The St. Ignace Saints varsity football award winners, with their coach, include (front, from left) Head Coach Marty Spencer, Gerrit Mortensen, Austin St. Louis, Assistant Coach Les Therrian; (back) John Evashevski, Mike Barthelemy, Grant Simmons, and Louie Radecki. The St. Ignace Saints, who shared the Straits Football League (SFL) championship and qualified for the Michigan High School Athletic Association for the third consecutive year, along with the junior varsity team and cheerleading squad, were honored during the annual football banquet at LaSalle High School Sunday, November 22.

Head Coach Marty Spencer and Assistant Coach Les Therrian presented awards to the varsity players before the crowd of parents and guests.

Senior Gerrit Mortensen and junior Austin St. Louis shared the Art Huskey Memorial Most Valuable Player Award.

"Gerrit and Austin were the main reason why we won six games and had the success we had," said Saints Coach Marty Spencer.

The St. Ignace Saints senior varsity cheerleaders include (from left) Katie Garries, Coach Janet Warren, Kara Fitzpatrick, and Amara Ellis. Missing from photograph is Jordan Grogan. Mortensen, the Saints quarterback, earned Upper Peninsula, SFL, and The St. Ignace News All- Area honors, completing 105 of 171 passes for 1,596 yards and 17 touchdowns, rushing for 522 yards and six touchdowns, and averaged 37.9 yards per punt. Mortensen’s career statistics include 4,284 passing yards, 900 rushing yards for a total of 5,184 yards, 60 touchdowns, 10 conversions, 48 extra point kicks, and eight field goals. One of the field goals was from a school record 45 yards out.

St. Louis, the Saints’ defensive back, was named to the Upper Peninsula All-Class Dream Team, was SFL Defensive Player of the Year, and was All-Area. St. Louis led the team in combined tackles and assists with 137, three fumble recoveries, three interceptions, and six pass break-ups and recorded 48 receptions for 799 yards with 10 touchdowns, and rushed for 579 yards with 11 touchdowns.

Senior Mike Barthelemy was named to the SFL and All-Area teams and received the Selden Kalbfleisch Memorial Most Improved Player Award.

"Mike was a silent leader on the field who improved with each practice and game," said Coach Spencer. “Mike was consistent on the offensive line and registered 46 tackles and two fumble recoveries.”

Senior John Evashevski received honors from the SFL and All-Area and was presented with the Chipper Huskey Dedication Memorial Award.

"The team came first, and his dedication to the program was instrumental," said Coach Spencer. Evashevski tallied 90 tackles and two fumble recoveries and had 10 receptions for 113 yards and two touchdowns.

The Coach’s Awards were presented to juniors Grant Simmons and Louie Radecki, who were named to the SFL and All-Area teams.

"Grant and Louie stepped up their play from last season and were a big part of the team and will be asked to bring more to the table for next season," said Coach Spencer.

Simmons notched 85 tackles, two quarterback sacks, two fumble recoveries, and one pass interception.

Radecki, a junior, had 30 tackles while playing across from players who were 20 to 50 pounds heavier.

Remaining members of the team receiving SFL and All-Area honors were Caleb Litzner and Cody Swagger.

Saints seniors honored for the final time were Evan Everson, John Evashevski, Gerrit Mortensen, Dan St. Onge, Jayson Fenlon, Dylan Rountree, and Mike Barthelemy.

Junior varsity coaches Chris Marshall and Rich Frazier introduced their team of two sophomores and 21 freshmen.

Coach Janet Warren, in her final school year of coaching the LaSalle High School cheerleaders, introduced the squad and gave special mention to seniors Katie Garries, Kara Fitzpatrick, Amara Ellis, and Jordan Grogan. Mrs. Warren has coached more than 25 years in the junior high and high school level.

State Football

Champions Crowned

Division 1 Detroit CC 31 S.H. Stevenson 21

Division 2 Lowell 27, Inkster 6

Division 3 East Grand Rapids 24, O.L. St. Mary 21

Division 4 Marshall 49, Three Rivers 28

Division 5 Jackson L.C. 42, Clare 7

Division 6 Montague 24, Monroe St. Mary 21

Division 7 T.C. St Francis 42, Hudson 8

Division 8 Beal City 41, C.F. Forest Park 23