A Tribute on the Field
The opening week of high school football in the Monroe County Region was marked by raw emotion and unexpected heroics, as teams honored a fallen student and delivered performances that will be remembered for months.
Summerfield’s Bulldogs opened their season with a 40‑0 victory over Flint Beecher, a game dedicated to Conor Harrigan, the 16‑year‑old who died in a June ATV accident. The team took the field with only ten players on the first snap, leaving a symbolic empty spot for the late student, and Austin Taylor capped the effort with a 65‑yard touchdown that sent the crowd into cheers.
Coach Dylan Szegedi said the Bulldogs would play with heart for Conor, and the tribute extended beyond the scoreboard as the squad wore a small patch bearing his initials.
St. Mary Catholic Central fought valiantly but fell 37‑28, despite a strong goal‑line stand and two touchdown kickoffs by Landon Barron and Lucas Rafko.
Brek Ruddy, an All‑State running back, proved his versatility by playing both offense and defense after the starting quarterback went down, rushing for 226 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Whiteford.
Jamil Brown of New Boston Huron delivered a dominant display, charging for 257 yards and five touchdowns in a 40‑28 win over Lake Fenton, a performance that also marked his first victory as a coach in five years.
Jefferson’s Ryan Roberts stepped into the quarterback role after Luke Beaudrie’s injury, throwing for 198 yards and two touchdowns, while Dave Mifsud, the new Bedford coach, described his team’s 20‑13 win over Sterling Heights Stevenson as both nerve‑warming and exhilarating.
Brennan Hudson from Gibraltar led the rushing attack with 190 yards and four touchdowns, filling the void left by graduated star Izaiah Wright.
Cam Dessellier of Milan overcame early missteps to finish with 304 yards and three touchdowns, connecting with Joshia Franklin, who added 128 yards on the ground.
Dalen Cosby from Monroe completed 4‑of‑7 passes for 173 yards, including a 154‑yard touchdown strike to Tavin Parkhurst, showcasing a resilient offense.
Justin Crozier of Ida emerged as the week’s top rusher with 271 yards, followed closely by Jamil Brown (257) and Brek Ruddy (226), while Brennan Hudson added 190 yards of his own.
The breadth of talent across the region was evident, with players from Summerfield, St. Mary Catholic Central, Whiteford, New Boston Huron, Jefferson, Bedford, Gibraltar, Milan and Monroe all contributing to a memorable opening week.