The Utica Chieftains had remarkable success this season going 4-5 in the regular season with a 2-3 MAC white record. They started off the season 1-3 and made an impressive comeback to make the playoffs again in back-to-back years. They came into the season with big hopes as they made the playoffs and lost to the Eisenhower Eagles in the first-round last year.
Utica started off with a huge win this year over the Grosse Pointe North Norsemen, winning the game 31-7 and then went on a 3-game losing streak, losing a close game to The Stevenson Titans 24-10 as Junior Mahti Gwilly had the only touchdown on a 44-yard touchdown run sheading off tacklers the whole way. Then losing to The Grosse Point South Blue Devils 28-7 with Utica’s only touchdown being a 4 yards touchdown pass to Gwilly from sophomore Quarterback Johnny Heigel. Then at the end of the 3-game losing streak they went into Lakeview and lost 35-14. Utica started off the game with a 77-yard Touchdown run to Gwilly, then scored another 8-yard touchdown run before half. He ended the game with 176 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Utica bounced back big time and beat L’Anse Creuse 41-23 as Sophomore Johnny Heigel had 123 passing yards and a touchdown, Junior Mahti Gwilly had a great game with 3 touchdowns and 125 rushing yards on 15 carries. Senior Xavier Crosby had 1 touchdown on 91 rushing yards. The Utica Homecoming game Roseville came into Swinehart and beat the Utica Chieftains 47-0. Junior Donovan Jarbou was Utica player of the game with 2 total tackles, a tackle for loss and an impressive, forced fumble.
Utica Bounced back winning big against L’Anse Creuse North 41-14, Utica started off the game going up 3 touchdowns as Mahti Gwilly had 2 rushing touchdowns and Sophomore Carter Czapski had a reception touchdown. Johnny Heigel finished the game with 2 touchdowns and 105 passing yards. The defense played an amazing game as Senior Dominick Gandy and juniors Landon Cooke and Abram Jensen combined for 18 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 4 total sacks.
Utica goes on to play the Dakota Cougars hoping for a win as it would clinch their playoff hopes. They start off the game close as they go into half 14-0 but Dakota pulls away after the half winning the game 35-0. The standout defensive players in this game were Senior Jake Barg who had 5 total tackles and an interception. Mahti Gwilly and Caston Rissman also had a great game combining for 11 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 2 sacks.
As Utica is hoping to make history in making the playoffs for the first time in back-to-back years, they must win their final game against Cousino. They started off the game going into half, losing 14-10. They pulled through in the second half winning the game 31-21 and making history clinching the playoffs in back-to-back years.
“I feel like it reflects our history and culture,” junior Landon Cooke said. “It shows we are rewriting Utica football and, on the rise.”
As the players celebrated their last home game and their playoff clinching win, they had to get ready for their game at Dakota for the first round.
Utica High had many standout players this season as Junior Landon Cooke, Junior Andrew Wiseman and Senior Dominic Gandy landed first team all Mac-White.
“It feels very honoring,” senior Dominick Grandy said, “and It gives me a sense of accomplishment, all my hard work finally paid off.”
Gandy was one of the best players on the team this year. Utica also had 2 all Mac-White honorable mentions in Junior Abram Jensen and Senior Eddie Tate.
Utica went into their playoff game against Dakota hoping for a big win and a historic upset. The defense started off strong and held the Cougars to just 10 points in the first half, But Dakota came out of halftime and blew up winning the game with a final score of 31-0. Junior Landon Loose was a defensive standout with multiple tackles and an interception batted to him by senior Jake Barg.
Utica was disappointed with how the season ended out, but they were proud of themselves for how their season went.
“I felt like a role model,” Gandy Said, “and it was a good season, I wanted to be a good example for the guys beneath me.”
Utica had a Historic season going back-to-back for the first time making playoffs, this team reflects our history as they are on the uprise and have a good future up and coming.
