MENDON, MI – Two hundred and eighty-nine points – the most points allowed in a single season in Mendon football history.

Eight-man football is a different matter, but the 2023 season was atypical for a powerhouse program historically built on its devastating defense and direct mentality.

The tough Hornets of 2024 are coming into the picture.

“We’re going to go in there and we’re going to take people down,” said Mendon senior Grant Croster. “We’re going to put pressure on everyone and we’re not going to let up. That’s our mentality on defense.”

“We’ll fly around and just meet someone.”

Mendon can look back at the offseason and have emerged with a completely revamped defense that has echoes of its historic past and displays a tough, feisty identity – something they believe can get them back to championship-ready form.

“We want to be more aggressive defensively,” said Mendon head coach Robert Kretschman. “We’ve given up a lot of points over the last few years and that’s something we need to address. As a team, we’ve revised our plans and will put an emphasis on winning the ball.”

And what does that mean? Exercise – lots of it.

“We want to create more movement and blitz and also play more zone coverage against the man,” said Kretschman. “It’s about being aggressive instead of reactive. That was our main focus at the beginning of this season.”

Mendon will replace his 2-4-2 scheme with a new 2-3-3 defensive strategy that will see the unit’s quarterbacks – returning linebackers Grant Croster and Nick Stiver – play a major role in the middle.

“Both of these guys started as sophomores and made it to the state finals, so they’ve been through this and know what it takes,” Kretschman said. “It starts with those two guys on both sides of the ball, we depend on their leadership.”

Stiver led the Hornets last season with 74 tackles and two fumble recoveries, while returning linebacker Alex Zagon should solidify the Hornets’ linebacker corps. Seniors Cam Bingaman, Kaiden Scott and Talen Buchanan will also contribute on defense.

“We’re playing a lot more physical this year,” Stiver said. “We’re trying to create more opportunities for our offense and create more scoring opportunities for ourselves.”

But Mendon’s clear strength is his experience.

After last year’s 7-3 season, which ended with an opening loss to Gobles in the playoff game, several key Mendon players are returning – some of them, such as running back Owen Gorham, had to step in due to injuries.

The electrifying junior filled the void left by All-Stater Jack McCaw, stormed the eight-player scene with 981 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns and will be one of the most dangerous running backs in southwest Michigan this fall.

“Owen is a physically strong boy with great acceleration,” said Kretschman. “He’s just a stud and a real guy.”

Gorham will work in tandem with the strong returning JT Lux as the Hornets will look to implement a dual-quarterback strategy with playmakers Ryder Gorham and Mason Wilczynski.

“Ryder is more mobile and Mason is the system guy, he knows the plays like the back of his hand,” Kretschman said. “His technique and footwork are really good in our basic sets and he can also make some power reads. But we feel like power read is more Ryder’s game.”

“We see them both as an asset to us.”

Just two years after their state finals appearance, the Hornets boast numerous players from the 2022 team – an advantage they believe will pay off on Friday night.

“Some of our returnees were on the 2022 team and know what it takes,” Stiver said. “We just have this excitement going around us this year and we feel like we can do it.”

This, coupled with the program’s long-standing tradition, not only gives the Hornets the confidence to step back onto the big stage, but it also means they can wear the green and white jerseys a lot more.

Of course, it helps to play for one of the most prestigious teams in state history – the Hornets have 11 state championships and a Hall of Fame coach in John Schwartz.

“It gives us a sense of pride that we carry on our chests,” said senior Nick Stiver. “We feel like we have to live up to that expectation and bring home trophies.”

Mendon believes they will be competing for another trophy this fall.

“After we lost to Gobles, our kids lifted weights the next day and tried to get better,” Stiver said. “We know we can beat anyone, we just have to keep working hard.”

“It takes a good team to beat us,” Kretschman added. “There are some really good football teams in this area and I think that’s something we’re all proud of. We have a tough schedule, but I think we’re more than capable of making a splash.”

Head coach: Robert Kretschman (9th year, record 65-23)

Record 2023: 7-3

Important returnees: Alex Zagon (Sr. OL/LB), Cam Bingaman (Sr. WR/CB), Grant Croster (Sr. TE/LB), Kaiden Scott (Sr. OL/DE), Mason Wilczynski (Sr. QB/CB), Nick Stiver (Sr. TE/LB), Talan Buchanan (Sr. OL/DL), James Lux (Jr. FB/DE), Owen Gorham (Jr. RB/LB), Ryder Gorham (Jr. QB/CB)

Top new arrivals: Adain McCall (Junior OL/DL), Brayden Crites (Junior TE/LB), Carter Hutson (Junior WR/CB)

Important departures: Jack McCaw (RB/CB), Dylan Cupp (Senior WR/CB), Alex Smith (OL/DL)

Attack pattern: I education, power reading

Defense scheme: 2-3-3

Review 2023: Mendon got off to a roaring start last season, winning their first five games and scoring over 600 points – 52 points per game. But then the rigors of their schedule hit, as they lost two straight games to perennial powerhouses Lenawee Christian and Climax-Scotts, allowing 131 points in those two games. That led to a playoff-opening loss to Gobles, which ended their season on a sour note despite having many promising young players.

Outlook 2024: After last year’s growing pains, Mendon has a battle-tested group looking to exorcise its demons in 2023. In the new SCAA Red Conference, Mendon should have a good shot through Week 4, while a Week 5 clash with Colon could serve as a benchmark for their potential growth. This begins a very competitive second half, as they will face Climax-Scotts and Lenawee Christian to close out the season, which could very well determine their playoff fate.

There are two key factors to Mendon’s success in 2024: health and offensive cohesion.

With a smaller roster of 15 players, Mendon will have to replace some of his production on the offensive line to make way for his outstanding running backs. If they stay healthy, there’s a good chance they’ll be a dangerous team in the playoffs.

“We need to get our offensive line together and I think that’s where it all starts for us,” Kretschman said. “We have some really good backs who are capable of stopping runs, but we need reinforcements to get them going. On defense, we just want our guys to feel comfortable in the system and communicate at a high level.

Schedule 2024

Thursday, August 29: in New Buffalo

Friday, September 6th: vs. Britton Deerfield

Friday, September 13: in Concord

Friday, 20 September: vs. Athens

Friday, 27 September: at Colon

Friday, October 4: vs. Bellevue

Friday, October 11: vs. Battle Creek St. Philip

Friday, October 18: at Climax-Scotts

Friday, October 25: vs. Adrian Lenawee Christian