Panthers Sports

Football coach feels talented group
will be ready for tough schedule


By Bruce Rolfe

While the Climax-Scotts varsity football team will face a tough regular season schedule, Panther coach Tyler Langs feels his team will be up for the task when the season begins August 29 at Grand Rapids NorthPointe.

C-S, coming off a 10-1 overall record last year, enjoyed a number of regular season accomplishments before the season ended against state champion Adrian Lenawee Christian.

C-S won the SCAA Conference Championship for the first time since 2016, something C-S coach Tyler Langs said the program is embracing heading into the new season.

“We will get an opportunity to defend our conference title this year and we are excited for the challenge,” said Langs, entering his third season as head coach at C-S and fourth overall after serving as co-head coach in 2021.

The Panther head coach admits his team will face a tough schedule in 2024.

C-S opponents on the 2024 regular season schedule had a combined 54-34 record last year. The season features a trip to Gaylord St. Mary’s to face a talented Newberry team, a matchup against last year’s 8-man Division 2 state champion Adrian Lenawee Christian, a regular season home game against former SJV rival Mendon for the first time since 2000, SCAA rival Battle Creek St. Philip in a Saturday night tussle at Post Field in Battle Creek and a home game against big SCAA rival Pittsford.

The game at Gaylord September 7 against Newberry will be the second time C-S will travel to Gaylord for a neutral site game.
The Panthers defeated North Dickinson in Gaylord in 2008, 32-20.

“This will be an exciting opportunity to travel and compete against a good team. We will get an opportunity to get a charter bus and spend the night in Gaylord at a hotel,” observed Langs.

Last season C-S defeated Mendon 58-28 on the Hornets’ home field for the first time in 50 years and Langs said C-S is “excited to get the opportunity to play them at Climax-Scotts in the regular season.”

As far as the product on the field this season goes, Langs will have a talented group of two-way starters he hopes will blend in nicely with a promising group of players who saw some playing time last year along with another group of players eager to establish themselves as first year players.

The C-S offense has many key players returning that helped the team average 44.6 points a game last season with a potent ground and aerial attack.

Senior quarterback Logan Gilbert is coming off a season when he completed 42 of 73 passes for 1008 yards and 14 passing touchdowns. The talented signal caller added another 370 rushing yards on 50 attempts and three touchdowns.

Between seniors Luke Lawrence and Jackson Bagwell, C-S will return over 2700 rushing yards.

Lawrence was the Panthers’ leading rusher last season, churning out 1,481 yards on 137 attempts while scoring 18 rushing touchdowns. Bagwell added 1307 yards on 125 attempts and led the team with 20 rushing touchdowns.

When the Panthers do go to the air, senior Chase VanMiddlesworth will be one of the main targets. He caught 10 passes for 328 yards last year and added an additional 137 yards on 10 carries rushing. He also completed four-of-six passes for 90 yards.

Senior offensive lineman Sam Bleeker, who helped the C-S offense churn out 3,959 yards rushing, 5,157 total yards on offense and 124 first downs last year, returns as a key figure along the offensive line.

Lawrence, with a team high 100 tackles, team high 14 tackles for a loss and three quarterback sacks, Bagwell, with 84 tackles, seven tackles for a loss and two fumble recoveries, and VanMiddlesworth, with 57 sacks, two fumble recoveries and four interceptions, all enjoyed strong seasons last year on the defensive side of the ball and will be aiming for another big season.

“A great group of guys that have put in a ton of work. This group embodies Climax-Scotts football. I’m excited for this year,” concludes the C-S coach.

Pictured above is the 2024 Climax-Scotts varsity football team, coaches and staff.
(Photo by Bruce Rolfe)


Strong team chemistry, determination
leaves C-S volleyball coach optimistic


By Bruce Rolfe

A group of five returning letter winners and six ambitious first year players combined with strong team chemistry and a determination to win leaves Climax-Scotts varsity volleyball coach Angela Gilbert optimistic entering the new season.

The five returning players are senior Lylah Parrish (libero), and juniors Sophie Braithwaite (outside hitter/defensive specialist, Ashlynn Gilbert (setter), Adalynn Reeves (middle hitter), and Holly Talbert (middle hitter/defensive specialist).

Sophomores Makenzie Vincent (middle hitter), Kendal Reitz (outside hitter), Jane Carillo (defensive specialist), Michaella Carillo (defensive specialist), Ona Newland (defensive specialist and senior Ashlynn Bradly (defensive specialist) are first year players on the varsity.

C-S will be hoping to improve on a 15-16-1 overall record, 5th place in the SCAA finish and ninth place finish in the SCAA West Division.

Gilbert feels team chemistry and motivation to get better will be a strength heading into the season.

“The girls work great together and push each other to be better. They have the grit and determination to win and will do what it takes to make it happen. They play scrappy and to the whistle. One of the biggest things is that they want to learn and be better than they were yesterday,” points out Gilbert, entering her ninth season as Lady Panther varsity volleyball head coach.

While Gilbert feels her team can be one of the top competitors in the division, she sees Burr Oak, with a large number of returners, as a tough division opponent, and Mendon always seems to be competitive. St. Phil, Colon and Athens, three schools traditionally strong in volleyball, have lost some key players so it will be interesting where the three rivals wind up.

Gilbert will be assisted by JV coaches Jeanealle Pontoni Longman and Evangeline Longman. Junior high coaches are Britnie Langs and Allie Tribbett.

Pictured above is the Climax-Scotts girls varsity volleyball team. From left to right is: Lylah Parrish, Jane Carillo, Ashlynn Bradley, Sophie Braithwaite, Holly Talbert, Adalynn Reeves, Mackenzie Vincent, Kendal Reitz, Ona Newland, Ashlynn Gilbert and Michaella Carillo.

Lady Panthers start season with
2nd place finish in bracket play
at Carrie Adams Tournament


After a slow start, the Climax-Scotts girls varsity volleyball team rebounded with a strong finish to earn a second place finish in the Silver Bracket at the 29th Carrie Adams Memorial Tournament at Harper Creek High School August 24.

C-S began pool play by losing two games to both Kalamazoo Central (20-25, 22-25) and Concord (14-25, 14-25), before rebounding to win two games over Hillsdale (25-23, 25-18).

The 2-4 pool play record sent the Lady Rams into the Silver Bracket opener facing Portland St. Patrick, and C-S claimed two more wins, 25-12, 25-16.

C-S then took two out of three from Union City (20-25, 25-22, 15-10) before falling in the Silver Bracket championship match to Jonesville in two games, 15-25, 25-27.

Sophie Braithwaite led the team with 26 kills, seven aces and 33 digs, Holly Talbert added 23 kills, four aces and 47 digs, Lylah Parrish had a team high 67 digs, setter Ashlynn Gilbert totaled 94 assists to go with 25 digs, Kendal Reitz contributed 17 kills, and Addie Reeves had four solo blocks.

Lylah Parrish (left) and Kendal Reitz are ready to return a ball hit over the net against Concord during the Carrie Adams Tournament August 24 at Harper Creek High School.
(Photo by Bruce Rolfe)

Carrie Adams Memorial Tournament at Harper Creek

C-S Results

Pool Play
Kalamazoo Central Def. C-S 25-20, 25-22
Concord Def. C-S 25-14, 25-14
C-S Def. Hillsdale High School, 25-23, 25-18

Silver Bracket Play
C-S Def. Portland St. Patrick, 25-12, 25-16
C-S Def. Union City, 20-25, 25-22, 15-10
Silver Bracket Championship Match
Jonesville Def. C-S 25-15, 27-25

C-S Stat Leaders

Kills - Sophie Braithwaite, 26, Holly Talbert, 23, Kendal Reitz, 17; Aces - Sophie Braithwaite, 7, Holly Talbert 4; Assists - Ashlynn Gilbert, 94; Dig - Lylah Parrish, 67, Holly Talbert, 47, Sophie Braithwaite, 33, Ashlynn Gilbert 25; Solo Blocks - Addie Reeves, 4,