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New Hesperia football coach Tyler Fehler played quarterback at Fruitport prior to a collegiate career that took him to Concordia University Ann Arbor, so he’s aware enough of the Panthers to know that they don’t have a strong football tradition — yet. He hopes to change that.

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While Hart continues to show signs of growth and optimism for the future, things have been rough for Shelby and Hesperia as we head into week seven of the football season. But none of the squads are giving up as they head into more challenging games this Friday.

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County football teams delivered a mixed bag last week — one game was a disappointing yet encouraging loss, one game fell short of what the team had hoped, and a third game was wiped out by COVID-19 protocols.

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It was a rough week in Oceana football, as the three local teams combined to score eight points, all by Hesperia. Bouncing back will be the key if Hart, Shelby and Hesperia are going to be able to enjoy success in week five of the football season.

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Two weeks into the Oceana County football season, Hart has snatched the headlines as the area’s top team, with Thursday’s upset win over Kent City giving the Pirates their first 2-0 start since 2004.

ST. LOUIS — Hesperia played a solid first half Thursday night at St. Louis, but wasn't able to convert it into a good second half, as turnovers and miscues doomed the Panthers to a 39-18 loss.

RAVENNA — Shelby couldn't get much going or stop an explosive Ravenna offense Thursday night, and the Tigers dropped a 63-6 decision to open West Michigan Conference play.

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No one wants a repeat of the 2020 football season in any way — some will surely bear scars for a long time from the couple of weeks last August where it appeared the season would be moved to the spring — but the Oceana football teams in particular would love to turn the page in 2021. Hart wo…

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New Hart football coach Joe Tanis has spent all off-season selling his players on the program’s motto, ‘Attack the Storm’, so when rain came during Monday’s opening practice, it offered a very literal metaphor for the Pirates. The team lived its credo by continuing with its scheduled practic…

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New Shelby football coach Phil Fortier knows what sort of rebuild he’s taking on after being elevated from his defensive coordinator position in February. The Tigers have only won four games in the last seven years since making state semifinal runs in 2012 and 2013.

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Hart announced Monday afternoon that it has hired Joe Tanis as head football coach. Tanis previously coached at Orchard View from 2012-18 and is still coaching at the school as an assistant on the boys basketball team. He also was an assistant at Wyoming this past football season.

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Hart is on the hunt for a football coach for the second time in the past five months after coach Eric Anderson resigned following one season with the Pirates.

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MONTAGUE — Hart couldn't get anything going Friday night against Montague, and took a 75-0 loss to end its season in its first-ever postseason game.

SHELBY — Shelby suffered a 57-0 defeat Friday night against Ravenna, ending the regular season with an 0-6 record.

WHITE CLOUD — Hesperia handled White Cloud Friday night, 34-15, to cap its regular season with a 4-2 record.

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The regular season is already coming to an end in Oceana County. Luckily, the state’s all-in football season this year means every team has at least one more game after this week, and the focus is beginning to shift to where teams want to sharpen the areas they can to maximize their postseas…

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SHELBY — A huge game by Hart quarterback Braeden Carskadon propelled the Pirates to a 46-36 win over Shelby Friday night in the battle for the Blood, Sweat and Tears Jug.

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The headline matchup this week in Oceana County football, of course, is the rivalry showdown between Hart and Shelby, who will each enter the game with 0-4 records and thirsting for their first win. Before getting into that matchup, though, it’s worth taking a look at Hesperia’s second win o…

HART — Hart got off to a good start, even taking an early lead, in Friday's West Michigan Conference game against Ravenna, but the visiting Bulldogs took over from there, winning the game 55-8.

MORLEY — Hesperia clawed its way back into Friday's Central State Activities Association Silver battle at Morley-Stanwood, but couldn't keep the Mohawks from pulling away for a 28-12 win.

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HESPERIA — Hesperia came just short of a huge victory Friday night against Kent City, with a late Eagles interception the difference in a 10-8 heartbreaker.

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WHITEHALL — It was a rough night for Shelby football Friday, as the Tigers took a 64-0 loss to Whitehall to drop to 0-2 and 0-2 in the West Michigan Conference.

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With week one of football, and its accompanying adrenaline rush, now in the books, county teams can now settle into something of a routine, or as close as you can get amidst a pandemic. Challenging foes await all three local squads, but for each, it’s an opportunity to get better.

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HESPERIA — Hesperia dominated the game on the ground from start to finish Friday night and pounded Lakeview, 34-7, for an impressive opening victory.

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Should it take place as scheduled, the 2020 football season will mark a new era in the way the MHSAA determines its state champions. The state will be switching from a system that automatically qualifies any team with six wins to a system where the playoff field is determined by the Michigan…