By Riley Homan (Class of 2029) and Mr. Zane Harding (Journalism Advisor)
Stats courtesy of Coach Justin Sedelmaier
Despite a challenging start to the season, the 2026 Onekama Portagers football team is confident and motivated through two games. After an over-eight-hour round-trip bus ride to Rudyard High School in the upper peninsula, the Portagers left their season opener disappointed following a 22-6 defeat. This past Wednesday, however, the team bounced back in a big way with a 42-8 victory over Baldwin.
Onekama’s opening game in the U.P. was closer than the final score suggests. The Portagers opened the game with an onside kick recovery to start the game with a 6-0 lead against the Bulldogs. The game was ultimately a low-scoring affair; the teams were tied 6-6 at halftime, and still tied there after three quarters. In the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs ultimately broke through, scoring on two extended fourth-quarter drives. Despite the 22-6 final score, the team left the upper peninsula encouraged by its defensive effort.
This past Wednesday, the Portagers traveled for their week two contest against the Baldwin Panthers. Encouraged by the defensive effort they showed against Rudyard, the Portagers came out strong, winning 42-8 and posting an array of excellent plays from sophomore QB Bennett Zeller, senior EDGE/TE Ryan Hrachovina, and other key players.
This season, the Portagers are faced with replacing numerous contributors from the recent graduating class of 2026. TE Luke Bradford, LB Brandon Brindle, RB Tyler Hart, NT Andrew Potter, and QB Andrew Hybza provided elite production throughout the 2025-26 season, which saw a best in program history 11-0 start to the season for Onekama. Thus far, sophomores QB Bennett Zeller, TE/EDGE Jerry LaPan, C Owen Short, juniors LB Camden Ickes and G/TE Garrett Desarmeaux, and seniors RB Dayne Sibo and senior G Aiden Martell have replaced last year’s senior production.
Through two weeks, Zeller and Ickes have stepped up as leaders on both sides of the ball. Zeller has 242 rushing yards, 127 passing yards, 6 total TDs, and 2 INT through two weeks as Onekama’s starting QB, while Ickes has produced 13.5 tackles through two weeks and 4 TFLs. Returning senior EDGE Ryan Hrachovina has been especially productive, posting 12 TFLs within two weeks on defense, and 71 receiving yards and one TD in week two on offense.
The Portagers will continue their season this Friday, 9/11, for the annual Warrior Game at Brethren, beginning at 7:00 PM.