News Photo by James Andersen The 2022 Rogers City football team includes Austin Fenstermaker, Jaymison Fleming, Isaac Paull, Hayden Hentkowski, Spencer Whitford, Josh Altman, Caden Farmer, Caden Brege, Deegan Felax, Rob McFadden, Dylan Lafleche, Ryan Hart, Joe Brado, Joe McFadden, Gus Bellmore, Patrick Mulka, Mason Bowden, and Kaleb Tulgestke.

ROGERS CITY — Everything went right for the Rogers City football team during its first season of 8-Player football in 2021.

The Hurons started the season with four shutouts in their first five games, went 8-2, made the playoffs, and set a new program scoring record

The scary thing is the Hurons could be even better in 2022.

With a dozen seniors back and talent all over the field, Rogers City aims to pick up right where it left off.

“They know what’s at stake this year. They know they have a really really great chance to do something big,” Rogers City coach Jesse Fenstermaker said. “I’m not putting any huge expectations on the players. I’m letting them set their goals. It’s a really strong unit, they get along really well and we lost three seniors last year, so the core group is all about getting it done this year and improving on last year.”

The Hurons averaged more than 33 points a game last season, but with the talent they have returning, their offense could make Friday nights more difficult for opposing defenses.

Spencer Whitford returns at quarterback after a successful junior season. Whitford threw for more than 600 yards and 13 touchdowns last year and added almost 400 yards on the ground with four additional scores.

In the backfield, Rogers City returns do-it-all player Hayden Hentkowski. The senior speedster — who was named co-Alpena News Player of the Year last season — torched defenses last season as a dual threat. He ran for more than 1,000 yards last season and scored 16 touchdowns and skills as a receiver too, amassing more than 500 yards and six touchdowns.

Austin Fenstermaker will see some time in the backfield and Isaac Paull could see some carries as well.

At receiver, Whitford will have plenty of experienced wideouts to throw to. Jaymison Fleming, Mason Bowden, and Caden Brege are among the Hurons’ returners, and Josh Altman, Deegan Felax, and Kaleb Tulgestke are in the mix as well.

Fenstermaker knows his offense has to be special as players like Fleming, Whitford, and Hentkowski showed last season what can happen when they get a chance to make plays in open space.

“It’s something you can’t coach and they have it. They see an opening and they’re gone in the blink of an eye,” Fenstermaker said. “I can do X-and-Os all day, but (with) the talent they have, I give them the freedom to do whatever they need to do.”

On the line, Rogers City returns four-year players Dylan Lafleche and Gus Bellmore as well as Patrick Mulka. Fenstermaker knows it won’t be easy to replace all-stater Anthony Paull on the line, but likes the mix of talent and experience he has there.

With 12 seniors, Fenstermaker has perhaps his deepest team ever, one where players are already taking charge and setting the tone for the year.

“It’s like having 10-12 extra coaches out there. They can take care of the little stuff, where I can focus more on more important things,” Fenstermaker said. “It really helps them hone in on getting better when I can come up with things for them to do.”

After spending last season as an independent team, the Hurons are back in familiar territory this year. They’re part of the North Star 8-Man League and their schedule includes games against traditional rivals like Posen, Hillman, and Atlanta.

It’s a far cry from last season when they took multiple long road trips to play and Fenstermaker said one of the team’s goals is to win the conference on the way to what the team hopes is a long playoff run.

2022 ROGERS CITY SCHEDULE

Aug. 26 vs. Charlton Heston

Sept. 2 vs. Au Gres

Sept. 9 at Posen

Sept. 16 vs. Atlanta

Sept. 23 at Hale

Sept. 30 at Whittemore-Prescott

Oct. 7 vs. Mio

Oct. 14 vs. Alcona

Oct. 21 at Hillman