For the second consecutive year, the Suttons Bay Norsemen varsity football team will play in the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Division I, 8-player football championship game on Saturday, January 16 in Brighton. The game against Adrian Lenawee Christian will conclude an undefeated season for the Norsemen, led by Suttons Bay Coach Garrick Opie, despite the challenges brought on by COVID-19.

“They have persevered through it all with tremendous spirit, sportsmanship, and resilience,” Suttons Bay Superintendent Casey Petz said in a press release.

Due to current MHSAA and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
COVID-19 health guidelines, only a limited number of spectator tickets are being issued for the game. These will be allocated to the players’ immediate family and Suttons Bay staff needed for
transportation and event management.

For fans wanting to watch the game, Fox Sports Detroit will be offering a free livestream of the
game on both its Facebook page  and YouTube channel. Kickoff is scheduled for approximately
5:30pm on January 16 (immediately following the Division II finals game and a planned 40-minute transition period for sanitizing and team/personnel changeovers).

Suttons Bay Schools is encouraging local support via Norsemen Strong yard signs and by “painting the town red.” Members of the community are welcome to cheer on the team as it leaves for the championship at a socially distanced send-off on Saturday, January 16 at 10am in the middle/high school parking lot (arrive a few minutes early). Everyone in attendance is asked to please stay safely masked at all times and remain within their individual household groups. For more information, please visit the Suttons Bay Schools' district website. 

Photo: courtesy Cynthia Opie