By Riley Homan (Class of 2029)
Edited by Mr. Zane Harding (Journalism Advisor)
Stats courtesy of Coach Justin Sedelmaier
As the season continues, the 2026 Onekama Portagers football team continue to heat up. Going into week five, the Portagers are currently on a four-game win streak and are riding a 4-1 record into Friday's home opener against Suttons Bay.
On September 11, 2026, the Portagers traveled to Brethren to face the Bobcats in the Annual Warrior Game. The team dominated its way to a 34-0 shutout, with the team posting multiple key contributions from the entire team. The most notable players on the defensive side were junior Camden Ickes with 4 ½ tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. Senior Ryan Hrachovina also contributed well with 3 ½ tackles and two sacks. On the offensive side, sophomore Bennett Zeller and junior Caleb Poland led the team; Zeller contributed 65 rushing yards and 24 passing yards for one rushing touchdown and one passing touchdown. Poland posted 54 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.
The following week on 9/18, the Portagers traveled to Inland Lakes High School to face the Newberry Indians. The Portagers won that game 20-14 in a close matchup. The offensive stats would be spread between three main contributors; Zeller, Hrachovina, and junior Jason Sedelmaier. Zeller contributed 84 rushing yards, 158 passing yards for one rushing touchdown, one passing touchdown, and one interception. Hrachovina posted an excellent stat line of 89 rushing yards, 86 receiving yards, and one rushing touchdown. Sedelmaier contributed 73 receiving yards and a touchdown. The defensive side saw contributions from Sedelmaier, Hrachovina, and senior Dayne Sibo. Sedelmaier contributed 4 ½ tackles and three deflections shining in pass coverage, Hrachovina posted an incredible defensive stat-line of 10 ½ tackles, 3 TFLs and two sacks, and Sibo contributed well all around with 5 ½ tackles and 3 TFLs.
Most recently, on 9/24, the Portagers traveled to Mesick to face the Bulldogs. The Portagers dominated the Bulldogs, winning 52-7. On the defensive side of the ball, it would once again be Hrachovina and Sedelmaier leading the charge. Hrachovina posted 7 ½ tackles, continuing to rack up tackling numbers, and Sedalmaier contributed 5 ½ tackles, one sack, one pass deflection, and one interception. On the offensive side, Zeller and Poland shined; Zeller put up 40 rushing yards, 150 passing yards, one rushing touchdown, and two passing touchdowns. Poland, meanwhile, posted a season-best performance with 213 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Also scoring a touchdown were Sibo (rushing), junior Camden Ickes (receiving), and Sedelmaier (receiving).
The Portagers will play their first game at renovated Portager Stadium on Friday against Suttons Bay beginning at 7:00 PM.