John Glenn’s Brody Krzysiak (4) runs the ball during a high school football game at Bay City Western High School on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Setting the stage for Week 4 of the high school football season for the 23 teams in the MLive Bay City coverage area on Sept. 16-17, 2022.

*It’s a historic night for John Glenn as it cuts the ribbon on the newly revamped John Loop Field. The legendary coach himself is expected to be on hand to help christen the synthetic turf field prior to Glenn’s game with Frankenmuth.

*Glenn is also hosting its Veterans Tribute Game, with special recognition to all military veterans. The night doubles as a fundraiser to benefit The 22 Project, which focuses on the prevention of depression and suicide among veterans.

*Unionville-Sebewaing has forfeited its game with Laker due to safety concerns. The JV game is being played in the varsity time slot.

*Beaverton unveils its newly revamped C.W. Metzger Field tonight when it hosts Shepherd. The facility has new bleachers, press box and track and is going to be celebrated with ceremonies at 6 p.m. tonight.

*It’s homecoming for Bay City Western when it hosts Midland Dow and Cass City when it hosts Memphis in Week 4.

*Midland Dow and Bay City Western produced two epic battles a year ago. Dow rallied from a 28-point fourth-quarter deficit to win 45-44 in the regular season and Western kicked its only field goal of the year with 8 seconds to play to win the playoff meeting 25-23.

*Standish-Sterling celebrates its Hall of Fame induction class of 2022 as part of its ceremonies Friday when the Panthers host Hemlock.

*Bay City All Saints plays its first game in four years without Ryan McDonell when it travels to Caseville. The standout running back and linebacker is expected to miss the rest of the season with an injury. After rushing for 1,109 yards a year ago, he rolled up 425 yards in three games this season before being sidelined.

*Bay City Central and Midland have been crossing paths since 1924 and now they collide for the 85th time. Central leads the all-time series 43-39-2.

*Clare at Gladwin is a rematch of last year’s epic game that decided the Jack Pine Conference championship. Gladwin is attempting this season to become the first team – other than Clare – to win back-to-back outright JPC titles since Houghton Lake strung together three in a row from 1986-88.

*Harrison coach Jamie Lipovsky goes for career win No. 30 when the Hornets travel to Sanford Meridian. The sixth-year coach is 29-22 at the helm.

Aidan Robinson of the Bay City Western football team for 2022.

AIDAN ROBINSON, BAY CITY WESTERN

Aidan Robinson is emerging as a special player for Bay City Western.

Without acting like he’s special.

The junior running back is putting up big numbers on Friday nights but – just as important to coach Chris Willertz – he’s also putting in a big effort the rest of the week to show he’s willing to do what it takes.

“When you’re the star running back your freshman year and sophomore year, you might not necessarily work too hard in practice,” Willertz said. “But one thing he’s done this year is practice harder. You don’t want to be known as a prima donna, and he’s earning the respect of his teammates with his play in the games, obviously, but also with how he practices.”

After leading the Warriors to a 21-0 victory over Traverse City West, Robinson was selected MLive Bay City Player of the Week in an online vote of readers. He garnered 10,605 votes, good for 35.1 percent of the 30,252 ballots cast.

He pulled away from Au Gres’ Carter Zeien, Harrison’s Conner Kirby and Mio’s Gage Long, who each drew more than 4,000 votes of support in the 10-player poll.

Robinson earned it with another big rushing performance for the Warriors. He rolled up 200 yards on 21 carries and got in the end zone three times in the three-TD road victory.

With the game deadlocked and scoreless shortly before halftime, Robinson changed the complexion with an 82-yard touchdown burst.

“He was able to tip-toe down the sideline then put on the jets, so he was able to show his athleticism and his breakaway speed,” Willertz said.

Robinson, who put up huge numbers at the lower levels the past two seasons, has earned his role as the go-to back at the varsity level this fall. Although he’s not the biggest player, he’s shown the strength and toughness to handle the workload.

“Our biggest joy is seeing that he’s able to run between the tackles,” Willertz said. “We knew he had great speed, but we didn’t know if he could be a guy who carries the ball 20 times a game and is physical enough to run between the tackles.”

Robinson leads the Warriors into a crucial Week 4 game at home against Midland Dow.

Clare High School’s Westyn Bryant (11) runs with the ball past Freeland High School defenders during a high school football game at Freeland High School on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022. Freeland won the game over Clare, 42-03.Zachary Clingenpeel | ZClingenpeel@mlive.com

Bay City All Saints at Caseville*

Bay City Central at Midland*

Midland Dow at Bay City Western*

Akron-Fairgrove at New Haven Merritt*

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