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Onekama Eyes First District Title

ONEKAMA – With a stout defense that surrendered only 70 points and shut out opponents five times, the Onekama football program secured its first postseason win since 1999 last fall.

Champions of the now-defunct Northwestern Six Football League, Onekama’s 27-0 victory over Central Lake in a Division 8 pre-district also marked the first time the Portagers had hosted a postseason game in program history.

“It does come down to defense,” coach Jim Hunter said. “Offensively, don’t make mistakes and capitalize when the opportunities are there. Keep the ball. Possess it. Get some first downs. Help your defense out. Defensively, bend it but don’t break. Coach Wisniski does a great job with that. Those kids, you know, buy into that package and we stunt. We’re aggressive with it, too. We’re not just going to sit back.”

The Portagers make the jump to the Northern Michigan Football League’s Leaders division this season, joining Charlevoix, Frankfort, Mesick, Suttons Bay, Mancelona and Glen Lake.

“It’s going to be tough,” senior Gabe Sidor said. “Last year towards the playoffs, we did have some tougher teams. So I think once we get into the scrimmage and get into our first couple games, I think we’ll be ready to take on the rest of the schedule.”

Onekama opens its season by hosting Hillman on Aug. 25.

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