Chieftain Welcome Issue 2020-2021 | Page 4

CHIEFTAIN Sports MVPs Of the Bubbles These have been the best players in each sport The Brother Rice Soccer team shows off the 2020 addition to required uniforms Fall Sports Uncertainty rules as our teams kick off By Teddy Dunn Chieftain Staff We all know COVID-19 has changed many things in our lives, sports and school being two of the main ones. Many of our Seniors this year were quite worried about not having a Senior season for sports, until Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered the great news a few weeks ago that fall sports will resume as previously scheduled. Football is now scheduled to play seven games this season, with each team automatically qualifying for the playoffs. Soccer season also was reinstated, while Tennis and Cross Country will continue the progress they started in August. “I think it is great for our footballplaying student-athletes, especially our Seniors,” Head Football Coach Adam Korzeniewski said, when asked about the recent changes in the season. “I would have been really disappointed for them [if we didn’t play], and it definitely puts things into perspective for the sports who did have their seasons cut short or cancelled last year.” The Senior leaders also had strong feelings about the season being reinstated. “Receiving the news on the season being reinstated fired me up more than words can describe,” said Matt Andoni, a Football lineman. “The boys have a chip on their shoulder this year, and with a lot of uncertainty, only one thing is sure: We’re gonna beat Catholic Central on Saturday night at Hurley field with everyone watching. This one’s personal, Seniors.” Seniuor Doug Prew, who plays No. 1 Singles on the Tennis team, agreed. “It feels great that we have the season, especially because this is my last year,” Prew said. “Throughout the whole summer, I was really nervous that we weren’t gonna have it but, luckily, we do now.” At presstime, Cross Country was 2-0 in the league, including a big win over CC. Tennis was 4-2-1, and soccer was 1-4. Football was preparing for its first game vs. De La Salle at Wayne State University on Sept. 19. “We are off to a great start,” said Prew, “and hopefully there are only good things going forward.” NHL Miro Heiskanen Dallas Stars Without a doubt, Heiskanen has been the best defenseman so far in the playoffs, with an astonishing 22 points, 17 assists and 5 goals. -Luke Washe MLB Fernando Tatis, Jr. San Diego Padres When Manny Machado signed with the Padres, everyone thought he was going to be the star of this team, but Tatis, who’s among the league leaders in HRs and RBI, has shown he is a star in this league and is the best player on the Padres. -Joey Farrar NBA Damian Lillard Portland Trail Blazers He dropped three 60-plus-point games this season, joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to achieve this stat. His deep 3 is undefendable, he’s extremely passionate, and he’s confident. ‘Dame’ is reinventing basketball. -Michael Ferrari Brother Rice High School Chieftain Page 4 S e p te mb e r 2020