Balazovic guts it out, returns to play for Cheboygan football in final Homecoming game

CHEBOYGAN – Dylan Balazovic hasn’t had it easy in 2023.

When it comes to staying healthy, he just can’t seem to catch a break these days.

But throughout Homecoming week, the Cheboygan senior football player vowed he’d be on that field for the Chiefs even if he wasn’t close to 100 percent.

Somehow, some way, Balazovic, on crutches just recently, was active and made an impact as a defensive lineman for the Chiefs, who fell short in a 21-7 loss to the Boyne City Ramblers on Friday.

In his last Homecoming game, Balazovic enjoyed his time on the field with the teammates he missed playing with.

“It felt so good out there, just to take a couple hits and just be able to be out there,” said Balazovic. “It wasn’t who I normally am, but I at least got to be out on the field and do something to help the team. It was awesome, it was a fun experience, and I’m definitely going to miss it.

“It’s one of the best crowds I’ve seen in a long time.”

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In the past, Balazovic has starred for Cheboygan as a bruising fullback and a solid defender.

However, he’s been plagued by injuries going all the way back to earlier this year, when he suffered an ankle setback in basketball.

Then came multiple injuries that barred him from competing in the baseball postseason in the spring.

He did his best to get healthy before the start of the fall, but then he suffered another setback that knocked him out for multiple games this football campaign.

While Balazovic didn’t get any rushing carries on Friday, he played his part in a solid performance by a Cheboygan defense that’s struggled this season.

“I just knew I was going to do whatever Coach (Dave Schulz) wanted me to do,” Balazovic said. “I told him I’d go do it the best I can, so that was the goal. It just felt good to be out there with my teammates. I’m going to miss all of them.”

Admiring Balazovic’s toughness was Schulz, who knows how difficult it’s been for one of his standout performers.

“It’s been tough for him, he’s been on this varsity team for four years and all of a sudden, he’s restricted with these injuries, and he’s just fighting hard to give us anything he has,” said Schulz. “I appreciate that leadership, and the kids notice that a kid’s out there doing what he can just to help this team be successful.”

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The game result didn’t go the way Balazovic had hoped for on Friday, but all wasn’t lost on the night.

During halftime, Balazovic was named Cheboygan’s Homecoming king, joining fellow senior Libby VanFleet, who was honored as queen.

Balazovic enjoyed the recognition, but he hopes to close out his football career with a home win over Benzie Central in his last game in two weeks.

“It was definitely cool (being named Homecoming king), but I was definitely more focused on winning the football game,” Balazovic said. “Hopefully I can be out there doing what I’d normally be doing for the last game.”

Coaching Balazovic for the last four years, Schulz knows how much he’ll be missed in the program.

“He’s just a high-character kid,” Schulz said. “He’s always going to be the one working hard. He’s a good example on and off the field. Kids like him are what make the program go.”

Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan football's Dylan Balazovic returns from injury, helps defense in Homecoming game