Team Spotlight - Merrill Vandals

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BACKGROUND

It wasn’t long ago that the old Tri-Valley West feared the Merrill Vandals. Between 1999 and 2003, the Vandals and their wide-open spread offense compiled a 46-10 record that included a run to the state semi-finals. Quarterback John Breasbois was one of the state’s elite signal-callers, and his name is still etched atop many of the state passing records.

In 2004 and 2005, though, Merrill’s football team fell into a hole. With too much talent lost to graduation and a host of talented but young skill players, there came a gap in which they finished with records of 0-9 and 1-8. Even in 2006, in which they returned to the play-offs, Merrill couldn’t compete with the top-tier conference teams of St. Charles, Ithaca, and Michigan Lutheran Seminary. However, their first round play-off victory dispelled any notion that the Vandals shouldn’t have made the post-season; in fact, it became a catalyst for 2007, the year that might signal the return to pre-eminence that Coach John Streeter has been eyeing since the disappointing 2004 season.

Last week, Merrill dispatched MLS for the first time since 2003. This sent a message to the area that the Vandals have regained their competitveness and will serve as the dark horse in the race for the Tri-Valley West crown.

UPCOMING

Next week they meet the 2-0 St. Charles Bulldogs. An upset here would make Merrill the favorites to win the conference championship. It will be tough, though; the Bulldogs have beaten New Lothrop, the defending D8 state champions, and Ithaca, the defending conference champions, in the last two weeks. In order for the Vandals to have a chance, they must have an extremely efficient passing game and violent linebackers.

STARS

The Vandals are led by junior quarterback Jason Pratt. Pratt has started on varsity for three years now - yes, since his freshman year. The 6′6” signal-caller has been named a Saginaw News “Game Ball” recipient in both of the first two weeks, and for good reason. In week 1 against Bridgeport, he earned 131 yards and 2 touchdowns through the air, and 112 yards and 2 more TDs on the ground. Against MLS last week, he added 324 passing yards with 3 touchdowns and another 140 rushing yards.

So far, Pratt’s favorite target has been Travis Minnick. Last week against Seminary, Minnick caught two touchdowns, ran for one, and even passed for another; he’s the type of athlete defenses have to be on the watch for at all times.

Defensively, Merrill relies on Sean Welsh and Matt Good. Welsh led the Vandals with 16 tackles last week. Good, who also plays wide receiver, has already blocked two kicks this season and is a hard-nosed tackler and pass rusher for the Vandals.

OUTLOOK

Despite a strong start, it’s important to remember that Merrill is still a young football team. I anticipate that their only regular season losses come from St. Charles and Ithaca, and they perhaps make some noise in the division 7 play-offs. I predict a final record of 8-3.

Next season, though, teams better be ready. All of Merrill’s experienced junior talent will be in their final season in high school and ready to make a serious run at a conference title.