Gladwin earns Championship in instant classic vs. Frankenmuth
The Gladwin Flying G’s are your new Division 5 champions! It was a staunch defensive battle, as The G’s and Eagles fought it out in the trenches, refusing to give a single inch. The first points weren’t scored until the…
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Continue ReadingThe Gladwin Flying G’s are your new Division 5 champions! It was a staunch defensive battle, as The G’s and Eagles fought it out in the trenches, refusing to give a single inch. The first points weren’t scored until the 3 min mark in the 3rd quarter, and this game ended with a legendary field goal! This article will mainly highlight the players that stood out, with some insight into what’s to come for both teams.
Box Score
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | FINAL | |
Gladwin | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 10 |
Frankenmuth | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Standouts
We had more than a few standouts in yesterday’s matchup, and expectedly, they all play defense! Here are the four that stood out ot be the most.
DB/WR | #2 Kaden McDonald | Gladwin | 2023
McDonald played an incredible game for the G’s, and he was a vital part of this state championship run and victory. On the first offensive play for Frankenmuth, McDonald nearly came away with an interception, and he was lockdown all day. Frankenmuth had an extremely hard time passing the ball, and over 70% of the Eagles pass yardage was on 1 play. In addition, McDonald totaled 7 tackles as he was a key part of the run defense. McDonald also scored Gladwin’s lone touchdown on offense!
DL/TE | #40 Colin Main | Frankenmuth | 2024
One of the best D-Line performances in the State Championships. Against an aggressive team that loves to run the ball, Main played phenomenally. A team-high 9 tackles plus 1 TFL for this beast. He’ll surely be considered in the 2024 rankings update!
RB/LB | #33 Earl Esiline | Gladwin | 2023
Earl had a great game on both sides of the ball, and without him, Gladwin wouldn’t have a championship. He was an incredible physical and aggressive player, producing 8 tackles, 1 TFL, and 67 yards rushing.
DB/K | #13 Will Soulliere | Frankenmuth | 2024
Two pass breakups from this DB. When Gladwin wanted to throw, Soulliere didn’t allow it. #13 played great all night while also kicking a touchback. He’s a quick player with a knack for the ball. He isn’t the most well-known on this team, but he played well on the grand stage. Looking forward to seeing what he can do next season!
Looking Ahead
This was a rare D5 championship game that didn’t include a different Blue and White team. For the Superior Blue and White team, Gladwin, they achieve greatness after knocking on the door last season. It’s an incredible turnaround for a team that went 1-8 in 2019, and it will be interesting to see how this team does next season with many notable seniors set to graduate. I hope this establishes a winning culture in Gladwin that is built to last.
Frankenmuth seems to be contending for a championship most seasons. I am not concerned with their future, as I know this program will continue to be good. This team showed an incredible amount of fight, and this game was truly a coin flip. I don’t think this loss will hurt this program. The Eagles should be back here within the next few years.