Swan Valley at Frankenmuth – – Football – – The Bleacher Denizen – – September 3, 2021 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, the Bleacher Denizen’s path leads him to Frankenmuth, where the Eagles will host the Vikings from Swan Valley. It’s always exciting to do an Eagle game as Frankenmuth is my alma mater! It’s additionally exciting as my brother’s grandson, Matt Kelley starts on the Frankenmuth offensive line!

It’s the second game of the season for both teams. Frankenmuth defeated Goodrich 28-14 in its opener at Flint’s Atwood Stadium. Swan Valley’s young team led by Freshman Quarterback Colton Klein was defeated 48-16 by Cedar Springs.

Tonight, I have the privilege of being seated next to Chris Jared from ESPN 100.9 FM in Midland. They will be broadcasting his live announcing of the game on Monday (Labor Day) at 7 PM.

It was parent’s night in Frankenmuth as all the players and cheerleaders were introduced to the audience along with their parents. The Frankenmuth Band played a stirring rendition of the Eagle fight song.

Frankenmuth won the coin toss and elected to defer their decision on kicking/receiving to the second half. Swan Valley elected to open the game by receiving the kickoff. The Eagle Band did a great job playing the national anthem and the game was underway!

Travis Brenner’s kicker’s kickoff sailed to the 18 yard line, where Cody Ueberroth fielded and returned it three yards before Jake Andrews stopped him. Swan Valley started its opening series on its own 21 yard line.

Jack Rich covered on the Vikings’ incomplete first down pass. Colton Klein’s second down run up the middle resulted in a four yard gain before he was stopped by Dayne Reif. Cole Jankowski covered on Swan Valley’s incomplete third down pass.

Mark Adams punted on fourth down. Sam Barger fielded the punt at around the Frankenmuth 42 yard line, ran down the left sideline and won a footrace to the end zone. Jake Andrews snapped the ball, Aidan Hoard held the ball and Travis Brenner booted it through the uprights for a successful extra point. With 10:49 remaining in the first quarter, the Eagles had a 7-0 lead.

Ryan Brenner’s kickoff went to the 10 yard line; Cody Ueberroth caught it and returned it one yard before Brenden Marker and Floyd Atwood tackled him. Swan Valley started its series on its own 11 yard line.

Brandon Brandt’s first down run up the middle gained three yards; Ashton Benkert made the tackle for the Eagles. Swan Valley recovered a second down fumble, but lost eight yards. Drew Titsworth made the tackle for Frankenmuth. Dalton Debeau stopped the Viking third down run for a two yard loss. Frankenmuth declined a holding penalty to force Swan Valley to punt.

Mark Adams punted the ball; Sam Barger fielded it at around the Viking 40 yard line and returned it to the 22; an Eagle penalty moved the ball to back to the Swan Valley 32 yard line where Frankenmuth started its series.

Kyle Demand stopped the Frankenmuth first down run by Cole Lindow for a one yard gain. Mark Adams and Cody Ueberroth stopped the Eagle second down pitch to the left for a one yard gain. Mark Adams covered on the Eagle third down incomplete pass. Cole Jankowski’s fourth down pass was complete to Hunter Leddy for a thirty-yard touchdown pass. Travis Brenner’s successful extra point kick gave the Eagles a 14-0 lead with 7:38 to play in the first quarter.

Travis Brenner’s kickoff was fielded by Cody Ueberroth near the ten yard line; he returned it up the right side for about six yards before Hunter Leddy took him down. A penalty pushed the Vikings back to their own 8 yard line, where they started their next series.

A first down encroachment penalty on the defense gave Swan Valley five yards. On the replay of first down, Cole Jankowski’s timely, hard hit caused an incompletion. Your Bleacher Denizen is checking his body for sympathy bruises after that one!! Another encroachment penalty on the Eagle defense gave the Vikings a first down on their own 19 yard line.

Colton Klein passed to Mark Adams for a three yard gain on the left side; Jack Rich made the tackle for the Eagles. Colton Klein’s second down pass to Drew Kaeckmeister on the left resulted in a five yard gain before Jack Rich stopped him. A delay of game penalty cost the Vikings five yards.

Dayne Reif intercepted the Viking third down pass and followed a nice block from Brenden Marker to get to the end zone for the Eagles’ third touchdown of the opening quarter. Travis Brenner kicked the extra point to give Frankenmuth a 21-0 lead with 6:26 remaining in the first quarter.

Travis Brenner’s kickoff was caught by Cody Ueberroth near the 9 yard line and returned about 9 yards before Dalton Debeau and Nate Jackson teamed up to stop him. The Vikings began their series at their series on their own 18 yard line.

Ryan Tutt and Dalton Debeau collaborated to stop the Viking first down run for a one yard gain. Colton Klein passed to Payton Guilbeaux for a seven yard second down gain; Cole Jankowski got the tackle for the Eagles. Cody Ueberroth’s third down pass was snared by Mark Adams, who made a great diving catch for a twenty-two yard gain. Swan Valley had a first down on their own 48 yard line.

Cody Ueberroth completed a forty-two yard pass to Brandon Brandt; only a late tackle by Jack Rich prevented a touchdown. Swan Valley had a first down on the Eagle 10 yard line.

Successive penalties on the defense and the offense left the ball on the 10 yard line. Colton Klein rocketed through the middle to earn a touchdown for his Vikings. Andrew Grover snapped the ball, Payton Guilbeaux held the ball and Ethan Brooks booted the ball successfully for the Viking extra point. With 3:43 to play in the first quarter, the Vikings trimmed the Eagle lead to 21-7.

Ethan Brooks kicked the ball off to the 8 yard line where Sam Barger snared it and returned it twenty-seven yards before Hudson Karst tackled him. The Eagles started their series on their own 35 yard line.

Cody Ueberroth stopped the Eagle first down pitch play to the left side for no gain. Cody Ueberroth and Brandon Brandt covered on Frankenmuth’s incomplete second down pass. Sam Barger zoomed around the left end for a thirty-seven yard gain before Cody Ueberroth took him down.

After a pass interference play on the next play gave Frankenmuth 14 more yards (half the distance to the goal), Frankenmuth had a first down on the Swan Valley 14 yard line.

Cole Jankowski spun up the middle for a five yard gain before Drew Kaeckmeister halted him. Cole Jankowski’s second down run up the middle was good for three yards before Cameron Rankin took him down. Cole Jankowski’s third down run earned three yards before Drew Kaeckmeister and a boatload of Vikings tackled him. Frankenmuth had a first down on the Swan Valley 3 yard line.

Lucionno Finley and Kaidon Achtabowski stopped Cole Jankowski’s first down burst up the middle just short of the goal line. Cole Jankowski went up the middle on the next play for a one yard touchdown. A bad snap on the extra point kick resulted in a broken play and no extra point for the Eagles. With 48 seconds to play in the first quarter, the Eagle lead was at 27-7.

Travis Brenner kicked the ball to the 15 yard line where Mark Adams caught it and gained about ten yards before Nate Jackson tackled him. Swan Valley had a first down on their own 25 yard line.

Colton Klein nearly completed a first down pass for a nice gain to Mark Adams, who made an athletic, twisting, leaping catch, but was not able to land in bounds. A defensive offside penalty on the next play moved the Vikings up five yards. Colton Klein’s pass on the second down replay was complete to Drew Kaeckmeister, who made a nice diving catch for a four yard gain.

The first quarter ended with Frankenmuth holding a 27-7 lead. Swan Valley had a third down with one yard to go on their own 34 yard line.

Michael Carter stopped the Viking third down run for a one yard gain. Mark Adams’ fourth down punt was downed by his teammate, Drain Tyler, at the Viking 40 yard line. Frankenmuth started its first series of the second quarter there.

Daniel Pangborn swatted down the Eagle first down pass. After a delay of game penalty was assessed to Frankenmuth, Cole Jankowski went to the right for a second down three yard gain. Brandon Brandt made the stop for Swan Valley. Cole Jankowski threw a third down pass to Hunter Leddy, who made a fine diving catch for a five yard gain. Seth Malmo punted for the Eagles on fourth down. Cody Ueberroth fielded the ball and returned it about ten yards before Ashton Benkert tackled him. A penalty was assessed on Swan Valley and the Vikings started their series on their own 15 yard line.

Travis Brenner and Jack Rich covered on the incomplete Viking first down pass. Colton Klein’s second down pass to Drew Kaeckmeister, who made an athletic diving catch earned four yards for the Vikings. A fast start penalty pushed the Vikings back five yards. A third down pass interference penalty on Frankenmuth gave Swan Valley a first down on their own 29 yard line.

Drew Titsworth got into the backfield and hit the Viking quarterback to force an incomplete first down pass. Floyd Atwood covered the receiver on the play. Cody Ueberroth went to the left for a three yard second down game; Ashton Benkert made the Eagle tackle. Colton Klein passed to Drew Kaeckmeister for a six yard third down gain; Floyd Atwood made the tackle for Frankenmuth. Colton Klein powered through the line on fourth down to earn a first down for the Vikings.

Floyd Atwood covered on the Viking incomplete first down pass. Colton Klein passed to Trevor Grandy on the right sideline for an nine yard second down gain; Cole Jankowski made the stop for the Eagles. Colton Klein went up the middle on third down and earned three yards before Dalton Debeau took him down. This game the Vikings a first down in Eagle territory on the 46 yard line.

Cole Jankowski covered on the Swan Valley incomplete first down pass. Lucionno Finley plowed into the middle for a five yard second down gain. Michael Carter got the tackle for the Eagles. Cole Jankowski knocked the Viking third down pass out of the air. Colton Klein completed a clutch fourth down pass to Drew Kaeckmeister for a six yard gain to earn a first down. Dalton Debeau, Cole Jankowski and Floyd Atwood all participated in the Eagle tackle.

A first down illegal procedure penalty pushed the Vikings back five yards. Floyd Atwood intercepted the Viking second down pass. Drew Kaeckmeister tackled him shortly after he caught the ball and the Eagles had a first down on their own 23 yard line.

Cole Lindow went to the right for an eight yard first down gain; he ran into Brandon Brandt, who stopped him. Jake Andrews went to the right on second down; after he gained twelve yards, Cody Ueberroth forced him out of bounds.

Sam Barger took a pitch to the left sight and fought off tackles on his way to an eleven yard gain. Cameron Rankin tackled him. Frankenmuth had a first down in Swan Valley territory on the 46 yard line.

Cole Lindow went into the line for a two yard first down gain; Kaidon Achtabowski made the tackle for Swan Valley. Cody Ueberroth stopped the Eagle second down play for no gain. Cole Jankowski’s third down pass went to Jake Andrews, who made an excellent diving catch for a twenty-three yard gain that gave the Eagles a first down on the Viking 21 yard line.

Cole Jankowski faked a handoff and went to the left; he gained seven yards before Cody Ueberroth tackled him. On the next play, Cole Jankowski went through the line for a fourteen yard touchdown. Jake Andrews snapped, Aidan Hoard held and Travis Brenner booted the ball through the uprights for a successful Eagle extra point. With 45 seconds remaining in the first half, Frankenmuth took a 34-7 lead.

Travis Brenner’s kickoff was fielded by Drain Tyler, who had a short gain before he was tackled by Jake Andrews. Swan Valley had a first down on their own 43 yard line.

Floyd Atwood covered on Swan Valley’s incomplete first down pass. Dalton Debeau and Michael Carter stopped the second down run for no gain on the last play of the first half.

Frankenmuth took a 34-7 lead into the locker room at halftime. If conventional football traditions are upheld, they will bring the 34-7 lead out of the locker room at half time and start the third quarter with it.

The Frankenmuth HIgh School Marching Band entertained the crowd at halftime. Drum Major Olivia Borsenik led that band on “Think” by Aretha Franklin and Michael Carter (who just made the final tackle of the first half and was clad in his football uniform) led the band on “Your Song” by Elton John. Both pieces were really well played.

As your Bleacher Denizen is a professional musician, it’s always fun to salute well-done performance!

Swan Valley’s Ethan Brooks kicked off to open the second half. Sam Barger fielded the ball around the yard line and gained about 20 yards before Mark Adams halted him. Frankenmuth had a first down on its own 25 yard line.

Cole Lindow took the ball to the left for a five yard first down gain before Maxwell Kerby tackled him. Cole Lindow went to a right for a seven yard gain before Brandon Brandt took him down. This was enough for a first down.

Frankenmuth suffered a two yard first down loss as Cole Jankowski alertly dived on a loose snap to avoid a turnover. On the next play, Cole Jankowski launched a long pass to Aidan Hoard, who caught the ball in stride and gained 35 yards before Brandon Brandt tackled him. Frankenmuth had a first down at the Swan Valley 30 yard line.

Cole Jankowski blew through the middle for a six yard first down gain; Luccionno Finley made the tackle for the Vikings. Mark Adams covered on the Eagle second down pass that fell incomplete into the end zone. Hunter Leddy reacted to prevent a fumbled pitch from becoming a turnover. Frankenmuth lost eight yards on the play. When Frankenmuth’s fourth down pass fell incomplete, Swan Valley took over the ball on downs; their series began on their own 32 yard line.

Travis Brenner stopped the Viking first down run to the right for a one yard gain. Jack Rich covered on the incomplete second down pass. The third down quarterback keeper by Colton Klein resulted in a two yard gain before Travis Brenner and Michael Carter teamed up to stop him. Mark Adams’ fourth down punt was fielded by Jack Rich around the Frankenmuth 28 yard line and returned for about fifteen yards before Hudson Karst and Cameron Rankin tackled him.

Frankenmuth had a first down on their own 43 yard line. However, on the next play, Drew Kaeckmeister recovered an Eagle pitch for the Vikings. Swan Valley had a first down on the Frankenmuth 28 yard line.

After a false start penalty pushed the Vikings back five yards, Travis Brenner hit the quarterback to force and incomplete first down pass. Cole Jankowski and Dayne Reif stopped the Swan Valley second down run for a one yard gain. As Dalton Debeau stopped the Swan Valley run by Jeremiah Gallardo for a short gain, a penalty was called on Frankenmuth; this gave the Vikings a fourth down with two yards to go on the Eagle 10 yard line.

On the next play, Colton Klein passed to Drew Kaeckmeister for a ten yard touchdown. The extra point kick was not good. With 5:28 to play in the third quarter, Frankenmuth’s lead was shaved to 34-13.

Because of a Frankenmuth penalty, Swan Valley’s Ethan Brooks kicked off from the Frankenmuth 45 yard line. Sam Barger fielded the kickoff around the 5 yard line and gained about six yards before Tyler Drain tackled him. Frankenmuth started its series on their own 11 yard line.

Cole Jankowski went to the left for a five yard gain; Mason Ferrier tackled him. Jake Andrews dived on a fumble to prevent a Frankenmuth second down turnover; the Eagles lost two yards on the play. Cole Jankowski passed to Nate Jackson, who caught the ball for an eleven yard third down gain despite being hit hard by Cody Ueberroth, who tackled him to give the Eagles a first down.

Sam Barger spun through the line for a thirteen yard gain before Mason Ferrier stopped him.

On the next play, Lucionno Finley recovered a fumble for the Vikings. After a penalty was assessed to the Vikings, they began their series on their own 48 yard line.

A pass interference penalty on the Eagles gave Swan Valley a first down at the Frankenmuth 37 yard line.

Brandon Brandt broke a tackle and spun his way to a thirteen yard gain before Dalton Debeau tackled him.

An offside penalty moved the Vikings back five yards. Dalton Debeau stopped the Viking first down replay for a one yard gain. Colton Klein ran out of bounds after gaining three yards on second down. A penalty negated a Viking third down touchdown pass. Colton Klein passed to Tyler Drain, who fought to catch a contested pass and gained ten yards before Dalton Debeau tackled him.

Swan Valley had a first down on the Frankenmuth 10 yard line.

Brandon Brandt went up the middle for a five yard first down gain. Dayne Reif made the tackle for the Eagles. Brandon Brandt went back up the middle and gained two yards before Travis Brenner and Ashton Benkert teamed up to tackle him. Dalton Debeau stopped the Viking third down play.

The third quarter ended with Frankenmuth holding a 34-13 lead. Swan Valley had the ball on the Eagle three yard line on fourth down.

There was a bit of drama as the fourth quarter began. Would the Vikings be able to get a touchdown to possibly cut Frankenmuth’s lead to 13 or 14 points? A bevy of Eagles answered that question by stopping the Vikings’ fourth down play a half yard short of the goal line. Frankenmuth had a first down on their own 1 yard line.

Cole Jankowski went up the middle and gained two yards before the Viking line stopped him. ON the next play, Cole Lindow broke through the line, went to the left sideline and outraced everyone to the end zone for a 97 yard touchdown run. The extra point kick failed. With 10:57 left on the clock, Frankenmuth pushed to a 40-13 lead.

Travis Brenner kicked off for Frankenmuth; Swan Valley’s Lucionno Finley downed the ball at the Viking 44 yard line.

Ashton Benkert knocked the Swan Valley first down pass back to the earth. After a false start penalty moved the Vikings back five yards, Cole Jankowski covered on Swan Valley’s incomplete second down pass. Jack Rich and Travis Brenner covered on the incomplete third down pass. Mark Adams punted on fourth down; Cole Lindow downed the ball at the Frankenmuth 20 yard line.

Aidan Hoard went to the left for a five yard first down gain before Jacob Brocht halted his progress. Cole Lindow went up the middle for a four yard second down gain; Hunter Smith made the tackle for Swan Valley. Aidan Hoard earned the tough single yard Frankenmuth needed for a first down on the next play; Hunter Smith made another tackle for Swan Valley.

Sam Wickham stopped the Frankenmuth first down pitch for no gain; a holding penalty moved the Eagles back to their own 19 yard line. Sam Barger got through the line and beat everyone to the end zone for an eighty-one yard Eagle touchdown. Ryan Brenner’s point after kick was good and Frankenmuth had a 47-13 lead with 8:36 remaining in the game.

Travis Brenner kicked the ball off; however, Brenden Marker recovered a fumble for the Eagles at the Viking 39 yard line.

Johah Sholten gained three first down yards before Hunter Taylor tackled him. Zachary Feinauer stopped the Frankenmuth second down play for no gain. Jacob Brocht stopped the Eagle third down play for a three yard loss. Aidan Hoard gained four yards on a fourth down run up the middle before Tyler DuRussel stopped him. This was not enough for a first down and Swan Valley got the ball on their own 37 yard line.

Matthew Stark went for a five yard Viking first down gain before Carson Knoll and Barrett Rowden tackled him. ON the next play, Barrett Rowden recovered a Viking fumble for the Eagles.

Tyler DuRussel stopped a first down run by Frankenmth’s Jake Vander Haar for a one yard gain. Carson Knoll gained three yards on a run to the left before Tyler DuRussel tackled him. Jacob Brocht stopped the Eagle third down play for no gain. Carson Knoll went up the middle to gain four yards for Frankenmuth before Logan Zahn stopped him. This was not enough for a first down and Swan Valley got the ball on their own 34 yard line.

Matthew Stark made a great Viking first down run to the left for 42 yards before Christian Wenburg tackled him. Swan Valley had a first down onthe Frankenmuth 24 yard line.

Tyler Drain went to the left for a five yard gain. he was stopped by Zachary Schmitzer and Carson Jarlock. Matthew Stark gained six yards on a run to the left to earn a first down for the Vikings. Nick Ragan and Zachary Schmitzer made the tackle for Frankenmuth.

Tyler Drain went to the right and gained five first down yards for the Vikings before he ran into Christian Wenburg. Nick Ragan and Darren Agans teamed up to stop the Swan Valley second down run for a two yard gain. Matthew Stark ran to the left for a four yard gain; Barrett Rowden made the Eagle tackle.

On the next play, Matthew Stark took the ball into the end zone for a touchdown. Ethan Brooks kicked the extra point. With 1:23 remaining in the game, Frankenmuth’s lead was at 47-20.

Ethan Brooks kicked the ball off; Sam Barger caught the ball at the ten yard line and gained sixteen yards before Brice Tweddle took him down.

Frankenmuth took a knee three times to end the game.

Frankenmuth won the game to extend their record to 2-0.