St. Ignace Saints Varsity Football Team includes (front, from left) Chris Binger-88, Stephen Bielat-67, Kyle Smock-27, Jake Smith-52, Sam Fitzpatrick-26, Mario Calcaterra-26, Ben Matelski-1, Derek Rutledge-85; (middle) Derek Marshall-58, Jeremy Lee-63, Jesse Becker-22, Shawn Cowell-36, Shane McDonald-2, James Peterson-80, Kyle Spencer-3, Nate Thompson-40; (back) Assistant Coach Les Therrian, Brian Foster-76, Derek Rountree-56, Derrick Clark-16, Nick Montie-54, James Sayles70, Alec Fitzgerald-60, Mike Massey-72, Billy Matson-74, and Head Coach Marty Spencer. Twelve returnees, including eight seniors, three juniors, and one sophomore, will be the backbone of the 2006 St. Ignace football squad under the guidance of Coach Marty Spencer in his 10th season leading the Saints.

"We have key players back on offense and defense that will lead this team," said Coach Spencer.

On the defensive side of the football, senior linebacker and offensive lineman Jake Smith recorded 73 tackles with three blocked punts (one T.D.), four sacks, and two fumble recoveries to lead the returnees, along with junior Nick Montie, linebacker and offensive line, who tied for team high with 89 tackles last season, seniors James Sayles, offensive and defensive line, recorded 67 tackles and three sacks, Billy Matson, linebacker and offensive lineman, with 66 stops, two sacks, and two fumble recoveries, Derrick Clark, end, safety, and kicker, registered 61 tackles, and Sam Fitzpatrick with 37 stops, and sophomore linebacker and fullback Kyle Smock, with 38 tackles.

Returning on the offense are junior quarterback Kyle Spencer, who completed 24 passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns, Clark, who rushed for 55 yards and caught five passes for 24 yards, punted 40 times for a 34.6 average, made four of five extra points, and kicked a 38-yard field goal, and Smock, who gained 175 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Remaining returnees are seniors Ben Matelski at halfback and corner, and junior James Peterson at tight end and defensive line.

First-year players include seniors Mario Calcaterra at halfback and safety, Derek Rountree at offensive and defensive line, Jeremy Lee at line and linebacker, and Mike Massey at end and defensive line, and juniors Jesse Becker at halfback, safety, and corner, Derek Marshall at offensive and defensive line, Shane McDonald at halfback and safety, Shawn Cowell at end and linebacker, Stephen Bielat and Nate Thompson at halfbacks and safeties, and Chris Binger, Derek Rutledge, Brian

Foster at offense and defensive line, and Alec Fitzgerald at ends.

The Saints spent three days at the Superior Dome in Marquette before returning home to continue with their pre-season practice schedule.

St. Ignace will need a total team effort for success on the gridiron, and must stay away from injuries.

Coach Spencer and his staff of Les Therrian, Gregg Fettig, and Chris "Iffer" Marshall will prepare the Saints for the Straits Area Conference schedule that includes Rudyard, Newberry, Sault High, and Cheboygan, with non-league games against Rogers City, Charlevoix, East Jordan, Whittemore-Prescott, and Lincoln-Alcona.

The Saints schedule includes five teams that made the playoffs in 2005, Rudyard, Newberry, Cheboygan, Charlevoix, and WhittemorePrescott.

ST. IGNACE SAINTS Varsity Football Schedule

(All games at 7 p.m.

unless noted) August   25   at Charlevoix   31   East Jordan September     8   at Cheboygan (7:30 p.m.)   15   Rogers City   22   at Rudyard   29   at Newberry October     6   Sault Ste. Marie             (Homecoming)   14   Whittemore-Prescott           (4 p.m.)   20   Lincoln-Alcona