BIG REDS MAKE PORT HURON PROUD!

Posted by bigD | October 8, 2007 .

I apologize for putting out a minimal amount of articles lately being as I work up north and don’t have much time like I used to. That being said, today I’m going to write about something that’s never been done before and, WOW, do they ever deserve it! For 10 years (this will be the 11th) I’ve done the play-by-play for CPHS - Channel 6 - The Port Huron Area School District’s TV Station (as The Big D) at Memorial Stadium in Port Huron for their two high school football teams (Port Huron Northern Huskies and Port Huron High Big Reds). I seldom mention either of them because most of the time, their success or lack of isn’t worth mentioning however, this year is different. This year Port Huron is rocking with a Big Red team who are currently 6-1 and have a game at home (Memorial Stadium in Port Huron) this Friday Night for the MAC Blue division title.

I know the MAC Blue isn’t what the teams out of Detroit would call a tremendous high school division and some wouldn’t even call the MAC (Michigan Athletic Conference) a tremendous conference based on the overall competition in it when compared to many of the top notch schools in the Detroit area but football is football no matter where you go in the great state of Michigan and this has been one of the most exciting seasons to call Big Red football since I began doing it. Indeed the Big Reds are truly big this season.

It all starts at the head coaching position. When ex-Head Coach Ed Kindle (two MAC division championships in his own right and the only PH coach to ever host a home playoff game) stepped down and handed the reigns to new coach, Ryan Mullins, no one knew what to expect. Who could question Kindle’s success? Everything/everyone needs a change though and in stepped Mullins. In coach Mullins this Big Red team has really taken off. Players off the team have even been quoted as saying how they want to win for him. Often when a new coach comes in, teams do pick up the pace and there is no doubt this Port Huron team is about to cash in on the benefits this Friday Night when they square off against L’Anse Creuse for the MAC Blue championship. Mullins seems like an excellent motivator and the kids respond to him in a big way, as they did on Sept. 21st in beating their city rivals The Port Huron Northern Huskies. Coach Mullins hoisted the Brick Fowler Trophy and the rest is history.

Last Friday Night (Oct. 6th), the Big Reds paid the East Detroit Shamrocks a visit and spoiled their homecoming with a 49-7 thrashing. As mentioned, it was their 6th win of the season which means an automatic trip to the playoffs. Now it’s all about winning the division and possibly getting a home playoff game back at Memorial Stadium again.

Offensively, the Big Reds look first to perhaps the most talented QB the school has ever seen in Jordan Brown. Mullins often has his Big Reds line up in run-and-shoot fashion but often uses his WR’s as blockers to the outside while pounding both Brown and starting RB Chris Tatti all game long if they can get away with it. Brown (5 rushes for 91 yards on the ground and 2 for 4 for 59 yards in the air vs. East Detroit) has no problems passing the football but without a doubt his strength is clearly the run. His tall, long frame is tough to bring down but he picks up speed as he goes, has great footwork and is very elusive. Teams have trouble tackling him and in the booth I call him, Mr. Move The Sticks because of his constant ability to bail this team out with QB keepers and simple runs that he perfects because again, of the inability of the opposition to down him.

Running back and also brilliant soccer player (PH Soccer is 15-0 on the season), Chris Tatti is an excellent compliment to Brown on the rush because he’s so different. You go from the power, speed running of Brown to the shake-and-bake, quick feet, running of Tatti. Chris only had 40 yards rushing in the East Detroit game but it’s really all they needed. Tatti is also the teams kicker. Go figure, he’s a soccer player but coach Mullins has claimed he’s never coached he’s seldom coached someone so dedicated and gifted athletically. Word is Tatti spends countless hours in both the film and weight room while juggling both football and soccer. Players like this don’t come around too often and are, simply put, SPECIAL. Much like this Big Red team.

The most impressive thing about Port Huron this season isn’t just the fact that they’re 6-1 though (they should be 7-0 but came out flat against Warren Mott, gave them the first half and still almost came back in the 2nd). It’s the fact that they’re playing with more aggressiveness now, more as a team then ever and their blocking up front and especially to the outside is outstanding. I would call it biggest reason for their tremendous success that I don’t think is going to end anytime soon (certainly not this week).

Port Huron is a city largely devoted to their high school sports. Just getting to the football playoffs means so much to the community and without a doubt the Big Reds are the talk of the town right now. But to win the Brick Fowler trophy, the MAC Blue division title and to host a round 1 playoff game would simply put this city into hysterics. I see it happening if they keep their heads. That’s up to coach Mullins I suppose. To echo a broadcaster I’ve looked up to for a long time now in Michigan’s play-by-play announcer Frank Beckman, who once said regarding Charles Woodson (and a comment I’ve imitated in the Memorial Stadium press box), Polish off your mantle, Ryan Mullins. More success is certainly coming to Memorial Stadium this season. The Big Reds have been big, bad and aggressive and without a doubt, they deserve what’s coming to them. My favorite saying on kickoffs, LET’S GET NASTY, PORT HURON,can certainly be used to describe this football team and coach Mullins who deserves it because he’s worked these kids and it’s certainly paid off. Wins, success and great football! I’ve enjoyed doing the play-by-play for CPHS Channel 6 this season at Memorial Stadium like none other! Congratulations Big Reds. Let’s keep it going. Are you ready Port Huron? Indeed, LET’S GET NASTY

(all pictures in this article are property of the Port Huron Times Herald)

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BIG REDS MAKE PORT HURON PROUD!

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