Flint Powers Catholic at Frankenmuth – – Football – – The Bleacher Denizen – – October 21, 2022 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight is the final game of the regular season. Tonight, your Bleacher Denizen is headed to his Alma Mater, Frankenmuth to watch the Eagles play the Chargers from Flint Powers Catholic. Frankenmuth enters the game with an undefeated record while Powers is at 3-5.

One nice thing about having your own blog is that I can pick my games. My brother’s grandson, Matt Kelley is playing his final regular season game of his senior year, so I was glad to come to this one. Matt Kelley is one of Frankenmuth’s stellar offensive linemen. He and his fellow starters, Hunter Schmitzer, Aden Betz, Carter Weiss and Derrick Simmons provide top quality protection for Aidan Hoard, the Eagle Quarterback as well as the running backs. The undefeated record indicates that this is strong protection!!

As I got to the game, the announcer was introducing the band seniors along with their parents.

Frankenmuth won the opening coin toss and elected to defer their decision whether to kick or receive to the second half. Powers elected to receive.

The band did a fine job playing the Eagle Fight Song and the National Anthem. Your Bleacher Denizen has not mastered recording music and posting it to the internet from his phone yet. (There is not much hope for his developing those skills anytime soon as those who know him can attest.) So, I hope you’ll enjoy this religious tune from my “Chuck Krafft” You Tube Channel (which has done better than most of his other videos, especially recently.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOnetrJFi6o

Well, it’s time to see the results of this game through the occasionally clear vantage of an aging Bleacher Denizen who football career was not able to get started after the Powers That Be decreed that he was not permitted to use a shepherd’s crook to help him make tackles in the defensive backfield.

Frankenmuth’s Will Soulliere booted his opening kickoff to the ten yard line where Charlie Fritz caught it and made a nice gain of around 30 yards or so before Zak Andrews tackled him, but a penalty on the Chargers moved the ball back to the Powers 15 yard line, where they began their opening series.

On the first play of the game, Javontae Ross flipped a pass to Ayden McCracken for a four yard gain. Riley Hubbard made the tackle for the Eagles. Dalton Debeau stopped the Charger second down run for no gain. Javontae Ross gained five yards on a third down run before Jake Vander Haar forced him out of bounds. Damion Ketchmark boomed his fourth down punt to the Frankenmuth 32 yard line where the Chargers’ Connor Kelly downed it.

The Eagles started their first series on their own 32 yard line.

Aidan Hoard gained six yards on a first down run off the left tackle before he ran into Owen Brennan. Hunter Bernthal went into the middle for an eleven yard gain to give Frankenmuth a first down; Robby Landaal made the Powers tackle.

Griffin Barker picked up for yards on a first down run up the middle; Caelen Meuhlen got the stop for the Chargers. Joe Vermette and Owen Brennan teamed up to stop the Eagle second down run for a one yard gain. Griffin Barker went up the left tackle for three yards on third down; Damion Ketchmark made the Charger tackle. On fourth down, Sam Barger took a pitch to the end zone for an apparent 57 yard touchdown, however, the referees had other ideas. A penalty moved Frankenmuth back to the Powers 48 yard line, (fourth and six) so Travis Brenner punted.

His punt was fielded by Javontae Ross, who called for a fair catch at the Powers 24 yard line.

Javontae Ross went to the left for a two yard first down gain before Colin Main took him down. Javontae Ross’ second down pass was completed to Caelen Meuhlen for a nine yard gain and a first down. Jack Rich got the tackle for the Eagles.

Javontae Ross faked a handoff and went around the left end for a sixteen yard gain. Dayne Reif made the Eagle stop.

The Powers runner slipped on first down as the Eagle defenders swarmed the Charger backfield. Dalton Debeau and Colin Main teamed up to make the tackle for Frankenmuth. On the next play, Javontae Ross completed a pass to Ayden McCracken, who outran the Eagle defenders for a fifty-five yard touchdown run.

Owen Brennan snapped the ball to holder Joe Vermette and Gus Dietrich booted the ball through the uprights to give Powers a 7-0 lead with 4:17 remaining in the first quarter.

Gus Dietrich kicked the ball off to the Eagle 10 yard line where Hunter Bernthal fielded it and returned it fifty-four yards before Seth Henry knocked him out of bounds. Frankenmuth had a first down on the Powers 36 yard line.

On first down, Aidan Hoard launched a pass to Drew Titsworth (who will be pitching Division 1 baseball at Clemson next year), who made a spectacular one-handed catch. Javontae Ross and Connor Kelly stopped him at the Powers 8 yard line, where Frankenmuth had a first down.

Griffin Barker gained four yards on a first down run; Sam Dietz tackled him. Aidan Hoard took the ball the final four yards for an Eagle touchdown. Drew Titsworth made the long snap, Travis Brenner held the ball and Will Soulliere booted it through the goalposts to tie the game. With 2:56 remaining in the first quarter, Frankenmuth and Flint Powers were tied at 7-7.

Will Soulliere got all of the ball on his kickoff and sent it soaring into the end zone. Powers started its series on its own 20 yard line.

Connor Owens took the ball around the right end for an eleven yard gain and a first down. Travis Brenner got the tackle for the Eagles.

Carter Weiss sacked the Powers quarterback for a seven yard first down loss. Connor Owens took the ball around the left end for a seven yard gain before Will Soulliere took him down. Brenden Marker’s fierce pressure caused the Powers quarterback to throw an incomplete third down pass. On fourth down, Damion Ketchmark punted the ball to the Eagle 36 yard line where Sam Barger grabbed it and returned the ball eight yards before Joe Vermette and Omar Young, Jr. stopped him.

Frankenmuth started its series on their own 44 yard line.

Griffin Barker took the ball up the middle for a nine yard first down gain before he ran into Connor Owens and Owen Brennan.

This was the final play of the first quarter, which ended with the score tied at 7-7. Frankenmuth had second down with one yard to go on the Powers 47 yard line.

On the opening play of the second quarter, Hunter Bernthal was streaking down the field and appeared to be wide open to catch a pass before a Powers player knocked him down. Pass interference was called, but the Powers defensive back may have prevented a touchdown. (Alas, because I don’t generally name players who get called for penalties or suffer other misfortunes, I did not record his name although I should have.)

After the penalty was assessed, Frankenmuth had a first down on the Powers 32 yard line.

Sam Barger took the ball to the right for a five yard first down gain. Joe Vermette and Connor Kelly teamed up on the tackle for the Chargers. Aidan Hoard’s second down pass was completed to Travis Brenner for a seven yard gain and a first down on the Powers 20 yard line. Charlie Fritz made the tackle for Powers.

Sam Barger earned four yards on a first down run to the right before he bumped into Seth Henry and Robby Landaal. Aidan Hoard faked a handoff on second down and gained two yards before Joe Vermette took him to the turf. A third down penalty moved Frankenmuth back to the Powers 17 yard line. On fourth down, Drew Titsworth snapped the ball to holder Travis Brenner and Will Soulliere kicked a thirty-four yard field goal. With 7:14 to play in the second quarter, Frankenmuth had a 10-7 lead.

Three weeks ago, when I covered Frankenmuth’s game with Bridgeport, Mr. Soulliere booted two field goals to give him the Frankenmuth all-time record for field goals in a season. It’s great to see him continuing to have success!!

Will Soulliere followed up his field goal with a beautiful kickoff that ended up in the end zone, so Powers started its next possession on its own 20 yard line.

Jack Rich covered for the Eagles on the Chargers’ long, but incomplete first down pass. Connor Owens took the ball to the right for a two yard second down gain; Brenden Marker and Carter Weiss made the tackle for Frankenmuth. Travis Brenner made one of the hardest hits this year to stop the Powers third down run for a one yard loss. (Your Bleacher Denizen got a sympathy bruise just watching this hit! YOOOWCH!!!) Damion Ketchmark’s fourth down punt was downed by Charger Teammate Omar Young, Jr. at the Eagle 40 yard line, where Frankenmuth started its next series.

Aidan Hoard lofted a pass to Colin Main, who snatched the ball away from the Powers defense and gained twenty-three yards before Seth Henry and Javontae Ross tackled him. Frankenmuth had a first down on the Powers 37 yard line.

Sam Barger fought through the line to gain five tough yards on first down before Seth Henry stopped him. Aidan Hoard took the ball to the left for a two yard second down gain before Weston Reinig took him down. Javontae Ross and Connor Owens covered on Frankenmuth’s incomplete third down pass. Aidan Hoard completed a fourth down pass to Jonah Sholten, who broke several tackles on his way to a twenty-nine yard gain before Javontae Ross tackled him.

Frankenmuth had a first down on the Powers 1 yard line.

Griffin Barker took the ball to the left to earn the yard the Eagles needed for the touchdown.

Drew Titsworth hiked the ball to Travis Brenner, who held the ball as Will Soulliere kicked the successful extra point. With 3:07 left in the first half, Frankenmuth had a 17-7 lead.

Will Soulliere booted yet another kickoff to the end zone and Powers started its next drive on its own 20 yard line.

Will Soulliere followed up by getting into the Charger backfield and forcing an eight yard first down loss. Riley Hubbard covered on Powers’ incomplete second down pass. The Charger third down pass fell incomplete. Damion Ketchmark punted on fourth down. His teammate, Omar Young, Jr. downed the ball on Frankenmuth’s 47 yard line where the Eagles started their next series.

Great blocks by Matt Kelley and Carter Weiss helped Aidan Hoard complete a twenty-nine yard pass up the right sideline to Griffin Barker. Javontae Ross pushed him out of bounds on the Powers 24 yard line to prevent a touchdown.

On the next play, Aidan Hoard completed a twenty-four yard touchdown pass to Jared Watchorn. After Will Soulliere kicked the extra point, the Eagles had a 24-7 lead with 1:40 to play in the first half.

Will Soulliere sent his kickoff into the end zone and Powers started its series (again) on its own 20 yard line.

Javontae Ross carried the ball around the right end for a ten yard gain and a first down before Jack Rich forced him out of bounds.

Ayden McCracken took the ball over the right tackle for an eight yard first down gain; Colin Main made the tackle for Frankenmuth. Travis Brenner and Jack Rich covered on the long, incomplete second down pass. Ayden McCracken went over the right tackle for a five yard gain before Colin Main tackled him.

Powers had a first down on their own 43 yard line.

On first down, Javontae Ross went up the right sideline for a nine yard gain before Jack Rich forced him out of bounds. Javontae Ross gained five yards and earned a first down on the next play; Dalton Debeau forced him out of bounds. Powers had a first down in Powers territory on the Frankenmuth 43 yard line.

After Javontae Ross was chased out of the pocket and Jake Vander Haar tackled him, Powers was assessed with a holding penalty that pushed them back fifteen yards. Javontae Ross completed a pass on the first down replay to Charlie Fritz for a forty yard gain. Carson Knoll forced him out of bounds to prevent a Powers touchdown, but with eleven seconds to play in the first half, Powers was on the Frankenmuth 18 yard line.

Dalton Debeau sacked the Charger quarterback for an eight yard first down loss. On the final play of the first half, Dalton Debeau and Brenden Marker sacked the Powers quarterback for a loss of about twelve yards.

Frankenmuth had a 24-7 halftime lead.

The Frankenmuth High School Marching Band performed at halftime. Led by drum majors, Molly Pergram and Emily Techentien, they played their 2022 Marching show, “The Beatles.” The band did an excellent job on Get Back as well as the Let It Be/Hey Jude medley featuring a trumpet solo by Robbie Brown.

After they played those two songs, the eighth grade band was invited to play “Smoke on the Water” along with the High School Band. The song sounded great, so the Eagle musical future looks to be in solid hands.

The band finished up with a nice version of “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by the Beatles. They did a fine job, both with their music and their precise marching.

After the band was finished, the 1997 Frankenmuth Football Team, which had an 11-1 overall record and won both the conference championship and a regional title was introduced. John Blankenship was the coach. It was great to get this blast into the Eagle past!

Since we weren’t able to listen to the half time show, here is an original tune from my You Tube Channel for our internet halftime entertainment!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol3R-ZL9568

Gus Dietrich kicked off to open the second half and pounded his kickoff into the end zone. Frankenmuth started its opening series in the third quarter on its own 20 yard line.

The Powers line led by Owen Brennan and Sam Dietz pressured the Eagle Quarterback into throwing an incomplete first down pass. Caelen Meuhlen and Robby Landaal teamed up to stop the Eagle second down run for no gain. Aidan Hoard’s third down pass was completed to Jonah Sholten, who streaked down the right sideline for an eighty yard touchdown. Drew Titsworth made the long snap to Travis Brenner, who held the ball as Will Soulliere kicked the extra point to give Frankenmuth a 31-7 lead with 10:45 remaining in the third quarter.

Will Soulliere put another kickoff into the end zone and Powers started its series on its own 20 yard line.

Carter Weiss stopped the Charger first down run for a one yard loss. Thomas Conzelmann and Carter Weiss pressured the Powers quarterback into throwing an incomplete second down pass. Javontae Ross gained six yard on a third down run; Travis Brenner made the Eagle tackle. Damion Ketchmark booted a fine punt on fourth down; his teammate, Ayden McCracken downed the ball on Frankenmuth’s 29 yard line, where the Eagles started their next series.

Jonah Sholten went to the left side for an eleven yard gain. Charlie Fritz and Robby Landaal pushed him out of bounds.

Weston Reinig and Connor Owens stopped Frankenmuth’s first down run for a one yard gain. Griffin Barker went around the right end on second down and gained twenty yards. Connor Owens made a tackle to prevent an Eagle touchdown, but the Eagles had a first down on the Powers 39 yard line.

Robby Landaal covered on Frankenmuth’s incomplete first down pass. Griffin Barker’s second down run to the left gained six yards before Robby Landaal stopped him. On third down, Griffin Barker gained about fourteen yards before Owen Brennan tackled him, but a penalty on Frankenmuth brought the ball back to the Powers 29 yard line. A measurement showed that Frankenmuth was short of a first down by inches.

On the next play, Aidan Hoard took the ball through the middle for a twenty-nine yard touchdown run. After Will Soulliere booted another extra point (with a long snap from Drew Titsworth and a hold by Travis Brenner), Frankenmuth had a 38-7 lead with 6:41 remaining in the third quarter.

Will Soulliere’s kickoff landed on the Powers 16 yard line, where Charlie Fritz caught the ball and gained fifteen yards before Hunter Bernthal halted him. Powers had a first down on their own 31 yard line.

Javontae Ross took the ball into the middle for a four yard first down gain. Jake Vander Haar made the tackle for the Eagles. Powers suffered through a fumbled second down pitch; after Hunter Bernthal made the Eagle tackle, Powers lost eight yards. Carter Weiss sacked the Powers quarterback for an eight yard third down loss. Damion Ketchmark, who has punted well all night, booted the ball to the Powers 47 yard line where Sam Barger fielded it and gained nine yards before Seth Henry forced him out of bounds. Frankenmuth had a first down on the Powers 38 yard line.

Aidan Hoard burst through the middle for a fourteen yard gain; Weston Reinig made the Charger stop.

Sam Barger went to the right for a four yard first down gain before Seth Henry tackled him. On the next play, Hunter Bernthal went to the left, cut to the right and got into the end zone for a 20 yard touchdown. Will Soulliere’s sixth extra point in six tries gave Frankenmuth a 45-7 lead with 3:01 left on the third quarter clock.

Will Soulliere’s kickoff landed on the Powers 1 yard line where it landed and appeared to have some unusual spin on it. (I’m actually curious if Mr. Soulliere was able to do this deliberately.) It bounced away from Powers returner; by the time the returner got to the ball, Jonah Sholten was there to tackle him on the 1 yard line where Powers started its next series.

Dayne Reif stopped Powers first down run for a one yard gain. ON second down, Connor Owens went to the left and carried several Eagle tacklers for six yards before Carter Weiss and Nick Ragan finally stopped him. Jake Vander Haar and Barrett Rowden collaborated to stop the Charger third down run for a two yard loss.

Damion Ketchmark punted on fourth down. His punt was downed by Charger Teammate on the Powers 38 yard line as the third quarter came to a close.

After three quarters, Frankenmuth had a 45-7 lead and a first down on the Powers 38 yard line.

After several penalties were assessed on both teams, Frankenmuth ended up with a first down on their own 47 yard line.

Jack Rich went to the middle for a three yard gain before Joe Vermette and Braxton Edwards tackled him. On second down, Jonah Sholten went up the right tackle for a two yard gain. Zak Andrews gained twenty-three yards on a third down run before he ran into Connor Owens. Frankenmuth had a first down on the Powers 25 yard line.

Owen Fehrman went into the middle for a fourteen yard gain and another Eagle first down.

Weston Reinig and Joe Vermette teamed up to stop Frankenmuth’s first down run for a six yard loss. Jacob Bentley’s second down run around the left end was good for a two yard gain. Jack Camara got the tackle for Powers. Zak Andrews gained thirteen yards on a third down pitch to the right; Connor Owens tackled him. Frankenmuth had a fourth and one on the Powers 2 yard line.

Connor Owens made a big tackle to stop Frankenmuth short of the first down. Powers took over the ball on downs on their own 2 yard line.

Max Martin and Nicklaus Hoesman covered for the Eagles on the Charger incomplete first down pass. Nick Ragan and Griffin Barker teamed up to stop the Powers second down run for a one yard loss. Nick Ragan covered on Powers’ incomplete third down pass. Damion Ketchmark’s fourth down punt was caught by Hunter Bernthal on the Powers 32 yard line. He returned it seven yards before Joe Vermette tackled him. Frankenmuth had a first down on the Powers 25 yard line.

On the next play, Braxton Edwards recovered an Eagle fumble for the Chargers. Powers had a first down on their own 31 yard line.

Hunter Bernthal covered for Frankenmuth on the Charger incomplete first down pass. Connor Owens took the ball around the right end for a twenty yard gain on the next play. Christian Wenburg made the tackle for the Eagles. Powers had a first down on the Eagle 49 yard line.

A flag on the next play pushed Powers back to their own 41 yard line. On the final play of the game, Connor Owens gained about ten yards before Carson Knoll took him down.

Frankenmuth won the game 45-7.

I’d like to give Dave Martin, who helps to spot the plays in the Frankenmuth press box, a big shout out. He provided all kinds of helpful information so I did not miss many plays and also gave me a lot of insight into the Eagle team!!!