<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3WTtn0_0vF2rZje00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3WTtn0_0vF2rZje00" width="650" height="433" ><figcaption>The Manistee varsity football team defeated Lake City to advance to the district finals on Oct. 27, 2023. (McLain Moberg/News Advocate) </figcaption></figure> With summer break on its last leg, it's finally time for area athletes to hit the gridiron. Manistee County athletes and coaching staffs have been practicing all summer for this day and were ready to go. "I can't wait for kickoff," said <a href="https://www.manisteenews.com/sports/article/manistee-names-rischel-new-head-football-coach-18643029.php" rel="nofollow"> Manistee head football coach Alvin Rischel </a> . Below are results for <a href="https://www.manisteemariners.org/activities/athletics/fall-sports/" rel="nofollow"> Manistee </a> and <a href="https://www.ocs.manistee.org/page/portager-athletics" rel="nofollow"> Onekama </a> football teams on Aug. 29. Brethren was slated to play Muskegon Heights. The game was postponed until Aug. 30. <h2 class="cci_subhead" title="CCI Subhead"><a class="chapter-anchor" id="manisteeatkalkaska4712_1725023221604" tabindex="0"></a> Manistee at Kalkaska, 47-12 </h2> The <a href="https://www.manisteenews.com/sports/article/manistee-football-looks-win-west-michigan-lakes-19631096.php" rel="nofollow"> Mariners' </a> ground game plowed over the competition in the season opener. "It took a few minutes for us to knock off the cobwebs, but once we got the wheels moving, we were able to get everything rolling. Offensively you could tell that we were beginning to wear them down and our three to four yard gains started turning into eight to 10 yard gains," said&nbsp;Rischel. Manistee led 34-0 at halftime. On his second carry of the game, Kaden Kott started the season where he left off as he took a handoff 91 yards for a touchdown to energize the Mariners offense. Kott rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns on the night. Manistee's overwhelming rushing attack assaulted the Kalakaska defense as they piled up 454 yards and six touchdowns. The Mariners defense also performed well as the defenders were consistently breaking down the pocket which led to multiple batted down balls. "Defensively, we were solid and dictated the pace most of the game," said Rischel. <a href="https://www.manisteenews.com/sports/article/meet-athlete-manistee-s-landin-sowa-19362602.php" rel="nofollow"> Landin Sowa </a> led the team in tackles with eight while also rushing nine times for 58 yards and two touchdowns. "It was exactly how we wanted to start the season off. We'll enjoy this one for tonight and then start preparing for Fremont," said Rischel. <h2 class="cci_subhead" title="CCI Subhead"><a class="chapter-anchor" id="onekamaatwhittemoreprescott308_1725023253158" tabindex="0"></a> Onekama at Whittemore-Prescott, 30-8 </h2> Whittemore-Prescott made the two and a half hour trip to Onekama only to be sent home with a loss.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Portagers' well-balanced offensive attack overwhelmed the visitors on both sides of the ball. Onekama's offense leaned on the rushing attack as the group accounted for 229 yards and two touchdowns. Arden Bradford led the Portagers offensively as he racked up five tackles and a forced fumble which he took to the house for a touchdown. "The kids make me look good," said head football coach Justin Sedelmaier. </div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Week one football round up: Rischel era starts off strong

Week one of the high school football season started with a bang as Manistee County teams flashed mid-season skills.