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Season of Hope | 2020 Football Volleyball Preview
August 2020
Marion football hopes to return to playoffs By John Raffel
jraffel@pioneergroup.com
MARION – Marion football coach Chad Grundy wouldn’t mind seeing his Eagles enjoy as much success in 8-man football in 2020 as they did a year ago. The team started out 1-2 but won five of six games to make the playoffs. Key players graduated from the squad. “We will miss Brandon Stewart,” Grundy said. “He was a 1,000-yard rusher for us last season and we will miss three-year starting quarterback Alex Sutten. We lost 10 seniors last season. Others were Chase Ryan a two-year starting lineman. Jeff Nealy and Garrett Bell will also be missed,”
line last season but will move to the backfield this season. Riley Moggo, a senior, is a two-year starter at linebacker, and will be in the backfield. Cameron Carey, a senior tight end and defensive end, brings a physical presence to the defense. Thomas Jenema is a junior and two-year starter at tight end and “will help on defense with his versatility to play multiple positions,” Grundy said. “Blaine Faulman, a senior, will be a wide receiver-defensive back that has worked really hard this off season.
“Colton Hammer will play running back and defensive back. He is versatile and has some speed. Ty Baker, a junior, played linebacker, last season and will be a tight end also this year. He Grandy said McCoy Wilis really an athletic player. liams, a senior lineman, was Newcomers Keegan Baldwin all-conference last season (junior) will play center. He and should lead the line is a defensive lineman, is this season. Senior James a smart player and does a Alberts was all -conference really good job.”
Mason Salisbury, “is a sophomore quarterback and defensive back and is a really good athlete that runs and throws really well,” Grundy said. As for team goals, “we want to compete in the conference and make the playoffs and at least win a playoff game or two,” Grundy said. “Our balance on offense and defense and our physical play should be our strength. We have been working on footwork/speed and our passing game. Marion plays in the West Michigan D League. “I think it’s going to be a three-team race, Mesick, Brethren and us, and whoever gets some breaks and stays healthy will win it,” Grundy said, adding that in spite of COVID, “I just hope we have a season for our seniors and all the kids that have worked hard since last season.”
Riley Moggo, a senior, is a two-year starter at linebacker, and will be in the backfield for Marion.
Marion Volleyball starts in August By John Raffel
jraffel@pioneergroup.com
MARION -- Steffanie Mer-
rifield is the new coach for Marion volleyball this season. The Eagles compete in the
West Michigan D League. The season is scheduled to begin on Aug. 28 at Mount
Pleasant Sacred Heart in a tournament. Marion will also be at Cadillac Heritage Christian on Sept. 1.
The Eagles are home against Baldwin on Sept. 10. They are at Walkerville on Sept. 17 and Sept. 19.
