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Admirals attacked by Gators

By Michael Selecky
VIEW Sports Writer

FLINT — In only their second regular season home game since joining the United States Football Association (USFA), the Michigan Admirals hosted the Michigan (Detroit) Gators last Saturday, losing, 47-34. The loss was the team’s third straight after beginning the season with a preseason win on May 17, followed by an opening day win two weeks later.

Last season the Admirals played in the North American Football League, but left at the end of the year over a dispute with the league regarding unpaid fees.

Defensively against the Gators, Grand Blanc graduate Chad Howe had three tackles and one fumble recovery, Lonnell Turner made six stops and recovered one fumble before breaking his leg in the game’s final quarter and former Bobcat Mike Thomas added one tackle. As a team the Admirals had 41 tackles, four assists and three fumble recoveries.

On the offensive side, the Admirals were led by Grand Rapids Community College product Andre Broach with 15 carries for 137 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The fourth year running back also had one catch for a yard.
For the receiving corps, Davison’s Justin McHugh made three catches for 24 yards, Lapeer East graduate Steve Treece made one grab for eight yards and Linden’s Jarred Pfeiffer managed one reception for 35 yards and a score. Pfeiffer also returned two kicks for 101 yards and one touchdown and McHugh added four kick returns for 136 yards and one trip to the end zone.

Before Saturday’s contest, the Admirals inducted the first two members of their Ring of Champions, former lineman Nave Young and current head coach Don Matthews. The “Ring” is designed as a team Hall-of-Fame and the pair received plaques as a part of the ceremony.

Five weeks into the current campaign the Admirals are in third place in the Western Football Conference’s four-team North Division at 1-3, behind the Grand Rapids Thunder (3-0) and West Michigan Force (3-1), but ahead of the Battle Creek Blaze (0-3).

For the season, Howe, a former Bobcat, is second on the team with 18 tackles. Highlights this year for the third-year defensive back include a 28-6 loss at West Michigan on June 7, where the 5-foot-11, 200-lb. pass defender led the team with eight tackles. Howe also made two stops in the Admirals’ 41-14 loss at Grand Rapids on June 14 and on May 31 he had five tackles in a season-opening 48-22 home win over Battle Creek.

Thomas, who’s also a Grand Blanc graduate, has seven defensive stops for the campaign. The 5-foot-11, 210-lb. fourth year player has 10 carries for 36 yards as well.
On June 21, the Ada Dark Knights weren’t able to travel with enough players for their contest against the Michigan Admirals at Atwood Stadium, causing the game to be cancelled. In response, the USFA changed the two teams’ second scheduled contest on July 26 to be played in Flint.

Michigan next plays July 12 at Battle Creek and July 19 they host the Ohio Outlawz.