The Twin Cities Sharks is a new co-op high school football team formed by Lake Michigan Catholic, Michigan Lutheran, and Countryside Academy.  Athletic Directors Neil Carter, John Eggert, and Derek Nestich explain the merger…

Lake Michigan Catholic, Michigan Lutheran, and Countryside Academy are combining to form one co-op 8-man high school football team starting next year.  Listen to this quick preview on the team and catch the entire interview with the three athletic directors Saturday morning just after 9:00 on The Coaches on News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM and at wsjm.com.

This week on The Coaches, we talk with Bob Guse from the BCS Conference, Coloma Boys’ Basketball coach Curtis McFall, St. Joe Wrestling coach Taylor Misel, and Eau Claire Boys’ Basketball coach Dashawn Perry…

-Bob Guse is at the nine minute mark
-Curtis McFall is at the 29:00 mark
-Taylor Misel is at the 58:30 mark
-Dashawn Perry is at the 1:26:00 mark

Lakeshore Football coach Denny Dock joined us on The Coaches to talk about the resumption of the high school football playoffs…

The MHSAA fall sports post seasons are set to resume while the winter seasons are still on pause until mid January.  Hear all the details from the MHSAA here…

8-Man high school football in Southwest Michigan has continued to grow over the past several years.

Phil McDonald talks with Lawrence High School Athletic Director Aaron Amthor on how the landscape has changed and the possibility of more expansion…

2020 Coloma High School graduate Megan Koenigshof was named Michigan’s top pitcher in Division 3 by the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association.

The honor is a cumulative award based on four years of performance.  Michigan’s 2020 softball season was wiped out due to COVID-19, so the distinction was based on Megan’s freshman, sophomore, and junior years.

Megan is now attending Grand Valley State University and is a member of the Lakers’ Softball team.

Below is Phil McDonald’s conversation with Megan…

Johnny Rager of Buchanan High School Football is the WSJM Sports Berrien County Student Athlete of the Week for the week of November 8, 2020.

Johnny played a key role in helping lead the Bucks to an undefeated regular season, a conference championship, and a spot in the District Finals. He finished the season with 528 rushing yards, 195 receiving yards, seven rushing touchdowns, and two receiving touchdowns. On defense, he recorded 19 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, and four interceptions. He returned two interceptions back for touchdowns and totaled 201 interception return yards. He earned BCS Offensive MVP and All-Region honors.

Johnny is also a member of the basketball team and plans on running track. In the classroom, he carries a 3.43 grade point average.

Johnny is the son of Crystal Larson and John Rager.

Catch Phil McDonald’s conversation with Johnny below…

Elinor Frost of South Haven High School Swimming is our WSJM Sports Van Buren/Cass Student Athlete of the Week for the week of November 8, 2020.

At the Second Shave Meet, Ellie qualified for the State Finals in the 100 Meter Fly with a school record breaking time of 1:00.18. The state cut time was 1:03.49. She has also qualified for the State Finals in the 50 Meter Free and 100 Meter Free events.

Ellie is also a member of the South Haven Track team, National Honor Society, Band, Tri M Music Society, Quiz Bowl Team, and Be Nice Program. In the classroom, she carries a 4.395 grade point average.

Ellie is the daughter of John and Carey Frost of South Haven.

Catch Ellie’s conversation with Phil McDonald below…

We talked St. Joe Football, Lakeshore Football, Lake Michigan Catholic Cross Country, and St. Joe Girls’ Golf this week on The Coaches…

This week on The Coaches, we talked St. Joe Football, Lakeshore Football, and St. Joe Cross Country at Red Coach Donuts in Stevensville…

Samantha Dietz of Watervliet High School Volleyball is the WSJM Sports Berrien County Student Athlete of the Week for the week of November 1, 2020.

In the Panthers’ 3-1 District Semifinal win over Bridgman, Samantha turned in 16 kills, 16 digs, three aces, and two blocks. The performance was consistent with her efforts all season long. She ended the season as one of the leaders in all of Southwest Michigan in kills and digs.

Samantha is also a member of the Watervliet Basketball and Volleyball teams. In the classroom, she carries a 4.0 grade point average.

Samantha is the daughter of Ken and Brandi Dietz of South Haven.

Catch Phil McDonald’s conversation with Samantha below…