Michigan high school football teams still chasing a state championship are in limbo while awaiting the latest update on when – or if – the season will resume.
The MHSAA advisory board was planning to meet Wednesday, Dec. 16, to discuss when high school sports will be able to resume safely after postponing the completion of the season last month because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But the meeting was postponed indefinitely Tuesday, Dec. 15.
The statewide lockdown issued Nov. 15 was extended to Dec. 20, leaving football players and coaches wondering if the season will resume after Christmas, in the spring or be scrapped all together.
Regardless of what the MHSAA and state leaders decide, players and coaches from around the state contacted by MLive say they want to see the season conclude -- even if that means waiting until spring.
“I’m not really caring when we play as long as we get to play,” said Ithaca quarterback Brady Hessbrook, whose 9-0 team was scheduled to play Cass City in the Division 7 regional championship game when play was suspended.
“If it’s snow, I’ll play through the cold and snow. If it were spring, it would be nice with the warm weather. Everyone is working hard right now. They’re doing stuff on their own, trying to stay in shape and stay in season.
“I think it would be more difficult (playing in the spring). You’ve got to keep guys motivated. Our guys do a good job of staying motivated but it’s difficult. Hopefully they can figure it out.”
Hessbrook’s father, Terry, is Ithaca’s head coach and led the Yellowjackets to five Division 6 state titles in a six-year span beginning in 2010.
Ithaca was unbeaten and ranked No. 1 in the final Associated Press poll of the season so the Yellowjackets obviously have high hopes for adding state title No. 6.
But regardless of what happens, Terry Hessbrook said his players just want to get some closure – especially since two of Ithaca’s last three playoffs games were forfeit wins because of the coronavirus. So the Yellowjackets have only played once since Oct. 23.
“If we get one game and get beat, then so be it,” Terry Hessbrook said. “If we’re fortunate enough to get three games, at least there’s some closure. We won’t know until we get back on the field but we just want to play. I think the coaches and kids just want to finish. At least there’s some closure to the season.
“I don’t think they want it to end this way whether they win or lose. I think they just want to finish it on the field. I feel so bad for these kids. They don’t even know what they’re missing. We as adults know high school can be great memories.
“I just feel so bad for these kids that they’re not getting to enjoy their high school years with their buddies. The bus rides, the locker room stuff, everything that goes on with being a team member.”
Teams still alive in the playoffs are two victories away from playing for a state championship.
Senior quarterback Cam Orr and New Lothrop are trying to win their second state title in thee years. (Brendan Savage | MLive.com)
New Lothrop won the Division 7 state title in 2018 and although current senior quarterback Cam Orr was promoted from the junior varsity for the championship run, he wasn’t one of the Hornets’ top players like he is now.
He only got on the field for a few plays.
But now, New Lothrop (8-0) is ranked No. 3 and thinks it has the kind of team that can win another state championship. Although he would prefer to finish the season as soon as possible, Orr just wants a chance to get back on the field whenever that might be.
“As of right now, I just want to get started,” he said. “I definitely want to get playing right now but if it’s not safe and you have to keep pushing it off, hopefully you eventually get it done. I’d rather start now but if it’s not safe to do, then we just have to wait it out.
“It would definitely be a struggle (coming back in the spring) but it would be 100 percent worth it. If you ask most people in this area – most people in the state – they would ‘Yeah, if I had a chance to finish out my senior year and play (in the spring), I’d do it.’”
Drew Collins and Montague were 9-0 when the high school football season was put on hold. (Cory Morse | MLive.com) Cory Morse | MLive.com
Drew Collins, Montague’s senior quarterback, is a multi-sport athlete and pushing football into the spring could leave him with some tough decisions.
Does he run track as planned? Does he play golf as he’s done in the past? Or does he focus on football with Montague (9-0) in the Division 6 regional championship game against Montrose (8-1).
“I’d say the sooner the better, just to get out there on the field,” said Collins, whose father Pat coached Montague to state titles in 2008 and 2009. “I feel like it’s just going to cause more trouble the longer we wait, especially with scheduling and just because guys that are going to play college will football will have to turn around and get ready for their next season.
“I think it’s important to get those last three games in. There’s not a lot of teams left in the state so it wouldn’t be that hard to do. It would be easier to finish what we started. We were ready to start back up last week.”
And what if the MHSAA decides to just cancel the remainder of the season rather than having possible conflicts with spring sports, which were canceled entirely this year because of the virus?
“I’d hate to see it but if that’s what it comes to, we just have to deal with it,” said New Lothrop’s Orr. “I’d rather finish the season but if It’s not safe to do so then I’m fortunate enough to play next year at the next level (at Ferris State).
“For guys who can’t play at the next level and this is it, I’d really like to see them play again.”
MORE:
MHSAA no longer planning to meet Dec. 16
Frustrated MHSAA wants answers
3 things to know about upcoming MHSAA meeting
Final AP high school football rankings for 2020
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