In 1964 Onekama's Football Team took to the field for the first time. It wasn't Portager Field, however. They had three scrimages and one game against Brethren Freshmen Figgles assured me that the won or tied all games.

Ted Werle made a touchdown on an 88 yard open kick.

Richard Berryhill made the first touchdown on Portager Field.

Here's to many more touchdowns!

Web Reporter, Gwen Smith, interviewed
the Men of Onekama Football

Onekama's current football players came on the field from the newly built warm up building. No more sitting in a bus at half time for our team

It was a grand event with players representing each year in attendance. The "Tail Gate Party" can be officially called a success and hopes of it becoming an annual event were heard through out the night. After Coach Hunter introduced this years team members, Hall of Fame Coach Taylor reminisced about the start of the program 40 years ago. The uniforms were donated by a university and of course were ill fitting on the high school youth, but they made due. He remembered playing Brethren on Manistee's field. With no home field to call their own, OHS called many fields their home field, in other words, whatever school field was available.

Marv Malmgren

Doug Milarch (70-73) with son Scott (92-95)

Kevin Miller & Mark English, former Portager Football players have returned to share their secrets with the team

Historic Links

Football Schedule for 2004

Coach Taylor

Jerry Brown was OHS's Quarter Back and Defensive Safety '74- '77. He celebrated an undefeated Senior season with his team, crediting the coaching staff. The team felt at many times that year that they couldn't win the game, but the excellent coaching of Coach Taylor, Coach Foster and Coach Anderson pulled them through to an undefeated season in '77!

Scott Baker played OHS football from '78- '81 and was Quarter Back as well as Safety. The very first thing he remembered , as did most of the football players to date, was RUNNING THAT DARN SCHOOL HILL! Seems the coaches have used this hill for 40 years in training the teams.

Mickey Finan had a long sad story concerning his lack of football stories. --Something about breaking his arm twice. This didn't stop his career as basketball and baseball player and coach.