PETOSKEY — A lot happened during the regular season for the Petoskey football team.

The focus was on the Big North Conference title race, an undefeated season, players hitting statistical highs and records falling. These were all goals set and achieved by the Northerners.

However, to say that the list is complete would be an understatement.

The postseason slate is just getting started.

“That’s something they want just as much as they do, to get into the playoffs and make a run in the playoffs,” Petoskey head coach Jim Webb said. “Collectively as a team they are very well directed and focused, they know this is not the end of the journey yet.”

Making things even more exciting, the Northmen (9-0) earned the region’s No. 1 seed, which means they host Bay City John Glenn (5-4) in the Division 3 opening round on Friday night and then host the regional final. with victory.

Home advantage is definitely a bonus this time of year for many reasons.

Webb knows this takes a lot of weight off the shoulders of coaches and athletes, and he’s hoping the city gets behind the team again in the first Petoskey playoff game, this time at Northmen Stadium.

“It’s great to be at home and have the familiarity and the crowd,” Webb said. “I’m sure John Glenn will have some traveling fans, but it’s great to play a home game. “We hope to create some excitement in the city and have a good turnout to help cheer us on.”

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John Glenn enters Friday with a heavy dose of offense and a 5-4 season that saw 303 points scored, most of them behind the major point guards.

The offense runs through senior quarterback Garrett Buzzard, the single-season passing record holder who has thrown for 1,740 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. He also rushed for over 200 yards and four scores.

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Buzzard’s favorite target was sophomore Bradley Boyk, who threw for just over 500 yards and four scores. Sophomore Garrett Hilborn, who placed fourth in Division 2 at the wrestling state finals as a freshman, also rushed for 683 yards and 11 scores for an incredible 11.4 average.

“They have obvious speed at the skill positions, which is very concerning,” Webb said. “That will be the strength of their offensive unit, and the running backs have some quickness as well. “We’re going to have to contain him, contain the quarterback and then of course lock in on the receivers.”

Fortunately for the Northmen, the secondary has been one of the team’s best units this season; here senior Haden Janes set a career high with 16 tackles and matched his season high with eight. Drew Olson and Mason Fralick also stand out on the outside again.

“Obviously it helps knowing three of them have started there for two years and that’s indicative of the way they’ve been playing all season long,” Webb said. he said.

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Webb’s squad includes a number of players who gained valuable experience in two play-off games last season in what was then a youth-dominated squad.

This experience will be crucial against the Bobcats.

“Given the number of kids we had that got significant playing time last year, they now have an understanding of a playoff game,” Webb said. “It helps. “I always believed that.”

Contact Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at [email protected] or send game stats/information. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DrewKochanny and Instagram, @drewkochanny

This article first appeared in The Petoskey News-Review: Petoskey hosts Bay City John Glenn for Division 3 playoff matchup