by Justin Gibson | Nov 6, 2017 | Sports, Vicksburg
By Travis Smola
It was only appropriate on senior night that senior libero Morgan Preston put the finishing point on Three Rivers with an ace serve to give the Lady Bulldogs a 3-1 victory.
Things were much closer than they appeared on paper as Three Rivers and Vicksburg went back and forth on game point to end the first set 28-26. Three Rivers took the second set 25-15 but the Lady Bulldogs buckled down and took the final two sets 25-22 and 25-22.
Preston gave a lot of credit to the younger players for helping grind out the victory. “Everyone showed up. All of our freshman showed,” she said.
Both sophomore Rylie Richter and junior Kaytee Harvey led the team with 13 kills. Harvey leads the team this season in kills with 248. Freshman Hannah Vallier had 7. The Lady Bulldogs also had some excellent blocking up in front of the net through the whole match with Harvey and Schriemer contributing 4 apiece. They’re also tied for team highs with 88 each on the year. Hatridge also had 3 of her own.
Sophomore Tailynn Knapp also had an excellent game, contributing 12 digs and an ace serve. Schriemer and sophomore Camille Wadley also had 12. Richter had 11 and an ace. Preston led the team with 37. She has 307 for the year so far. Schriemer added to her staggering 685 assists on the year with 41 against the Wildcats. She also contributed two ace serves.
Through the whole match, it appeared the younger players just really wanted to send the seniors home with a victory on senior night.
“They’ve been behind us all year,” Schriemer said. “Both Morgan and I trust them so much.”
Both girls said senior night was a bit surreal. “I’ve seen a lot of senior nights, you never really think about yours,” Preston said.
The continued scrappiness of the Lady Bulldogs has led them to a 16-13-6 record with a 7-2 record in conference. Head Coach Katrina Miller wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the young team after losing seven seniors last season. But the younger players have stepped up their game in a big way.
“They’re a great team, they have a lot of energy,” Miller said. “They’ve more than surpassed my expectations for this season so far.”
by Justin Gibson | Nov 6, 2017 | Sports, Vicksburg
Connor Seifert with his coaches Warner C. Offord on the left and Eric Flickinger on the right. Photo by Travis Smola.
By Travis Smola
It was a bittersweet ending to tennis season for the Vicksburg boys this year as the team came within seven points of going to the state tournament. The team finished fifth in the conference.
In the end, it was the lone senior, Connor Seifert, who was the last Bulldog standing at the Conference meet in Three Rivers.
Seifert ended his tennis career on a high note by becoming regional champion in the number two singles in a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Sturgis. He defeated players from Three Rivers 6-1, 6-0 and Harper Creek 6-1, 6-3 to get to the final round. “I love my team,” Seifert said after the victory. “I couldn’t do it if they weren’t watching.”
In addition to the regional championship, he ends his tennis career with a 26-8 record, winning conference and earning first team all-conference honors.
“He’s one of the toughest guys I’ve had in a long time,” Head Coach Warner Offord said. “I’m proud of him.”
Unfortunately, after a pretty successful regular season, the Bulldogs again had trouble once they reached the regional meet. Sophomore Ayden Flickinger had a first round bye and made it to the semi-final in the number one singles with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Marshall. But he lost to Stevensville Lakeshore in the semi-final. He placed third in the conference meet the week prior.
Junior Corbin Wallace also had a first round bye in number three singles and got to the semi-final after beating a Niles player 6-0, 6-0. But he lost in the semi-final to Harper Creek.
David Rutt won his first-round match against Marshall 6-2, 6-2, but the junior fell to Stevensville Lakeshore in the next round.
In doubles action, the number four doubles team of junior Jacob Henderson and freshman Andrew Reno had the best showing. After a first round bye, they had a long and grueling match against Marshall that they eventually won 6-4, 7-6, 11-9.
Unfortunately, they lost in the next round to Harper Creek. The team did win runner-up in the conference meet however.
The number three doubles team of junior Erik Beal and sophomore Kevin Veld also had a first round bye. But they came up against a tough Coldwater team in the next round that won 7-5, 4-6, 6-2.
It was a similar story for the number two team of juniors Sam Gearig and Casey Hall and number one competitors junior Jonathan Perkins and freshman Edgar Kim. Both teams didn’t have first-round competition, but fell in their first match. They took fourth in the conference meet.
The good news for the Bulldogs is the younger players got a wealth of experience this year. Offord is hopeful they will be able to use it to build for next year.
by Justin Gibson | Nov 6, 2017 | Sports, Vicksburg
By Travis Smola
The Vicksburg Bulldogs exacted revenge on archrival Three Rivers with a 30-20 win in front of a huge and fired-up crowd at home. They simultaneously shattered the Wildcats’ hope of holding a share of the Wolverine Conference title with Edwardsburg.
All season long, the team used pre-season predictions as bulletin board material to motivate them to a 7-2 record on the year. “We were picked seventh in the conference and that has been our theme all year,” Head Coach Tom Marchese said as players and fans wildly celebrated re-gaining the swine bone trophy. The Bulldogs got out to a fast start on a 12-play drive orchestrated by senior quarterback Garrett Ketelaar and capped off with a three-yard power touchdown run by Caleb Welch.
Joe Brady’s extra point bounced off the upright and the score was 6-0 early. On the next drive, Three Rivers got down to the Bulldog 26-yard line before turning the ball over on downs. On the next drive, Vicksburg used a combination of runs and short passes to again drive down the field before Ketelaar delivered a perfect 30-yard pass to a wide-open Tim Gearig for an easy touchdown.
Brady’s point after put Three Rivers in a 13-0 deficit early. “Our kids really wanted this game,” Marchese said. The Bulldogs’ use of a spread offense seemed to catch Three Rivers off guard. Ketelaar played a near perfect game in the first half, going 11 for 11 for 99 yards and two touchdowns. He didn’t throw an incompletion until the third drive of the night.
He finished the night 14 of 18 for 137 yards. Marchese said Ketelaar has been gaining confidence in his passing with every game.
The Bulldog defense also played a fearsome game. Cole Mallery and Shane Earl were in the quarterback’s face all night. On the Wildcats’ second drive of the night, a group of Vicksburg defenders forced Three Rivers’ Jalen Heivilin to try to dump a pass to his running back in the middle.
But Josh Holmes put his hands up in front of the pass and deflected it into air where it was intercepted by DJ Bullock and taken 90 yards for the touchdown. It was Bullock’s second week in a row with a defensive score. Bullock also had a sack in the game.
Three Rivers responded with a 50-yard touchdown pass of their own to make things 20-7. With only 1:49 left before the half, Ketelaar drove the Bulldogs down the field again on a series of passes to Gearig and Trevor Pryson.
Brady ended the drive by making up for his extra point miss with a huge 46-yard field goal that just cleared the crossbar to make things 23-7 at the half.
Vicksburg increased the score to 30-7 after Welch rushed for his second touchdown of the night, a two yarder, with 20 seconds left in the third. Three Rivers scored a couple more touchdowns on a QB scramble and a 15-yard pass play after that, but the Bulldogs ran out the clock on the strength of Welch and Ketelaar’s ground game.
The win leaves both Vicksburg and Three Rivers with a record of 7-2. Edwardsburg again holds the Wolverine Conference title alone with an 8-1 record, their only loss coming against Three Rivers.
by Justin Gibson | Nov 6, 2017 | Sports, Vicksburg
Cole Mallery, Josh Holmes and DJ Bullock race downfield to make a tackle against Three Rivers.
By Travis Smola
While Vicksburg regained the swine bone trophy, they lost the playoff rematch against Three Rivers the following week 20-10 on the Wildcats’ home turf.
Senior quarterback Garrett Ketelaar completed 9 of 23 passes for 114 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. The touchdown was a 62-yard pass between two defenders to fellow senior Tim Gearig. Junior Joe Brady accounted for the other Bulldogs points with a 35-yard field goal.
Three Rivers ended up shutting down the Vicksburg running game and ground out the clock to finish the game. The Bulldogs finish their season with a 7-3 overall record.
by Justin Gibson | Nov 6, 2017 | Community, Schoolcraft, Vicksburg
Vicksburg
11/2 – Thurs. Adults Book Club at the Vicksburg District Library. 9-10 a.m.
11/7 – Tue. Homeschool Book Club at the Vicksburg District Library. Students in grades 3-7 are invited to bring a book they enjoy to discuss. 10:30-11:15 a.m.
11/10 – Wed. Veterans Day Observance begins at 11 a.m. in Oswalt Park.
11/11 – Sat. Vicksburg Arts Spectacular: benefit auction in downtown Vicksburg. Bid on a silent and live auction, enjoy an eclectic mix of live music, as well as drinks and hors d’oeuvres. 5:30-9:30 p.m. Begins at 103 Main St and continues in the Cultural Arts Center and the Community Center. Tickets $40 and can be purchased at the Vicksburg Cultural Arts Center.
11/16 – Thurs. Knitting Group at the Vicksburg District Library. Bring a knitting project and enjoy the company and fireplace. 9-10 a.m.
11/17 – Fri. Coffeehouse Concert: Sound Builders at the Vicksburg Community Center. Modern and classic a cappella, with drinks and snacks provided. Cover charge $5. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., concert starts at 7.
11/17, 11/18, & 11/19 – Fri., Sat., & Sun. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at the Vicksburg Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for students, and $10 for seniors. Show starts at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. on Sunday.
11/18 – Sat. 24th Annual Vicksburg Project Graduation Craft Show at Sunset Lake Elementary School. Includes a raffle, bake sale, and face painting. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
11/22 – Wed. Bulldog Break Time at the Vicksburg District Library. Teens in grades 6-12 can come play games, do crafts, and eat snacks! 2:45-3:45 p.m.
12/2 – Sat. Christmas Bazaar at the Vicksburg United Methodist Church. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
12/2 – Sat. Bake Sale at the Depot Museum, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
12/2 – Sat. Christmas in the Village, 2-9:30 p.m. Downtown Vicksburg.
12/2 – Sat. Christmas in the Village nighttime parade, 5:30 p.m. on E. Prairie and Main Streets.
12/2, 12/9, & 12/16 – Sat. Historical Society Annual Running of the Toy Trains at the Township Hall in the Historic Village. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on the 2nd, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on the 9th and 16th.
Schoolcraft
11/1 – Wed. Adult Book Club at the Schoolcraft Community Library. Watch the movie and discuss the book The Good Earth by Pearl Buck. Begins at 1 p.m.
11/6 – Mon. Teen Book Club at the Schoolcraft Community Library. Grades 6-8 meet from 5:30-6:15 p.m. to discuss Secrets of the Sirens. Grades 9-10 meet from 6:15-7 p.m. to discuss Ink And Bone. To sign up, contact Miss Katie at katie@schoolcraftlibrary.org
11/8 – Wed. Tea 101 at the Schoolcraft Community Library. Polly from Chocolatea will educate and provide snacks and tea! Bring your own tea cup. Begins at 2 p.m. $5 per person, sign up at the library.
Other Areas
11/4 – Sat. Annual Christmas Bazaar at Scotts United Methodist Church from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. For details call (269)-649-0659
11/4 – Sat. Annual Fall Bazaar at the Fulton Christian Church. 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
by Justin Gibson | Oct 5, 2017 | Community, Vicksburg
Chris Moore in the white shirt, was surrounded by well-wishers for the mill revitalization project during a tour in September that featured a visit by Congressman Fred Upton. Across the front row from left to right are Isabelle Newman, County Commissioner Julie Rogers, Jackie Koney, Moore, Upton, Kalamazoo County Treasurer Mary Balkema, Rudy Callen partially hidden, and Jim Shaw.
By Jef Rietsma
Plans for the redevelopment of the Vicksburg mill are moving forward: Representatives of the project have recently appeared before three local governing bodies.
In addition, a tour last month of the former mill included U.S. Rep Fred Upton. The Congressman spoke highly of the proposed development and threw his support behind developer Chris Moore.
During the Vicksburg Village Council’s Sept. 11 meeting, project representatives Jackie Koney and Lisa Phillips said they plan to apply to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to be a transformational brownfield project. This designation allows for sales tax and other personal-property tax capture under a bill signed by the governor in June.
“Our application will be stronger if we have the support of our local units of government, which include the village of Vicksburg and Schoolcraft Township,” Koney said. “We are not asking for money, just the council’s endorsement.”
They told village council members that they want to access the new incentives that work for brownfield properties in the state of Michigan. The Kalamazoo County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority is the mill’s authorizing agent for its application.
The plan is to begin construction in the spring, depending upon approvals and funding.
Koney said the economic impact is substantial to the village, the township and the county.
Council member Gail Reisterer said the project seems well planned. The vote passed unanimously.
A presentation before Schoolcraft Township officials took place Sept. 12.
At that meeting, Koney and Phillips said 80 acres of the project are located in Schoolcraft Township. The property was used as overflow for wastewater when the mill was operational. Koney said the piece of land is important because it is connected to the infrastructure and adds to the revitalization.
Supervisor Don Ulsh asked about the transformational aspect of the project and how the demonstration area on the 80 acres ties into the plan.
Koney and Phillips said it may be dedicated to growing demonstration plots of hops and barley, as well as boardwalks and nature trails. Ultimately, it would hook up to a proposed bike trail.
“It will celebrate the wetlands, the rookery, fruit orchards, and possibly a cranberry bog which are all in the long-term plan,” Koney said. “Also, we plan to have a strong connection to the downtown as a strong downtown is critical to the success of the development.”
The board approved the resolution unanimously.
During the August 28 tour with Upton, Moore said he is excited to bring positive activity back to the mill.
“At a projected cost of $50 to $60 million, this is a major brownfield redevelopment. A mixture of funding sources is typical nationwide of such projects.” Moore said. “The community will benefit from the economic activity … it will provide jobs with good wages.”
Moore said the impact on the region is great, far beyond bringing the building itself back, and predicted the redeveloped mill will be a tourist destination. Upton said he supports the Community Development Block Grant concept and tax credits for historic places, which can revitalize rural and urban areas.
“Chris, you have a great group here with your vision and I want to help,” he said. “I want to watch it grow but I also know you can’t do it on your own.”
