MSU-bound Max Bullough is state's Division 7-8 football Player of the Year
TRAVERSE CITY (AP) — Max Bullough is a young man with a plan. While taking care of the present — Bullough has led Traverse City St. Francis to 25 consecutive wins — he also is addressing the future.
The 17-year-old linebacker committed to Michigan State as a junior, intends to graduate from high school in January so he can enroll in college early and will pursue a degree in finance.
"I set my goals early, and I set them high so I knew what I was reaching for," Bullough said.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound senior, who spearheads a Gladiators defense that surrenders just 22 rushing yards and 6.5 points a game, is the Associated Press Division 7-8 Player of the Year, as voted on by a panel of sports writers from around the state.
Bullough, a two-time AP All-State pick, had a team-high 111 tackles — 50 solo, 61 assists — heading into a semifinal game against Ravenna. A fullback and tight end on offense, Bullough has rushed for 464 yards on 40 carries and caught 11 passes, five for touchdowns.
A 3.9 student, Bullough comes from a football family. His grandfathers played at Notre Dame and Michigan State. His father and two uncles played for the Spartans.
The rest of the 2009 Associated Press Division 7-8 All-State football team, selected by Michigan sports writers:
PLAYER OF THE YEAR Max Bullough, Traverse City St. Francis, 6-4, 230, Sr.
QUARTERBACKS Davin Salo, Rudyard, 5-9, 175, Sr. Nate Tack, Merrill, 5-8, 175, Sr.
RUNNING BACKS Jamohn Martin, Ravenna, 5-8, 170, Sr. A.J. Jackson, Decatur, 5-9, 160, Sr. Alex Krajniak, White Pigeon, 5-10, 190, Sr. Chris Downes, Whittemore-Prescott, 6-0, 190, Sr. Tim Klaus, Saugatuck, 6-0, 200, Sr.
RECEIVERS Zach Brewer, Adrian Madison, 6-1, 195, Sr. Eric Cogan, Petersburg Summerfield, 6-4, 165 Sr. Andrew Newbold, Frankfort, 6-3, 175, Sr.
LINEMEN Shafer Johnson, Southfield Christian, 6-0, 300, Jr. Steven Weber, Ubly, 6-6, 230, Sr. Isiah Dunning, Ravenna, 6-3, 250, Sr. Keith Koronka, Johnannesburg-Lewiston, 6-4, 268, Sr. Mitch Bolley, Potterville, 6-1, 245, Sr. Tyler Brunsting, Saugatuck, 6-7, 280, Sr. Chris Aguirre, Hudson, 5-8, 205, Sr.
LINEBACKERS Max Bullough, Traverse City St. Francis, 6-4, 230, Sr. Aaron Saunders, Mendon, 6-3, 220, Sr. Eric Booms, Ubly, 6-1, 200, Jr. Connell Johnson, Memphis, 5-11, 195, Sr.
DEFENSIVE BACKS C.J. Nightingale, Mendon, 5-9, 170, Sr. Matt Zakrzewski, Traverse City St. Francis, 6-3, 225, Sr. Major Metcalf, Muskegon Catholic Central, 6-0, 180, Sr.
SPECIALIST Beau Langs, Climax-Scotts, 5-9, 165, Sr.
PUNTER Jared Barton, Fulton-Middleton, 5-11, 190, Jr.
PLACEKICKER Brent Speer, Marlette, 6-0, 165, Jr.
COACH OF THE YEAR Mike Selzer, Potterville
SPECIAL MENTION (nominees receiving two or more votes from the 10-member panel):
QUARTERBACKS: Garret Cook, Genesee; Brendon Shallack, Colon.
RUNNING BACK: Brian Rauth, Reading.
RECEIVER: Tyler Peltonen, Genesee.
LINEMEN: Richie Flannery, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart; Jake Killian, Lake Linden-Hubbell; Shea McGillen, New Lothrop; Andrew Leverenz, Clinton.
LINEBACKER: Tenev Herbey, Detroit Loyola.
DEFENSIVE BACK: Garrett Lee, Pittsford.
SPECIALIST: Brent Cook, Adrian Madison.
HONORABLE MENTION (nominees receiving one or no votes from the 10-member panel):
QUARTERBACK: Dan Nugent, Frankfort.
RUNNING BACKS: Mike Miller, North Dickinson Iron Mountain; Jake Hutson, Montabella; Jordan Higgins, Mendon; John Vuocolo, Grass Lake; Jesse Sexton, Clinton; Kevin Fettes, Lincoln-Alcona; Nick Kolanowski, Manistee Catholic Central; Joe Kerridge, Traverse City St. Francis; Kegan Rojas, Beal City; Michael Sperling, Ashley; Nick Zaleski, Owendale-Gagetown; Justin Cleary, Ubly.
RECEIVERS: Christian Anderson, Concord; Amos Houston, Detroit Loyola.
LINEMEN: Roger Stewart, White Pigeon; Brandon Shaw, Ashley; Bryce Simon, Fowler; John Liby, Hudson; Matt Churches, Gaylord St. Mary; Dylan Stefani, Mio; Nick Taylor, Deckerville.
LINEBACKERS: Hunter Juntunen, Webberville; Caleb Quintanilla, Genesee; Cody King, McBain; Ben Bush, Johannesburg-Lewiston; Graham Morgan, Arenac Eastern; Brandon Sundblad, Lake Linden-Hubbell; Matt Berkseth, Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest; Cregg Bolles, Baldwin.
DEFENSIVE BACK: Brandon Weaver, Climax-Scotts.
PUNTER: Joe Kerridge, Traverse City St. Francis.
COACHES: Tony Balbo, St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran; Chris Luma, Hudson; Fred Davis, Johannesburg-Lewiston; Kevin Frederick, Whittemore-Prescott.