Saints Homecoming Comeback Falls Short to Sault Blue Devils 21-16

Seniors Amanda Coveyou and Rob Robinson were crowned LaSalle High School homecoming queen and king during halftime ceremonies Friday, October 10. Homecoming court photograph, page 16 The St. Ignace Saints find themselves in the same situation after seven games this season as last year, needing one victory to qualify for the playoffs after dropping a disappointing 21-16 Straits Area Conference (SAC) homecoming decision to the Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils Friday, October 10.

The Saints, 5-2 on the season and 2-2 in the SAC, have two games remaining on their schedule and will travel to Maple City Glen Lake to battle the Lakers (5-2 overall), who are also seeking their sixth win and a automatic berth in the playoffs Saturday, October 18. Kickoff will be at 1 p.m.

The Saints will close out the season on their home field against the Manistique Emeralds (5-2) Friday, October 24.

"We didn't take advantage of our red zone opportunity [inside the 20- yard line], but the team didn't quit and I am proud of their effort," said Saints Coach Marty Spencer. "We can still return to the playoffs with a win at Glen Lake."

Saints senior captains (from left) Anthony Lester-7, Tyler Oja-28, Andy Tamlyn-55, and Kyle Smock-27. The Blue Devils (3-4 overall) scored on their first possession, marching 66 yards on 12 plays. Eric Formolo and Brian Killips combined on a seven-yard pass, Derek Horde dashed the remaining 18 yards for the touchdown, and Nicholas Sliger kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead at the 3:48 mark.

The lead was short lived as Saints sophomore Austin St. Louis took the ensuing kickoff and crisscrossed his way 85 yards to the end zone. Gerrit Mortensen added the extra point to even the score at 7-7 with just 13 seconds off the clock.

The Saints' Anthony Lester recovered the Blue Devils fumble at the St. Ignace 41-yard line. Seven plays later, Mortensen added to his school record of field goals this season, hitting a 45-yard field goal to give the Saints a 10-7 lead in the closing seconds of the first quarter. He previously hit a 41-yard field goal with a three pointer already this season.

The St. Ignace Saints 1988 football team compiled a 9-0 regular season record and advanced to the state semifinals before falling to Ravenna for a 11-1 overall mark. The team includes (not in order) Head Coach Bob Dilday, Jimbo Brown, Bill Kammers, Chris Marshall, Jason Frazier, Mike Sheppard, Travis LeVeille, Eric Danielson, Scott Winkelman, Bob Lee, Bill Fraser, Jeff Bisel, Tobey Mitchell, Jack McLean, Nick Brown, Mike Sheppard, Glenn Arnold, John Stearns, Jay Tremble, Greg Misner, Scott St. Andrew, Ed Tremble, Mike Ramsey, Bryan Wietanen, Bruce Westover, Pat Gallagher, Paul Sheppard, and Assistant Coaches Marty Spencer and Pat Roberts were honored during halftime festivities Friday, October 10. Missing from photograph are Jay Tremble, Ed Tremble, Bryan Wietanen, Bruce Westover, Pat Gallagher, and Paul Sheppard. Sault Ste. Marie took a 14-10 lead with 6:25 left in the first half on a Horde one-yard touchdown and a Sliger extra point kick.

The Saints' final scoring opportunity of the first half started inside the two-minute mark, 64 yards away from the goal line. It ended on a missed 31-yard field goal.

Sault Ste. Marie took the second half kickoff and drove 57 yards, with Horde capping the drive off with his third touchdown on a fiveyard score. Sliger hit the extra point kick for a 21-10 advantage.

St. Ignace answered with an 86- yard drive on four passing plays, scoring on a 25-yard passing strike from Mortensen to St. Louis. The two-point conversion, which would have cut the lead to three points, fell short, however, and the Saints trailed 21-16.

The Saints had one final chance to win with their final possession of the game but needed to drive 85 yards to score with only 2:45 left on the clock.

Mortensen and Robinson connected on consecutive passes, good for combined 25 yards, but, after a 14-yard loss, St. Ignace faced a fourth-and-24 situation.

Mortensen was forced to keep the football and the junior quarterback scrambled 19 yards, falling short of a first down by five yards, and turning the ball over, which virtually ended the game.

During halftime ceremonies, seniors Amanda Coveyou and Rob Robinson were crowned LaSalle High School homecoming queen and king. Also at halftime, the Saints' 1988 football team was recognized.

The 1988 team compiled a 9-0 regular season record and advanced to the state semifinals before falling to Ravenna for a 11-1 overall mark.

Saints offensive statistics: Gerrit Mortensen, 12 of 20 passing for 162 yards, eight carries for 41 yards; Rob Robinson, 13 carries for 63 yards, five receptions for 58 yards; Austin St. Louis, four receptions for 58 yards, six carries for 52 yards; Tyler Oja, one reception for 19 yards; Anthony Lester, one reception for 16 yards; Evan Everson, one carry for six yards; Caleb Litzner, one reception for four yards

Saints defensive statistics: Gunnar Zipp, 20 tackles; Austin St. Louis, 12 tackles; Andy Tamlyn, 10 tackles, one fumble recovery; Tyler Oja and John Evashevski, 10 tackles; Stefan Saffian and Anthony Lester five tackles, one fumble recovery; Billy Grogan, five tackles; Grant Simmons, James Halberg, Lance DeKeyser, Tyler Mapes, Gerrit Mortensen, two tackles.

Blue Devils offensive statistics: Eric Formolo, 10 of 19 passing for 109 yards, five carries for 36 yards; Derek Horde, 18 carries for 79 yards, two receptions for 40 yards; Curtis Weber, Brian Killips, two receptions for 22 yards; Tyler Wollan, five carries for 33 yards; Cody Gonyeau, one reception for 19 yards; Tim Hall, six carries for 18 yards, two receptions for nine yards.