OTTAWA LAKE — Whiteford running back Cole Giesige was in eighth grade, watching from the sideline, the last time the Bobcats were Michigan High School Athletic Association football state title contenders.
The Bobcats went to the state finals in back-to-back seasons, winning the title in 2017.
Now they’re in position to do it again.
No. 2-ranked Whiteford (11-1) will face No. 1-ranked Hudson (12-0) on Saturday afternoon at Adrian College in a Michigan Division 8 state semifinal. The winner advances to next week’s state championship game at Ford Field in Detroit.
Giesige, a senior running back, said the experience of watching past teams taught him and his teammates what is required to make a run at a state title.
“It's a great way to have a senior season, hoping to end with the state championship,” Giesige said. “So it's great to be on this team right now.”
Whiteford (11-1) is back in state title contention after a 38-12 win over Clarkston Everest Collegiate in last week’s regional final. The Bobcats shut out the Mountaineers in the second half, something they’ve done all season.
Whiteford coach Jason Mensing said the defense has done well at making in-game adjustments. The Bobcats have outscored opponents 238-93 in the second half, including four shutouts.
Whiteford finished the season without allowing fourth-quarter points in the past seven games.
“We've done a great job of adjusting as the game’s gone on. We've got a lot of games where we've given up maybe the first score in the game and then adjusted it, and then got out to a three or four-score lead,” said Mensing, who is 21-8 in playoff games at Whiteford.
Linebacker Jake Iott leads the teams in tackles with 37 solo and 60 assisted. Defensive back Ryin Ruddy has the most pass break-ups with 17, and 58½ tackles (38 solo).
“The defense definitely has been stepping up. In the earlier weeks, we were really young still on defense, but we had a lot of returning starters,” said Giesige. “We have phenomenal defensive coaches that are able to keep getting us better every day.”
The Bobcats have an explosive offense.
Across 12 games, Whiteford has averaged 50.2 points and 425.3 total yards.
Giesige has averaged 103.4 rushing and 28.1 receiving yards. He leads the Bobcats in rushing (1,241 yards), receiving (337 yards), and total touchdowns (29), including two kickoff returns for scores.
Bobcats quarterback Shea Ruddy converted 60 of 110 pass attempts for 1,184 yards with 15 touchdowns, while adding 659 rushing yards on 74 carries.
Mensing said his team’s offense is versatile, and is athletic and skill-oriented.
“The more diverse as a unit you can have, the tougher you are to your opponents,” Mensing said. “So, I think one of the gifts that we have is that we're a group that can play physical, and can play physical against the run, but also have athletic enough guys that can play in space and make one-on-one matchups successful.”
Hudson has shut out opponents seven times this season.
Mensing said for the Bobcats to pull off the upset, Whiteford will have to match Hudson’s physicality.
“We know this could be a physical battle,” he said. “We're a physical team. They're a physical team. We're really looking forward to it. It's going to end up coming down to who keeps their head highest most and doesn't get down on themselves, and who, honestly, wants it more.
“We're just keeping our heads up the whole week. We're excited for the opportunity to go out and play another week, and we're grateful for the opportunity, and we just want to make the most of it.”
First Published November 19, 2021, 5:00 p.m.
