Sports Archives - The Morenci Advocate

Bulldogs start football season with 38-22 win over Bellevue

August 30, 2026 by Erik Gable

Mason Cleveland charges toward the end zone shortly before his touchdown that ended the first half of the Bulldogs’ season opener against Bellevue. (Photos by Erik Gable)

MORENCI — What started out looking like a grind ended up as a promising start to the 2026 season as the Morenci Bulldogs defeated the Bellevue Broncos 38-22 on Aug. 28 at Henry Geisler Field.

Morenci volleyball hits the court for a new season

August 30, 2026 by Ryan McDowell

Pictured from left to right are coach Erin Ekins, Brielle Casey, Emma Williams, Savanna Miles, Jordan Ekins, Tavin Kruse, Colbie Ekins, Callie VanBrandt, Tessa Zuvers, Hailey Cleveland, Baylie Miller, and assistant coach Sarah Wilkins. (Photo courtesy of Morenci Area Schools_

MORENCI — The Morenci varsity volleyball team starts the season hungry for more in year two under head coach Erin Ekins.

Ekins set out to change the culture and trajectory of the program during her first year, she sought to balance the fun and passion with the discipline and hard work the sport requires. The passion and discipline Ekins spoke of last year was evident before the season had ended with young athletes clamoring to get into open gyms as quickly as possible.

Morenci takes positive steps heading into football season

August 28, 2026 by Jeffrey R. Plum

The 2026 Morenci varsity football team — Back row: Assistant coach Brett McDowell, Noah Zuvers, Alex Lauffer, Brennen Harsh, Jack Riley, head coach Ryan McDowell. Middle row: Micah Peters, William Hoffman, Sylus Herman, Cevin Milhoan, Brenden Hudik. Front row: Harrison Sarnac, Carter Scivoletto, Skyler Trent, Colsen Waltzer, Mason Cleveland, Drew Joughin. (Photo courtesy of Morenci Area Schools)

MORENCI — A late-season 36-14 win over Litchfield last October might serve as the catalyst as Morenci enters 2026 under second-year coach Ryan McDowell.

A rebuilding year for Morenci’s competitive cheer squad

April 4, 2026 by Ryan McDowell

The 2025-26 Morenci competitive cheer team: In the back row, Hannah Johnson, Jazmynn Stoddard, coach Robyn Taylor, and Sofia Jimenez; and in the front row, Abbagail Bauer, Harley Ohlinger, Julie Guillen, and Emma Overmyer.

MORENCI — The Morenci varsity competitive cheer team entered the season looking to raise the standard with a group of hardworking underclassmen and no real varsity cheer experience between them.

Talented softball team looks to overcome shortened practice time

April 4, 2026 by Ryan McDowell

Back row: Tessa Gilpin, Makinley Valentine, Baylie Miller, Evelyn Joughin, Rylee Frederick, Aly Curtis, Tavin Kruse, Addyson Valentine, Jaelyn Thompson, Gracie Snead, Chloe Elliott. Front row: Savanna Miles, Layla Myers, Kylee Grieder, Jaylee Ables, Callie VanBrandt. (Photo courtesy of Morenci Area Schools)

MORENCI — The Morenci varsity softball team will start the season behind the eight ball for a third straight year.

Baseball team enters season with new coach at the helm

April 4, 2026 by Ryan McDowell

Back row: Coach Anthony Pasley, Brenden Hudik, Jonas Castillo, Holden Hutchison, Alex Lauffer, Paul Bongiorno, Damen Casebere, Jayse Dunn, coach Joe Castillo. Front row: Colsen Waltzer, Evan Gould, Blake Moran, Talan Kruse, and manager Lynden Sarnac. (Photo courtesy of Morenci Area Schools)

MORENCI — The Morenci varsity baseball team will begin its season with a new leader at the helm. First year head coach Anthony Pasley inherits a squad that went 11-13 last year on the heels of a one-win season in 2024.

Girls track outlook blends experience and potential

April 4, 2026 by Ryan McDowell

Back row: Coach Jonathan Boesger, Aubrie Sandusky, Saule Amanova, Jordan Ekins, Tessa Zuvers, Brooklynn Slovacek, Emma Williams, Becca Cox, coach Ryan McDowell, coach Krista Stutzman. Front row: Avah Guhl, Jenna Lambes, Hailey Cleveland, Jillian Borton, Jayla McCowen, Lillian Harsh, Abbagail Bauer, Julie Guillen. (Photo courtesy of Morenci Area Schools)

MORENCI — The Morenci girls varsity track program will blend experienced talent with raw potential as head coach Jon Boesger tries to find the winning formula.

Boys track maintains numbers despite graduations

April 4, 2026 by Ryan McDowell

Back row: Coach Ryan McDowell, Noah Zuvers, Mohamed Adow, Brennen Harsh, Kylan Lester, Graysen Perez, coach Jonathan Boesger, coach Krista Stutzman. Front row: Emmanuel DePalma, Hudson Moore, Alex Ferris, Tameem Sarhan, Briar Price, Gabriel Pospisil. (Photo courtesy of Morenci Area Schools)

MORENCI — The Morenci boys track and field team will begin the year with similar numbers to last year but not nearly as much experience.

A four-year journey

March 30, 2026 by Ryan McDowell

Members of the Morenci girls basketball team celebrate with coach Ashley Joughin after securing their third straight regional title with a 44-26 win over Summerfield on March 11. (Photo by Mike Dickie)

EAST LANSING — When the Morenci girls basketball team arrived at the Breslin Center on March 19, it was the culmination of a four-year journey.

The Lady Bulldogs were set to face the Hematites of Ishpeming in a state semifinal game many viewed as a matchup of the two best remaining teams.

Girls basketball heads into postseason

March 3, 2026 by Ryan McDowell

Evelyn Joughin greets her teammates as the Morenci girls basketball team celebrates Senior Night on Feb. 6. Joughin is one of a strong corps of seniors who helped propel Morenci to a postseason berth and a shot at the Division 4 state championship. (Photo by Heather Walker)

MORENCI — The Morenci girls varsity basketball team will enter 2026 postseason play as one of the top-ranked teams in Division 4 according to the Michigan Power Rating rankings that are used to seed District brackets.