2013

Team Picture:
Back Row: Coach Nick Swiger, Coach Bobby Crouch, Tyler McCurry, Lucas Sizemore, Michael Jones, Brendan Wallace, Dominic Garcia, Coach Tim Jones, Coach Terry Martin
Middle Row: Brandon Houglund, Daniel Cameron, Nick Truax, Jeffrey Gross, Greg Park, Skyler Nelson, Chase Morrison
Front Row: Mitchell McDonald, Alex Knapp, Brandon Fulks, John Sikes, Tristen Bailor, Kyle Nixon.

Season Recap:
The 2013 football squad featured many new faces. Terry Martin took over as head coach becoming the first Pine River alumni to hold that position. In addition to a new coaching staff, the team only returned one senior who played in 2012. Fortunately, it was a good one. QB Skyler Nelson flourished in the new spread option offense and set career and season records for pass completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns. Many of those passes were caught by Kyle Nixon and Brandon Houglund who were the only other seniors on the team. Despite the high offensive marks, the team started off slow losing 5 of their first 6 games. The one win was convincing though as the Bucks thrashed Benzie Central 39-6 in week two. The team showed solid improvement by the end of the year and finished the season by winning 2 of their last 3 games. The Bucks beat the Manton Rangers on homecoming and followed that up with a victory at Marion. Junior Brandon Fulks, who scored 17 touchdowns on the season, lead the Bucks to the victory over Marion by racking up 131 yards on the ground. The Bucks lost to McBain in a hard fought contest on the final night of the season. Skyler Nelson threw for 204 yards in his final game as a Buck. Nelson finished with 1,270 yards and 13 touchdown passes on the season. Kyle Nixon lead the defense with 82 tackles. While the Bucks only finished 3-6, five of their losses were to playoff teams including state runner up Beal City.