St. Ignace Saints Varsity Football team includes Head Coach Marty Spencer, Assistant Coaches Les Therrian and Dave Brines, and players Wade McKenzie-50, Mario Calcaterra-25, Ben Matelski-32, Garrett Becker-3, Jake Smith-52, Sam Fitzpatrick-26, Lee Kelso-79, Dan Olsen-30, Stephen Massaway-58, Nick Montie-54, Corey Garlock-69, Zach Pierson-2, Kyle Spencer-10, James Peterson-80, Kyle Smock-27, James Sayles-70, Tyler Huskey-36, Billy Matson-74, Derrick Clark-16, Alex Winkel-66, Paul Davis-5, and Rob Sayles-76. The key to the success of the St. Ignace football program in 2005 will hinge on the 12 returning letter winners, along with 11 first-year varsity players.

Head Coach Marty Spencer, in his ninth season, has seven seniors, four juniors, and one sophomore returning to bolster the Saints lineup.

"We are going to need a total team effort if we want to have a successful season," said Coach Spencer. "The returnees are a big key with the experience, but the varsity rookies are going to have to contribute."

The senior class in their final season is led by Tyler Huskey at halfback and corner, Zach Pierson at quarterback, end, and safety, Paul Davis at halfback and corner, Garrett Becker at fullback and corner, Stephen Massaway at guard and linebacker, Rob Sayles at center and defensive line, and Alex Winkel at offensive and defensive tackle.

Returning underclassmen include juniors Derrick Clark at halfback and safety, Jake Smith at guard and linebacker, Corey Garlock at offensive and defensive tackle, and Billy Matson at offensive end and linebacker, and sophomore Kyle Spencer at quarterback, end, and safety.

First-year varsity players are juniors James Sayles at offensive and defensive line, Mario Calcaterra at halfback and safety, Sam Fitzpatrick at fullback and corner, Lee Kelso at offensive and defensive line, Ben Matelski at halfback and corner, Wade McKenzie at offensive and defensive line, and Dan Olsen at quarterback, end and safety, sophomores Nick Montie at guard and linebacker and James Peterson at tight end and defensive line, and freshman Kyle Smock at fullback and linebacker.

"We are still a young team with inexperience, but we need to have a total team effort," Coach Spencer said.

The Saints play a strong Straits Area Conference schedule and non-league opponents that include Charlevoix, W-Prescott, Maple City Glen Lake, Rogers City, and Lincoln-Alcona.

ST. IGNACE SAINTS

Varsity Football Schedule

August

26 Charlevoix (7 p.m.)

September

1 Maple Glenn Lakes

(6:30 p.m.)

9 Cheboygan (7 p.m.)

16 at Rogers City

(7:30 p.m.)

23 Rudyard (7 p.m.)

30 Newberry

(Homecoming 7 p.m.)

October

7 at Sault Ste. Marie

(7 p.m.)

15 at Whittemore-Presccott (4 p.m.)

21 at Lincoln-Alcona

(7 p.m.)