The John Glenn pom pon team performs at halftime during a high school football game at Bay City Western High School on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

BAY CITY, MI – We’re about to get into the heart of Friday night lights.

But the past two weeks we’ve had Thursday night heroes, and they came shining through.

We spotlight some of the top performers from the area’s 23 teams from Week 2 of the 2022 high school football season and ask for your help in voting for the MLive Bay City Player of the Week. Cast your vote as often as you’d like before the poll closes at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9.

Read about the winner each week in our Game Day Bay City post.

Read about the MLive Bay City Player of the Week for Week 1

Westyn Bryant of the Clare football team for 2022.

When Bryant got the football, he was on a mission for the end zone. Bryant carried the ball just four times for 44 yards but scored three touchdowns to ignite the Pioneers in their 76-6 win over Pinconning. Bryant did all of his damage in the first quarter.

John Glenn’s Logan DeMarest (20) poses for a photograph during The Bay City Times football media day at The Wanigan Eatery and Pub in Bay City on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

The junior gave the Bobcats the tough-nosed running they are banking on this season. He rolled up 151 yards on 24 carries and scored a touchdown in a 42-20 loss to Birch Run. DeMarest tallied 146 rushing yards in the first half.

All Saints’ Luke Dengler (16) poses for a photograph during The Bay City Times football media day at The Wanigan Eatery and Pub in Bay City on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

LUKE DENGLER, BAY CITY ALL SAINTS

The senior was a wrecking crew of one while sparking the Cougars to a pivotal 28-16 win over defending league champion Kinde North Huron. He racked up 18 tackles and a sack in the victory. He delivered the hit of the game, forcing a fumble that All Saints recovered and quickly converted into the go-ahead touchdown late in the game.

Griffin Johnson of the Akron-Fairgrove football team for 2022.

The Vikings put the ball in Johnson’s hands, and he got the job done, sparking the team to a 26-14 victory over Carsonville-Port Sanilac. Johnson parlayed 14 carries into 134 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Vikings to the big North Central Thumb League Stripes win.

Tucker Rokosz of the Standish-Sterling football team for 2022.

When they absolutely needed a stop, the Standish-Sterling defense rose to the occasion, and Rokosz helped lead the charge. He stepped forward with a team-high nine tackles and also picked off a pass to help the Panthers rally for a 31-27 victory over Ithaca.

Karter Schmitt of the Ogemaw Heights football team for 2022.

The Falcons are counting on Schmitt to be a tone-setter this season, and they liked the tempo he brought in a 56-16 victory over Kalkaska. The hard-nosed running back turned 12 carries into 138 tough yards. He got into the end zone on two carries in the non-conference win.

Bay City Central’s Ben Sporman (22) poses for a photograph during The Bay City Times football media day at The Wanigan Eatery and Pub in Bay City on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

BEN SPORMAN, BAY CITY CENTRAL

The point man of the Central defense, he set a torrid tempo that those around him were wise to follow. The senior linebacker tallied 14 tackles, including three for loss and forced a fumble as the Wolves downed Flint Kearsley 28-18. He also caught two passes for 38 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 50 yards in the win.

Garber’s Tanner Szczepanski (34) poses for a photograph during The Bay City Times football media day at The Wanigan Eatery and Pub in Bay City on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

The senior emerged as an impact player on both sides of the ball, helping the Dukes to a 37-0 win over Bridgeport. At running back on offense, he went for 38 yards on five carries and scored a touchdown. At linebacker on defense, he rung up a team-high seven tackles in the shutout.

Sam Vyner of the Whittemore-Prescott football team for 2022.

It was a busy night in the backfield for Vyner, who had the ball in his hands more often than not while leading the Cardinals to a 32-6 victory over St. Helen Charlton Heston. Vyner ran the ball 30 times, rolling up a 292-yard, four-touchdown performance in the win.

Ethan Wissner of the Laker football team for 2022.

Wissner is off and running toward a huge senior season with the Lakers. The versatile back came up big in a big 39-12 win over Cass City, barreling his way to 203 yards and five touchdowns on 24 carries. He also completed a pass, caught a pass, and notched five tackles on defense.

Ryan Frost, Mio: Registered 16 tackles, forced four fumbles and recovered in a 52-34 win over Atlanta.

Damon Burrows, Oscoda: Rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown in a 34-28 loss to Maple City Glen Lake.

Quinton Coleman, Hale: Tallied four tackles in a 58-0 loss to Alcona.

Earl Esiline, Gladwin: Rushed for a team-high 50 yards and a touchdown and recovered a fumble on defense in a 56-0 win over Harrison.

Carson Holland, Unionville-Sebewaing: Notched 130 yards of total offense, scoring one touchdown by rushing and one by receiving in a 38-12 loss to Marlette.

Conner Kirby, Harrison: Rushed for 44 yards on offense and recorded six tackles on defense in a 56-0 loss to Gladwin.

Carter Patrick, Cass City: Completed 5 of 7 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown in a 39-12 loss to Laker.

Cole Schmidt, Bay City Western: Caught five passes for 61 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown in a 43-17 loss to Petoskey.

Evan Knochel, Pinconning: Threw a touchdown pass for the Spartans in their 76-6 loss to Clare.

Logan Love, Beaverton: Notched 12 tackles, including three tackles for loss, in a 24-7 loss to Fremont.

Corbin Bouvy, Reese: Rounded up 11 tackles in a 42-0 loss to Harbor Beach.

MLive player polls are non-scientific ventures, designed to promote fun, fandom and discussion. The winners receive no prize and the results have no bearing on postseason awards. Use of any form of automated voting is contrary to the intent and is not allowed.

Votes are not always tabulated immediately. If you receive a “Thank you for voting” message, your vote will be counted.

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A look at Bay City area football players competing at the college level

Bay City area results, recaps, reactions for Week 2

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