Lake Fenton Football Team Dealing With Heat as Season Approaches

Record high temperatures have made outdoor activities uncomfortable over the last couple weeks. But for a football team set to open its season on artificial turf on an August Saturday afternoon, practicing in hot temperatures is good preparation.

plays Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard at 2 p.m. Aug. 26 in the Big Day Prep Showdown at Eastern Michigan University. The temperature on the turf at EMU is known to get really hot.

"We're expecting it's going to be pretty hot," said Lake Fenton coach Eric Doyle. "It's something we've gotta prepare for. We keep everybody hydrated and always have water all the time, but I'm actually glad that it has been hotter out. It's better than practicing in cool temperatures and then not being prepared if it's hotter during a game."

The Blue Devils have had a busy summer preparing for the season, including their team camp early in the summer, participating in the 7-on-7 passing league, practices and weight training. Doyle has been impressed with the team's participation.

"It's been hectic and busy but productive," he said. "The kids have really been working hard, a lot of practice, a lot of work in the weight room, they've been going pretty steady four days a week all summer long. I've been pretty excited with the effort and I'm excited for the season to come."

The main thing coaches are looking for from players in the summer is simply commitment. They want players who have the self-motivation to put in work on their own as well as participate in practices and other team activities.

"The biggest thing we're trying to figure out in the summer is if they're bought in, if they're around and willing to sacrifice and put the time in that it takes to be good," Doyle said. Nothing in life is free. You've gotta pay for it, so if we want to be successful in the fall, we've got to pay for it right now."

Positionally, the Blue Devils will have a lineup mixed with some experienced seniors returning as well as some underclassment who the coaching staff can quickly adapt to new roles. Most eyes will be on the quarterback position where Lance Hasenfratz takes over for three-year starter Mitch Kirk, who graduated.

"He (Kirk) was a four-year kid in four different sports, a three year starter at quarterback, so he's tough to replace," Doyle said. "Lance Hasenfratz is going to step in. He played on varsity as a sophomore last year. His development from the beginning of the year to the end of the year has been amazing."

The Blue Devils will once again face a tough schedule in one of the top small-school leagues in the state, featuring perennial state title contenders Montrose and Goodrich as well as improved programs at Beecher, LakeVille and Mt. Morris. Not only is the competition good, but there are major contrasts in styles -- Beecher is a team full of small, fast athletes while a team like Montrose relies on size, a power running game and a physical defense.

"It's such a fun league," Doyle said. "You see something different every week -- you see a Beecher team that can go the distance on any play from anywhere on the field, against Montrose you better have your chin straps strapped up, Goodrich, they're going to run the ball right at you."

Doyle also noted the level of coaching present in the GAC.

"Tom Alward at Goodrich played in the NFL, Courtney Hawkins at Beecher played in the NFL, Dennis Reinhart at Montrose has two state titles," Doyle said. "There is such good coaching in this league, so you have to be prepared every night or you're going to get exposed. It makes it fun. It's a small school league, but it's a very good football league. There are no off weeks."

Last season proved just how tought he GAC can be -- Lake Fenton finished just 3-6 overall on the season, but one of their wins was over Beecher, a team that finished 6-3 and won two playoff games.

Doyle believes that with the team continuing to work hard as the season approaches and development of some of the young players, the Blue Devils can have a good season.

"We're gonna have a good mix this year," he said. "We'll have some young players in spots, the seniors who are here now and leading us now have done a fantastic job of buying in, being here and working. We'll have to have some young kids grow up in a hurry if we're going to be as good as I think we can be. That's what I love about football -- you get what you deserve. If you work hard enough, good things are gonna happen for you. If you don't, it's gonna be the other way around. The game of football sorts things out. It lets you know if you work hard enough or not. I've been pretty pleased with what I've seen this summer."