Let's discuss this issue once and for all...

While I'm trying to get actual work done for the newspaper, the fact that people want to bash me on another newspapers website has prompted me to bring this issue up for one final time.
The issue is newspaper coverage. Right now as sports progress through the post-season, we have three teams from our coverage area left: Ubly football, Ubly volleyball and Caseville volleyball. If you are not interested in reading about these teams, I suggest you come back in Decemeber when basketball starts, because a majority of our coverage is going to focus on these teams.
That it is just how it is, the further you get in the playoffs, the more coverage you get.
People want to bash me for using the term "sacrificial lamb," I have removed the comment and addressed it in an earlier psot. If you have issue with this, address it here and not on other blogs, this is the right venue to discuss it.
And for the people that want to take personal attacks at me on other blogs...I've been called everything from Ubly homer to idiot and one person even said on another blog, "CO is an idiot and another homer. I think he had a man crush on Sweeney and the whole team. it is a shame that this moron is allowed to write in a newspaper."
Now mind you none of these people have the guts to put a real name on any posts, but they all seem to want to bash me.
So I'm going to repost a modified version of something I wrote on Rick Glaza's blog, which was addressing a slam on me so inappropriate that I can't reprint here and that Rick deleted from his blog:

Just because I live in Ubly, does not make me a homer. I dare you to find any of my coverage that has been biased toward any team I cover.
Do reporters secretly hope that the teams they cover advance in the playoffs so they can keep covering them, absolutely, but that doesn't make us fans...
Just because I've covered this team and offered insight about them, doesn't mean I'm a fan...my wife and daughters are, I'm not...
Now when my daughter plays third grade basketball this year, I will cheer for the Bearcats...
As for calling us the Ubly County Press, get a clue.Ubly and Lakers got the most coverage in football, because they were the best teams in the area, although every area team has gotten covered.
In soccer, HB got the majority of the coverage, because they were the best team, although every team got covered.
In CC, BA got a majority of the coverage, although every team got covered.
In volleyball, there were no standouts in our coverage area (we don't cover Deckerville), but all teams got covered multiple times.
Each of these teams earned the extra coverage they deserved, much like USA boys bb and softball teams got, NH boys bb, etc. last year.
We don't cover them because we are fans, but because they have earned the coverage with their success.
Ubly has gotten alot of coverage in football, which they have earned. However, despite going 11-0 this season and having won 23 straight regular season wins, this team doesn't get any respect and there are many misnomers about them.

It is a tough situation to be in. I do this for the sports fans in the area, the players themselves and their families and friends. In fact many times I put many more hours than I need to in order to give sports fans the best coverage I can.
I didn't need to spend all that time on a playoff preview for Division 6 and 7, but thought it would be something worthwhile for you fans, which is why I did it.
And I'm happy to do it, because I've heard great feedback from a lot of people on this. But it becomes harder when all the "haters" want to make this personal.
If for some reason you don't like me or don't like what I do, don't come to the blog. There are plenty of others out there to get your coverage from.
But either way, this bashing needs to stop!

Bearcats win district crown

The champs.
Justin Cleary...see coaches Terry Messing (right, background) and I think Dave Kaufman raising their arms to signal the touchdown that was just a few yards away.
Justin Cleary.

Freshman Curtis Booms, who my wife Jill taught years ago in Young Fives, tackles QB Garrett Cook. Booms is one of a long line of great Ubly football players my wife have taught through the years including Eric LaBuhn and Mitch Cleary, who were in here first Ubly class ever, which was a second grade.

Curtis Booms.

Eric Booms attempts a tackle.

Bryan Nash looks stunned after being called for pass interference in the first half. Genesee would get a 1st and goal on the nine and scored to tie the game at 6-6 at the time.

Justin cleary, who led the team with 157 yards rushing...

Justin Cleary.

Cleary on defense.

Steven Weber looks for a chance to sack the QB.

The celebration.

Time to celebrate.

The Ubly defense steps up.

Kade Kwiatkowski scores late in the game.

Joe LaFave is wrapped up on the kick return.

Joe LaFave picks off a Cook pass in the fourth.

The "U" is proudly displayed...

It was expected that Genesee would be a better test for Ubly than Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest was in week one of the playoffs. And the Wolves were, but only six points better.
Ubly put forth another dominant effort, knocking off a 10-0 Genesee team 52-6 (they won their opener over the Crusaders 52-0).
Tied at 6-6 heading into the second, the Bearcats scored 40 unanswered points in the second quarter and one in the fourth to win 52-6. As for the 40 points, the MHSAA does not have a record for points in the quarter, so no way to know how that stacks up with other efforts throughout the years.
Justin Cleary led Ubly with 157 yards on 17 carries and four scores, all in the first half.
Consequently, Garrett Cook was held to under 200 yards of total offense, which was the team's goal heading into the game. Cook was held to 77 yards passing and 63 yards on the ground for 140 yards on the day. He had been averaging 256 yards per game heading into the game.
We'll have photos up later tonight and possibly some audio from both coach Bill Sweeney and Jim Becker tonight or tomorrow.
In some bonus info, Caseville beat North Huron to win the Class D volleyball districts at Akron-Fairgrove tonight.

Here are some scores of note in Division 7:

Petersburg Summerfield beats Detroit Loyola 28-22, so they will face off for Ubly this Saturday at 7 p.m.

Also in D7, Hudson beat Reading 40-0 as expected, while Merrill beat Whittemore-Prescott 33-26 and Traverse City St. Francis knocked off Rudyard 54-8 (Editor's note: Rudyard is where my grandparents retired when they were alive) and Ispheming knocked off Ishpeming Westwood 38-0.

In a game to watch tomorrow, Mendon hosts White Pigeon at 1 p.m.

Other area scores include:

Millington 21, Vassar 6

St. Charles 35, Reese 14

Let't talk football...

Tonight I'll be at Ubly covering their district final showdown with Genesee. We'll have photos, thoughts and analysis later this evening.
Until then, gear up for the big game with this interview TSA member Paul Adams and I conducted with Ubly coach Bill Sweeney earlier this week:
http://www.box.net/shared/kagpqyux9v

Bearcats win district crown

Ubly had USA at match point in game three (24-22), but the Patriots rallied to win that game 26-24 and take game four 25-15. The Bearcats rebounded in the final game to win 15-12 and take the match.
Ubly will compete in regionals on Tuesday in Montrose. That same night, the Class D regional will take place at North Huron, which will feature the winner of the Caseville-North Huron battle tomorrow night.

Volleyball coverage from

Just a reminder, we'll have coverage tonight from the Class C district finals at Bad Axe, where USA takes on Ubly in the finals. We'll have photos, scores and more later tonight.
Tomorrow, we'll have complete coverage of the Ubly-Genesee game with photos, thoughts, possibly etc.
Feel free to send in your well wishes, your thoughts after the game, your predictions for tomorrow, etc.
Let's get a discussion going!!!!

USA and Ubly to meet in district finals

Ubly beat Cass City 25-22, 25-12, 25-20 in game one of the district semifinals, while USA took four games to knock off Bad Axe (25-20, 19-25, 27-25, 25-21).

Here are some stats from Ubly:

Nicole Franzel 13/13 serving and 27 digs

Chelsey Pionk 6 kills and 3 blocks

Lauren Peplinski 13/13 serving

Nicole Kubacki 9 kills Jen white 26 assists and 9 digs

Sam Sweeney 9/9 serving and 21 digs

Caitlyn Holdwick 11 kills

Jessica Gracey 5 kills

Comments from Ubly coach Andy Gusa:

"I was very pleased with our team energy. We had some blocks early with set the tone for the night. our defense has been improving all season. Our kids just enjoy playing the game. The playoffs are just a great part of the season."

Here are some stats from USA:

Calie Valentine 10 assists 5 digs
Cami Valentine 14 service receptions 11 digs
Brittany Gruehn 17 service reception 5 digs 12 points
Jenny Williamson 12 kills 8 points 1 ace 12 service reception 3 digs
Maddy Payton 2 kills 1 block and 2 assists
Chelsey Ewald 11 points 1 ace 20 assists
Rachel Mowry 7 points 10 kills
Sam Eisengruber 12 kills 1 block 1 assist

USA coach Teresa Rose didn't send any comments along when she e-mailed the game stats.

These two teams will meet up tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Bad Axe.

Volleyball coverage coming later tonight

Just a quick reminder that we'll have volleyball coverage on the blog later tonight. I'll be in Bad Axe covering the Class C district where Cass City tangles with Ubly @ 6p.m. and USA battles Bad Axe with a tentative start time of 7:30 p.m. (Actual start time will be 30 minutes after the completion of the first game).
In opening round action, Cass City swept Lakers 25-22, 25-22, 25-15, while Ubly received a bye. USA beat Harbor Beach in four (25-18, 25-14, 15-25, 25-13), while Bad Axe also received a bye.