By Joey Grey
The Blue & White
Grand Rapids Catholic Central HS
Joey Grey (‘21)
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
As the final seconds of the MHSAA Division five State Championship game counted down, a season marked by uncertainty, delays and perseverance came to a close.
As the Cougars embraced each other on the sidelines, they not only celebrated a 48-21 win over Frankenmuth, but also a completion of a season that at times seemed impossible.
“It was really tough going through two-a-days not knowing if we were going to have a season or not,” senior Isaiah Hicks said, but added that “the adversity and unknown brought all the guys closer together.”
In fact, the unknown seemed to be the only constant this season, beginning with COVID-safe summer workouts while their season remained in limbo and the season being officially moved to the spring but then reinstated in the fall.
Aside from a few notable differences, which included a shortened season, social distancing on sidelines, and rule alterations such as restrictions on who could touch balls, regular play ensued.
During the playoffs in early November, though, games were once again postponed per orders of the state government.
The Cougars, who had advanced to the district finals before that, worked to stay conditioned in case they got the chance to complete the playoffs.
They finally got that chance when play resumed in early December.
Though the season was abnormal, the outcome was anything but.
CC Football continued their tradition of excellence on the field en route to their fourth state title in five years—breaking records and making history on the way despite the stop-and-go season.
At the state level, senior Jace Williams set the MHSAA all time receiving touchdown record with 46 career scores.
History was also made at CC by junior Magdalene Richthammer, becoming the first girl to both play and score in CC football history (see feature story to the right.)
For Richthammer, her first season on the team was filled with even more uncertainty than most.
“Going into the season I wasn’t sure what to expect,” Richthammer said. “I just wanted to learn as much as I could. It felt really rewarding to kick the two PAT’s [in the playoffs].”
Though CC makes winning football games look easy, they put in countless hours of work and preparation.
According to some on the team, that work is related to a common mindset.
“The success is simply because of the team’s mindset and our relationship,” senior Danny Mikolay said. “No one works harder than us and we make sure of that.”
During the interruptions, the Cougars participated in player-led practices in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions and could frequently be found working out at gyms like the David D Hunting YMCA.
Players on the team agree that a combination of both the team culture and hard work helped elevate them above the competition.
To Hicks, the work was all worth it.
“It feels great after all the sacrifice and hard work to finally come out on top and make CC football history,”
1st Place
Division 4, News Writing
NW-21. Sports News Story
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JUDGING CRITERIA
- Lead features interesting, important angle
- Uses colorful, lively style
- Avoids cliches, editorializing
- Displays knowledge of sports; uses understandable terms
- Shows research/interviewing skills; emphasizes how & why
- Effective use of facts/quotes
- Proper diction/grammar; use of the third person
- Unity/coherence