The Portage Northern varsity football team is 4-0 and earned those victories by commanding margins: so far this season, the Huskies have scored 128 points while their opponents have scored just 31. Leading the charge for the Huskies is head coach Pete Schermerhorn.

Schermerhorn is in his 27th season as the Huskies head coach and has had a great amount of success in his career. This season seems to be no different, with Schermerhorn already receiving recognition and praise for the Huskies’ early success. Among these sources of praise is the Detroit Lions organization, which has named Schermerhorn High School Coach of the Week. 

The organization stated that the coach that “best demonstrates success on and off the field, develops players’ character, discipline, and football skill in addition to emphasizing player health and safety in their program will be recognized for his commitment to the team, school, and community.” 

Schermerhorn has reinvigorated the PNHS football culture over the last few years.  “Everything we do is geared towards winning football games, but winning them the right way,” he shared in an interview about the award with WWMT. “We expect a lot of our kids, we expect a lot out of our coaches. We are trying to develop a program that is sustaining, and is not a flash in the pan program. You have to do that with good character, doing things the right way.” 

The winner is selected by a panel of high school football journalists. The Huskies are currently ranked #10 in the state for Division 2 teams, and if their success continues, no doubt the praise for Schermerhorn and his gameplans will continue as well.