Huron County View

Ubly reflects on unforgettable season




The Ubly bench along with its fans react after a Seth Maurer third-quarter touchdown. (Photo by Quad N Productions)

The Ubly bench along with its fans react after a Seth Maurer third-quarter touchdown. (Photo by Quad N Productions)

UBLY – Although Ubly came up just short of the ultimate goal of winning a state championship, the legacy the team leaves will last forever.

The seniors, who ended their careers at Ford Field, walk away from the program as four-time Division 8 regional champions, a feat no other 11-Player team in the Thumb has ever done.

Ubly’s third state championship game appearance is the most for any team in the Thumb.

The Bearcats scored 651 points, which broke the record of 629, set by the 2008 Ubly squad for most by any 11-Player team in the Thumb.

“For the seniors, they’re not only upset they lost the football game, they’re upset that their careers are over,” said head coach Eric Sweeney. “We don’t have college athletes. There’s a finality to it. It’s kind of hard to accept defeat sometimes, when you haven’t had a lot of defeat. Sometimes, you have to learn how to lose.”

Sweeney himself, sits at 34-5 in his first three seasons with Ubly. His record is even more impressive, considering his first season started 1-2.

Ubly football fans showed up in droves to support the Bearcats in the Division 8 state championship game at Ford Field. (Photo by Quad N Productions, additional photos available at www.misportsphotos.com)

Ubly football fans showed up in droves to support the Bearcats in the Division 8 state championship game at Ford Field. (Photo by Quad N Productions, additional photos available at www.misportsphotos.com)

Since then, the only losses he’s suffered have been two in the Division 8 state championship game and one in a state semifinal.

“I’m disappointed, I’m 0-2 in the state final,” Sweeney said. “But they were good years and the kids worked hard. It’s special.”

Parker Peruski is one of 11 seniors on this year’s roster. He reflected on playing his last game on the biggest stage.

“It was a great experience,” said Peruski about playing at Ford Field. “A couple of years ago when we played, it was a lot different because there were no people. I felt calmer being there for a second time.”

He added: “I’ll look back at it and be proud of our team and what we accomplished. Personally, I think we had a good run. I’m proud of every guy on this team.”

Mark Heilig was another one of the seniors who played a pivotal role in Ubly’s success, finishing with 1,435 yards and 30 rushing touchdowns.

Ubly head coach Eric Sweeney chats with Bally Sports announcers Matt Shepherd (right) and Grant Perry (left). (Photo by Quad N Productions)

Ubly head coach Eric Sweeney chats with Bally Sports announcers Matt Shepherd (right) and Grant Perry (left). (Photo by Quad N Productions)

He discussed playing for a state championship for a second time in his career.

“We didn’t have all the jitters and nervous feelings from the first time,” said Heilig. “I felt I was more calm and ready to play like it was any other game. I’ll always remember walking out of that tunnel.”

Added Heilig about the season: “I’ll never forget this season and how we got to Ford Field – I’ll cherish that for the rest of my life. For the seniors, we left it all out there.”

Junior quarterback Evan Peruski was a 15-yearold freshman when Ubly played for the Division 8 state championship in January 2021.

With nearly 40 starts under his belt, he felt more prepared for a second opportunity.

“We had two chances to do it,” said Peruski. “Around here, it’s once in a lifetime, but we were lucky enough to do it twice. I was a lot calmer; I knew what to expect.”

With Mark Heilig (27) and Aiden Mackowiak (23) ready to block, Seth Maurer carries the ball for the Bearcats. (Photo by Quad N Productions)

With Mark Heilig (27) and Aiden Mackowiak (23) ready to block, Seth Maurer carries the ball for the Bearcats. (Photo by Quad N Productions)

He added about the season: “When I’m older, I will look back it and know how cool it was to be a part of this team. We made a lot of memories. I made a lot of memories with my cousins (Parker Peruski, Canden Peruski, Seth Maurer). I will look back at it and smile but cry a little bit too.”

Junior Seth Maurer had his breakout game during the title game, rushing for 128 yards and scoring two second-half touchdowns.

“For me, this was different because I got to play and wasn’t on the sideline,” said Maurer. “That made it way better to get in the game.”

He added: “I thought it was great to do everything we did. I played with my cousins, so it will be great looking back and telling my kids about this team. We’re going to be motivated to get back there again.”

The rest of Ubly’s senior class includes Caden Osantowski, Jenna Stambach, Chris Oswald, Aiden Mackowiak, Cameron Ferris, Jace Susalla, Charles Wallace, Logan Volmering and Alex Fleming.

With the result still fresh in his mind, Sweeney began thinking about life without such a talented and dedicated senior class.

“From a personality standpoint, they’re going to be hard to replace,” he said. “They always worked; they were never afraid of it.”

He offered thoughts about some of the outgoing seniors.

“I don’t know what it’s going to be like to not have Parker Peruski on the field for us,” Sweeney said. “He’s been Mr. Reliable for us for the last three years. He’s never missed a game. He was never going to physically dominate someone. But he played with the technique he was taught.”

Sweeney added: “Aiden Mackowiak as a linebacker, did a great job for us. He was the quarterback of the defense.

“Chris Oswald, the way he played tight end this year; I knew he had it in him. He really settled in and understood what he was supposed to do.

“Logan Volmering is another kid that worked so hard and became a silent leader on the team.”