Jaycees Trophy on the line between Petoskey, Gaylord in Week 4
GAYLORD — When Petoskey came off a big win in the season opener, focus kind of dipped some in Week 2 of the high school football season.
What followed was a loss and having to re-center that focus.
The Northmen certainly did that last week in a 50-0 blowout in their home opener, though now they don’t want to be caught sleeping once again. Not in what's ahead in Week 4.
Luckily for Petoskey, there’s no chance focus will be off entering Friday, not with rival Gaylord welcoming – a loose term in this rivalry – the Northmen in for a Big North showdown Friday night.
“I’d hate to say it was a wakeup call, but I know nobody was happy with our performance, the team or the coaches, at Bay City Western,” Petoskey coach Jim Webb said. “I have to give them credit, they played well, but nobody was too happy about that. They kind of refocused last week obviously and that’s going to carry into this week with Gaylord being a rivalry game. They’re focused.”
The two will play once again for the Jaycees Traveling Trophy, handed out annually to the winner. Gaylord has claimed the last two, though Petoskey leads the 45-year series 24-21. Petoskey also leads the all-time series 41-25-2.
Both teams enter Friday’s game on strong starts to 2023, with Petoskey 2-1 and 1-0 in the BNC, while Gaylord comes in ranked No. 10 in Division 3 and 3-0, 1-0 in the BNC as well.
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The similarities between these teams stop at their hot starts.
Each team is made up of playmakers, though they’re drastically different. The Blue Devils feature a team of powerful, well-built athletes, whereas Petoskey offers some flash and has shown big-play ability over the top of defenses.
Last week, it was Gaylord’s defense and special teams’ unit that regularly turned Marquette mistakes into points on the scoreboard.
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“It’s kind of been a trademark of theirs,” said Webb. “They don’t necessarily put up the most points on the board, but they do seem to convert other teams’ mistakes into points. Any way you can get there works.”
Webb also knows the Blue Devils bring some talent offensively behind Riley Hush, Brady Pretzlaff and Ty Bensinger, among others.
“Obviously we have to match their physicality and try to utilize what we have, just as they utilize what they have, which is some big and strong running backs,” added Webb.
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Like this game often does, Petoskey’s offensive and defensive fronts will likely be counted on to be the difference.
A number of PHS skill players credited the line’s work a week ago for their big performance, which incldues a group of Rowan Dohm, Austin Klingelsmith, JD Cantrell, Brody Shaw and Logan Coutcher in the starting five.
“Obviously our line has stepped up and continued to improve, otherwise we can’t do that,” said Webb. “So I have to give them credit as well.
“As far as offense goes, we know we’ve got some weapons in the backfield and the receiving core. The bottom line is, to be able to execute like that and utilize everyone is huge.”
With who is standing on the opposite sideline come Friday night, Webb isn’t too concerned about outside elements or just a lack of focus getting in the way.
It’s just his second year within the rivalry, but he knows it’s something special. He also knows he’d like a better ending than that 27-12 outcome a year ago.
“This group is competitive by nature and love getting ready and fighting in games,” he said. “Just doing all they can to get a successful outcome.”
Around the area:
East Jordan at Charlevoix, 7 p.m.
CHARLEVOIX — It’s one rivalry to the next for Charlevoix and they can really stake their claim as kings of Lake Charlevoix here.
They beat Boyne City a week ago and they can now knock off the other team at the south end of the lake in Week 4.
It’s not exactly going to be a wake free zone for the Rayders, however, as East Jordan heads in with a lot of confidence, a lot of talent and a 3-0 record.
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Charlevoix (2-1) will be a little banged up after a week ago, though the Rayders run deep with over 30 players at the varsity level.
EJ hasn’t pulled out a win since 2013 in this regular rivalry and this might be their best chance to do so with one of their best teams of late.
Kingsley at Boyne City, 7 p.m.
BOYNE CITY — Coming off a physical matchup with rival Charlevoix, this isn’t exactly the opponent the Ramblers want to see on the other sidelines.
They’ll return home to welcome in Division 5 No. 5 ranked Kingsley (2-1) and this one won’t be an easy one to get through, especially without starting running back and linebacker, Joey McHugh, who was lost to injury a week ago.
Harbor Spring at Mancelona, 7 p.m.
MANCELONA — Wins have still been tough to come by for Harbor Springs, though the Rams are putting points on the board.
Three games into the season, Harbor (3-0) is already halfway past what they finished the season with offensively a year ago.
It’s back to the road in Week 4, though they’ll meet a struggling Mancelona (1-2) team that’s also had a tough time finding the endzone outside of a win over Tawas.
Contact Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DrewKochanny, and Instagram, @drewkochanny
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Petoskey and Gaylord football meet in Big North action for Week 4
