By Frank Vajcner
It’s a much-anticipated rematch in Division 8, as two 13-0 teams in Whiteford and Ubly will meet exactly 365 days after meeting for the 2022 State Championship. Both teams return plenty of contributors from the last meeting at Ford Field.
Ubly Bearcats
Head Coach: Eric Sweeney
State Finals Record: This is the Bearcats’ fourth appearance in the Finals. They are 0-3 in their previous appearances.
Regular Season record vs Playoff Teams: 7-0 (W 50-13 vs Everest, W 42-0 vs Port Laker, W 34-12 vs Marlette, W 56-20 vs Harbor Beach, W 39-8 vs Sandusky, W 42-8 vs Cass City, W 41-15 vs Montrose)
How They Got Here: W 62-8 vs Burton Bentley, W 35-14 vs Harbor Beach, W 41-20 vs Ithaca, W 24-6 vs Beal City
Stat Leaders
Passing: Evan Persuski (13-20, 379 yards, 4 TD, INT)
Rushing: Canden Peruski (145 carries, 1558 yards, 21 TD); Seth Maurer (152 carries, 967 yards, 18 TD); Luke Volmering (93 carries, 599 yards, 11 TD); Collin Osantowski (51 carries, 530 yards, 12 TD); Evan Peruski (43 carries, 441 yards, 4 TD)
Receiving: Brett Mueller (14 catches, 461 yards, 6 TD)
Tackles: Canden Peruski (111 tackles); Skyler Smith (97 tackles); Ryan Learman (64 tackles) Volmering (61 tackles)
Interceptions: Learman (4 INT); Volmering and Colton Oswald (3 INT each)
Fumble Recoveries: Smith (2 FR)
Kicking: Mueller (73-78 PAT; 2-4 FG)
Notable: The Bearcats are allowing 10 points per game, and have recorded 19 takeaways on the season…Offensively, they are averaging 44 points per contest, and also average 8.3 yards per rush…Evan Peruski and Osantowski each have a punt return for a score, and Volmering has a kickoff return for a touchdown.
Whiteford Bobcats
Head Coach: Todd Thieken
State Finals Record: 2-1. This is the Bobcats’ fourth Finals appearance in the last eight years. They will be going for their third championship.
Regular season record vs. 2023 playoff teams: 5-0 (W 28-21 vs. Blissfield, W 22-7 vs. Ida, W 26-21 vs Ottawa Hills (OH), W 48-8 vs. Sand Creek, W 45-7 vs. Union City)
How They Got Here: W 59-0 vs Sand Creek, W 24-14 vs Hudson, W 54-6 vs White Pigeon, W 35-6 vs Riverview Gabriel Richard
Team Leaders:
Passing: Tre Eitniear (43-86, 995 yards, 15 TD, 3 INT); Ryin Ruddy (25-42, 459 yards, 5 TD)
Rushing: Jake Iott (132 attempts, 897 yards, 9 TD); Hunter DeBarr (113 attempts, 832 yards, 12 TD); Drew Knaggs (116 attempts, 645 yards, 11 TD); Ryin Ruddy (41 attempts, 417 yards, 7 TD)
Receiving: Kolby Masserant (43 receptions, 956 yards, 13 TD); Hunter DeBarr (14 receptions, 277 yards, 4 TD); Ryin Ruddy (4 receptions, 136 yards, 2 TD)
Tackles: Jake Iott (146 tackles); Ryin Ruddy (119 tackles); Kolby Masserant (94 tackles); Mason DeBarr (84 tackles); Brandon Knaggs (77 tackles)
TFL: Brandon Knaggs (13 TFL); Mason DeBarr (12 TFL); Stepan Masserant (11 TFL)
Sacks: Jake Iott and Drew Knaggs (5 sacks each); Mason DeBarr (4 sacks)
Fumble Recoveries: Brandon Knaggs (3 FR)
Interceptions: Kolby Masserant (6 INT); Hunter DeBarr and Ryin Ruddy (2 INT each)
Kicking: Hunter Debarr (15 PAT made, 3 FG made)
Notable:
Whiteford has won 27 consecutive games, which is both a school and Monroe County record.
Ryin Ruddy has been the glue guy for the Bobcats, playing QB, RB, and TE on offense, and is also the second-leading tackler on defense
Kolby Masserant currently holds the records for most receptions in a career, most receiving yards in a season, most career receiving yards, most receiving touchdowns in a season, and most catches in a season. The latter of which he set in the win over Gabriel Richard.
The Bobcats have been averaging 7.7 yards per play, and 6.8 yards per rush, thanks to center Chase Lee, guards Nolan Walker and RJ Cornett, tackles Luke Vida and Jack Iott, and tight ends Mason DeBarr and Kolby Masserant.
The Bobcats have scored in all but six out of 52 quarters this season.
Defensively, the Bobcats have shut out their opposition in 37 of 52 quarters, and are allowing a scant 8.7 points per contest. The 114 total points allowed is the lowest since 1993
Both Ryin Ruddy and Tre Eitniear are looking to join their respective older brothers to have played QB for a state championship team. Tommy Eitniear led Whiteford to their first title in 2017, while Shea Ruddy led the Bobcats to the title last year.
Whiteford has seven sets of brothers on the team.
Overview: This game is truly a coin flip. The Bearcats still have the 26-20 defeat to the Bobcats in their minds from last season. But from what I have seen the last few weeks from Whiteford is that this may be the best defense they have had, which is saying something given that the 2017 and 2022 teams both had outstanding defenses. I see this one being a tight, low-scoring game with a late stop sealing it.
This is the game at Ford Firld that I have wanted in Div 8 from Week 1. Both teams have been on a mission, dominating their competition. I think Ubly’s kicker will be the difference, with a field goal. I will be cheering on the Bobcats, but my prediction is Ubly 17, Whiteford 16.
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