On Nov. 24, 6’6’’, 285 lb Plymouth senior Michael Jordan was officially admitted into the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, which will be played on Jan. 9, 2016. With him accepting this award were his mother and Coach Mike Sawchuk, both of whom were invited to attend the game.
The U.S. Army All American Bowl is an invite only football game televised worldwide, containing the top 90 high school prospects in the U.S. It began in 2000 when the West team defeated the East team 18-15.
This special bowl game has been played by more than 200 players who have gone on to play professional football. From this group, 73 were drafted in the first round and one person, Indianapolis Colts’ Quarterback Andrew Luck, was the overall No. 1 pick. Others from that list including some of the top NFL players, such as Vince Young, Odell Beckham Jr., Jamaal Charles, Adrian Peterson & Ndamukong Suh.
In Jordan's speech he thanked his mother, his coach, his teachers and his teammates for pushing him to be a better person and player on and off the field.
“All the hard work has paid off. My teammates constantly pushed me in practice to get better, now I get to represent them in San Antonio, Texas at the game.” Jordan said.
Michael Jordan Admitted into the U.S. Army All-American Bowl
By: Jared Stephens
Staff Writer
Photo story by Ally Schwinke and Jared Stephens
With less than a minute left in a five-minute power play in the third period, Plymouth senior Jake Silvester scored the tie-breaking goal for the Wildcats. Silvester would go on to add another goal later in the game to seal the win for the Wildcats, who beat the Canton Chiefs 3-1 on November 25 at the Arctic Edge.
Plymouth seniors, James Baldwin and Ricky Covault, assisted on both of Silvester’s goals.
Plymouth senior and captain, Kyle Kozler, named senior goalie, Trevor McManus, as a key player for the Wildcats. McManus shut out the Chiefs during the first and third periods, and stopped 10 of the Chiefs’ 11 shots on goal for the night.
On the other side of the ice, Canton senior goalie, Isaac Salinas, faced 32 shots from the Wildcats, and stopped 29 of them.
Plymouth sophomore, Josh Weber, scored the first goal of the night early in the first period, capitalizing on the Cats’ offensive play. Plymouth was not able to capitalize on many of their scoring opportunities, which kept the game close.
“We never wanted the game this close; it was definitely nerve-racking for us. We’ll definitely work on scoring and putting the puck in the net,” said Kozler.
It remained a one-goal game up until the end of the second period, when Canton turned over the puck and skated it up into the Wildcats’ offensive zone. Canton senior, James Tucker, fired a shot at McManus, senior and captain Brian Oldani finished it, which tied the game up at 1-1 going into the third period.
Both teams came out strong at the beginning of the third period, but the game swung in Plymouth’s favor when Canton senior, Erik Wafer, received a five-minute penalty for boarding. After four minutes of back and forth action, with many shots peppered at Salinas, Silvester was finally able to finish one for the Cats.
Oldani noted on the Chiefs’ effort during the game, “It was a good, hard-fought battle. We had a few breaks that didn’t go our way that cost us goals and we just couldn’t come back from that.”
Kozler said that the Wildcats will come out with more fire in the next game to prevent it from being close.
‘Cats Convert On Power Play, Beat Chiefs 3-1
By: Hannah Saad
Staff Writer
Photos by Hannah Saad
Above: Plymouth junior forward Colton Borke sprays Canton senior goalie Issac Salinas.
Top Right: Plymouth senior forward Jake Silvester (22) attempts to rebound as Canton senior Nick Harwell (21) defends.
Bottom Right: Canton senior Spencer Rochowiak defends Plymouth junior Colton Borke.
