Courtesy Photo/John Kruse Oscoda senior quarterback Owen Franklin

In a record-setting season, Owen Franklin was more than a few notches above the competition.

Franklin’s athletic prowess is well-established, but during the 2020 season. The Oscoda senior quarterbacked the Owls to a record-setting 423 points, including five shutouts to begin the season. Along the way, Franklin accounted for nearly 1,800 yards of offense and 28 touchdowns. As of this writing, Franklin has passed for 883 yards and 9 scores and run for 900 yards and 19 scores–good enough to lead the area in both categories.

If the season eventually resumes, Franklin will have a chance to add to those totals as the Owls are still part of the Division 7 playoffs.

For his highlight-reel season, Franklin has been named the 2020 Player of the Year on the All-Alpena News 11-Player Football Team. He was selected as a wide receiver as a sophomore and as a defensive back last season.

Franklin was one of eight Oscoda players selected this season. Joining him are teammates Kaden Schirmer and Christopher Thompson on the offensive line, Drew Hess at wide receiver, Gavin Lueck on the defensive line, Caleb Nagel and Anthony Ward at linebacker, and Zach Ouillette at defensive back.

Alpena also had eight players selected: running back Charlie Williams, receiver Mason Mumford, offensive linemen Gage Kaszubowski, Allen Johnson and Logan Momrik, defensive lineman Nick Schaub, and linebackers Everett Zann and Kayden Budnick.

Alcona had three players selected: running backs Gavin Walker and Zach Stephenson, and defensive back Jacob Sytek. Rogers City rounds out the team with three selections: defensive back Isaac Hein and defensive linemen Anthony Paull and Drew Flewelling.

Coach of the Year — Mark Whitley, Oscoda

Mark Whitley knew he had a talented team entering the 2020 season, but perhaps not even he could have imagined the year the Owls have turned in. In his fifth season leading the program, Whitley has guided arguably the best team in school history to a 9-0 record and three playoff wins while smashing plenty of program records along the way. Whitley’s teams have steadily improved under his leadership and after earning a regional coach of the year award from the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association, Whitley has earned the Coach of the Year honor on the All-Alpena News team for the second straight season.

OFFENSE

Owen Franklin, Quarterback, Oscoda

2020 Player of the Year … All-North Star League first team … threw for an area-best 883 yards and nine touchdowns … led the area in rushing with 900 yards and 19 TDs on 115 carries, an average of 7.82 yards per carry … third straight season as an all-Alpena News pick.

Zach Stephenson, Running Back, Alcona

All-North Star League first team … ran for 395 yards and 5 touchdowns on 99 carries … passed for 184 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Gavin Walker, Running Back, Alcona

All-North Star League first team … ran for 407 yards and 5 touchdowns on 92 carries.

Charlie Williams, Running Back, Alpena

Rushed for 225 yards and 2 touchdowns on 98 carries … caught 11 passes for 88 yards … repeat all-Alpena News pick on offense.

Dress Hess, Wide Receiver, Oscoda

Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Division 7 pick … led the area in receiving with 440 yards and 4 touchdowns on 24 catches, an average of 18.3 yards per catch.

Mason Mumford, Wide Receiver, Alpena

All-Big North Conference second team … caught 18 passes for 355 yards and 2 touchdowns … finished second in the area in receiving and had a 2-touchdown effort against Gaylord.

Kaden Schirmer, Offensive Lineman, Oscoda

Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Division 7 pick … All-North Star League first team … an anchor at left tackle for an offense that broke a school points record.

Gage Kaszubowski, Offensive Lineman, Alpena

All-Big North Conference second team … a leader and an anchor for the Wildcats’ offensive line.

Allen Johnson, Offensive Lineman, Alpena

All-Big North Conference honorable mention.

Christopher Thompson, Offensive Lineman, Oscoda

An mainstay for Oscoda at left guard, who was blocked for an offense that gained more than 3,400 yards.

Logan Momrik, Offensive Lineman, ALPENA

All-Big North Conference special mention.

DEFENSE

Nick Schaub, Defensive Lineman, Alpena

All-Big North Conference second team … recorded 40 tackles … recorded 7 tackles for loss … repeat All-Alpena News defensive pick.

Anthony Paull, Defensive Lineman, Rogers City

Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Division 8 pick … all-North Star League first team … recorded 48 tackles… recorded 9 sacks, forced 4 fumbles, and recovered 5 fumbles.

Gavin Lueck, Defensive Lineman, Oscoda

Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Division 7 pick … recorded 50 tackles … recorded 16.5 tackles for loss, recovered 3 fumbles and recorded 8.5 sacks.

Drew Flewelling, Defensive Lineman, Rogers City

Recorded 52 tackles … recorded 5 sacks and forced 2 fumbles.

Caleb Nagel, Linebacker, Oscoda

All-North Star League first team … recorded 42 tackles … recorded 4.5 tackles for loss and 1 interception.

Anthony Ward, Linebacker, Oscoda

All-North Star League first team … Recorded 43.5 tackles … recorded 5 tackles for loss … recorded 2 interceptions and returned one for a touchdown.

Everett Zann, Linebacker, Alpena

Led Alpena with 50 tackles … recorded 5 tackles for loss … recovered 1 fumble.

Kayden Budnick, Linebacker, Alpena

All-Big North Conference first team … Recorded 43 tackles … recorded 6 tackles for loss and 1 interception.

Zach Ouillette, Defensive Back, Oscoda

Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Division 7 pick … all-North Star League first team … recorded 30.5 tackles … recorded 3 tackles for loss … recorded 3 interceptions and returned 2 for touchdowns.

Isaac Hein, Defensive Back, Rogers City

Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Division 8 pick … all-North Star League first team … recorded 39 tackles … recorded 3 interceptions.

Jacob Sytek, Defensive Back, Alcona

An important part of Alcona’s defense and one of the Tigers’ best cover players during the season.