Houghton Lake Resorter

10/20/2025

A steady downpour most of the game? No problem. Hosting 11th-ranked Hillman on Homecoming night? No problem.

The Charlton Heston Academy football team picked up another impressive win Oct. 10, as they defeated a ranked team for the first time in program history, topping Hillman 47-26 in North Star League crossover play.

“I couldn’t be happier for the boys, especially our seniors who have been working hard, putting in years of hard work,” head coach Matt Whelchel said. “I’m so happy that their hard work is paying off.”

Charlton Heston Academy’s Owen Romancky (21) hops up to catch a pass in mid-air. Romancky ran the ball in after receiving it for the Patriots’ first touchdown of the Homecoming game against Hillman.(Photo by Ashley Patti) By Ben Murphy A steady downpour most of the game? No problem. Hosting 11t...

10/20/2025

Houghton Lake went back to basics in its win over Roscommon Friday night.

Unlike the past two years – where 201 combined points were scored – the Bobcats made it three-in-a-row over the Bucks with a stout defense and straight-ahead running.

Houghton Lake built a 22-0 lead before Roscommon scored back-to-back touchdowns in the fourth quarter to pull two within 10 points, 22-12. However, the Bucks were unable to overcome the Bobcat lead in the final minutes and the Little Brown Jug stayed at Houghton Lake.

Houghton Lake now leads the series, which dates back to 1947, by a margin of 42-38-2.

Check out more photos at: https://resorter-avalanche.smugmug.com/Resorter/October-2025/Houghton-Lake-vs-Roscommon-Football-2025

Houghton Lake fullback Dueron Palmer (58) takes aim at Roscommon linebacker Toby Bigford (6) while lineman Ben Snyder (76) blocks Roscommon’s Carter Baker (51) to open a hole for running back Creed Poindexter (3) during the opening half Friday night. Poindexter and Palmer teamed up in the Bobcat b...

10/19/2025

The “Race of the Century,” which pitted School Resource Officer Austin Martin against Houghton Lake Junior/Senior High School Assistant Principal Chad Watson, was a success in more ways than one.

Not only did the communities of Roscommon County get to witness Martin win the 50-yard dash between the two, but Houghton Lake student Dustin Pratt received a donation of $421 to help with medical expenses related to burns he sustained in a fire.

As School Resource Officer Austin Martin raises his arms in victory, Houghton Lake Junior/Senior High School Assistant Principal Chad Watson grabs his hamstring after the pair battled in the “Race of the Century” Friday night on Bobcat Field. (Photo by Eric Hamp) By Krista Tacey-Cater The “Ra...

10/18/2025

Congratulations to Roscommon High School’s 2025 Homecoming Queen Zoey Kauffman and King Walker Borchers.

10/17/2025

Friday is going to be a day filled with excitement at Roscommon High School, as it is not only the Bucks’ final home football game of the season, but also Homecoming.

The Homecoming king and queen will be announced during halftime of Friday evening’s game against Manton, which will begin at 7 p.m. Those vying to be announced Homecoming queen are Aubrey Bunn, Alexis Carper, Zoey Kauffman, Faith Schutte and Kylie Traver. Those looking to be announced Homecoming king are Toby Bigford, Walker Borchers, Keaton Pratt, Crew Tyler and Brett Vanacker.

Roscommon High School’s candidates for Homecoming king and queen are (front row, from left) Kylie Traver, Zoey Kauffman, Aubrey Bunn, Alexis Carper, Faith Schutte, (back row, from left) Brett Vanacker, Walker Borchers, Crew Tyler and Keaton Pratt. RHS’s Homecoming king and queen will be announce...

10/16/2025

10/15/2025

October 16, 2025 Resorter headlines:

GLUA requests townships disband authority

Toys for Tots kicks off in Roscommon County

Martin wins "Race of the Century"

RHS Homecoming parade, game Friday

10/15/2025

It was deadlocked after three quarters. Quarter number four belonged to the Charlton Heston Academy football team though, and the Patriots claimed a 42-26 North Star League Big Dipper victory at Alcona Oct. 4.

“This was another great and important win for our program,” head coach Matt Whelchel said. “Coming into this game we knew Alcona’s record was very misleading. They have a dangerous running game and number zero (Brandon Fogle) and number 11 (Keegan Ritchie) run with aggression and speed. Once again, our defense really stepped up to the challenge and coach Jory Klumpp and coach Graham Church really did an excellent job installing a gameplan that put our guys in favorable matchups.”

CHA quarterback Dylan Cichowski (1) pitches the ball to Tiernam Hinmon (2) as he follows the blocks of Deslyn Klumpp (30) and Garrin Teed (3). The Patriots came alive in the fourth quarter, scoring 30 points to take a 42-26 win over Alcona.(Photo by Ben Murphy) By Ben Murphy It was deadlocked after....

10/14/2025

Roscommon freshman Isla Schaeffer is headed to the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 4 Girls Golf Finals.

Schaeffer qualified Monday during regional play at The Quest Golf Course, Houghton Lake. She was one of three individual qualifiers while Elk Rapids, Harbor Springs and Traverse City St. Francis qualified as teams.

Schaeffer carded a 95 to tie Madelyn Conrad of Elks Rapids for seventh. The Bucks finished seventh out of 10 teams.

Roscommon’s Isla Schaeffer watches her ball as it goes toward the hole 17 fairway during the Oct. 6 regional match at The Quest Golf Course. Schaeffer shot a 95 and tied for seventh place. Schaeffer is now is headed to the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 4 Girls Golf Finals. (P...

10/13/2025

Village of Roscommon officials and supporters of the new Hiawatha Park celebrated the park’s opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 4.

The park is located at the former Hiawatha Canoe Livery, across from Wallace Park on the South Branch of the AuSable River.

Gathered at the new gazebo with other officials, Village of Roscommon Manager Ron Alden thanked those attending for helping to celebrate the second phase of the Hiawatha project.

The first phase was installing a paved path from the former Hilltop Manor Health Care (now Intersect Healthcare of Roscommon), he said, and the third phase will be a pedestrian bridge across the river.

The second phase of Hiawatha Park was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 4. Pictured are (from left to right) Roscommon Downtown Development Authority (DDA) President Tom O’Brien, Village of Roscommon Manager Ron Alden, Village of Roscommon Executive Assistant Tammy Menghini, Village C...

10/12/2025

Hundreds of people gathered at the AuSable River Center, Roscommon, to enjoy some rockin’ music, hot food and libations at Rocktober Fest ’25.

The Village of Roscommon hosted the Oct. 4 event.

“It was a huge success,” said Tammy Menghini, Village of Roscommon administrative assistant.

She estimated a total of 2,500 people attended throughout the d

Starting off the line-up for Rocktober Fest ’25 was the acoustic rock duo of Taylor Perry and Conrad Green. They entertained the crowd under the pavilion with songs by Pink Floyd, Tom Petty and 4 Non Blondes, as well as many other artists. Green displayed his guitar skills, while Perry showcased h...

10/11/2025

Roscommon Township Fire Department and Michigan Department of Natural Resources firefighters responded to a 101-acre wildland fire, named the Benzie Road Fire, that started Oct. 5 in Roscommon County, near the border of Clare County.

According to the DNR, the fire danger has been extremely high across much of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The wildfire was south of Houghton Lake, east of Old 27, near the Roscommon State Forest Area.

The fire was considered 100% contained, as of Wednesday morning, according to Resource Protection Manager for the Lower Peninsula Jeff Vasher.

The DNR responded at about 11 a.m. Sunday to the marshy area of mixed pine and hardwood forest, where dry fuels and gusty winds had challenged firefighting efforts, Vasher said.

Roscommon Township Fire Department and Michigan Department of Natural Resources firefighters responded to a 101-acre wildland fire Oct. 5, south of Houghton Lake, near the Clare County border. Jeff Vasher, DNR resource protection manager for the Lower Peninsula, said the fire was 100% contained by W...