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Tigers, Hurons feeling confident after wins

By JAMES

ANDERSEN

News Sports Editor

After losing their first three games of the season, members of the Hillman football team decided it was time for a team meeting.

The Tigers had been outscored 114-32 in those three games, battled some injuries and played some bad football. Even worse, their 10-year playoff streak, which dates back to 2006, was in danger of coming to an end.

“They had a team meeting three weeks ago and they discussed what we should be doing,” Hillman coach Bill Koenig said. “They brought some things to my attention, I discussed some things with them and we met in the middle.”

Three weeks later, the Tigers fortunes appear to be changing. Hillman outdueled Rogers City in Week 4 and blew past Mio last week to go from 0-3 to 2-3.

On paper, it seems Hillman can get back to the .500 mark tonight when it hosts Atlanta for homecoming.

In three weeks, a pair of wins have done a lot to change the Tigers’ mentality as they look to secure a playoff berth for the 11th consecutive year.

“Definitely (the wins have helped). We’re starting to play with confidence,” Koenig said. “We’re sticking to the game plan and making fewer mistakes.”

Atlanta (0-5) comes in without a win, but Koenig knows better than to take the Huskies lightly. Regardless of records, Hillman knows all too well just how much this game means to the Huskies.

Hillman topped Atlanta 38-0 last season, but the win came after a sloppy first half. In 2012, the Huskies pummeled the Tigers 34-14 after having to forfeit three wins.

“The kids, they know Atlanta plays Hillman very hard,” Koenig said. “Last year they had the mentality they were going to win (just because) and they found out Atlanta was going to fight.”

One of Hillman’s biggest changes over the last few weeks was moving Billy Kolcan to running back/wide receiver and making Kyler Moir the quarterback. It’s paid off in spades as Moir has thrown for four touchdowns and 182 yards in the last two weeks.

In turn it’s allowed Kolcan to be a multifaceted offensive threat. In Hillman’s two wins he has 169 rushing yards and three touchdowns and 110 yards receiving to go with one score. It’s also created opportunities for running back Caine Hunt who has 206 and a touchdown over the last two weeks.

“I’m wishing we would have done that right off the bat. Kyler has really opened the field up,” Koenig said. “(Billy) has speed and finds ways to get open and Caine’s been working very, very hard.

A win tonight puts the Tigers back at .500, but Hillman wouldn’t be out of the woods entirely. The Tigers’ final three games are against Oscoda, Whittemore-Prescott and Inland Lakes are all three figure to test Hillman. Nonetheless, the last two weeks have done a lot to raise Hillman’s confidence level.

“It’s hard to say what would happen (if we were 0-5). After Week 3 our playoff hopes were really down and we’re starting to believe in that again,” Koenig said.

Like Hillman, Rogers City is also feeling good heading into its Friday matchup against Mio.

The Hurons (2-3) entered the year with playoff aspirations, but ran into a tough group of teams in the first few weeks of the season including Alcona and Au Gres, who are a combined 8-2.

Sitting a 1-3 after four weeks, the Hurons needed a win last week and they got it, upsetting an experienced Oscoda squad with a 62-34 win.

“Last week’s win was really big for the boys,” Rogers City coach Cory Malocha said. “They needed that win to prove to themselves they could do it and they can compete with anybody.”

The win gives the Hurons a good chance to get back to .500 tonight against the 1-4 Thunderbolts and Malocha said his team has been very motivated this week.

“They’re very upbeat. They wanted to practice and stay longer (each day),” Malocha said. “The kids want it so bad. This game (Friday) is like our state playoff game. That’s how important this game is.”

The road ahead doesn’t get any easier for the Hurons with games against Whittemore, Newberry and Manton remaining, but the Hurons could give themselves a chance to win if they’re offense keeps clicking.

Caleb Karsten has more than 900 passing yards and 13 touchdowns on the season after a six touchdown performance last week. Rogers City’s receivers have been lighting up the scoreboards too as Tristan Baller, Matt Altman, Gavin Veselenak have all been on the receiving end of touchdown passes. Baller in particular has made several jaw dropping catches and continues to amaze his coach.

“He’s had so many good catches. If there’s a bad throw, he comes up with it and what he does after the catch, he reminds me of Barry Sanders,” Malocha said.

James Andersen can be reached via email at sports@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5694. Follow James on Twitter @ja_alpenanews.

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