Lady Rams show grit in win over Schoolcraft
The Galesburg-Augusta varsity volleyball team did not let a second game loss to Schoolcraft sap confidence, but instead inspired the team, leading to a four-game win over the Eagles September 4 on the road, 25-19, 17-25, 25-4, 25-23.
G-A coach Jonica Klimp was impressed how her team responded to the second game loss with a convincing win in the third set.
“Schoolcraft was a great win for our team. This group is really showing grit and poise on the court. Every point matters regardless of the score. In my four years coaching this was definitely one of the proudest moments for me. When we coach games, Coach Fox and I focus on effort, movement, and the mental game. It really is fun watching these athletes grow in all of these areas,” observed the G-A coach.
The Lady Rams showed determination in the fourth game by closing out the Eagles in a close game, 25-23.
Klimp said serving multiple rallies were Lily Gilbert and Charlotte Lockner. Both players finished at 100% serving in all 4 sets.
The G-A coach was also impressed how her team was able to overtake the home team after trailing most of the fourth set.
“We are still working on 3rd ball errors. Grace Gibson served well under pressure which enabled us to catch up on points and shift the momentum of the game. We were able to use our defense more with Schoolcraft being an attacking team,” said Klimp, who said her team went from 31 digs against Comstock to 78 digs against Schoolcraft, illustrating the strong defense.
Gilbert had a team high eight aces, 21 digs and two blocks, Lexi Coburn totaled 34 assists, and Wende Trines led the team in kills (14) and had two blocks.
G-A def. Schoolcraft, 25-19, 17-25, 25-4, 25-23
G-A Stat Leaders
BreAnna Keene - 7 kills
Charlotte Lockner - 7 aces, 13 digs
Lily Gilbert - 8 aces, 13 kills, 21 digs, 2 blocks
Lexi Coburn - 34 assists, 7 digs
Addison Born - 6 digs
Wende Trines - 14 digs, 2 blocks
Grace Gibson - 6 kills, 13 digs
Emily Coleman - 11 digs
G-A Freshman/JV/Varsity
Volleyball
Sat. 9-13 Climax-Scotts Tournament (Var) Away 9 a.m.
Tues. 9-16 Holland Black River (9th/JV/Var) Away 5:30 p.m.
Thurs. 9-18 Hackett Catholic Prep (9th/JV/Var) Home 5:30 p.m.
Tues. 9-23 Martin (JV/Var) Away 5:30 p.m.
Sat. 9-13 Climax-Scotts Tournament (Var) Away 9 a.m.
Tues. 9-16 Holland Black River (9th/JV/Var) Away 5:30 p.m.
Thurs. 9-18 Hackett Catholic Prep (9th/JV/Var) Home 5:30 p.m.
Tues. 9-23 Martin (JV/Var) Away 5:30 p.m.
G-A football team falls to Plainwell, 41-0
The Galesburg-Augusta JV football team went into a September 11 game against Allegan searching for its first win after the team dropped a 41-0 decision to Plainwell September 4 at Maskill Field.
G-A coach Les Brewer felt his team was undermanned against the larger Division 2 Trojans.
However the Ram coach was pleased how his team kept battling. He said the 0-2 Rams moved the ball on some new plays in the fourth quarter, giving the team something to build on for the Allegan game.
Junior Varsity
Football
9-18: Schoolcraft Home 6 p.m.
9-25 Lawton Away 6 p.m.
Football
9-18: Schoolcraft Home 6 p.m.
9-25 Lawton Away 6 p.m.
G-A cross country teams
compete at homer, D-K invites
The Galesburg-Augusta cross country team had one top 25 finisher in the mens race and one top 15 placer in the womens race at the Homer Invite September 6.
Olivet won the women’s race with 20 points and Adrian Madison won the men’s event with 56 points.
The G-A men finished ninth out of 11 teams that had enough runners to score as a team with 207 points.
G-A did not have enough runners to score as a team in the women’s race.
G-A sophomore Ashton Dingee was the first Ram to cross the finish line in the mens race, finishing 25th with a time of 19:58.63.
Freshmen Vincent Finedell (22:52.98) and Aaiden Schroeder (30:10.32) both recorded personal record times.
G-A freshman Sophia Dohm was the lone Ram runner in the womens race and she set a personal record with a time of 23:13.63 in 13th place out of a field of 58 runners.
In the 2,575 meter Middle School race, G-A finished fourth out of a field of nine teams in the boys race with 71 points and the G-A girls did not have enough runners to score as a team.
Madison won the girls middle school race with 17 points and also won the boys race with 34 points.
In the middle school race G-A 6th grader Louie Finedell was the first Ram to cross the finish line, finishing 12th with a time of 10:39.50, and 8th grader Neva Freed finished 9th with a time of 12:42.63.
The Ram cross country teams also participated in the Delton-Kellogg Invite September 4 at the Gilmore Car Museum.
G-A did not have enough runners to score as a team in the womens race, however freshman Sophia Dohm finished 29th with a time of 24:37.95.
Grand Rapids Covenant Christian won the womens race with 34 points.
The G-A boys finished ninth with 247 points. Holland Calvary Christian placed first with 27 points.
G-A junior Nick Stevens finished 37th with a time of 20:37.00 out of a field of 123 runners.
Delton-Kellogg Invite (At Gilmore Car Museum)
Women
G-A results
29-Sophia Dohm, 24:37.95
Men
1-Holland Calvary Christian, 27, 2-Paw Paw, 59, 3-GR Covenant Christian 92, 4-Schoolcraft, 102, 5- Delton-Kellogg, 120, 6-Fennville, 161, 7-Lake Odessa Lakewood, 192, 8-Hastings, 212, 9-Galesburg-Augusta, 247, 10-BC Pennfield, 291, 11-Kalamazoo Christian, 305
G-A Results
37. Nick Stevens, 20:37.00, 43. Knighten Rockwell, 20:52.00, 45. Ashton Dingee, 20:59.00, 104. Vincent Finedell, 24:32.65, 123. Aaiden Schroeder, 37:27.30
Homer Invitational
Women
1-Olivet, 20, 2-Clinton, 66, 3-Hudson, 70, 4-Homer, 76
G-A Results
13-Sophia Dohm, 23:13.63
Men
1-Adrian Madison, 56, 2-Olivet, 85, 3-Brooklyn Columbia Central, 121, 4-Clinton, 121, 5-Homer, 126, 6-Jackson Preparatory, 131, 7-Hudson, 165, 8. Athens, 165, 9-Galesburg-Augusta, 207, 10-Addison, 225, 11-Reading, 294
G-A Results
25-Ashton Dingee, 19:58.63, 29-Knighten Rockwell, 20:16.32 , 30-Nick Stevens, 20:22.83, 65-Vincent Finedell, 22:52.98, 89-Aaiden Schroeder, 30:10.32
Middle School Boys
G-A Results
12-Louie Finedell, 10:39.50, 15-Lincoln Lovely, 10:55.12, 22- Hershel Dohm, 11:09.21, 29-Cameron Kuhse, 11:28.57, 41-Everett Finedell, 12:38.72, 79-Connor Schroeder, 21:52.00
Girls
G-A Results
9-Neva Freed, 12:42.63, 41-Sienna Metty, 14:05.19, 46-Sylvia Millard, 14:48.67
G-A remains focused on qualifying
for playoffs despite loss
By Bruce Rolfe
While a 34-20 loss to Plainwell September 5 was disappointing, the Galesburg-Augusta varsity football team remains laser focused on its goal of reaching the playoffs.
The Rams missed an opportunity to bank valuable playoff points against a larger school, however the energy and determination remains intact.
The Rams, now 1-1, will get another opportunity to get back in the win column September 12 against another larger school when the Allegan Tigers (1-1) visit Maskill Field.
G-A coach Chuck Hadley feels this year’s team has a unique mental makeup to push disappointment aside quickly and look ahead in a quest to achieve one of its goals, making the playoffs.
“A little more mentally tough then groups in the past. A little more focused on the goal. This group is more bought in to that goal. With Plainwell being such a big school, in the new playoff system, that was a real big point for us, and that’s why getting this one would have gone a long way toward making our goal. Our season’s not over by any means.
We still have our opportunities against big schools. Allegan next week is a big school. South Haven at the end of the season. So there’s plenty of points available for us to still make it to the playoffs. We just can’t waste too many more opportunities or it goes away, but we’re fine,” said the G-A coach.
The unveiling of legendary Hall of Fame Galesburg-Augusta football Coach Bill Maskill’s statue created an upbeat environment during a very special pre-game ceremony, however the evening ended on a down note for the home team and their fans.
This team doesn’t like to lose and G-A senior Bradlee Hubbard was up front how he feels his team will respond to the loss.
While a 34-20 loss to Plainwell September 5 was disappointing, the Galesburg-Augusta varsity football team remains laser focused on its goal of reaching the playoffs.
The Rams missed an opportunity to bank valuable playoff points against a larger school, however the energy and determination remains intact.
The Rams, now 1-1, will get another opportunity to get back in the win column September 12 against another larger school when the Allegan Tigers (1-1) visit Maskill Field.
G-A coach Chuck Hadley feels this year’s team has a unique mental makeup to push disappointment aside quickly and look ahead in a quest to achieve one of its goals, making the playoffs.
“A little more mentally tough then groups in the past. A little more focused on the goal. This group is more bought in to that goal. With Plainwell being such a big school, in the new playoff system, that was a real big point for us, and that’s why getting this one would have gone a long way toward making our goal. Our season’s not over by any means.
We still have our opportunities against big schools. Allegan next week is a big school. South Haven at the end of the season. So there’s plenty of points available for us to still make it to the playoffs. We just can’t waste too many more opportunities or it goes away, but we’re fine,” said the G-A coach.
The unveiling of legendary Hall of Fame Galesburg-Augusta football Coach Bill Maskill’s statue created an upbeat environment during a very special pre-game ceremony, however the evening ended on a down note for the home team and their fans.
This team doesn’t like to lose and G-A senior Bradlee Hubbard was up front how he feels his team will respond to the loss.
G-A running back Giovanni Evans heads up field during action against Plainwell September 5 at Plainwell.
(Photo by Bruce Rolfe)
“We’re going to go to practice, we’re going to work harder then last week and we’re going to come back and smack Allegan in the mouth,” said the G-A senior.
“We’re still alive. We’ve a got really good football team. We’re going to get some wins and the playoffs are still alive for us. That was our goal right from the get go. Obviously, you want to win them all, but the goal is to make the playoffs and that’s still alive, so that’s what we’re chasing,” adds Hadley.
Turnovers proved to be a big factor. Plainwell had three take aways, depriving the Rams from three potential scoring opportunities,. The Trojans scored on two of the turnovers.
“Anybody you give the ball up two, three times to, is probably going to beat you. Against a really good team like that, you’ve got to be able to secure the ball, and we weren’t, and they took advantage of it. Probably was the difference in the game tonight,” said the Ram coach.
G-A looked sharp early, driving inside the Plainwell 10-yard line, however an interception ended the drive.
The Rams returned the favor later after Dominic Corsi ended a Trojan drive deep in G-A territory by forcing a fumble and returning the pigskin to the Plainwell 36-yard line.
A few plays later G-A quarterback Patrick Armock teamed up with Cayden Allie on a seven-yard strike with 3:15 left in the first quarter to open the scoring. The two-point conversion was no good and G-A took a 6-0 lead into the second quarter.
Plainwell came back a little past the halfway mark of the second quarter when quarterback Luke Filkins scored on a two-yard run at the 4:51 mark to tie the score. Gavin Steele kicked the first of four extra points to give the visitors the lead for good, 7-6.
Plainwell made G-A pay for another turnover late in the second half when Drew Rayman intercepted a pass, followed by Chib Amazechi’s 70-yard burst that extended the lead to 13-6 with 1:32 left in the second quarter. The two-point conversion attempt was no good and the Trojans went into the halftime break with a 13-6 lead.
A 38-yard pickup by Cameron Larsen set up Plainwell’s next score, a seven-yard touchdown run by Filkins with 8:28 left in the third quarter. Steele’s extra point kick gave the visitors a 20-6 lead.
G-A responded 5:39 later when Jonah Ranes found a nice hole and ran 26 yards for a touchdown at the 2:49 mark of the third quarter. The two-point conversion failed, however the Rams pulled to within 20-12.
Plainwell delivered a big blow by driving 65 yards over the final 2:41.5 of the third quarter to take a 27-12 lead into the fourth quarter.
Cameron Larsen had the big run in the drive, picking up 38 yards. The Trojan sophomore crossed the goal line from nine yards out with 7.5 seconds left in the quarter. Steele kicked the extra point.
A fumble recovery by Plainwell on the G-A 29-yard line early in the fourth quarter led to Plainwell’s final touchdown.
Filkins connected with Amazechi on the first play from scrimmage, giving the visitors a 33-12 advantage with 11:31 left in the game. Steele kicked the extra point for a 34-12 advantage.
A 23-yard touchdown run by Greg Buckner with 1:12 left in the game, followed by a two-point run by the G-A junior established the final score.
“We got a couple stops. We knew if we did what we had to do we’d be able to score, and we did. Just too many opportunities that we gave away. We score on the three drives that we gave the ball away on and we win the game. We’re right there,” recalled Hadley.
Ranes finished with 129 yards on 15 carries to lead the G-A ground game, which totaled 267 yards.
Giovanni Evans accumulated 12 tackles and C.J. Benard had six.
Plainwell finished with 318 yards rushing and completed six-of-9 passes for 143 yards.
Evans caught two passes for 40 yards for G-A.
RAM HORNS: With the exception of a few plays on kickoffs, the Rams were without senior running back and defensive back Justin Martin, who suffered a knee injury in the season opener, creating a big void.
G-A coach Chuck Hadley said it was a game time decision and Martin probably could have played more, but the coaching staff felt it was not worth the risk potentially losing the G-A senior to a season ending injury.
Martin suffered an injury in the season opener at Cassopolis to the same knee he injured early last year that sidelined him for the rest of the season, but the injury was less severe injury and to a different part of the knee.
“That’s a big loss. A huge part of our offense and plays both ways for us. Not saying that’s the difference, but the next guy’s got to be up and got to do the job. But that’s a big, big, big piece of what we have there,” said Hadley, who feels Martin will be ready for the September 12 game against Allegan.
Galesburg-Augusta
Varsity Football Schedule 2025
9-12 Allegan Home 7 p.m.
9-19: Schoolcraft Away 7 p.m.
Varsity Football Schedule 2025
9-12 Allegan Home 7 p.m.
9-19: Schoolcraft Away 7 p.m.
G-A players draw inspiration
from Bill Maskill Jr.
By Bruce Rolfe
After 55 years in the coaching profession before he retired January 1, 2024, Bill Maskill, Jr. enjoyed the opportunity to get back into a football lockerroom environment delivering a pre-game speech.
Having that opportunity before a football game in the school district he graduated from in 1967 made the moment even more special.
And the current G-A varsity football team members and coaching staff drew inspiration from Maskill’s talk too.
Current G-A varsity football coach Chuck Hadley asked Maskill to deliver a pre-game speech to his team before the Rams took on Plainwell September 5 at Maskill Stadium on the night the statue honoring Maskill’s father, legendary Hall of Fame G-A football coach Bill Maskill, was unveiled earlier.
The former Ram and long time college football coach told the current G-A players it is a privilege for them to be playing football for G-A “because everybody can’t do this.”
“You guys have sacrificed. You’ve taken, when everybody else wasn’t, when it’s hot, when it’s cold, when it’s snowing. There’s a whole school out there that’s not doing what you guys are doing. And it takes courage, it takes guts, it takes mentality and it takes strength to do what you’re doing,” said Maskill, Jr.
The G-A graduate, who was joined by former Ram players he played football with at G-A in the G-A lockerroom, told the team “we want you guys to make this your legacy.”
Maskill told the team the night was all about his father and all of the former football players and alumni who came back to watch the Maskill statue unveiling, but the current players are playing an important role too.
“They’re living their lives, that played here at Galesburg, they’re living that through you guys. So what you guys do tonight, and this year, you’re going to remember the rest of your life,” said Maskill.
The former college football coach and G-A graduate emphasized to the seniors the memories they create today will last a lifetime and will be something they will talk about years later.
After 55 years in the coaching profession before he retired January 1, 2024, Bill Maskill, Jr. enjoyed the opportunity to get back into a football lockerroom environment delivering a pre-game speech.
Having that opportunity before a football game in the school district he graduated from in 1967 made the moment even more special.
And the current G-A varsity football team members and coaching staff drew inspiration from Maskill’s talk too.
Current G-A varsity football coach Chuck Hadley asked Maskill to deliver a pre-game speech to his team before the Rams took on Plainwell September 5 at Maskill Stadium on the night the statue honoring Maskill’s father, legendary Hall of Fame G-A football coach Bill Maskill, was unveiled earlier.
The former Ram and long time college football coach told the current G-A players it is a privilege for them to be playing football for G-A “because everybody can’t do this.”
“You guys have sacrificed. You’ve taken, when everybody else wasn’t, when it’s hot, when it’s cold, when it’s snowing. There’s a whole school out there that’s not doing what you guys are doing. And it takes courage, it takes guts, it takes mentality and it takes strength to do what you’re doing,” said Maskill, Jr.
The G-A graduate, who was joined by former Ram players he played football with at G-A in the G-A lockerroom, told the team “we want you guys to make this your legacy.”
Maskill told the team the night was all about his father and all of the former football players and alumni who came back to watch the Maskill statue unveiling, but the current players are playing an important role too.
“They’re living their lives, that played here at Galesburg, they’re living that through you guys. So what you guys do tonight, and this year, you’re going to remember the rest of your life,” said Maskill.
The former college football coach and G-A graduate emphasized to the seniors the memories they create today will last a lifetime and will be something they will talk about years later.
Billy Maskill offered an inspiring speech to the G-A varsity football team before the September 5 game against Plainwell and moments after a statue of his father, the late Bill Maskill, was unveiled in a pre-game ceremony.
(Photo by Bruce Rolfe)
“I want to encourage you guys to give it your best. Things aren’t always going to go right. There’s going to be something that didn’t happen that you didn’t account for. That’s o.k. Get up off the ground and get ready and go strike them again. Let’s get out there and have a great game tonight. We’re all pulling for you. Let’s go get them,” said Maskill, Jr.
After a loud applause of appreciation from the G-A players, Hadley told his team, “if that doesn’t get you fired up to play football for Galesburg-Augusta, I don’t know what will.”
Hadley wanted his football team to watch the statue unveiling ceremony and get a grasp of G-A’s past and the type of coach and person Maskill was.
He felt having Maskill’s son speak to his team before the Plainwell game would be an inspiration.
“I think what we really wanted them to think about, is let them know about Mr. Maskill. They were so far past him that I’m not sure they were aware of all that he’s done here, so it was nice for them to be part of that ceremony and actually make that connection to who the name of this field is after and Mr. Maskill. His son got to address the team before the game, which was nice and kind of made that connection that may not have been there, because they were so far removed from when he coached here,” said the current Ram football coach.
With their eyes locked on Maskill, listening carefully to what he had to say, it was obvious players were inspired by his speech.
“It meant the world. It gave the whole team goose bumps. We were as hyped as we could be,” said G-A senior Bradlee Hubbard.
Hubbard said watching the statue unveiling ceremony in front of so many G-A alumni and a large crowd also gave the team motivation.
“You could feel the energy from these guys. We strive to be like them and be as good as we can be, like them,” adds the G-A senior.
“It was an honor and privilege to talk to the team. And to have a statue there, it’s going to be there for 200 years, is just awesome,” said Billy Maskill.
After coaching stops as a Division I assistant at Vanderbilt (twice), Southern Methodist, Wake Forest, Oregon, Tulane, Louisville, Arizona State, Bowling Green and Iowa, Maskill, Jr. arrived at Midwestern State University in the Spring of 2002 as the head coach. He is Midwestern State University’s all-time leader with 160 wins, while leading the Mustangs to five Lone Star Conference championships with nine NCAA Division II postseason appearances. He directed the Mustangs to 19 winning seasons, including in each of his first 17 years in Wichita Falls.
He was inducted into the Midwestern State University Hall of Honor prior to Homecoming festivities at halftime of MSU’s football game against Angelo State October 19, 2024.
After a loud applause of appreciation from the G-A players, Hadley told his team, “if that doesn’t get you fired up to play football for Galesburg-Augusta, I don’t know what will.”
Hadley wanted his football team to watch the statue unveiling ceremony and get a grasp of G-A’s past and the type of coach and person Maskill was.
He felt having Maskill’s son speak to his team before the Plainwell game would be an inspiration.
“I think what we really wanted them to think about, is let them know about Mr. Maskill. They were so far past him that I’m not sure they were aware of all that he’s done here, so it was nice for them to be part of that ceremony and actually make that connection to who the name of this field is after and Mr. Maskill. His son got to address the team before the game, which was nice and kind of made that connection that may not have been there, because they were so far removed from when he coached here,” said the current Ram football coach.
With their eyes locked on Maskill, listening carefully to what he had to say, it was obvious players were inspired by his speech.
“It meant the world. It gave the whole team goose bumps. We were as hyped as we could be,” said G-A senior Bradlee Hubbard.
Hubbard said watching the statue unveiling ceremony in front of so many G-A alumni and a large crowd also gave the team motivation.
“You could feel the energy from these guys. We strive to be like them and be as good as we can be, like them,” adds the G-A senior.
“It was an honor and privilege to talk to the team. And to have a statue there, it’s going to be there for 200 years, is just awesome,” said Billy Maskill.
After coaching stops as a Division I assistant at Vanderbilt (twice), Southern Methodist, Wake Forest, Oregon, Tulane, Louisville, Arizona State, Bowling Green and Iowa, Maskill, Jr. arrived at Midwestern State University in the Spring of 2002 as the head coach. He is Midwestern State University’s all-time leader with 160 wins, while leading the Mustangs to five Lone Star Conference championships with nine NCAA Division II postseason appearances. He directed the Mustangs to 19 winning seasons, including in each of his first 17 years in Wichita Falls.
He was inducted into the Midwestern State University Hall of Honor prior to Homecoming festivities at halftime of MSU’s football game against Angelo State October 19, 2024.
