INDIAN RIVER – So many excellent choices.
But when it came down to it, one team stood out just a little above the others.
That ended up being the Inland Lakes football team, which went on a memorable playoff journey and finished as the MHSAA 8-Player Division 1 state runner-up.
Inland Lakes went through a gauntlet in the postseason, defeating Alcona, St. Ignace and Pickford in succession before a narrow loss to defending champion Martin in the state title game at Marquette’s Superior Dome.
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With Inland Lakes being the Daily Tribune’s 2023-24 sports team of the year, here’s my thoughts on the incredible journey head coach Travis Meyer and his Bulldogs took us on.
Most Valuable Player: Aidan Fenstermaker – The Inland Lakes quarterback was nothing short of sensational during the Bulldogs’ campaign, rushing and passing for numerous yards and touchdowns. Fenstermaker was so good that he earned a nod on the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association (MHSFCA) all-state first team. What impressed me most about the signal-caller wasn’t necessarily his stats and talent on the field. It was the passion and desire he showed on every single play, playing through injuries and illness at times, and being an excellent leader in every way, shape and form.
Unsung hero: Avery Enos – Offensive linemen don’t get as much love as they should, but Enos was a key cog in a potent Inland Lakes offensive attack. The Bulldogs certainly had other stars, but this sophomore player thrived in just about every game he competed in. The center position isn’t easy, but Enos was always up to the task, and the Bulldogs are fortunate they’ll have him for two more seasons. Following the campaign, he was named to the All-Ski Valley first team.
Memorable Moment: The entire state championship game against Martin – Look, I know some of the Bulldogs are likely still haunted by this defeat, but this was a classic contest between two outstanding football teams. Yes, Inland Lakes couldn’t hold onto a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter. I'm sure many of you are aware, but crazy stuff happens in this sport all the time, not to mention the fact that defending state champions like Martin aren’t just going to quit. The fact that the Bulldogs reached the Superior Dome and got to play in such a unique environment is something they’ll remember for a long time. No matter what happened that day, the Bulldogs left everything out on the field and put up an absolute fight against an elite opponent.
What I’ll miss the most: Being around the squad – From the very opening days of fall camp, watching the likes of Aidan Fenstermaker, Jake Willey, Grant Blumke, Payton Teuthorn and so many other Bulldogs show so much confidence, I had a good feeling this was going to be a great year for Inland Lakes. And it was. I’ll miss the epic two clashes at St. Ignace, I’ll miss the mud bowl in Pickford, and I’ll miss being around a group of players who simply loved playing the game. You saw it on every Friday or Saturday, in every playoff game, on just about every snap. This was the best area football team I’ve covered by a distant margin.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf atjgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter@sportsCDT
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