alpena Public Schools. "This new two-year agreement reflects our shared dedication to providing a high-quality education for Alpena's students while securing and retaining exceptional educators. By working together, we established a contract that honors the hard work of our teachers, enhances crucial support for special education, and maintains
Petoskey News Review
Petoskey shutout sets up title showdown; Charlevoix, EJ win big
ALPENA — The Petoskey football team is in the exact position they wanted to be in. That spot, as they enter Week 8 of the high school football season, is competing for a conference crown. They’ll get their shot when they return to Northmen Stadium on Friday, Oct. 16, though they first needed to take care of business on the road in Alpena Friday night. And that they did, as they put their second shutout of the season on the board with a 35-0 victory over the Wildcats. Coming off an emotional win over a rival like Gaylord the week prior, and with a potential share of the conference title looming against Marquette, keeping all of the focus on Alpena Friday night was key for the Northmen. “Definitely was a conversation this week,” Petoskey assistant head coach Jared Webb said. “A big win last week, but this one was more important now.” Petoskey improved to 5-2 overall and 4-1 within the conference, a game back behind Marquette, who sits at 5-2 and 5-0 in the league, while coming off a 49-13 win over Gaylord Friday. Cadillac also sits at 4-1, so a possible three-way tie at the top could be
Petoskey News Review
Gaylord St. Mary football survives first real test in win over CCIA
GAYLORD — Gaylord St. Mary football needed to play a close game. Heading into Week 7, the Snowbirds hadn't allowed a single point and had outscored their five opponents 306-0. Starting with a matchup against Pickford in Week 8, the GSM schedule picks up as they head into the postseason, meaning a little adversity wouldn't have been the worst thing in the world for GSM to deal with. Still, they didn't have a one-score game in their Homecoming plans. After Onaway forfeited earlier in the week, the Snowbirds picked up an opponent in Calumet Copper Island Academy, a program in its first year of existence. Entering with a 3-2 record and a win over Rogers City on their resume, the Snowbirds knew they had a scrappy team ready to play them, but maybe not this scrappy. CCIA (3-3) took advantage of some GSM (7-0, 5-0 Bridge Alliance-Valley) miscues, taking an 8-7 lead on the Snowbirds into halftime and giving the Snowbirds a hole to dig themselves out of. It wasn't pretty, but GSM's defense battled for a second-half shutout as they pulled out a 15-8 victory. SCORES Northern Michigan high school football scores, updates for Week 7 Harbor Harbor Springs
Petoskey News Review
Petoskey's Jace Shaw turns dream night into a reality against Gaylord
PETOSKEY — No matter where your focus was Friday night at Northmen Stadium in Petoskey, it was a tough night to miss Jace Shaw. You would have needed to be actively trying and, even that would’ve been hard. Shaw, a senior do-everything player for Petoskey, could be seen blowing up plays defensively in the Gaylord backfield during a 42-21 rout of the Blue Devils . He could be seen sprinting away from the Gaylord defense, including on a 57-yarder he caught in stride and raced down to the four-yard-line. There were his special teams plays, going perfect on extra points, booming punts and even grabbing a Gaylord onside kick attempt. Thought you’d get a break of Shaw during halftime? Think again. Shaw’s head at halftime ditched the helmet for the Petoskey Homecoming King crown. “This is what every high school guy dreams about,” Shaw said with a laugh after Friday’s busy night. Shaw being able to do everything on the field comes as really no surprise. He’s been a key cog in the defense and special teams for multiple years now. PHOTOS: PHS Homecoming See the Petoskey High School Homecoming King and Queen get crowned Seeing the Northmen senior also
Petoskey News Review
Gaylord football's Mason Gentz blocks punt, picks off pass with arm in club cast
GAYLORD — What's the first piece of advice you'd give to someone trying to catch a football for the first time? "Use two hands" is probably somewhere near the top of the list. Gaylord's Mason Gentz doesn't have that luxury right now. Gentz broke his right hand during practice a little over a week ago, forcing him to wear a club cast over it if he wants to continue playing. That hasn't slowed down the senior linebacker, however, as he continues to come up with big plays for Gaylord's defense as they chase a second-straight Big North Conference championship. Volleyball How JL volleyball adjusted after losing all-state star Mady Peppin Parade pics Photos from the Gaylord High School homecoming parade, Sept. 25, 2026 Facing Sault Ste. Marie on Friday, Sept. 25, Gentz was all over the field for Gaylord in its 51-6 win, intercepting a pass and blocking a punt despite the one available hand. "Before the game and before every practice, I work on catching with this thing," Gentz said, looking at his club. "It hurts, it really hurts, I'm not going to lie, but I need to make plays when my team needs me and I was able
Petoskey News Review
Big tests await Gaylord-area football teams in crucial Week 5
GAYLORD — This week marks the halfway point of the high school football season for Michigan and the Gaylord area. Each Otsego County area team came into the 2026 season with similar goals of competing for a league title and a playoff berth. All those goals are still alive, but all three teams will face different challenges if they want to achieve them. Gaylord (2-2, 2-1 Big North Conference) now controls its own destiny again after Cadillac's loss to Marquette, needing another win this week over Sault Ste Marie (1-3, 0-3 Big North Conference) to stay in the hunt. Gaylord St. Mary (4-0, 3-0 Bridge Alliance-Valley) hasn't allowed a point in 2026 yet and is in the midst of a three-week road trip, and JoBurg (2-2, 2-2 Northern Michigan Football Conference) has lost two straight, needing to end the skid against the reigning league champions, Maple City Glen Lake (2-2, 2-1 NMFC). Who takes home victories in Week 5? Volleyball Gaylord volleyball hosts Sault Ste Marie, photo highlights VOTE Vote for the Gaylord Herald Times Athlete of the Week, Sept. 14-21 Gaylord vs. Sault Ste. Marie Gaylord needed a bounce-back in Week 4 after suffering a 28-0 loss to Cadillac
9&10 News
149th Fighter Wing was set for flyover at Alpena High School game Friday
ALPENA — A flyover for the Alpena High School Sept. 18 football game has been canceled, according to the district in a release. “Due to the unfortunate events that occurred today, all flight operations for the 149th Fighter Wing have been ceased,” the release said. “The flyover for tomorrow’s game has been canceled. “Our thoughts are with the 149th Fighter Wing pilot and their team.” A crash of a Texas Air National Guard fighter jet near Traverse City on Sept. 17 occurred during training exercises based out of Alpena.
Petoskey News Review
Gaylord football uses dominant second half to defeat Escanaba
GAYLORD — The Gaylord football team was affectionately nicknamed the "Cardiac Kids" by their coaching staff last season. What seemed like weekly come-from-behind, final-moment victories for a team that eventually went 9-0 in the regular season became part of their identity in 2025. The roster may look different, but they proved that late-game resilience didn't graduate with last year's seniors. Gaylord (1-1, 1-0 Big North Conference) trailed Escanaba (0-2, 0-1 BNC) 17-7 heading into halftime before scoring 28 unanswered points in the second half, eventually finishing off a 35-25 victory for its first league win of the season on Thursday, Sept. 3. "The first half didn't go in our favor, but I thought we matured as the game went on," Gaylord coach Matt Silsbury said. "We kind of found our footing and started doing the things we are capable of." Scores Northern Michigan high school football scores, updates for Week 2 EJ, Harbor Webb leads East Jordan to first victory, Harbor Springs gets physical with Glen Lake Here's how Gaylord pulled off the comeback win in Week 2: Penalties, miscues plague first half Gaylord sports a relatively young and inexperienced roster in 2026, and that can lead to mistakes. Those
Cheboygan Daily Tribune
McKinstry's big passing night sets tone for Rogers City football
ONAWAY — All day long, Bryan McKinstry couldn't wait to get on the field . While he was nervous throughout the day, he was itching to get his chance . ONAWAY VS ROGERS CITY RECAP: Onaway struggles to contain prolific Rogers City passing attack WEEK 1 FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Previewing Week 1 of the Cheboygan-area high school football season 10 KEY CHEBOYGAN-AREA FOOTBALL PLAYERS: Meet the 10 players who will define Cheboygan-area football season After one play — the first from scrimmage, mind you — the work McKinstry put in during a productive summer leading up to this season was rewarded. He connected with senior teammate Nolan Lesko on a long touchdown pass that gave the Hurons an early lead. The play was a statement of sorts from McKinstry, who was just getting started. By the end of the night, McKinstry delivered the best performance of his high school career by tossing a career-high seven touchdown passes and spearheading the Hurons to a 46-18 victory at rival Onaway on Thursday Aug. 27. "It meant so much, just to show what's going to happen in further games and how the offense is going to work," McKinstry said. "We just wanted to show
Petoskey News Review
JoBurg football relying on seniors to bring program back to playoffs
JOHANNESBURG ― For the past few years, Johannesburg-Lewiston football has begun its season the moment the MHSAA allows, holding practice at midnight on the first Monday of the high school sports season. The Cardinals handle the midnight practice differently than most teams, however, holding a week-long camp with guest speakers, team bonding and, hopefully, walking away with lifelong memories from their high school football experience. As coach Joe Smokevitch spoke to the team just before officially hitting the field this season, the message was clear: This once-proud program was sick of losing, and it's time to change that. He feels this group of seniors has what many of their previous teams were lacking, and it's not talent. "We've had a lack of leadership, and our seniors have that leadership," Smokevitch said. "They have that desire, that want to win. I don't have to yell at them and tell them 'This is what you need to do to lead.' They just do it." It's been five seasons since JL finished with a winning record or made a playoff appearance. Can they find that recipe that returns the program to what they were in the 2010s, and possibly further than ever before?
Petoskey News Review
New-look Gaylord football lineup hopes to reload for 2026 season
GAYLORD ― Despite all the attention it brings, football is one of the most unpredictable sports. Gaylord High School football fans can attest to that. The last three seasons have been anything but straightforward; 2023 included an undefeated regular season and the program's second district title, followed by a three-win season in 2024 and a brand-new coach in 2025. That led to one of the more improbable runs in recent memory as Gaylord went undefeated in the regular season and won the first 10 games under first-year head coach Matt Silsbury. Now, what will 2026 bring? Some might see a lineup with few returning starters and think it may be a rebuilding year. However, the 2026 team may actually be better set up for success than it was in 2025, thanks to continuity on the coaching staff. "This year, it doesn't feel as rushed," said Silsbury. "With a year under my belt and actually being able to start when I wanted to start with our program, we're ahead of where we were last year as far as install goes." GSM Football How far will Gaylord St. Mary football's leaders take them in 2026? Soccer Check out the Gaylord High School
Petoskey News Review
How far will Gaylord St. Mary football's leaders take them in 2026?
GAYLORD ― Football is football. High school, college or professional, 11-player or 8-player; the game of football comes with challenges for all teams at every level, some similar and some different. Nearly every football team goes through some sort of attrition and replacement on their rosters, an inevitable part of building and rebuilding a program or organization. In this instance, Gaylord St. Mary football is truly unique. Outside of lineman and captain David Wahl , the GSM Snowbirds are returning every starter from a team that went 8-3 in 2025, finished second in the final Ski Valley Conference standings and scored 80+ points in a playoff win over Mio. Many 8-player teams are lucky to have a few returning players each year. Meanwhile, GSM's staring lineup will look almost identical to its 2025 lineup and, with mainly juniors on the roster, will look similar again in 2027. With a healthy team returning so many playmakers for veteran coach Kevin O'Connell, talent won't be an issue this season. Can a team of mainly juniors and sophomores take that next step from a team with potential to a team of winners? For coach O'Connell, that question will be answered by the leaders
Cheboygan Daily Tribune
Onaway football program aiming for first winning season since 2023
ONAWAY — The Onaway Cardinals didn’t have a winning football season in 2025, but they had their fair share of big plays on both sides of the ball . With the Cardinals heading into their third season under coach Micah Bailey , they're hoping for even more of those moments from the impressive skill players they have returning. They just hope it all results in a first winning season since 2023. ONAWAY SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN: Onaway football eyes success as member of Bridge Alliance Conference THREE THINGS TO WATCH ONAWAY: Three things to watch with 2026 Onaway High School football team That will be one of the big goals for the Cardinals, who continued to preach fundamentals and conditioning during the first practice of their second week of fall camp on Monday. Aug. 17. As the Cardinals prepare for Week 1, here’s some things that stood out and thoughts from Bailey. Ah, those skill positions While the Cardinals won’t feature Lelin Splan, a star senior running back last fall, Bailey’s excitement is through the roof as far as the quality offensive skill players he has back. Among those are senior Kayson Jarvis, a longtime running back, senior fullback Zach Schmoldt, a
Petoskey News Review
First impressions of Gaylord, St. Mary and JoBurg football in 2026
GAYLORD ― Welcome back, high school sports fans! The fall sports season is officially underway as teams from across Michigan hit the turf, the gym and the pools (and anywhere else they hold practice) on Monday, Aug. 10, the first day of the 2026-27 MHSAA sports season. For the Gaylord area, that meant a practice at midnight for the Johannesburg-Lewiston football team, a return to practice for Gaylord and St. Mary football and tryouts across the rest of the area sports scene. We made it out to all three of the first high school football practices for the Gaylord area, catching up with a new-look GHS squad , a familiar group at GSM and a senior-led team at JoBurg. What are our first impressions? What are the storylines to watch? Players to note? We've got you covered: here are quick thoughts after day one of the high school football season. St. Mary GSM football enters new conference, faces new look schedule in 2026 Gaylord Gaylord High School football schedule breakdown, 2026 JoBurg Check out the Johannesburg-Lewiston high school football schedule Gaylord Last season: 10-1 overall, 6-0 Big North (first) Key departures: Kaven Cole, Jaron Bensinger, Kelsen Snyder, Grayson Glazier Returning