Month: October 2017

Royals suffer homecoming loss, 28-20

After several Fridays of cleanly executed football with few mistakes, the Blissfield Royals came into their homecoming bout as a favorite over Hillsdale. Even with two key players – Josh Eisenmann and Nathan Chappuies – sitting out with injuries, buzz was the Royal team had the weapons to wage a successful battle.

“I feel like we have individuals that can step up in the absence of those two,” said Coach Ryan Love. “Our game change was changed slightly, however a few missed opportunities proves to be costly.”

Very costly, in fact, resulting in a 28-20 Royals loss to the Hornets and putting the home team in a must-win situation for the last two games of the regular season if they are to earn a playoff berth.

The game started off tight in scoring, but fraught with interceptions and fumbles from the opening plays plaguing both teams on a field damp from a steamy day of rain. And Blissfield was further hampered by a spate of penalties as it tried to pass its way to a win with quarterback Gavin Ganun launching 37 passes and connecting on 16 of them for 221 yards.

For a complete rundown of the game as well as a photos from homecoming, please pick up the Oct. 11, 2017, edition of The ADVANCE.

 

While Blissfield battled for a comeback in the final quarter, two third-quarter mistakes which had put the Hornets in the Royal red zone twice and led to two touchdowns and extra points was just too much to overcome.

 

Whiteford tames Sand Creek Aggies, 53-14

By BRAD HEINEMAN

OTTAWA LAKE — Perhaps the most entertaining game of the Whiteford Bobcats varsity football season thus far, was saved for its annual homecoming game, Friday night, Oct. 6, 2017, in Ottawa Lake against the visiting 3-3 Sand Creek Aggies.
For the first time this fall football season, the Bobcats trailed in a contest, falling behind early in the game, 7-0, as the Aggies turned a couple of uncharacteristic first quarter Whiteford turnovers into points.
But even by facing their first deficit of the year, the Bobcats remained a poised and controlled football team.
Whiteford eventually found the end zone two times in a row following the Sand Creek score and the Aggies responded with another answer to tie the game in the second quarter, 14-14. But the Bobcats still had plenty of juice left in them — on both offense and defense — as Whiteford went on to delight its packed homecoming crowd with a big scoring second and third quarter and a 53-14 victory over the Aggies.

For a complete account and photo of the game, please see the Oct. 11, 2017, edition of The Advance. Game and homecoming photos can be found on our Galleries.

Police seek witnesses to fatal crash

A 29-year old Toledo, Ohio, woman is dead as a result of a single-vehicle crash on Yankee Road east of Riga Highway, Saturday night, Oct. 7.
According to a news release from Michigan State Police F/Lt. Cuevas of the Monroe Post, troopers  responded at approximately 11:48 p.m. and discovered the Tiffany Lynn Shaw, 29, who was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical services personnel.
The Michigan State Police are asking anyone who may have additional information or
witnessed the crash to contact the Monroe Post at 734-242-3500.

For the complete story, please see the Oct. 11, 2017, edition of The Advance. For weekly delivery to your home, please call 517-486-2400.

Townships discuss potential for sharing services

By MELISSA BURNOR

A continuing conversation about consolidating fire and emergency medical services took place Oct. 4.  Faced with rising operational costs, equipment costs, demanding training requirements, rising medical calls and fewer people ready to answer the call some local township leaders are researching an idea of consolidating services.
Supervisors from Blissfield, Riga, Ogden, Palmyra and Madison townships met at the Blissfield Township Hall.  Blissfield Township hall.  Deerfield Township Supervisor Ron Cousino was also invited but did not attend. Blissfield Township Al Navarro said the reason stated was that at the current time Deerfield has a full roster and no pressing needs that would compel them to look at alternatives.
Ogden Township Supervisor Richard Marks attended the meeting mainly he said for information.
“We are very happy with Madison, he said, we have no reason to look elsewhere.”
Riga Township Supervisor Gary Kastel said that he is looking at a possibility of a merger between at least Riga and Blissfield townships for fire and EMS services.  No information was released on any concept of what that could look like.
Navarro said moving forward it is likely that only he and Kastel will continue with the discussion as the other local townships did not see a need to move forward with the discussion.
Whether the idea is feasible or not, both Kastel and Navarro said they owe it to the residents to look into any possibilities that could strengthen services for the communities.
“A lot of things would have to be worked out, but only, Riga and (Blissfield) are serious about working together,” Navarro said of the current situation.

For the complete story, please see the Oct. 11, 2017, edition of The Advance.