1978

Team Picture:
Back Row: Coach Cecil Birch, Trevor Flint, Doug Grzybowski, Scott Raven, Gerald Holmes, Kurt Baker, John VandenBosch, Coach Mike Bulger
Middle Row: Randy Leutz, Mark Cooper, Brian Vokes, Robert Root, Andy Parmelee, Pat Sibary, Marv Nelson, Tom Huffman
Front Row: Manager Brian Holmes, Gary Campbell, Mike Bernth, Danny Campbell, George Salisbury, Sam Dean, Dan Hern, Manager Brian Luetz

The 1978 team finished 6-3, a better record than any Pine River team before it. The Bucks beat Suttons Bay 6-0 on opening night. John VandenBosch scored the game’s only touchdown on a 50 yard run early in the first quarter. The Bucks next win came in versus Manton in week 3. This time the Bucks lone score came late in the game on a QB sneak by Marv Nelson. After a loss to Beal City, the Bucks beat Marion, Lake City, and McBain, shutting out both the Trojans and the Ramblers. The Bucks sixth win came against Kalkaska on the last night of the season. John VandenBosch ran in two touchdowns and kicked two extra points to secure a 14-6 win. The Bucks finished the season second in the conference, a game behind Beal City. Pine River only gave up 12 combined points in their six victories. Andy Parmelle was a force at linebacker racking up 140 tackles. The offense featured a balanced attack as VandenBosh led the team in rushing with 675 yards, and Nelson led the team in passing with 663 yards. It would take Pine River six more seasons before Pine River would post a winning record again.