With speed and vision, Bradlee Uhlmann shining for Bath football
Whether it’s on the football field, basketball court or track, Bradlee Uhlmann is used to being one of the fastest.
The Bath senior has displayed that speed while being the CMAC champion in the 100 and 200-meter dashes and qualifying for the Division 3 state meet in both.
And that speed is helping Uhlmann make a big mark on the football field for the Bees.
Uhlmann contributed out of the backfield last fall while helping Bath reach the playoffs for just the third time since 2013. And he’s again been a playmaker in the early stages this fall while helping the Bees enter their Friday matchup against Fowler with a 2-1 mark.
“I’ve embraced (my role) a lot and it’s really fun being the playmaker and getting the ball a lot and having a lot of opportunities to make plays,” Uhlmann said. “You’ve got to thank the big boys up front too because they play a big part in that.”
Uhlmann, who was voted the MSUFCU LSJ high school athlete of the week, was boosted by his line while turning in one of the best performances of his career in a 49-6 win over Lutheran Westland in Week 3. Uhlmann ended the victory with 10 carries for 273 yards and five touchdown. He has been one of Greater Lansing's top rushers and entered Week 4 with 55 carries for 492 yards and seven touchdowns.
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Bath football coach Shane Lorenz said Uhlmann has been a leader for the Bees and used his quickness and speed to make things happen.
"He runs well within the tackles and he's got great vision," Lorenz said. "That's one thing you can't teach with the running backs. His vision is kind of what separates him from a lot of the running backs in the conference in my opinion. He's still working hard every day, he's focused in practice and really he's a leader.
"He's been integral to our success."
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Uhlmann, who ran for 1,117 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior, is driven to continue to be a leader as Bath tries to make back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in program history.
Getting a taste of the postseason last season was valuable and has Uhlmann motivated to help the Bees return.
"We didn't play the best against (Pewamo-Westphalia) in the playoffs (last season) so we're trying to fight for better this year and maybe make it a little bit farther in the playoffs," Uhlmann said
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @brian_calloway.
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This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Bradlee Uhlmann making major mark for Bath football
