Area teams react to suspension of Fall & Winter sports

ALPENA, Mich. (WBKB-TV) — It’s been over a day since the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) announced a three-week suspension for fall tournaments and winter sports. Even though area schools are preparing for the winter sports season, two area football teams have at least one more game left in their seasons. That’s even if they get the opportunity to finish their seasons.

The Johannesburg-Lewiston Cardinals (9-0) and the Oscoda Owls (9-0) are having their best seasons in their program’s history. Last Friday, the Cardinals won their first district title since 2012, beating Beal City 28-21. Meanwhile, Oscoda took down Evart (38-35) to capture their first district title in program history.

If the emergency order wasn’t issued, the Cardinals would’ve been in the Upper Peninsula this Friday to play Iron Mountain (8-1), while the Owls would’ve battled the Gladiators of Traverse City St. Francis (7-2) this Saturday. Cardinals fullback/linebacker Sheldon Huff and Owls quarterback Owen Franklin have been staying positive on the three-week suspension and are hoping to finish their seasons on a high note.

“We’re not done taking care of business,” Huff said. “We want to see how far we can take this team. We want to get to that state championship.”

“Coach Whitley says we need to hold out hope,” Franklin said. “We need to stay mentally and physically prepared for us to come back.”

For head coach Karl Momrik and the Posen Vikings girls’ basketball team, they’re going to have to wait until the order is lifted to get back on the hardwood to defend their district and league title (Little Dipper).

“We got a great bunch of kids that understand what’s going on,” said Momrik. “We might miss a little bit of our schedule, but in three weeks our team will be ready to go.”

At this time, the emergency order will begin on Nov. 18 and will last until Dec. 9.