Ravening Wolves back On The Prowl

What's that faint sound I hear? Could it be that the howl of wolves, absent this sacred valley for far too long, have finally returned?

With less than forty-eight hours until the 2026 high-school football season officially kicks off, the questions on the minds of alumni are as obvious as their eagerness for a contender. Nearly twenty straight years of losing seasons have left Michigan's greatest high-school football field, Engel Stadium, all but empty.

I grew up in the shadow of that magical playground. My childhood autumn's made memorable by friday night jaunts down the block, flashing my family-pass at the ticketbooths and skipping down to the corner concession beside the field entry-gate the swaggering studs use to step onto the hallowed grounds and tackle the foe. Even now, the smell of fall puts me in mind of those honest gridiron events.

Gone are those good old days. No more struggling to squeeze a space on the purple and gold bleachers, using hats, coats or whatever was to hand to try and save a few spots for friends and family. Even rivalry games don't merit a scramble for seating anymore. Sadly, the mighty fight song of Central High--pounded out in perfect rhythm by the state's oldest continuous marching band--nowadays falls on deaf years.

Only, like a lone sail poking up just above the far-off horizon, a glimmer of hope in the form of new head coach Mark Jarstfer has all but broken the spell.

The man comes with serious cred, having led Gladwin to a state championship in 2022. His approach at practice, coupled with his fresh and innovative offensive scheme have rekindled a fire in the hearts of his players, not to mention the fanbase.

This thursday we'll get our first glimpse of this revamped squad against Flint Carman Ainsworth, a team that has had Central's number time and again in the recent past. The talent pool might have stayed idle but will, culture and scheme can level any playing field.

Hopes are high, not so much for a championship season right out the gate, but just to watch a team take the field that seems excited to be there again, a team that wouldn't trade the night or their place in it for anything. We just want to see some progress. The bar is low. Hopes are high. And in less than forty-eight hours, Bay City will know if it has a team again.