GRAND RAPIDS –NorthPointe Christian football coach Brian Haveman wasn’t happy on Aug. 14.
“I’m standing here watching soccer practice, and my kids are crying and walking back to their cars and going home,” Haveman told MLive.
Haveman had just told the Mustangs that the football season had been postponed to the spring, and Haveman called out the Michigan High School Athletic Association for its decision. But over three weeks later, Haveman said during a break in Tuesday’s practice that he now owes the MHSAA an apology.
The MHSAA announced this past Thursday that football would be played after all beginning on Sept. 18 when Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s signed Executive Order 176 and that practices could resume Tuesday. The Mustangs were back on the field in the afternoon, preparing for their opener against Kelloggsville.
“I am very surprised we are here, but it is a good surprise,” Haveman said. "Originally, when stuff came out, I was pretty upset and pretty angry just in general. Unfortunately, I think (MHSAA executive director) Mark Uyl took the brunt of a lot of peoples' anger, and as you hear more and more stuff come out, I think us being here proves that the MHSAA was fighting for us to play. They never gave up the hope for us to come out and play. I think that’s a big part of why we are here, that not giving up and not accepting things as they were.
“I’d apologize to (Uyl) and be like, ‘Hey, I was maybe mad at the wrong person, the wrong individual.’ They came through for us. I think they really came through for us. This is a much better situation where we are right now than where we were a few weeks ago.”
Teams across Michigan opened practice on Aug. 10 and worked out through Aug. 14 with helmets only. Tuesday marked the first day that players were permitted to wear pads. Each team will play six regular-season games and automatically qualify for the playoffs.
Ravenna senior receiver linebacker and receiver Chad Erickson was excited to be back on the field. However, he admitted he is nervous about what the fast-approaching season holds.
“It’s weird not being able to go home right after school (like it’s been recently), but I love it because it’s football and it’s great having it back,” Erickson said. “I just … I don’t want them to take it (away) again. It’s kind of iffy – I really don’t know how I feel about it.”
Ravenna’s practice was marred by rain, although first-year Bulldogs coach Justin Ego said he didn’t hear any complaints.
“We ran around in the pouring rain (and) the kids didn’t complain at all – that’s a bonus, you know,” said Ego, a longtime Muskegon assistant coach. They didn’t gripe and that stuff. I think they’re excited they get to play a football game. The roller-coaster ride’s been crazy for them and now that they kind of see the light at the end of the tunnel. We tell them we’ve got a lot of work to do within nine days of playing a football game."
The return of football has forced some players to make a tough decision once the season was reinstated. Count Freeland co-captain Ben Willnitz among those players. He joined the soccer team after football was postponed.
“I had joined the soccer team because I’m not the type of person to do nothing, especially since I’m a senior,” Willnitz said. “But when they started football again, I was ecstatic. I knew I had to go back to playing football. I loved soccer and enjoyed being on the team, but I always wanted to play football.”
Check out what others had to say about the season’s return:
River Rouge coach Corey Parker
“It feels great. It’s exciting to see the guys and the families and the fans chirping around outside of the gate, pulling up. We haven’t been around football in so long it seems now. Now, everybody is so excited. The cheerleaders are back out. This is what a lot of teenagers need to break social and emotional stress and all those other things that come along with the anxiety that COVID brought along. It’s exciting to see them back out here and I’m excited for them.”
Detroit King coach Tyrone Spencer
“It feels good. The kids, there is more energy out here. The kids are feeling good and we’re just excited to get back out.” Describing the last month: “It’s been difficult, to be honest, tyring to keep the kids motivated and keep them out here and engaged. Now that we’re back playing, it’s fun. But, it’s been rough. You look at that time table -- we’re playing, we’re not playing, now we’re playing again -- we lost a kid, one DB who went to play in Tennessee. It’s hard, but at the same time, I love this team. I’m ready to go coach them up. It will be fun on the 18th.”
King sophomore quarterback Dante Moore (4-star)
“I worked my butt off a lot. A lot of days, every day, just working out, lifting and getting as strong as I can ... I’ve just been working my butt off and I’m thankful to have a season to prove it all.”
River Rouge senior quarterback Mareyohn Hrabowski (WMU commit)
“When I got the news, I couldn’t believe it. I texted all my teammates and made sure we were all getting ready. When we got back on the field, everything was just love and joy. Happy to see each other, happy to see coaches. We haven’t seen each other in so long, it’s been great.”
River Rouge senior safety Armorion Smith (Cincinnati)
“We’re trying to bring another ring back. I want to get two rings in two years with this team.”
Jeremy Werner, Bay City John Glenn coach:
“It’s been an emotional roller coaster. I just got my mind set that it wasn’t going to happen. Now we’re back to playing football.”
Saginaw Arthur Hill coach Greg Peoples:
“I was so proud of our players because even when football was canceled, they still stayed engaged, they were still working and communicating, asking me what they should do. I welcomed that. They’d call at 11, midnight, 1 in the morning to ask me questions. I didn’t have a problem with that. They remained invested. It was a surprise when they brought football back, but our players were ready.”
Columbia Central head coach Josh Kubiak
“It feels completely outstanding to be out here,” he said. "It was a complete shock to me last Thursday when I heard they were going to allow us to come back and play football, so it feels like a surprise present that we get to open up today.
“We had a little bit of team meeting this morning before school started and I got to hand out jerseys, pads and helmets again, and I think everyone is just excited to have this opportunity. We’re definitely going to make the most of it and enjoy every moment of this.”
Columbia Central senior Ethan Emerson
“It’s a dream come true, honestly. We’ve all been pretty anxious these past few weeks, so it’s exciting to get back out here and practice as a team and prepare to start competing again.”
Michigan Center head coach Troy Allen
“It’s just good to see the kids again. Three weeks ago, we had football taken away from us and we were kind of left wondering what going to happen next. I’m excited to have football back, but mostly importantly, I’m just thrilled for these seniors across the state that finally get some sort of competition back in their lives.”
Michigan Center senior Joe Olkowski
"When the first moved football to the spring, I think a lot of people weren’t even sure if that was a real possibility, so I’m so happy we’ve gotten a chance to play fall football this year. I’ve been running cross country these past three weeks just to stay in shape, so now, I have to prepare for a completely different sport.
“It might take a minute for everyone to get back into the groove of things but I’m ready for the challenge and I’m excited to have the opportunity to play football again.”
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