(Chelsea Update would like to thank freshman football coach Dennis Strzyzewski for this recap of the frosh football season. The team stands at 4-1.)
- Lansing Sexton
The Chelsea freshmen football team opened the season defeating Lansing Sexton by a score of 32-28.
Cam Cooper ran for 150 yards and two touchdowns. Drew Anstead threw two touchdown passes to Chris Roush, and Travis Frazier scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak.
Michael Barnes led the team with a dozen tackles.
Nick Koch and Cole Septor were in on 10 tackles each.
“Lansing Sexton had some amazing athletes and they were very physical, but most of their guys played both ways. We figured if we could hang around and keep it close we could get them late. The kids kept competing even when things were going poorly, and it paid off for them.”
- Belleville
The Bulldogs went to 2-0 after defeating Belleville, 24-18, in the team’s second game of the season.
“Belleville was very fast, but our defensive line led by Connor Christian and Kyle Bell did a good job controlling them,” the coach said.
Drew Ansted threw a long touchdown to Cam Cooper and a long TD pass to Chris Roush.
Nick Whitesall played very well at center going up against defensive linemen that were much bigger than him. He helped give us time to throw and run the ball for first downs at the end of the game when we were trying to run out the clock, the coach said.
“The boys have run two in a row, and they are starting to learn how to compete.”
- Saline
On Sept. 12, the freshman team lost for the first time this season at Saline, dropping their record to 2-1.
The Hornets scored with six seconds remaining to win by a score of 16-14. Chelsea led 14-0 with seven minutes left, but Saline scored and got the 2-point conversion.
Then with 1:48 left on the clock, they blocked a field goal and drove the ball the length of the field for the winning score.
“I did a poor job of managing the clock,” the coach said. “The kids competed hard and I am proud of them. We will learn from this.”
Cal Barrett scored a defensive touchdown.
Cam Cooper had a total of 180 yards, while Ryan Mitchell had an 8-yard touchdown run.
- Lakeview
The Bulldogs next took on Lakeview and won 54-24, upped their record to 3-1.
Cam Cooper, Alex Vasquez, Mikal Nelson, Bryce Jubenville, and Preston Ewald all scored touchdowns.
Cole Septor and Nick Koch led the team in tackles. Miles Butler and Cash Shegan played excellently on the offensive line.
Chris Roush had an excellent game at cornerback, and he showed a great leg on kick-offs getting numerous touchbacks.
- Williamston
On Sept. 26, the Bulldogs took on Williamston, winning 27-14, upping their record to 4-1.
“Williamston is a good team,” the coach said. “This is the best we have played this season.”
Cam Cooper had 300 all-purpose yards and Call Barrett had 200 all-purpose yards.
Patrick Conlin and Preston Ewald played dominating games on the offensive line. Matt Klink made two interceptions including one where he had to completely lay out to get the ball.
Andrew Klink put pressure on the passer the entire game. Callimachus Krause turned in his second consecutive great performance at safety.
“The kids are starting to realize how great it is to put team goals ahead of individual goals,” the coach said. “I am happiest about that.”
