Lachine
Lachine, MI · Education
Petoskey News Review
New Gaylord football head coach Matt Silsbury ingrained in high school football culture
GAYLORD ― With every football season comes some sort of change, as new players mix with veterans while the program progresses year by year. This season, the Gaylord football team is undergoing its own unique style of change. Moving on from DJ Szymoniak, the program's fourth-winningest head coach from 2021-24, the Blue Devils are in their first season under new head coach Matt Silsbury, previously a head coach at Houghton Lake and an assistant for the past three years under Szymoniak. Using his familiarity with the program, Gaylord hopes to continue to build on what it has done well over the past four years while trying to improve on where they've struggled. "We've been pretty good defensively for a long time here, and I've been part of those defensive efforts, so part of my thought process was, 'If it's not broke, don't fix it,'" said Silsbury. "Obviously, with any transition, there's going to be some change. There's going to be some new wrinkles, there's going to be some things different. But at the end of the day, there's been a solid foundation built here and put in place. We're going to build upon that." St. Mary football preview: Youth, depth
Cheboygan Daily Tribune
WATCH: Pellston football runs the ball against Rogers City defense in scrimmage
UpNorthLive.com
Alpena Public Schools seeks staff as new school year approaches
ALPENA, Mich. — With the start of the school year just weeks away, Alpena Public Schools is actively seeking to fill several staff positions. As one of the county's largest employers, the district, which already employs over 500 people and has hired more than 30 new teachers, is still in need of bus drivers, custodians, food service workers, and instructional assistants.
Cheboygan Daily Tribune
Wolverine schools' operating millage renewed until 2030
WOLVERINE — Voters who live within the boundaries of the Wolverine Community Schools district voted on Tuesday, Aug. 5 to renew its operating millage. Unofficial results show the millage passed with 184 yes votes to 100 no votes. The standard 18-mill operating levy will last until 2030. "We are filled with gratitude at such a strong message of support and approval of what is happening in our school system," said superintendent Matthew Baughman in a statement. "During a time when it seems that some communities have stopped supporting the very institution that are helping to serve their children, Wolverine shines brightly as a community that supports its kids." Subscribe: Check out our offers and read the local news that matters to you Before the election, Baughman noted that "This is not a new tax for homeowners." "This a renewal of the non-homestead operating millage that applies to local businesses, rental properties and second homes," he said previously. "For Wolverine residents who live in their home full time, this tax does not apply to them and their taxes will not increase." Registered voters in portions of Ellis, Mentor and Wilmot townships and all of Nunda Township in Cheboygan County were eligible
Cheboygan Daily Tribune
Aiming for second winning campaign in 3 years, Onaway football has tough 2025 schedule
ONAWAY – Two years ago, Onaway was able to grind out a winning season – their first since 2020. However, last fall was rough for the Cardinals, who finished 2-7 in the first season for coach Micah Bailey . PELLSTON FOOTBALL QUESTIONS: Three key questions regarding Pellston High School football heading into 2025 season ONAWAY FOOTBALL QUESTIONS: Here's the main questions regarding Onaway High School football as 2025 season approaches INLAND LAKES FOOTBALL SCHEDULE: Here's pre-preseason questions regarding 2025 Inland Lakes High School football team CHEBOYGAN FOOTBALL QUESTIONS: Here's three pre-preseason questions regarding 2025 Cheboygan High School football Now, Onaway’s hoping to take a huge step forward in the Ski Valley Conference as well as against non-conference competition it’ll face during its 8-player slate. Let’s break down the most interesting parts of Onaway’s 2025 football schedule . Tough opening stretch As everyone knows, one of Onaway’s main rivals is Inland Lakes, an 8-player powerhouse. The Cardinals face the Bulldogs in their season opener, traveling to Indian River in late August. The goal will be to have a much better performance than the shutout loss to the M-68 rival Bulldogs in 2024. Facing Inland Lakes is a tall order to begin
MaxPreps
High School Football: 2025 Great Lakes Region Top LBs
Who are the top high school football players heading into the 2025 season? This is the latest article in a series cataloging the top prep players in the Great Lakes Region. Athletes from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are eligible for recognition. All players mentioned are also eligible to make @EFrantMP’s Annual Preseason All-Great Lakes Football Teams, which will be released in August.
Petoskey News Review
St. Mary football faces similar schedule with hopes of reaching larger goals in 2025
GAYLORD ― The Gaylord St. Mary Snowbirds have been a force in the 8-player ranks since joining in 2019, only missing the playoffs once in six seasons while going 38-22 overall. Still, the past three seasons have followed very similar scripts; successful regular seasons overall being derailed late in the year by injuries and tough inter-conference matchups, ultimately holding GSM from its greater goals. This season, in a year of change for the roster , Snowbird fans hope 2025 will be the year they find the recipe for postseason success. The schedule looks relatively similar in 2025 as it did in 2024, but with new faces around the Ski Valley Conference, will this be the season GSM wins its first conference title since joining the 8-player ranks? Gaylord: Learn more about the Gaylord high school football schedule and the top games of 2025 Players to watch: Here are the Gaylord-area football players we are looking for this fall Gaylord St. Mary football Head coach: Kevin O'Connell (12th season) 2024 record: 7-3 overall, 4-1 SVC (lost in first round of 8-player Division 2 playoffs) Key Games: Aug. 28 vs. Rudyard, Sept. 19 vs. Bellaire, Oct. 18 vs. Holton, Oct. 24 vs.
Cheboygan Daily Tribune
Here's the main questions regarding Onaway High School football as 2025 season approaches
ONAWAY – Year 2 of the Micah Bailey coaching era is approaching for Onaway football. Bailey will be aiming to turn things around after a rough debut season that saw the Cardinals finish 2-7. JERZI MIX: ‘Humble confidence' helping Mix in productive summer with Cheboygan Chiefs football WYATT HANEL: Scrappy and fearless, Wyatt Hanel a returning all-state corner for Inland Lakes football As fall camp nears, here’s some questions regarding the Cardinals and what to watch for during their 2025 campaign on the gridiron. Can Cardinals hold their own in Ski Valley? Just a couple years ago, the Cardinals finished with a 5-4 clip and held their own against most of the Ski Valley teams they faced. Perhaps this is the year Onaway might be among the better teams in the Ski Valley, which consists of powers Inland Lakes and Gaylord St. Mary. The Bulldogs will be a massive challenge for the Cardinals again this season, while the Snowbirds always seem to field a strong squad. Onaway will be tested right off the bat when it travels to face the four-time defending Ski Valley champion Bulldogs, followed by a home clash with Bellaire in Week 2. The Cardinals won’t face
Petoskey News Review
Appold aims to keep Gaylord's Kirtland campus focused on job training skills
GAYLORD — Heather Appold has expanded her duties with Kirtland Community College . The Gaylord resident was named the new executive director of the Gaylord campus earlier this month while also serving as a member of the administrative leadership team. She will continue as the director of the Kirtland Foundation as well. The Gaylord campus includes the M-Tec Center, which is the skilled trades part of the building. "We have welding, fabricating, electrical and HVAC (heating, ventilations and air conditioning) programs. Students take classes and we have a full staff of advisers. Basically everything you get on the main campus (Grayling) you get here," Appold said. The other part of the building was once called the university center, as other universities would utilize the space for classes and other events. "Covid kind of did away with that. We now have rental space that people and other organizations can rent for events and meetings. It's a community space and we want everyone to utilize it," Appold said. Currently, Kirtland is serving about 300 students in Gaylord. "The focus is preparing someone for a specific job. We do have some general education classes like English and math. But we specialize in one
Petoskey News Review
Gaylord's Aubrey Jones, JoBurg's Allie Nowak share GHT Female Athlete of the Year honors
GAYLORD ― In just a few weeks, the 2025-26 high school sports season will be upon us. Just like the summer that follows, the school year comes and goes quickly. Very soon, we'll be beginning the first of look aheads towards the 2025 fall sports season, including detailed schedule breakdowns, identifying the athletes to watch and introducing the new faces that will be around the Otsego County area. Before then, we have one last award to give out: the Gaylord Herald Times Female Athlete of the Year. Football: Early look at Gaylord, St. Mary and Johannesburg-Lewiston high school football schedules Male AOTY: St. Mary's Daniel Jacobson wins Gaylord Herald Times Athlete of the Year for 2024-25 This year, the top female athlete was harder to determine as, for the past few years, a dominant multi-sport athlete has made the selection easy. This year, trying to determine the best of the best of different sports made the task a bit tougher. It came down to two athletes, and it's just too tough to differentiate between the accomplishments of Gaylord's Aubrey Jones and JoBurg's Allie Nowak. So, rather than pick one, the Class of 2025 graduates will share the 2024-25 GHT Female
MaxPreps
High School Football: 2025 Great Lakes Region Top WRs
Who are the top high school football players heading into the 2025 season? This is the latest article in a series cataloging the top prep players in the Great Lakes Region. Athletes from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are eligible for recognition. All players mentioned are also eligible to make @EFrantMP’s Annual Preseason All-Great Lakes Football Teams, which will be released in August.
bvmsports.com
High School Football: 2025 Great Lakes Region Top TEs
The 2025 Great Lakes Region is showcasing an array of top tight end prospects from various states, preparing for the upcoming high school football season. Athletes from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin are recognized as potential standouts. Some of these players are also contenders for the Annual Preseason All-Great Lakes Football Teams, set to be announced in August. Key tight ends include Cole Albers from Ohio and Gavin Mueller from Illinois, among others, each bringing impressive physical attributes to the field.
Petoskey News Review
Early look at Gaylord, St. Mary and Johannesburg-Lewiston high school football schedules
GAYLORD ― With every day that passes, football season gets closer and closer to starting. Gaylord , St. Mary, and Johannesburg-Lewiston are all undergoing changes heading into the fall, whether to their rosters, starting lineups, coaching staffs or a combination of all three. GHS is hoping to find success under new head coach Matt Silsbury, GSM is looking to continue its success after losing last year's talented senior class and JoBurg is attempting to return to postseason glory with new playmakers on offense. Still, with all the changes heading into the fall, the 2025 schedules look quite similar to 2024, thanks to the Big North, Ski Valley and Northern Michigan Football Conference portions on area teams' schedules. All-state softball: Gaylord's Jones, Wangler; JoBurg's Fox, Briley selected to all-state softball teams Column: Jespersen: The best moments of the 2024-25 sports season around Gaylord It may be early, but it's never too early to get familiar with the upcoming schedule for Friday nights around Otsego County: Gaylord Thursday, Aug. 28 vs. North Branch Friday, Sept. 5 at Kingsley Saturday, Sept. 13 vs. Marquette Friday, Sept. 19 vs. Petoskey Friday, Sept. 26 at Cadillac Friday, Oct. 3 vs. Alpena Friday, Oct. 10 at
MaxPreps
High School Football: 2025 Great Lakes Region Top RBs
Who are the top high school football players heading into the 2025 season? This is the latest article in a series cataloging the top prep players in the Great Lakes Region. Athletes from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are eligible for recognition. All players mentioned are also eligible to make @EFrantMP’s Annual Preseason All-Great Lakes Football Teams, which will be released in August.
bvmsports.com
High School Football: 2025 Great Lakes Region Top QBs
The 2025 Great Lakes Region high school football season showcases an impressive roster of top quarterbacks from eight states, including Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. This selection highlights athletes eligible for the upcoming Annual Preseason All-Great Lakes Football Teams, as attention builds towards the upcoming season. Players such as Nathan Bernhard and Xavier Stearn stand out both for their skills on the field and their college commitments, signaling a dynamic year ahead for high school football in the region.
Petoskey News Review
What was the top Gaylord Herald Times sports photo from 2024-25?
One of my favorite parts of covering high school sports is capturing moments that (hopefully) can live on and represent simpler times for athletes before they enter the real world. I'm a writer at heart, so I'm usually more proud of the articles that capture the unique parts of Gaylord-area and Northern Michigan sports. Column: Jespersen: The best moments of the 2024-25 sports season around Gaylord All-SVC baseball: St. Mary's Daniel Jacobson leads nine area players on All-Ski Valley baseball teams But you know what they say: a picture is worth 1,000 words. Capturing photos of the top moments around Otsgeo County sports for almost three years now has been a privilege, and it's a sign of respect when I see those moments being posted on social media pages of athletes and parents alike. So, before we turn the final page on 2024-25, let's look back on some of the top moments we were able to capture and, with your help, decide the top photo from this past school year: var pd_tags = new Array;pd_tags["15770505-src"]="poll-oembed-simple"; <iframe src="https://poll.fm/15770505/embed" frameborder="0" class="cs-iframe-embed"></iframe> Honorable mentions Trophies earned throughout 2024-25 Nothing makes for a memorable photo quite like a trophy, and I do my best
Petoskey News Review
St. Mary's Daniel Jacobson wins Gaylord Herald Times Athlete of the Year for 2024-25
GAYLORD ― It's hard to believe, but the beginning of the 2025-26 high school sports season is quickly approaching. We're less than a month away from the first practices of the new season, and just around a month from the first official games of the new season. Before we turn our attention towards the new year, let's take one final opportunity to honor the best of the best from last school year. Football: Early look at Gaylord, St. Mary and Johannesburg-Lewiston high school football schedules Top photo of 2024-25: What was the top Gaylord Herald Times sports photo from 2024-25? First up, the top male athlete of the year. While many of the top teams around the area come from the women's side in recent years, many of the best athletes in the past few years have been boys; top athletes and state champions like Brady Pretzlaff, Ty Bensinger, Gavin Bebble and Preston Marlatt among others have made becoming the Gaylord Herald Times Male Athlete of the Year a tough award to earn. This year, it took dominating in not just one sport, or two, or even three; Gaylord St. Mary's Daniel Jacobson had a case to be made as
MaxPreps
High School Football: 2025 Great Lakes Region Top QBs
Who are the top high school football players heading into the 2025 season? This is the first article in a series cataloging the top prep players in the Great Lakes Region. Athletes from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are eligible for recognition. All players mentioned are also eligible to make @EFrantMP’s Annual Preseason All-Great Lakes Football Teams, which will be released in August.