ONAWAY — The Onaway Cardinals didn’t have a winning football season in 2025, but they had their fair share of big plays on both sides of the ball. With the Cardinals heading into their third season under coach Micah Bailey, they're hoping for even more of those moments from the impressive skill players they have returning. They just hope it all results in a first winning season since 2023. ONAWAY SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN: Onaway football eyes success as member of Bridge Alliance Conference THREE THINGS TO WATCH ONAWAY: Three things to watch with 2026 Onaway High School football team That will be one of the big goals for the Cardinals, who continued to preach fundamentals and conditioning during the first practice of their second week of fall camp on Monday. Aug. 17. As the Cardinals prepare for Week 1, here’s some things that stood out and thoughts from Bailey. Ah, those skill positions While the Cardinals won’t feature Lelin Splan, a star senior running back last fall, Bailey’s excitement is through the roof as far as the quality offensive skill players he has back. Among those are senior Kayson Jarvis, a longtime running back, senior fullback Zach Schmoldt, a powerful fullback, and sophomore Chris Pauly, who logged many reps as a freshman quarterback last fall. “We have a lot more skill players than we had last year,” Bailey said. “I like our speed. I’m excited to be able to use those players in ways I haven’t been able to use some of them before."
Bailey touched on the progression of Pauly, whose upside is high. “His ability to make plays is good,” Bailey said. “Sometimes, he gets caught in the backfield trying to throw a pass, and that doesn’t work out well, but he makes something out of it mostly. He’s a good scrambler.” Paving the way To make it all work, Bailey understands his offensive line will have to perform at a high level every game, especially against quality competition. Looking to pave holes for the backs and protect Pauly are some key Onaway senior linemen in Caleb Booms and Phineas Benson, who’s also expected to take on an assignment at guard. “We’ve got some big boys on the offensive line that we’re excited about,” Bailey said. ‘Most motivated I’ve ever seen them’ Following three consecutive losing seasons, the Cardinals are hungry to turn the program in the right direction. Of course, it will be a challenging task as the Cardinals are now members of the Bridge Alliance 8-Player Football Conference Valley Division. With a loaded schedule of opponents like Inland Lakes, Pickford and Gaylord St. Mary, Onaway’s going to have its hands full on a lot of nights. INLAND LAKES BULLDOGS: Inland Lakes football wants to 'make them believe,' have big 2026 COLLIN MAVES: Inland Lakes star linebacker Collin Maves eyes big senior season LANDON FENSTERMAKER: 'Big play' specialist Landon Fenstermaker leads Inland Lakes football But from day one, Bailey senses something different with this squad, which he believes can have a special fall. “A lot of them are definitely the most motivated I’ve ever seen them,” Bailey said. “They know that they have a chance to do something good this year, so they’re all counting on each other and feeding off each other to get those wins that you need. I want to see all the fundamentals perfect all the time."
Onaway opens its season at home against Rogers City at 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 27. The Hurons won 56-22 last year. “(That game is) all (our players have) been talking about since last year,” Bailey said. “After we lost to them last year, it was a little bit upsetting, but they all understood that, and they want to beat them this year.” Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Onaway football program aiming for first winning season since 2023