Fall sports updates

Football

What Happened: Head football coach Jason Duram returns to the field for his second season with a two-platoon system in place for 2015 football season. This allows for the team to have 11 starters for offense and 11 different starters on defense, a new tactic for the Bucs. But this paid off at the home season opener on Thursday, Aug. 27 where the Bucs defeated Fruitport 43-14. The team then traveled to Forest Hills central last Thursday where they were not as successful suffering a 39-19 defeat.

Key moment: Junior Joey Zelenka started the Bucs off against Fruitport with first touchdown of the season giving the Bucs an early lead. This came after a strong drive from the Bucs and allowed the team to see their new system in action.

Key player: Senior defensive safety James Harding has been a key piece for the Bucs defense with 14 tackles against Fruitport at the season opener. Harding also serves as one of the team’s captains.

They said it: “The team’s atmosphere has been really positive,” senior Lukas Steffel said. “For the Fruitport game the team got to really come together for one of the first times after always competing offense vs. defense in practice. But the team is really starting to come together and the season is looking positive.”

Record: 1-1

Up next: On Sept. 11, The Bucs travel the Reeths-Puffer to take on the Rockets.

Boys soccer

What Happened: The boys soccer team opened up the season on Aug. 21, with an away match against Mona Shores where they fell 2-1. The Bucs then faced off against Hudsonville Unity Christian on Aug. 28, where they came out on top 3-1 but then went on to fall to Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 5-2 on Sept. 1. Then yesterday the Bucs had a strong showing against Traverse City West to win 3-2.

Key moment: Juniors Mason Harloff, Drew VanAndel and Logan Dault all had an excellent showing against Unity Christian each scoring a goal apiece allowing for a 3-1 victory of Unity.

Key player: Senior Garrison Mast is the starting Goalie for the Bucs as well as a key leadership component on the team. His constant communication on the field has contributed the Bucs success.

They said it: “To compete with the best teams in the state you have to have a certain level of talent and athleticism,” Head coach Aaron Dean said. “The group of players we have this year have that strong foundation because of the work and dedication they’ve put into the game as youth players and on their own in the off season.  We also need to make sure that we come together as a team to build the relationships, trust, and communication with each other that make us a high functioning and cohesive team.  Finally, we have to put together our best team performances when it most matters at the end of the season.  If we can take care of all the factors that we can be responsible for and hold ourselves to our standard of performance then the results will be what they should be.”

Record: 2-2

Up next: On Tuesday, Sept. 15 the Bucs will travel to Hudsonville to begin conference play.

Boys Tennis

What Happened: The Bucs opened up their season with a home invite where they took first despite the lack of a set varsity line up and the first match under new coach Chris Wilton. The team then travelled to Traverse City for a tournament where they tied for third place.

Key player: Seniors Nick Acklseberg really stepped up to the plate this season. Despite being only a second year varsity member he has taken on a leadership role and brings constant energy to the team.

They said it: “We have a really good chance of winning the conference,” senior Simon Herndl said. “We have a goal of getting the 18 points in takes to go to state and I believe we are well on our way to making that goal.

Up next: On Sept. 12 the Bucs will travel to Holland Christian for a tournament.

Girls Cross Country

What Happened: The team’s first race was the Kenowa Hills invitational where the Bucs had a strong showing allowing them to take third place. They then went on to host the Don Anderson where they took first place.

Key player: At the Kenowa Hills invitational senior captain Hannah Kenny came in first for the Bucs with a PR under 20 mins. Kenny consistently runs in with the fastest times for the Bucs as well as focuses on bringing a positive atmosphere to the team.

They said it: “Cross country is such a mental sport and as a team we do a really good job of keeping each other out of those mental ruts,” senior Hannah Kenny said. “We are so successful so far because of that positivity. And a lot of it is coming from the freshman runners because they have so much enthusiasm.”

Up next: On Sept.12 the team will compete at the Hill and Bale invintaional

Boys cross country

What Happened: The boys cross country team started the season of with a meet at Kenowa Hills where they came in third place thanks to an excellent showing from the new freshman runners who performed strong. The Bucs then hosted the Don Anderson where the boys team came in first place.

Key player: Sophomore Jack Nicholson returns to the team once again as the top runner. His consistently fast times and strive to become faster each race have contributed to the Bucs success.

They said it: “This season I get chills talking about the team,” senior Buster Bedrosian said. “This is my first year running cross country, yet I have never been closer to a team like this. I really believe that us being the close knit team we are will contribute to our success. We have a lot potential as a team, it’s going to be a great season.”

Up next: One Sept. 12, the team will compete in the Hill and Bill invitational.

Girls Golf

Key moment: Despite golf being played individually, teammates depend on each other to get them into the mindset for this mentally played game. So according to senior Anna Gagnon, a key moment for the team was bonding in the van on the way to a match last week because it allowed them to go into the match with a positive attitude.

Key player: Junior Audrey Reus has been a key contributor to the team’s scores and a consistent part of the varsity lineup.

They said it: “The atmosphere on the team is good right now, and we are only going to go up from here. We are going to keep the good vibe throughout the season with coach Glass leading the pack,” senior Anna Gagnon said.

Up next: On Sept. 15, the team travels to East Kentwood to take on the Falcons.

Boys Water Polo

Key player: Senior Logan Snider currently leads the team in scoring as well as plays the role of team captain.

They said it: “We are looking to be the best we can be and try to make a name for ourselves,” senior Jason Long said.

Up next: On Sept. 11, the Bucs will host a home tournament