Sports Fest begins June 17

Published 5:38 pm Thursday, June 14, 2007

By By JEFF FISHER / Edwardsburg Argus
Area athletes converged at Edwardsburg High School on Sunday for registration, team photos and a practice session to kick off the fourth annual Sports Fest to be held at Bethel College.
Opening ceremonies begin June 17 at Bethel and game competition will take place June 18-23 in football, boys' and girls' basketball, boys' and girls' soccer, boys' and girls' tennis, baseball, softball and volleyball.
Football makes its second appearance at Sports Fest.
"I was skeptical at first, but the two games were magnificent," Ken Klimek, co-chairman for the Sports Fest organizing committee said. "We had outstanding crowds at Marian High School, a full house for each game and both games were competitive. It was a bright spot of last year's Sports Fest."
Team Michigan fell behind 7-0 in last year's game against Indiana East, but rallied back and scored 28 unanswered points to defeat the East 28-14.
The same rules apply as last year. Games will consist of four 15-minute quarters with a running clock until the final two minutes of each half. Teams will work out of basic offenses and defenses with no blitzing allowed. There will be no kickoffs. Field goals and extra points will be attempted without a rush. There will be punting, but no rushing the punter and no punt returns. Possessions after a score will begin at the offense's 35-yard line.
Cassopolis coach Andy Hubbard will direct Team Michigan this year. Hubbard led the Rangers to a 10-1 record before bowing out to Decatur in the Division 7 district final. The Rangers outscored their opponents 435-146.
Hubbard will have former player Paul Curtis on his roster. Also selected were Craig Blume and Kevin Stack of Edwardsburg, Matt Duckett of Brandywine, Matt Dykema of Buchanan, Paul DePoy and Nick Otolski of Niles, as well as Kyle Bailey, Ryan Casey, Nick File and Chris Primley of Dowagiac.
Team Michigan will play Indiana Metro at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 at Marian.
Cass coach Floyd Foston will guide the Michigan girls' basketball squad this season.
The Lady Rangers have been consistent winners under Foston. This past season, Cassopolis finished 19-6 (12-2 in the Lakeland Conference) and were co-champions of their league. Cassopolis won the Class C district and regional championships before bowing out in the state quarterfinals, for its best season since 1985. Foston is 89-28 in five years at Cassopolis.
"It's a great honor and I was excited when I was named and am looking forward to coaching some girls in our conference and some from the surrounding areas, and having some fun," Foston said.
Listed on the roster are Nikitas Nelson and Dee Dee Hawkins of Cass, Caitlin Krull of Three Rivers, Katie Pappa of Lakeshore, Heather Totzke of River Valley, Ashley Raklovits and Catie Osborn of Lake Michigan Catholic, Lindsay Ransbottom of Marcellus and Miranda Strefling of Bridgman.
Michigan will challenge Indiana Metro on Tuesday, June 19 at 6 p.m.
Bridgman's Mike Miller (231-99 in 14 years) will coach the boys' basketball team this year.
"It's an honor to coach Sports Fest this year," he said. "It will be neat seeing some of the players with whom we competed against be on the same team. Really looking forward to it."
Amos Clark and Chris Primley of Dowagiac will be joined by Dan Palombizio of New Buffalo, Danny Rodts of Niles, Garrett Smeltzer of Marcellus, Paul Curtis of Cassopolis, Craig McNees of Bridgman, Kevin Moore of Benton Harbor and P.J. Patterson of Eau Claire.
Michigan will take on Indiana Metro on Wednesday, June 20 at 6 p.m.
Since the inception of Sports Fest in 2004, Team Michigan has an overall record of 17-20 with five championships in girls' basketball, softball, baseball and soccer.