1988

Team Picture:
Back Row: Jeff Armstrong, Shwan Gingrich, Brian Moloci, Don Peterson, Rob DeBoard, Jason Prosch, Scott LaGrow, Tom Coley, Chad Charles, Jamie Peterson, Damon Crozier, Tom Loop, Chris Walrad, Joe Trevino, Clayton Pendley, David Ragsdale, Tom McConnel, Coach Tom Roy
Middle Row Row: Mark Forshee, Jamie Marsh, Scott Burch, Tony Duddles, J.R. Holmes, Dan Burchett, Craig Hoaglund, Andy Long, Bill Vanordzen, Craig Goodman, Greg Holmes, Jeremy HOlmes, Randy Loop, Amanda Anderson (manager)
Front Row: Jodi Hubbard (manager), Wade Rosted, Shawn Roggow, Garrett Kruse, Rick Dostal, Joe Sevarns, Brent Ruppert, Rusty Ruppert, John Grelick, Lonnie Simmons, Bill Root, Kevin Moore Season Recap:
Pine River Coach Jim Sanborn was laid off from his counseling job in 1988 due to a failed milage, and therefore he was unable to continue coaching the Bucks. That opened the way for long time assistant Tom Roy to take over as the head coach. Due to the budget issues, their was no J.V. team in 1988 so the Bucks squad had well over 40 players. The ’88 squad wasn’t only a large one, it was also a talented group. In fact, the Bucks put up the best season in the school’s history to that point when they finished with an 8-1 record. The Bucks defense only gave up 80 points in the whole season, still a Pine River record. Pine River started out the season in exciting fashion with a 14-7 victory over Reed City. The Bucks scored the go ahead touchdown with 33 seconds left when Jeremy Holmes threw a 15 yard TD pass to J.R. Holmes. The Bucks then beat Benzie Central thanks in large part to their defense. Scott LaGrow returned an interception for an 85 yard TD, and J.R. Holmes recovered a fumble in the end zone for another score. The following game with Marion was another heart stopper. The Bucks and Marion went into overtime tied at 0-0. On the first play of overtime Pine River sealed the victory with a touchdown pass from Jeremy Holmes to Greg Holmes. The Holmes trio came up big again in a 20-13 win over Kalkaska. Greg holmes caught a 35 yard TD pass from Jeremy Holmes and he also kicked a 38 yard field goal. J.R. Holmes picked up a touchdown when he fell on a loose ball in the end zone. Pine River then beat Manton 16-0 on homecoming in a game where Greg Holmes kicked a 43 yard field goal. The following week, Pine River beat Lake City 10-6 and Greg Holmes kicked another long field goal, this time from 36 yards out. The Bucks perfect season would come to an end the following week when they dropped a contest to Beal City. The Bucks rebounded though with wins over McBain and Mason County Central to finish the season. In the season finale against Mason County Central, Rick Dostal ran for 127 yards and the defense pitched a shutout. Despite the great season, the Bucks didn’t qualify for the playoffs (this was before playoff expansion). To rub a little salt in the wound, Manton did qualify for the playoffs despite being shutout by the Bucks during the regular season.