The Lakeview Wildcats narrowly missed out on the MHSAA football playoffs. Narrowly means losing four games to playoff teams, one of which is still playing (Newaygo) in the regional finals. Lakeview lost three of those games by two touchdowns or less, including a 9-8 loss to Newaygo and 21-14 to regular season unbeaten Reed City.

Belding’s volleyball team opened their Class B district volleyball tournament Monday with a win, but coach Mikayla Linebaugh knew it wasn’t going to be easy. The Redskins knocked off the Lakeview Wildcats in four games, 25-21, 24-26, 25-21, 25-23 to advance in the tournament.

The 10 football coaches of the Central State Activities Association (CSAA) wasted no time on deciding the best of the conference. The regular season ended Friday and coaches convened Saturday to vote. In all, 13 combined Central Montcalm Hornets (2-7) and Lakeview Wildcats (5-4) earned league honors.

The Lakeview Wildcats needed to win one final game to secure a spot in the Michigan High School Athletics Association (MHSAA) football playoffs. For a little more than 30 minutes, it looked like the Wildcats were on their way to doing so. In the end, the Big Rapids Cardinals (8-1) made the plays and defeated the Wildcats 28-14 in the regular season finale on Friday night at Kos Field.

The Lakeview Wildcats were down, but not out. All they needed was some momentum. After some early unforced errors, the Wildcats found what they needed for a thrilling five game come from behind win over the Central Montcalm Hornets on Wednesday night.

There would be no spoiling homecoming for the Lakeview Wildcats this year. The Wildcats started quick and finished strong in a 26-14 victory over CSAA rival Central Montcalm on Saturday at Kos Field.

The Lakeview Wildcats and Central Montcalm Green Hornets have a long history on the football field. The two schools will renew that rivalry with a matinee game at Kos Field in Lakeview on Saturday. It will be homecoming for the Wildcats as they try to snap a five-game losing streak to the Hornets.

Greenville’s boys soccer team was too fast for Lakeview Monday. “They (Greenville) have a lot of speed and it showed on the scoreboard,” Lakeview coach Chris Smith said.

The first scrimmage of the football season took place for Lakeview and Montabella on Friday, giving the coaches a gauge as to where their teams are at before the games count. The Wildcats invited the Mustangs, Saranac and Vermontville Maple Valley to a scrimmage at Kos Field as the teams get ready for their season openers Aug. 24.

Second-year varsity football coach Guenther Mittelstaedt has his Lakeview football teams together early for some early learning. Mittelstaedt is hosting a football camp all this week for players who will be playing in the fall.