Prep roundup: Almont and Algonac make indelible memory for player with Down syndrome

While four of his teammates scored touchdowns in Friday's Blue Water Area Conference football game against Algonac, the fifth Almont Raider to reach the end zone stole the show.

And the ear-to-ear smile proved it.

The Raiders ran one untimed down just before halftime, giving Benjamin Schurig — an AHS junior with Down syndrome — the ball on a jet sweep from the 40, and Schurig joyously waved to the crowd as he followed the convoy of blockers into the end zone.

See Schurig's run here .

"Ben is an exceptional young man that has Down syndrome and lights up the hallways each day at Almont High School," said Almont assistant coach Jeffrey Bacholzky. "The Almont football program would like to thank the Algonac football program, led by Nick Matzka, the officials for the game, led by Darrick Puffer, and the MHSAA for helping to make this possible."

The youngest of three brothers — Quinton graduated in 2022, Jerry in 2024 — Ben Schurig lives in Almont with his parents, Gerald and Kim.

His association with the football program began when assistant junior varsity coach Rich Davedowski inquired about including him with the team. He now practices once per week, and loves his teammates and coaches, Bacholzky said.

Coming off a trip to the Division 6 finals a year ago, the Raiders, ranked No. 2 in D6 in last week's Associated Press poll, are 4-0 after Friday's 56-0 win over Algonac, and 3-0 in BWAC play.

The Raiders ran for 482 yards in the game (not counting Schurig's unofficial 40), led by 176 yards on four attempts by Luke Winkler.

Winkler had scoring runs of 51, 33 and 61 yards, Matthew Bacholzky had TD runs of 24 and 51 yards, while Chase Battani (21 yards), Brendan Schocke (1 yard) and Brody Corneau (28 yards) scored once each.

Algonac falls to 1-3, 0-3 in the BWAC.

More football

>> Isaiah Fox threw three touchdown passes, two to Preston Fryzel (34, 76 yards) and one to Alex White (33 yards), as last year's CHSL champion beat the top team in Michigan's Division 2 on Friday.

Tyler Morgan added scoring runs of 4 and 24 yards for the Fighting Irish (4-1, 2-1 CHSL Central), while Victor Singleton returned a blocked punt 12 yards for a score.

Sante Gasperoni's 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter accounted for the only points for the Pilots (3-1, 1-1 CHSL Central).

'ANSE CREUSE 6 >> Desmond Straughton had eight carries for 163 yards and two scores, and 245 all-purpose yards, including a punt return for a TD, as the Panthers (3-1, 2-0 MAC White) won their second straight on Friday. Jordan Simes had 216 yards passing and three touchdowns, while Herman Searcy caught two passes for 124 yards and a score. Elizah Jolly had nine tackles and two sacks.

L'Anse Creuse falls to 2-2, 1-1 in the MAC White.

>> Eric Simmons scored three times on eight carries, rushing for 179 yards, while Terrell McCurdy scored twice, rushing for 117 yards on six carries, as the Huskies (1-3, 1-1 MAC White) got their first win of the season Friday.

Gavin McKee was 3-for-3 passing for 53 yards for Lakeview, Alan Kloes had five PAT kicks, while Logan Grubb had a sack and five tackles, and Corey Penilton had a sack and four tackles.

Utica falls to 1-3, 0-2 MAC White.

>> Mike Kronner was 10-for-12 passing for 131 yards, and ran eight times for 119 yards and a score, as the Marauders (3-1, 1-1 MAC Blue) bounced back with a win Friday. Michael Plater had 10 tackles, three for loss, Christian Ramirez had 10 tackles, two for loss and two sacks, and Wes Gilmore had two rushing TDs and four catches for 46 yards.

Ford II falls to 1-3, 0-2 MAC Blue.

>> Brick Sandridge was 11-for-25 passing for 174 yards, hitting LJ Hayes seven times for 87 yards, and Dorian Crawford twice for 68 yards in Cousino's loss Friday. Crawford returned a fumble recovery for a TD, while Daniel Carter had 16 carries for 60 yards and two scores for the Patriots (2-2, 1-1 MAC Blue).

Northern is 2-2, 2-0 MAC Blue.

>> Paul Muscat ran for 124 yards and three scores, while Austin Brown ran for 128 yards and two scores, as the Mariners (3-1, 2-0 MAC Silver) won their third straight. Lyncoln Osterland was 8-for-16 passing for 35 yards, and ran for 43 more and a score for Marine City.

Elijah Wilford had a 22-yard TD run for the only score for Center Line (1-3, 0-2 MAC Silver).

>> Jeriemiah Patman had 20 carries for 94 yards and a touchdown, as Madison (1-3, 1-1 MAC Bronze) got its first win of the season on Friday. Patman added five tackles, a sack and a forced fumble, Demarkus Parker had four tackles a sack and a forced fumble and Terrell Heard had eight tackles and a pass deflection for the Eagles.

Lincoln falls to 0-4, 0-2 MAC Bronze.

>> The Big Reds (9-7, 3-1 MAC Blue) swept St. Clair on Thursday, led by eight kills from Karmen Owens, six from Leah Creech and 13 from Reagan Lesley.

>> Addison Hill had seven assists and Samantha Smith was 10-for-10 service with five points and an ace for Fraser (16-4, 2-1 MAC White).

>> Lily Zdankiewicz had nine kills and a block, Sara Wilking had five kills, two aces, 19 assists and nine digs, and Ava Janusch had 10 digs and four aces for Regina.

>> The Mustangs won the sets 25-12, 25-10 and 25-11 to earn the sweep. Sharayna Luckie had 22 digs, four aces and six receptions, while Claire Leinberger and Lillie Meier led the way with eight kills apiece.

Girls swimming and diving

L'>> LCN's Giabella Watkins won the 50 freestyle (27.21) and 100 backstroke (1:13.41), Lillian Lee won the 1-meter diving (154.35). Utica's Nataly Dempsey won the 200 (2:23.92) and 500 (6:20.06) freestyle, Ella Sam won the 200 IM (2:26.89) and 100 freestyle (1:00.13), and Alayna Collins won the 100 butterfly (1:07.67) and 100 breaststroke (1:15.37).

>> The Big Reds 200 medley relay team of Rachel Kincher, Emma Meloche, Brooklyn Sims and Bianka Sikora (2:06.63) won; Sims took the 200 freestyle (2:17.70); Kincher won the 200 IM (2:26.20); Sam Hewsom won the 50 freestyle (28.03); Sims won the 100 butterfly (1:05.70); Meloche won the 500 freestyle (6:24.62); Kincher won the 100 backstroke (1:02.24); Meloche won the 100 breaststroke (1:18.31); and the team of Kincher, Hewsom, Meloche and Lillian Meadows won the 400 freestyle relay (4:23.04).

Boys soccer

ALMONT 2, ARMADA 1 >> Cal Bolen scored off an assist from Caleb Todd for Armada.

>> Patrick Farley scored twice and Lukas Hyvonen added a goal and assist for Lake Shore. Nick McParland assisted as well.

>> Nolan Derouin scored twice and Owen Mittlestatdt added one for Anchor Bay. Tyler Stackpoole and Rogan Joyce each scored once.