Midnight Madness Begins New Braves Football Era

GLADSTONE---Out with the old, and in with the new.

That's the theme around the Gladstone High School football team as the Braves prepare for the start of the 2013 season. The Braves have an entirely new coaching staff, and an entirely new offense and defense to go to battle with when the season starts Aug. 29.

New varsity head coach Cody Kangas may be just 24 years old, but he's generating a lot of excitement for a Braves program that went 2-16 over the past two seasons after enjoying some playoff success not that many years ago.

One new thing is the Midnight Madness practice, which happened at 12:01 Monday morning as the Michigan High School Athletic Association's practice window officially opened.

Dozens of friends and family members were on hand to watch, and they even had the concession stand up and running during the two-hour long practice.

"Once I got hired here, that was the first thing that came to mind, to have a midnight practice," Kangas said. "Get the community and the football players excited."

Justin Jurek late-night interview.

"I think it's a great idea," said junior running back Justin Jurek. "I think it's a great practice, not hot out. Fun experience. It's always fun playing under the lights."

"I think it's really cool," said senior quarterback Sam Pouliot. "We're all excited. Practicing under the lights. This is all new, and it's exciting."

The practice was held on the "second field" at the Marble Athletic Field, using four sets of portable flood lights (one of which went dark for a few minutes). The main field is still in the process of being renovated, and won't be ready for a few more weeks.

Still, Monday morning's early practice was a lot of fun for both the kids and the coaches. And the boys will be back at it again in just a few short hours...at 10 Monday morning.

Kangas and the boys are excited with the challenge of building a winning program.

"A lot of the kids I've seen lift (this summer) on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays have done a great job," Kangas said. "From what I've seen, we've got a great group of kids."

"I think we're gonna shock a lot of people," Jurek said. "New coaching staff, everything else. A lot of people aren't gonna know what to expect from us."

Sam Pouliot late-night interview

Stay with this web site, rrnsports.com, for complete Gladstone Braves football coverage throughout the season. The team's schedule is posted below.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see behind-the-scenes photos and videos from Monday morning's practice.

DATE	OPPONENT	GAME TIME
Thu 8/29	at Gwinn Model Townwers	7:00
Sat 9/7	at Roscommon Bucks	6:00
Fri 9/13	vs NEGAUNEE MINERS	7:00
Fri 9/20	vs MENOMINEE MAROONS	7:30
Fri 9/27	at Marquette Redmen	7:30
Fri 10/4	vs SAULT STE. MARIE BLUE DEVILS (Homecoming)	7:00
Fri 10/11	at Escanaba Eskymos	7:00
Fri 10/18	vs KINGSFORD FLIVVERS	7:30
Fri 10/25	at Calumet Copper Kings	7:00

Date	Time	Opponent	Score	Record

8/29	7:00 PM	at Ewen-Trout Creek Panthers	44 - 12 (W)	1-0

9/5	7:00 PM	Posen Vikings	62 - 26 (W)	2-0

9/13	7:00 PM	Engadine Eagles	56 - 28 (W)	3-0

9/20	7:00 PM	at Brimley Bays	48 - 6 (W)	4-0

9/27	7:00 PM	at Engadine Eagles	46 - 22 (W)	5-0

10/4	7:00 PM	at Cedarville Trojans	48 - 25 (W)	6-0

10/11	7:00 PM	Superior Central Cougars	42 - 0 (W)	7-0

10/18	7:00 PM	Mid Peninsula Wolverines	2 - 0 (W)	8-0

10/25	7:00 PM	at Bellaire Eagles	74 - 42 (W)	9-0

11/1	7:00 PM	Posen Vikings	60 - 25 (W)	10-0

11/8	7:00 PM	Engadine Eagles	50 - 21 (W)	11-0

11/16	1:00 PM	Kinde North Huron Warriors	40 - 8 (W)	12-0

11/22	7:00 PM	at Peck Pirates	32 - 67 (L)	12-1