Finlandia Lions Welcome 35 New Football Players

HANCOCK---The Finlandia University football team is proud to announce 35 student athletes have committed to playing for the team next fall, including 19 from Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

"Our staff is proud to announce these student athletes that have committed to play for and have made their tuition deposit to attend Finlandia University," coach Tim Driscoll said. "With this being our first full recruiting class, we feel great about these young men that are going to help build the foundation of our program."

The Lions, who are still in the process of recruiting with dozens of additional verbal commitments, will kick off their inaugural season on September 5 with a contest against Alma College at McAfee Field in Hancock.

In total the team has 10 games scheduled for its inagural season. These 35 recruits will be joining 24 players who completed their first year at Finlandia this spring.

Upper Peninsula Players
Trevor Burke, Westwood High School
Jonas Christian, North Dickinson High School
David Garee, Sault Ste. Marie High School
Nicholas Helgemo, West Iron County High School

Grant Holmstrom, Wyoming Lyman HS (Hancock native)
Colin Immel, Munising High School
Tyler Kangas, Manistique High School
Nate Marcin, Menominee High School

Kyle Marks, Sault Ste, Marie High School
Luke Mcauliffe, Marquette Senior High School
Mitchell Messing, Westwood High School
Austin Peterson, Lake Linden-Hubbell High School

Matt Schultz, North Dickinson High School
Brody Stefonich, Ironwood Wright High School
Logan Streeter, Negaunee High School

Gabriel Swanson, Iron Mountain High School
Tristan Vitale, Westwood High School
Nicholas Walli, Lake Linden-High School
Henry Williams, Ewen-Trout Creek High School

Other Players
Xavier Ashfor, Lynde & Harry Bradley Technology & Trade School (Wisconsin)
Orion Beningo, St. Mary Cathedral High School
DeAnthony Braddy, Harper Woods, Michigan
Austin Brown, Tawas Area High School

Duwan Brown, Detroit Denby High School
Jamell Cathay, University Prep High School
Nelson Hendrickson, Bonduel High School (Wisconsin)
Chris Johnson, San Antonio, Texas

Zack Keller, Alanson High School
Adam Kelly, Lynde & Harry Bradley Technology & Trade School (Wis.)
Ethan Lansing, Ellsworth Senior High School (Wisconsin)
Sergio Pena, Braddock High School (Florida)

Zach Rice, Suttons Bay High School
Jacob Roux, Northville, Michigan
Dylan Wyman, Grayling High School
Tyler Wyman, Grayling High School