Hatchets gear up for Lakers

Courtesy Huron Daily Tribune

PIGEON — When Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port and Bad Axe square off this Friday, much more than bragging rights will be on the line for the two bitter rivals.

For the first time in a while, both programs will be fighting each other for conference supremacy. 

Heading into Friday's 7 p.m. matchup, both the Lakers (6-0 overall) and Hatchets (4-2 overall), sit atop the Greater Thumb West standings at 3-0. 

A win Friday would put the victor in the driver’s seat for the conference title. 

“It’s pretty exciting,” said Bad Axe coach Mark Manenti. “It’s exciting for us and I’m sure it’s exciting for them. It should be a good one.”

Bad Axe fans have had a lot to get excited about so far this season. After starting off 0-2, the Hatchets have reeled off four straight wins and are sniffing the playoffs for the first time since 2001. 

In Laker land, it’s a more subdued excitement. The No. 7 ranked team in Division 7 is coming off a 7-3 record last season, including a playoff berth. 

This time around, EPBP has its sights set on a league title and an undefeated season, which are very much within reach. 

Despite a dismal 1-8 campaign a year ago, Bad Axe gave Lakers everything they wanted last season in a 26-18 loss at home. Friday’s contest should not disappoint either. 

The contest will feature two offenses that like to run — and both do it quite effectively. 

EPBP comes at opponents with a big, physical offensive line and a trio of versatile runners. 

Quarterback Dustin Kady leads the way with his big play potential, while running back Terrance Dubs punishes teams up the middle and backfield mate Mauricio Diaz-Reyes brings the speed around the corner. 

“They have a lot of good, skilled athletes and their offensive line looks good on film,” Manenti said. “We have to stop their key players and get after them like they’re going to get after us.”

Manenti said other keys to a victory for either team will be limiting penalties and turnovers. 

Bad Axe also boasts a big-play quarterback of its own in Tommy Morneau. 

The junior signal caller has put up huge numbers on the ground so far this year running things for the Hatchet offense. 

Morneau also receives great support in the backfield from running backs Joe Aymen and Matt McVey. 

Manenti pointed to his offensive line as the unit that could potentially sway things in the game. 

“Our offensive line is young, but they need to step up to the challenge,” he said. “They’ve been pretty good all year, but they will have to bring it up another notch. If they do that, we’ll be alright.”

The WEEK: Oct. 6-12, 2014

Here are Bad Axe athletic events scheduled for Oct. 6-12, 2014.

MONDAY, OCT. 6
Junior High Volleyball: at Ubly.

8th grade volleyball lost to Ubly 16-25, 14-25, 25-20, 25-11, and 15-17.  Lauren Howard led the team with 14 aces, Morgan Etzel had 5 aces and Olivia Britt had 4.  

Junior High Cross Country at Mayville.

The Hatchet Middle School and Webeastie teams ran at Mayville. They all had excellent times and places.  They ran in the following groups: K-6 girls, K-6 boys, 7^th and 8^th girls and 7^th and 8^th boys.  The Hatchets dominated all of these races by taking first place in everyone of them.  Finishing first in k-6 boys was Jensen Emerich.  The other finishers in this race were as follows: Alex Castle 4^th, Austin Cummings 5^th, Owen Kociba 7^th, Nicholas Clarent 8^th, Jordyn Smith 9^th, Cordell Prich 10^th, Tommy Knarian 11^th, Camryn Fritch 16^th, Daniel Pratt 23^rd.  There were 27 runners.  Finishing first in k-6 girls was Kate Clancy.  The other finishers in this race were as follows: Emma Kociba 3^rd, Madison Kinney 7^th, Jolie Brown 14^th, Joselyn Hessling 16^th, Allyssa Thayer 17^th.  There were 26 runners.  Finishing first in the 7^th and 8^th grade boys race was David Kanarian.  The other finishers were as follows: Ethan Kent 2^nd, Logan Kociba 5^th, Wil Hobkirk 7^th, Tyler Bismack 9^th, Eli Buss 11^th.  Finishing first in the 7^th and 8^th grade girls race was Jelena Prescott.  There other finishers were as follows: Gabby Beeler 6^th.  
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TUESDAY, OCT. 7
JV/Varsity Volleyball: Home vs. Lakers. 

The Varsity Volleyball team raised their league record to 5-3 with a win over the Lakers in 3 sets 25-16, 25-20, 25-14.

The JV volleyball team beat Lakers in three games. The girls won the first game 25-23, lost the second game 20-25 and came back and won the third game 15-9. Tess McManaman and Emma Cubitt led the team with seven kills each. Parker Guigar added one kill and Sara Wehner had two aces.

 
Varsity Soccer: At Montrose: SCORE: Montrose 2, Bad Axe 0. Game called at half because of weather.

Junior High Football: At Harbor Beach.
Cross Country: 6 Team Meet at Bad Axe.  
Overall the Hatchets were 3^rd as a combined team behind Ubly & Cass City.  For the men Vincent Salcido ran a 18:56 to finish in 5^th followed by Jacob Kaufman in 13^th with a 21:26.  For the varsity ladies Mikayla Beeler lead the way in 4^th with a 23:21, followed by Jessica Cubitt in 8^th with a 24:18, then was Isabell Humphry-Philips in 15^th with a 26:32, Abigail Lorenz was 16^th with 27:09, Vicky Dreanjak was 21^st with a 28:30, followed by Sierra Beeler in 22^nd with a 29:25, Erin McCullum was 28^th with a 31:54, Giorgia Fresco was 29^th with 33:12 and Amanda Talaski was 30^th with a 33:34.   
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WEDNESDAY, OCT. 8
NO EVENTS SCHEDULED
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THURSDAY, OCT. 9
Varsity Soccer: Home vs. Memphis. SCORE: Memphis 6, Bad Axe 0
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FRIDAY, OCT. 10
Varsity Football: At Lakers, 7 p.m. Bus departs at around 5:45 p.m.

SATURDAY, OCT. 11
Varsity Volleyball: At Imlay City Invitational. Bus leaves around 7:10 a.m.
JV Volleyball: At Mt. Morris Invitational. Bus leaves around 6:30 a.m.
8th Grade Volleyball: League Tournament at USA, 9 a.m. Car Pooling. See Coach Howard for times. THIS IS 8TH GRADE ONLY.

OTHER CAMPUS EVENTS
Monday - Junior Gymnastics, Elementary School
Wednesday - Baker College, Elementary Library
Thursday - Parent Information Camp, High School, 7 p.m.
Saturday - Twa Kwon Do Tournament, High School Gym, 10 a.m.

The Week: Events for Sept. 29 to Oct. 4

Here are scheduled Bad Axe athletic events slated for Sept. 29 to Oct. 4.
THIS IS HOMECOMING WEEK!!!

MONDAY, SEPT 29
Varsity Soccer - at Harbor Beach: SCORE: Harbor Beach 7, Bad axe 1
Junior High Volleyball - Home vs. Harbor Beach
8th grade volleyball beat Harbor Beach. Lauren Howard led with 9 aces and 4 kills.  Morgan Etzel had 5 aces and 4 kills.  Haylee Krug had 5 aces and Brandi Krug had 4 aces!
7th grade lost to the Pirates. 

Elementary/Junior High Cross Country - at Brown City

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TUESDAY, SEPT 30
JV/Varsity Volleyball - at Vassar.

The Varsity Volleyball team beat Vassar in 4 games 25-19, 23-25, 25-18, 25-17.  They are now 4-3 in the league and 18-11-1 overall.

The JV volleyball team beat Vassar in two games. The first game was 25-16, the second game 25-13 and the third game 14-16. Cynthia Labor, Ashley Kerr, and Tess McManaman each had four aces. Rebecca Reese, Cylee Gunn, and Courtney Holdwick added one kill each .

Junior High Football - at Ubly. SCORE: Ubly 22, Bad Axe 16
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WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1
AD Meeting in Cass City, Noon
Junior High Volleyball - Home vs. Lakers.

The 8th grade volleyball team played very good, but lost to Lakers 15-25, 15-25, 12-25, 18-25, 10-15.  Lauren Howard had 3 aces. Morgan Etzel and Jenna Krug each had 3 kills
The 7th grade team won 1 out of 5 games vs. Lakers.
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THURSDAY, OCT. 2
Varsity Soccer - Home vs. Lakers: SCORE: Lakers 1, Bad Axe 0
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FRIDAY, OCT. 3 (HOMECOMING!!!)
Varsity Football - Home vs. Reese, 7 p.m. 

SATURDAY, OCT. 4
Junior High Volleyball - Home, Hatchet JRH Invitational, 8:30 a.m. at the high school. 7 teams in each grade, 7th and 8th.
JV Volleyball - at USA Invitational.
JRH/Varsity Cross Country - at Cass City Invitational, 9 a.m.

OTHER CAMPUS EVENTS
Homecoming Events All Week
Note: Bay Port State Bank will be providing cider and donuts at Friday's game.

Wednesday, Oct 1 - Baker College, Elementary Library

Soccer field dedication set for Oct. 9

BAD AXE — The date has been set for the naming of the Bad Axe Soccer Complex after longtime coach Dave DeCourval.

Bad Axe school officials recently announced the ceremony will take place beginning at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9 prior to the final regular season boys soccer contest. 

Athletic Director Mike Bogan said the event will include a few words from himself, current soccer coach Adam Sutherland, and some special guests. Following that will be the unveiling of a memorial at the entrance of the field proclaiming it Dave DeCourval Soccer Complex.

The design for the memorial was put together by Sutherland, with help from Bad Axe Marble and Granite. 

“It looks really nice what they’ve come up with,” said Bogan. 

A former Michigan State Police officer, DeCourval was the head coach of both the boys and girls varsity soccer programs. At the time of his death in January of this year, he was the only soccer coach the school had ever known.

“We wanted to do something,” Bogan said. “It’s a well-deserved honor for him and we’re excited what the design is for the thing and a we’re looking forward to doing it.”

Added Bogan: “Anybody and everybody is invited. If they’re interested in coming out to honor Dave, the more people the better. He was a pretty big figure in the area when it came to soccer, so it’s a fitting tribute to him.”

Bogan said much like at the football stadium, the school will be selling bricks that people can purchase that will be included in the memorial. Forms for the bricks can be picked up at the high school office.

For more information, call 989-269-9593.

- Courtesy Huron Daily Tribune

Bad Axe football keeps rolling, whips USA, 40-6

BAD AXE - Tommy Morneau had 223 rushing yards on 18 carries and scored four of the Bad Axe football team's six touchdowns during a 40-6 win over Unionville-Sebewaing Area on Friday. 
Unionville-Sebewaing opened the game with a touchdown to grab an early lead, but then the Hatchets got going.
"We just started off slow and then we got rolling," Bad Axe coach Mark Manenti said. "We got some things to work on yet. Just gotta keep getting better each week. We just kind of woke up."
Morneau scored a 34-yard run in the first quarter to tie the game 6-6, and Matt McVey had a one-yard run in the second to give Bad Axe the lead. 

- Courtesy MLIVE.com

Events for the Week of Sept. 22-27

Here are Bad Axe Athletic events for this week...

Monday, Sept. 22

Varsity Soccer - Home vs. Marlette: SCORE: Marlette 2, Bad Axe 0

Junior High Volleyball - at Lakers.
Both teams lost to Lakers.
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Tuesday, Sept. 23

Varsity/JV Volleyball - Home vs. USA

The Varsity Volleyball team lost to USA in 4 games 25-19, 20-25, 20-25, 19-25. It was a classic point-for-point battle, and the Lady Hatchets fought tough all night long, but in the end they came up just short.  

 The JV volleyball team lost to USA in 3 games. The first game was 25-14, the second game was 6-25, and the final game was 9-15. Tess McManaman, Sydney McDonald, and Cynthia Labor added four kills each. Cylee Gunn had two aces and Emma Cubitt had two kills

Junior High Football - Home vs. Lakers: SCORE: Lakers 40, Bad Axe 14
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Wednesday, Sept. 24

Junior High Volleyball - Home vs. Ubly.

8th grade volleyball won 3 out of 5 games against Ubly, 10-25, 25-17, 5-15, 25-19, 25-20. Morgan Etzel had 10 aces and 4 kills, Lauren Howard, Haylee Krug, and Jailyn Campbell each had 4 aces.
7th grade team lost to the Bearcats.
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Thursday, Sept. 25

Varsity/JV Volleyball - at Cass City

The Varsity Volleyball team lost to Cass City in three games 21-25, 11-25, 12-25.

The JV volleyball team lost to Cass City in two games. The first game was 16-25 and the second game was 18-25. The girls were led by Tess McManaman and Cynthia Labor who each had five kills. Daira Hacker, Sara Wehner, Cylee Gunn, and Parker Guigar each added one kill 

 

Varsity Soccer - at USA: SCORE: Bad Axe 2, USA 1

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Friday, Sept. 26

Varsity Football - at Cass City, 7 p.m. Bus leaves at around 5:20 to 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 27

Varsity Volleyball - at USA Invitational, 9 a.m. Bus slated to leave at 7:30 a.m. but may change a bit. 

Varsity Soccer - Home vs. Montrose, Noon... (ADD ON GAME FROM ORIGINAL SCHEDULE)

Varsity/Junior High Cross Country - at Sandusky Invitational, 8:30 a.m. See Coaches Rochefort and Kahler for departure times.

Other Campus Events

Wednesday - NHS Blood Drive, High School Gym, All Day

Hatchets pick up first win of the season!

Congrats to the Bad Axe football team, which earned its first win of the season Friday night with an exciting 24-21 decision over Sandusky.

The Hatchets erased a 14-8 halftime deficit with a pair of third-quarter scores, capped by Matt McVey's fumble recovery in the end zone late in the period.
McVey also scored on a 2-yard run in the opening quarter. 
Quarterback Tommy Morneau rushed for 198 yards and also tossed for one TD, a 10-yard connection with Jared Brown in the second quarter. Morneau added two 2-point conversions.

The 1-2 Hatchets return home this Friday to take on USA.