December 2020 Issue of Varsity Monthly Thumb Magazine

FREE 

PROUD TO COVER HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS IN THE THUMB 

December 2020 | Volume 8 Issue 12 

FREE 

FOCUSED 

on the 

FINISH

Owner Jason Parmenter 

Magazine Design Alyssa Buhl 

Photo Editor Kaitlin Gunsell 

Office Manager Brenda Tomlinson 

Regularly Contributing Photographers 

Kaitlin Gunsell - Kaitlin’s Klicks 

Thomas Vogt - Quad N Productions 

Gary Koelzer - Gary Koelzer Photography 

Jason Parmenter - Quad N Productions 

What’s 

Inside 

Find our photos for sale at: 

www.misportsphotos.com 

View online at 

www.varsitymonthlythumb.com 

Varsity Monthly Thumb has no liability for 

content, representations in advertisements, 

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Varsity Monthly Thumb is published 12 

times a year by Quad N Productions, LLC, 189 

N State St., Caro, MI 48723 

PHONE: 989-673-5826 

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Ubly 

Harbor Beach 

Caro 

Bad Axe 

Cass City 

Sandusky 

Frankenmuth 

Reese 

Kingston 

Deckerville 

Mayville 

CPS 

Caro 

Lakers 

Vassar 

North Branch 

Cros-Lex 

Akron-Fairgrove 

North Huron 

Caseville 

Owen-Gage 

USA 

Millington 

Peck 

Marlette 

Brown City 

Arthur Hill 

Saginaw High 

John Glenn 

Bay City All Saints 

Port Huron Northern 

XC Finals 

Playoff Extra 

TSA Awards 

Focused on 

the Finish 

COVER IMAGE: 

Tyler Moore of North Huron carries the ball 

against AuGres Sims on 10-31-20. 

Photo By: Jason Parmenter 

After kind of a goofy start to the 

Fall Sports season, many of our 

teams were extremely focused on 

finishing strong. State XC finals 

went on as planned but spread out 

over 2 days. See page 48 for some 

pictures from Division III and IV. 

Golf & Tennis finished as planned, 

but Swim, Soccer, Football, and 

Volleyball were affected by the 3 

week “pause”. Check out the last 6 

pages of this issue to see a special 

nod to our teams that were still 

playing at the time of the pause. At 

the time of sending the magazine to 

print, we are still looking foward to 

our fall athletes getting to finish their 

season. Thank you to our amazing 

advertisers for helping us recognize 

all of the area athletes! 

2 December 2020 CONTACT US AT 989-673-5826 VIEW FREE ONLINE AT WWW.VARSITYMONTHLYTHUMB.COM PURCHASE PRINTS AT WWW.MISPORTSPHOTOS.COM

VG’s GROCERY 

PLAYERS OF THE MONTH 

Winners are selected for their athletic accomplishments, leadership roles, and 

community impact as the Players of the Month. Not only are the players of the 

month featured in the magazine and receive a Player of the Month T-Shirt, VG’s also 

provides each athlete with a $25 gift card! 

JOSIE 

GUSA 

UBLY 

VOLLEYBALL 

CROSS COUNTRY 

JOSIE GUSA IS NOT ONLY A TERRIFIC RUNNER 

FOR THE UBLY BEARCATS, BUT ALSO A GREAT 

VOLLEYBALL PLAYER AND STUDENT. BEING A 

DUAL SPORT ATHLETE CAN BE A CHALLENGE BUT 

ACCORDING TO JOSIE’S COACHES SHE HAS NO 

PROBLEM AT ALL MANAGING BOTH SPORTS IN THE 

SAME SEASON. JOSIE HAS BEEN A DUAL SPORT 

ATHLETE MOST OF HER HIGH SCHOOL CAREER. 

Josie finished her Cross-Country career by 

being part of 3 league championships, 3 regional 

championships and 3 state finals appearences with 

the most recent being a top-25 finsh. Josie has been 

named all state in Cross Country 3 times. When asked 

about Josie, head Cross Country coach Garret Jurges 

said, “She has basically been with me since elementary 

school cross country, with a few years that were 

shortened seasons. During her high school career she 

has had a huge impact on our team and our team’s 

success.” 

Jose has also earned multiple honors in 

volleyball, including All League and All Region this 

year. Josie helped lead the Bearcats to two district 

and two regional titles in volleyball. She is also up for 

possible All State honors according to her coach Aaron 

Muller. When asked about Josie coach Mueller said, 

“Josie is a very talented athlete who is very humble. 

She has earned the respect of her coaches and peers. 

Josie’s work ethic, attitude, talent and dedication will 

be missed greatly next year.” Coach Mueller also said, 

“She is one of the best passers and ball control players 

I have ever coached.” Josie Gusa will leave behind a 

positive legacy with both the Ubly Volleyball and Cross 

Country programs. 

Josie is planning on attending college to pursue 

a career in elementary education. 

ARTICLES BY CROS-LEX SENIOR STEVEN SOULE. 

NEHEMIAH 

PARMENTER 

USA 

FOOTBALL 

SOCCER 

BEING A HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE REQUIRES 

TIME MANAGEMENT AND DETERMINATION. USA 

SENIOR NEHEMIAH PARMENTER DISPLAYED BOTH 

OF THESE WHILE NOT ONLY BEING A KEY PLAYER 

FOR THE PATRIOT SOCCER TEAM, BUT ALSO KICKING 

FOR THE PATRIOT FOOTBALL TEAM. 

Nehemiah is a three year starter at goalkeeper 

for the Patriots. He has been vital to the teams 

success these past three years at keeper. When asked 

about Nehemiah, coach Kevin Kuhl said, “Nehemiah 

did something that is rare at the high school level 

and that is he would put fear into strikers when they 

came near the goal with his aggressive play style. 

Then when he would get the ball, he could kick it 

with a lot of power over half the distance of the field 

which helped immensely with our counter offense.” 

Coach Kuhl also said Nehemiah will be missed. He 

was vital to our success and was a hardworking kid 

that is great to be around.” 

Nehemiah helped lead the Patriots to a 

second place finish in the conference behind Bad 

Axe. Bad Axe was the Patriots only league loss all 

year. While helping lead the Patriot soccer team to 

a successful season, Nehemiah was also helping 

the Patriots football team by kicking field goals and 

kickoffs the last two years. Nehemiah’s highlights 

for the year were his successful field goal attempts. 

Nehemiah will be missed both on the soccer and 

football field. 

After high school, Nehemiah plans to pursue a 

career as an electrical lineman. 


ADVERTISER OF 

THE MONTH 

Varsity Monthly is pleased to name Scheurer Health as our Advertiser of the Month. 

Dating back to 1945 in downtown Pigeon, Scheurer Health has grown across the 

Thumb with locations in five communities. As Huron County’s largest service sector 

employer with nearly 500 employees, Scheurer offers a full line of health care services, 

including five primary care clinics, four pharmacies and even three senior living 

communties. Its vision of “Better Health. Better Life.” enables each of its employees to 

do what is best for the patient to provide the best possible care. 

To learn more about why Scheurer Health has been named the Best Hospital for 

nearly a decade, go to scheurer.org. 

SCHEURER HEALTH // 170 N. CASEVILLE RD // PIGEON, MI // 989.453.3223 // scheurer.org 

VIEW FREE ONLINE AT WWW.VARSITYMONTHLYTHUMB.COM PURCHASE PRINTS AT WWW.MISPORTSPHOTOS.COM CONTACT US AT 989-673-5826 December 2020 5

UBLY 

VOLLEYBALL 

11-10-20 UBLY VS GENESSEE CHRISTIAN 

Photography by Jason Parmenter 


HARBOR 

BEACH 

VOLLEYBALL 

11-4-20 HARBOR BEACH VS USA - DISTRICTS 


Harbor Beach 

Medical Clinic 

(989)479-3291 

Port Hope 

Medical Clinic 

(989)428-1000 

Services Include: 

• Acute and Chronic Care 

• Immunizations • Well-Baby 

and Well-Child Visits 

• Physicals • Preventative 

and Wellness Focused Visits 

• Specialist Referrals 

• Newborn to Geriatric Care 

Your Safe Harbor for Great Healthcare! 


CARO 

FOOTBALL 

10-16-20 CASS CITY AT CARO 

Photography by Kaitlin Gunsell 

Kristina M. Chapelo 

Ph: 989-553-2428 Fax: 989-672-6052 

Associate Broker, Real Estate One-Caro 

kristinachapelo@realestateone.net 

361 N State St, #4, Caro, MI 48723 


25 YEARS OF PROFESSIONAL, COURTEOUS SERVICE 


BAD AXE 

VOLLEYBALL 

BOWLING 

11-4-20 1-9-20 NORTH BAD AXE HURON VS CASS INVITE CITY - DISTRICTS 

Photography by by Kaitlin Thomas Gunsell Vogt 



CASS CITY 

FOOTBALL 

10-16-20 CASS CITY AT CARO 


Reggie Ignash 

covers Michigan 

Auto, Home, Life, Business, 

Farm and more 

(989) 872-4432 

6505 Main St., Cass City 

rignash@fbinsmi.com 

ReggieIgnashAgency.com 



SANDUSKY 

FOOTBALL 

11-6-20 SANDUSKY AT CASS CITY - DISTRICTS 

Photography by Gary Koelzer 

Community. 

Who you bank with matters. 

We want the best for our communities, so we 

do our best to contribute in any way we can. 

Whether we are hosting financial education 

programs, sponsoring local events, 

donating to community organizations 

or volunteering, reinvesting in our 

communities is part of who we are. 

Call Northstar Bank! (989) 269-8077 

GUIDING THE WAY 

NORTHSTARATHOME.COM 

MEMBER FDIC 



FRANKENMUTH 

SOCCER 

10-22-20 FLINT POWERS VS FRANKENMUTH - DISTRICTS 




REESE 

FOOTBALL 

10-30-20 REEST AT CASS CITY - DISTRICTS 




KINGSTON 

VOLLEYBALL 

10-20-20 DECKERVILLE AT KINGSTON 



DECKERVILLE 

VOLLEYBALL 

10-20-20 DECKERVILLE AT KINGSTON 



MAYVILLE 

FOOTBALL 

10-29-20 GENESEE AT MAYVILLE - DISTRICTS 

Photography by Thomas Vogt 

Excetional Legal Representation 


CARSONVILLE 

PORT SANILAC 

VOLLEYBALL 

10-1-20 CPS AT CASEVILLE 



CARO 

VOLLEYBALL 

10-10-20 CARO VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT 



Your local agent insures your 

and more 

David Soper 

1701 W. Caro Road 

Caro 

989-673-5588 

dsoper@fbinsmi.com 

DavidWSoperAgency.com 


LAKERS 

VOLLEYBALL 

10-27-20 LAKERS AT CASS CITY 



VASSAR 

VOLLEYBALL 

9-15-20 VASSAR AT CASS CITY 

Photography by Brittany Stilson 


NORTH 

BRANCH 

VOLLEYBALL 

11-10-20 NORTH BRANCH VS GOODRICH 



CROS-LEX 

VOLLEYBALL 

10-29-20 NORTH BRANCH QUAD 



AKRON- 

FAIRGROVE 

FOOTBALL 

9-18-20 NORTH HURON AT AKRON-FAIRGROVE 

Photography by Thomas Vogt 


NORTH 

HURON 

VOLLEYBALL 

11-4-20 NORTH HURON VS CASEVILLE - DISTRICTS 



CASEVILLE 

FOOTBALL 

10-2-20 NORTH HURON AT CASEVILLE 

Photography by Brittany Stilson 


OWENGAGE 

CROSS COUNTRY 

11-7-20 STATE FINALS AT MIS 



USA 

VOLLEYBALL 

11-5-20 USA VS BAD AXE - DISTRICT FINALS 


Your local agent insures your 

and more 

David Soper 

1701 W. Caro Road 

Caro 

989-673-5588 

dsoper@fbinsmi.com 

DavidWSoperAgency.com 



MILLINGTON 

VOLLEYBALL 

9-21-20 MILLINGTON AT FRANKENMUTH 



PECK 

FOOTBALL 

10-31-20 ASHLEY AT PECK - DISTRICTS 


Best Wishes Teams! 

Proud Community Supporter 


MARLETTE 

VOLLEYBALL 

11-2-20 MARLETTE VS SANDUSKY - DISTRICTS 


MARLETTE 

989.635.2649 

FORMERLY KELLY & CO. 


BROWN 

CITY 

VOLLEYBALL 

11-2-20 BROWN CITY VS CAPAC - DISTRICTS 



ARTHUR HILL 

FOOTBALL 

10-24-20 ARTHUR HILL AT SAGINAW HIGH 



SAGINAW HIGH 

FOOTBALL 

10-24-20 ARTHUR HILL AT SAGINAW HIGH 



JOHN 

GLENN 

SWIM 

10-6-20 JOHN GLENN AT CARO 



BAY CITY 

ALL SAINTS 

FOOTBALL 

10-2-20 AKRON FAIRGROVE AT ALL SAINTS 



PORT HURON 

NORTHERN 

FOOTBALL 

10-9-20 PH HIGH AT PH NORTHERN 


This spread is sponsored by Keyes Law. 

PURCHASE PRINTS AT 

MISPORTSPHOTOS.COM 



XC STATE FINALS 

11-7-20 AT MIS 

DIVISION 4 - THIRD PLACE 

MAZE GUSA 


DIVISION 3 - RUNNER UP 

NICK MCCARDLE 


MHSAA 

PLAYOFFS 

UBLY 

11-12-20 VS DRYDEN 

PHOTOGRAPHER - KAITLIN GUNSELL 


MHSAA 

PLAYOFFS 

UBLY 

11-6-20 VS USA 



MHSAA 

PLAYOFFS 

NORTH BRANCH11-6-20 VS CROS-LEX 

PHOTOGRAPHER - JASON PARMENTER 

PAGE SPONSORED BY PRODUCTION THREADED PARTS 


MHSAA 

PLAYOFFS 

CASS CITY 

11-13-20 VS HEMLOCK 



MHSAA 

PLAYOFFS 

FRANKENMUTH 

11-13-20 VS CORUNNA 



MHSAA 

PLAYOFFS 

NORTH HURON 

11-14-20 VS SACRED HEART ACADEMY 



11-MAN FOOTBALL 

SELECTED BY THUMB SPORTSWRITERS ASSOCIATION 

Player of the Year 

Brandon Martin - North Branch 

Team of the Year 

North Branch 

Coach of the Year 

Kal Pokley - Bad Axe 

Offensive Lineman of the Year 

Drew Ragatz - North Branch 

Co-Defensive Players of the Year 

Carson Heleski - Ubly 

Drake Deshetsky - North Branch 

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE 

Jack Townsend - Cros-Lex, QB 

Will Damaska - North Branch, QB 

Brandon Martin - North Branch, RB 

Carson Heleski - North Branch, RB 

Zach Franzel - Sandusky, RB 

Braylon Ballard - USA, RB 

Nolan VanErp - Ubly, OL 

Drew Ragatz - North Branch, OL 

Brody Germain - Millington, OL 

Brendon Shaffer - Cros-Lex, OL 

Caden Blashill - Sandusky, OL 

Saige Slanac - Cros-Lex, TE/WR 

Grant Roberson - Marlette, TE/WR 

Drake Deshetsky - North Branch, At Large 

Delorrin Wedge - Sandusky, At Large 

Alex Perry - Cass City, At Large 

Brendyn Callahan - Millington, At Large 

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE 

Wyatt Howe - North Branch, DL 

Zach Sergent - Cros-Lex, DL 

Toby MacPhee - Bad Axe, DL 

Avery Barron - Millington, DL 

Matthew Mihalic - Cass City, DL 

Carson Heleski - Ubly, LB 

Drake Deshetsky - North Branch, LB 

Joey Knoll - Cros-Lex, LB 

Jeremy Velasquez - Cass City, LB 

Jordan Rabideau - Millington, LB 

Kyle Sweeny - Ubly, DB 

Brendyn Callahan - Millington, DB 

Saige Slanec - Cros-Lex, DB 

Bryce Fernald - Cass City, DB 

Will Kirby - Millington, P 

Micah Gordon - Bad Axe, K 


Player of the Year 

Austin Middleton - Mayville 

8-MAN FOOTBALL 


Mayville 


Mike Campbell - Mayville 

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE 

Defensive Player of the Year 

Joe Weiss - North Branch 

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE 

Austin Middleton - Mayville, QB 

Will Case - North Huron, QB 

Ethan Bowerman - Deckerville, RB 

Ashton Mrock - Mayville, RB 

Christian Brown - North Huron, RB 

Noah Koth - North Huron, OL 

Danny Sharrard - Peck, OL 

Lucas Rutter - Mayville, OL 

Jacan Cischke - Deckerville, OL 

Traiten Colesa - Deckerville, TE/WR 

Tyler Moore - North Huron, At Large 

Brandon Winiarski - Peck, At Large 

Jacob Rayl - Kingston, At Large 

Willy Brown - Deckerville, At Large 

Steven Gilbert - Mayville, At Large 

ALL-THUMB VOLLEYBALL 

Co-Players of the Year 

Grace Williamson - USA 

Breann June - North Branch 

Offensive Lineman of the Year 

Lucas Rutter - Mayville 


North Branch 

Brandon Winiarski - Peck, DL 

Noah Koth - North Huron, DL 

Austin Middleton - Mayville, DL 

Trenton Mitchell - CPS, DL 

Will Case - North Huron, LB 

Jacob Rayl - Kingston, LB 

Christian Brown - North Huron, LB 

Hunter Labean - Mayville, LB 

Tyler Moore - North Huron, DB 

Traiten Colesa - Deckerville, DB 

Kyle Vincent - Peck, DB 

Steven Gilbert - Mayville, DB 

Lucas Rutter - Mayville, At Large 

Joe Weiss - North Huron, At Large 

Danny Sharrard - Peck, At Large 

Ryan Shornack - North Huron, At Large 


Jim Fish -North Branch 

FIRST TEAM 

Alana Deshetsky - North Branch 

Grace Williamson - USA 

Breann June - North Branch 

Grace Schlaud - Brown City 

Lindsey Guza - Ubly 

Morgan Moore - Cros-Lex 


Concussion Program 

& Post-Concussion 

Rehabilitation 

Reported Symptoms 

Headache • 

Difficulty Hearing • 

Dizziness or Vertigo • 

Blurred Vision • 

Neck Pain • 

When In Doubt 

Sit 

Them OUT! 

Athletes Suspected of suffering a concussion 

should be removed from play immediately and 

should not be allowed to return until cleared by 

a licensed healthcare professional 

Visible Signs 

• Loss of Consciousness 

• Balance Problems 

• Blank or Vacant Stare 

• Clutching Head 

• Slow to get up after hit 

Early intervention of various therapies can improve concussion recovery 

Whiplash Therapy Vestibular Rehab Visual Rehab Nutritional Intervention Exercise Therapy Education & Reassurance 

For more information about our “PRE-SEASON MULTIMODAL BASELINE TESTING,” Call: 989-673-2500 

Caro. Or 231-263-1350 Traverse City. Complete list of our Outpatient & Residential Services visit: 

www.lighthouserehab.com. Follow us on

December 2020 Issue of Varsity Monthly Thumb Magazine

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