PINCONNING, MI – Walter Mulligan enjoys spending his mornings with Big Al and the boys.
When Pinconning’s football coach shows up for practice at 6:20 a.m. during the school year, he can always count on the big boys to be there early and bright. And that routine could be just the difference the program needs.
Pinconning’s offensive line of Calvin Holland, Zach Bishop, Cole Dzurka, Max Cianek and Alan “Big Al” Whiting – a blocking unit with an average weight of 240 pounds – is expected to lead the Spartans with authority this season.
“We didn’t just snap our fingers and get big guys,” Mulligan said. “That group up front has worked incredibly hard to improve their size and strength. I have a good feeling about that group. They’re pretty big and pretty mean.”
Mulligan said 18 players have had attendance rates of 80 percent or higher at summer workouts, showing a new level of commitment to turning around the long-sagging program. And the big boys at the top have, perhaps fittingly, taken the lead.
“A lot of kids came in the summer and a lot of them didn’t take a day off,” said Holland, who is in his third season on the varsity team. “This will help everyone stay in the game instead of making a playoff. If you don’t take a day off, you’re not going to make a playoff.”
Whiting (6-0, 273) is a four-year starter in the trenches for the Spartans. He is the program’s strongest player – he deadlifts 600 pounds and squats 405 pounds – and serves as a road-grading blocker at the offensive tackle position. Holland (6-0, 228) plays the opposite tackle, with Bishop (6-0, 236) and Cianek (5-10, 195) at guard and Dzurka (6-3, 249) at center.
“We have a lot of big, strong bodies and they all lift over 1,000 pounds. It’s exciting,” said Mulligan, the fifth-year coach.
“It’s cool to watch them work. I’ve impressed upon them that you guys are an extension of the coaching staff. And to see them take the kids aside and coach them is pretty impressive.”
Mulligan said his block unit consists of an intelligent group of people, all of whom have a grade point average of 3.50 or higher and are aware of the importance of their duties.
“It’s very satisfying to know you’re giving your teammates a chance,” Whiting said. “When you create a gap for the running back or hold off the D-lineman to give the quarterback time, you’re creating opportunities.”
The Spartans hope to capitalize on those opportunities this season as it develops into their best running game in years. Aiden Fork returns to the backfield after rushing for 626 yards and six touchdowns last year. He’ll be supported by speedy Danny Dubay and wingback Donny Rugenstein.
They would do well to look to the big five on offense. The offensive linemen not only want to take the lead on the field, they also set the tone in the weight room and during daily practice.
“The technicians think I’m too lenient with the big guys,” Mulligan said. “I always tell them, ‘If you don’t want to get yelled at, do what you’re supposed to do and be where you’re supposed to be. These (linemen) know how to do it.'”
With Pinconning moving to the Jack Pine Conference Division 2, it has a more manageable schedule this season as similarly sized schools such as St. Louis, Sanford Meridian, Harrison, Beaverton and Farwell are on the league schedule. Tawas, Flint and Saginaw Valley Lutheran make up the non-conference schedule as the Spartans eye a long-awaited breakout season.
With a 2-7 record last year, the Spartans enjoyed their best season in five years and are optimistic that their first winning season since 2016 could be on the horizon.
“The fact that we won a few games last year shows everyone that it can be done,” said Holland, who also plays defensive end.
“We want to put Pinconning back on the map. We’re not a team that’s at the bottom and can be easily beaten.”
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