G-A volleyball receives
opening round bye
The Galesburg-Augusta varsity volleyball team received an opening round bye and will begin the district tournaments November 4 at 7 p.m. at Kalamazoo Christian against the winner of the Comstock and Parchment match that is scheduled to be played November 2.
Gobles and Bloomingdale begin the tournament November 2 at 5 p.m.
Kalamazoo Christian will play the winner of the Gobles-Bloomingdale match November 4 at 5 p.m. and G-A will face the winner of the Comstock-Parchment match November 4 at 7 p.m.
The district championship match is scheduled for November 5 at 6 p.m.
The district champion advances to the Watervliet regional November 10 against the Bridgman district champion at 7 p.m.
G-A cross country team
compete in Gobles invite
The Galesburg-Augusta cross country teams ran in its final regular season event at the Gobles Invitational October 24 before the regionals October 30 at Napoleon.
The top 15 runners automatically qualify for the State Finals and top seven individuals not on a team also qualify.
The G-A men placed 12th out of 12 teams that had enough runners to score as a team at the Gobles Invite.
G-A did not have enough runners to score as a team in the womens race.
Centreville won the mens race with 32 points and Gobles, with 44 points, won the womens race.
G-A senior Nick Stevens was the first Ram to finish, posting a time of 20:38.3 in 53rd place.
Freshman Everett Finedell (24:04.6) ran a personal best time in the event.
G-A sophomore Sophia Dohm ran a season best time of 22:58.8 and was the first Lady Ram to finish the race in 16th place.
G-A 6th grader Lillian Barton was the first Ram to finish in the 2-mile middle school womens race with a time of 14:38.1.
Seventh grader Louie Finedell finished 16th with a time of 13:31.8 in the 2-Mile middle school mens race.
Niles (51 points) won the middle school mens race and Otsego (21) won the womens middle school race.
Gobles Invitational
5000-Meter Men
G-A Results
53-Nick Stevens, 20:38.3, 75-Ashton Dingee, 22:08.9, 85-Cameron Kuhse, 22:31.0, 102-Everett Finedell, 24:04.6PB, 114-Matthew Chichester, 26:50.0, 115-Aaiden Schroeder, 27:27.3
5000-Meter Women
G-A Results
16-Sophia Dohm, 22:58.8SB, 65-Ellesa Callender, 27:14.6, 75-Grace Allie, 28:29.4, 90-Addison Walden, 34:23.1
2-Mile Middle School Women
G-A Results
17-Lillian Barton, 14:38.1, 76-Sylvia Millard, 20:07.1
2-Mile Middle School Men
G-A Results
16-Louie Finedell, 13:31.8, 17- Hershel Dohm, 13:31.9, 62-Adrian Butler, 21:25.3, 63-Silas Guenther, 24:28.9
The Galesburg-Augusta JV football team dropped the season finale, 41-8 to Division 5 Buchanan on the road October 22.
The Rams, who complete the season with a 6-3 record, entered the game with a four-game winning streak.
G-A’s Jaxson Kasten threw his first touchdown of the season to Gabe Smith. Tyler Rabb scored on the two-point conversion run.
The top 15 runners automatically qualify for the State Finals and top seven individuals not on a team also qualify.
The G-A men placed 12th out of 12 teams that had enough runners to score as a team at the Gobles Invite.
G-A did not have enough runners to score as a team in the womens race.
Centreville won the mens race with 32 points and Gobles, with 44 points, won the womens race.
G-A senior Nick Stevens was the first Ram to finish, posting a time of 20:38.3 in 53rd place.
Freshman Everett Finedell (24:04.6) ran a personal best time in the event.
G-A sophomore Sophia Dohm ran a season best time of 22:58.8 and was the first Lady Ram to finish the race in 16th place.
G-A 6th grader Lillian Barton was the first Ram to finish in the 2-mile middle school womens race with a time of 14:38.1.
Seventh grader Louie Finedell finished 16th with a time of 13:31.8 in the 2-Mile middle school mens race.
Niles (51 points) won the middle school mens race and Otsego (21) won the womens middle school race.
Gobles Invitational
5000-Meter Men
G-A Results
53-Nick Stevens, 20:38.3, 75-Ashton Dingee, 22:08.9, 85-Cameron Kuhse, 22:31.0, 102-Everett Finedell, 24:04.6PB, 114-Matthew Chichester, 26:50.0, 115-Aaiden Schroeder, 27:27.3
5000-Meter Women
G-A Results
16-Sophia Dohm, 22:58.8SB, 65-Ellesa Callender, 27:14.6, 75-Grace Allie, 28:29.4, 90-Addison Walden, 34:23.1
2-Mile Middle School Women
G-A Results
17-Lillian Barton, 14:38.1, 76-Sylvia Millard, 20:07.1
2-Mile Middle School Men
G-A Results
16-Louie Finedell, 13:31.8, 17- Hershel Dohm, 13:31.9, 62-Adrian Butler, 21:25.3, 63-Silas Guenther, 24:28.9
JVs drop season finale
The Galesburg-Augusta JV football team dropped the season finale, 41-8 to Division 5 Buchanan on the road October 22.
The Rams, who complete the season with a 6-3 record, entered the game with a four-game winning streak.
G-A’s Jaxson Kasten threw his first touchdown of the season to Gabe Smith. Tyler Rabb scored on the two-point conversion run.
Rams drop final regular
season game to Cassopolis
By Dale Martin
On Homecoming/Senior Night it was the Rangers of Cassopolis using their overall team speed to defeat the Rams 49-18 October 23 at Maskill Stadium.
Looking at the stat sheet you would think the game was closer than the final score. G-A out rushed Cassopolis 124 to 109 and out passed them 233 to 208.
Cassopolis scored on its first possession going 55 yards in 13 plays. Senior Lucas Williams connected with Sophomore Camdyn Gillam for a 15 yard touchdown. Jayden Pflug kicked the point after and the Rangers led 7-0 after one quarter.
G-A quarterback Patrick Armock was hit from behind causing a fumble that the Rangers recovered at the Ram 40 yard line. It took seven plays with Tyson West going the final 3 for the score. Pflug’s kick gave the Rangers a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.
Gregory Buckner returned the ensuing kick 18 yards to the G-A 28 yard line. The Rams got on the scoreboard with a 72 yard, 12 play drive. Armock tossed an 18 yard strike to J.J. Bailey in the corner of the end zone. The point after attempt was unsuccessful and the Ranger lead was cut to 14-6 with 3 minutes remaining in the half.
The Ram defense held the Rangers to a three and out taking over possession of the ball at their own 15 yard line. With less than a minute left in the half the Rams faced a fourth and one at their 24 yard line.
The attempt was stopped and the Rangers had the ball at the G-A 24 yard line with 35 seconds left in the first half.
Williams found Mason Nelson open over the middle and they connected for a 24 yard touchdown with 27 seconds left to play. The point after was good and the teams went into halftime with Cassopolis in control at 21-6.
It took the Rangers just three plays to get on the scoreboard starting the third quarter. A 33 yard return of the kickoff gave them possession at the G-A 45 yard line. After a seven yard loss and a short pass, Williams tossed a 46 yard touchdown pass to Jamiere Pratt. The two-point run attempt was stopped but the score now had grown to 27-6 just two minutes into the quarter.
G-A started moving the ball on its next possession but on a third and six pass attempt Armock was sacked by the Rangers losing 12 yards. Armock’s punt was taken by Pratt at his own 25 yard line. He escaped several attempted tackles and raced 75 yards for a touchdown. Williams added the two-point run and the Rams now trailed 35-6.
G-A’s next possession lasted just one play when Giovanni Evans hauled in a pass from Armock and out raced the Rangers for a 75 yard score, making the score 35-12.
On the first play of the Rangers’ next possession, Williams threw the ball down the sideline. Evans stepped in front of the receiver and returned the ball 40 yards to the Cassopolis 20 yard line. However four plays later the Rams failed on an incomplete pass giving the ball back to the Rangers at the Rams 15 yard line.
Riding on the arm of Williams the Rangers drove 85 yards in 11 plays with Williams running in from the 11 yard line for the score. On the drive Williams was 6 of 7 for 63 yards.
Now trailing 42-12 the Rams mounted a 69 yard, 9 play drive with Evans running the final 3 yards for the touchdown cutting the Ranger lead to 42-18.
Cassopolis recovered the onside kick at its own 49 yard line. After a 15 yard penalty against the Rams and an 11 yard run by Williams, it was Elijah Wagoner scoring on a 25 yard run. Pflug’s kick gave the Rangers 49-18 lead.
With 5 minutes left to play the Rams started their final possession on their own 2 yard line. Armock completed passes of 6, 8, 10 and 35 giving the Rams a first down at the Rangers 5 yard line with seconds to play. On the final play of the game Evans attempted a halfback pass to Alex Krugh in the endzone but it was batted away at the last second, ending the game.
Armock and Evans each had 12 carries for 46 yards to lead the Rams in rushing. Armock completed 17 of 24 passes for 233 yards. Evans caught 2 passes for 110 yards. Bailey had 7 catches for 61 yards and Cayden Allie had 33 yards on 3 catches.
Defensively G-A was led by Dominic Corsi with 7 tackles. Bailey had 6 stops and J.J. Kasten and R.J. Richardson each had 5.
With a 7-2 record the Rams will play Schoolcraft (7-2) at Schoolcraft October 30 at 7 p.m. in the first round of the State Playoffs.
On Homecoming/Senior Night it was the Rangers of Cassopolis using their overall team speed to defeat the Rams 49-18 October 23 at Maskill Stadium.
Looking at the stat sheet you would think the game was closer than the final score. G-A out rushed Cassopolis 124 to 109 and out passed them 233 to 208.
Cassopolis scored on its first possession going 55 yards in 13 plays. Senior Lucas Williams connected with Sophomore Camdyn Gillam for a 15 yard touchdown. Jayden Pflug kicked the point after and the Rangers led 7-0 after one quarter.
G-A quarterback Patrick Armock was hit from behind causing a fumble that the Rangers recovered at the Ram 40 yard line. It took seven plays with Tyson West going the final 3 for the score. Pflug’s kick gave the Rangers a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.
Gregory Buckner returned the ensuing kick 18 yards to the G-A 28 yard line. The Rams got on the scoreboard with a 72 yard, 12 play drive. Armock tossed an 18 yard strike to J.J. Bailey in the corner of the end zone. The point after attempt was unsuccessful and the Ranger lead was cut to 14-6 with 3 minutes remaining in the half.
The Ram defense held the Rangers to a three and out taking over possession of the ball at their own 15 yard line. With less than a minute left in the half the Rams faced a fourth and one at their 24 yard line.
The attempt was stopped and the Rangers had the ball at the G-A 24 yard line with 35 seconds left in the first half.
Williams found Mason Nelson open over the middle and they connected for a 24 yard touchdown with 27 seconds left to play. The point after was good and the teams went into halftime with Cassopolis in control at 21-6.
It took the Rangers just three plays to get on the scoreboard starting the third quarter. A 33 yard return of the kickoff gave them possession at the G-A 45 yard line. After a seven yard loss and a short pass, Williams tossed a 46 yard touchdown pass to Jamiere Pratt. The two-point run attempt was stopped but the score now had grown to 27-6 just two minutes into the quarter.
G-A started moving the ball on its next possession but on a third and six pass attempt Armock was sacked by the Rangers losing 12 yards. Armock’s punt was taken by Pratt at his own 25 yard line. He escaped several attempted tackles and raced 75 yards for a touchdown. Williams added the two-point run and the Rams now trailed 35-6.
G-A’s next possession lasted just one play when Giovanni Evans hauled in a pass from Armock and out raced the Rangers for a 75 yard score, making the score 35-12.
On the first play of the Rangers’ next possession, Williams threw the ball down the sideline. Evans stepped in front of the receiver and returned the ball 40 yards to the Cassopolis 20 yard line. However four plays later the Rams failed on an incomplete pass giving the ball back to the Rangers at the Rams 15 yard line.
Riding on the arm of Williams the Rangers drove 85 yards in 11 plays with Williams running in from the 11 yard line for the score. On the drive Williams was 6 of 7 for 63 yards.
Now trailing 42-12 the Rams mounted a 69 yard, 9 play drive with Evans running the final 3 yards for the touchdown cutting the Ranger lead to 42-18.
Cassopolis recovered the onside kick at its own 49 yard line. After a 15 yard penalty against the Rams and an 11 yard run by Williams, it was Elijah Wagoner scoring on a 25 yard run. Pflug’s kick gave the Rangers 49-18 lead.
With 5 minutes left to play the Rams started their final possession on their own 2 yard line. Armock completed passes of 6, 8, 10 and 35 giving the Rams a first down at the Rangers 5 yard line with seconds to play. On the final play of the game Evans attempted a halfback pass to Alex Krugh in the endzone but it was batted away at the last second, ending the game.
Armock and Evans each had 12 carries for 46 yards to lead the Rams in rushing. Armock completed 17 of 24 passes for 233 yards. Evans caught 2 passes for 110 yards. Bailey had 7 catches for 61 yards and Cayden Allie had 33 yards on 3 catches.
Defensively G-A was led by Dominic Corsi with 7 tackles. Bailey had 6 stops and J.J. Kasten and R.J. Richardson each had 5.
With a 7-2 record the Rams will play Schoolcraft (7-2) at Schoolcraft October 30 at 7 p.m. in the first round of the State Playoffs.
G-A thankful for playoff opportunity
but postseason goals are elevated
By Bruce Rolfe
The Galesburg-Augusta varsity football team got a taste of the playoffs last year for the first time since 2020 when all schools qualified following the covid pandemic, and the first time since 1997 under regular MHSAA playoff qualifying criteria.
After finishing the regular season with a fine 7-2 record, G-A has qualified for the postseason in back to back seasons for the first time since the 1985 and 1986 seasons.
The Rams will face Schoolcraft Friday, October 30 at 7 p.m. at Roy Davis field in Schoolcraft in the Division 7 Region 3 District 2 semifinals.
G-A is coming off its best regular season finish since 1995, when that team finished the regular season 8-1.
Schoolcraft, which advanced to the Division 7 State Finals last year before losing to Menominee 34-6, also finished the regular season with a 7-2 record.
Now that G-A has qualified for the postseason two straight years, Ram coach Chuck Hadley hopes the players have elevated their expectations.
“We are excited to make the playoffs for a second straight season. Making the playoffs should be the expectation for every kid in our program from now on, and going forward the goal will be winning playoff
games,” said the Ram coach.
G-A and Schoolcraft played each other regularly as members of the SAC Valley Division and SAC Central Division. The two teams facing each other twice last year, with Schoolcraft winning the regular season battle 53-28 and the first round playoff game over the Rams, 42-21.
Hadley said playing an opponent who has had a lot of playoff success over the years will be good for his team.
“We are looking forward to Schoolcraft this Friday. They are coming off a season that ended with a trip to Ford Field. They’ve been where we want to be and it will be fun to see how we stack up against this level of competition. We are familiar with them and they are familiar with us having played them twice last season. Coach Devries does a great job and he will have his boys prepared,” offered the G-A coach.
Hadley feels to get out of the first round game against Schoolcraft his team will have to play its best football of the season.
“We still have yet to do that for 48 minutes. If we put it all together, running, passing, defense, special teams, we know we can beat anybody,” said the G-A coach.
The winner of the pre-district game will play the winner of the Lawton (5-4)-North Muskegon (8-1) game Nov. 6 or 7 in the district championship game.
G-A equestrian team finishes in 6th place tie
The Galesburg-Augusta varsity football team got a taste of the playoffs last year for the first time since 2020 when all schools qualified following the covid pandemic, and the first time since 1997 under regular MHSAA playoff qualifying criteria.
After finishing the regular season with a fine 7-2 record, G-A has qualified for the postseason in back to back seasons for the first time since the 1985 and 1986 seasons.
The Rams will face Schoolcraft Friday, October 30 at 7 p.m. at Roy Davis field in Schoolcraft in the Division 7 Region 3 District 2 semifinals.
G-A is coming off its best regular season finish since 1995, when that team finished the regular season 8-1.
Schoolcraft, which advanced to the Division 7 State Finals last year before losing to Menominee 34-6, also finished the regular season with a 7-2 record.
Now that G-A has qualified for the postseason two straight years, Ram coach Chuck Hadley hopes the players have elevated their expectations.
“We are excited to make the playoffs for a second straight season. Making the playoffs should be the expectation for every kid in our program from now on, and going forward the goal will be winning playoff
games,” said the Ram coach.
G-A and Schoolcraft played each other regularly as members of the SAC Valley Division and SAC Central Division. The two teams facing each other twice last year, with Schoolcraft winning the regular season battle 53-28 and the first round playoff game over the Rams, 42-21.
Hadley said playing an opponent who has had a lot of playoff success over the years will be good for his team.
“We are looking forward to Schoolcraft this Friday. They are coming off a season that ended with a trip to Ford Field. They’ve been where we want to be and it will be fun to see how we stack up against this level of competition. We are familiar with them and they are familiar with us having played them twice last season. Coach Devries does a great job and he will have his boys prepared,” offered the G-A coach.
Hadley feels to get out of the first round game against Schoolcraft his team will have to play its best football of the season.
“We still have yet to do that for 48 minutes. If we put it all together, running, passing, defense, special teams, we know we can beat anybody,” said the G-A coach.
The winner of the pre-district game will play the winner of the Lawton (5-4)-North Muskegon (8-1) game Nov. 6 or 7 in the district championship game.
G-A equestrian team finishes in 6th place tie
The Galesburg-Augusta Equestrian team recently finished in a tie for 6th place out of 10 teams at the MHSAA State competition at the Midland County Fairgrounds. Pictured are (left to right) freshman Eloise Wagar, senior Aliyah Snead, freshman Lola Cowles, and sophomore Miley Coburn.
(Photo courtesy of G-A High School)
