Pinconning's Zackery Backus (15) dives to grab a long pass during Pinconning's game with Standish-Sterling on Aug. 24, 2017. (Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com)
BAY CITY, MI -- They say three things can happen when you pass the ball, and two of them are bad.
But that risk goes down when you have a standout receiver.
Bay County has seen its share of dazzling pass-catchers -- with Essexville Garber's Ben VanSumeren taking it to a new level this year. With the 2017 high school football season in the books, now is the time to take a look at Bay County's reception leaders over the past 20 seasons.
Here's a glance back at the top pass catchers since 1998 from Bay City Central (C), Bay City Western (W), John Glenn (JG), Essexville Garber (G), Pinconning (P) and All Saints (AS).
(RELATED: Bay County passing leaders 1998-2017)
(RELATED: Bay County rushing leaders 1998-2017)
Garber's Ben VanSumeren hops over Bridgeport players during a game this season. (Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com)
2017 LEADERS
Player, school Rec. Yards Avg. TD
Ben VanSumeren (G) 85 – 1259 – 14.8 – 13
Judson Morse (C) 37 – 788 – 21.3 – 4
Manny Joppich (G) 35 – 467 – 13.3 – 4
Dan Wohlscheid (JG) 26 – 299 – 11.5 -- 1
Jacob Denham (G) 23 – 510 – 22.2 – 8
*C.J. Samborn (AS) 22 – 400 – 18.2 – 2
Devell Washington (C) 22 – 484 – 22.0 -- 7
Zack Backus (P) 21 – 404 – 19.2 – 2
Parker Rivard (W) 20 – 254 – 12.7 -- 2
Rory O’Hare (JG) 19 – 271 – 14.3 -- 3
Hunter McGillen (P) 18 – 334 – 18.6 – 4
Brushor Leveling (JG) 16 – 174 – 10.9 – 0
Brendan Bellinger (W) 14 – 118 – 8.4 -- 0
Robert Houghtaling (JG) 14 – 188 – 13.4 – 2
Brett Peterson (G) 14 – 269 – 19.2 – 1
*J.P. Szczypka (AS) 14 – 653 – 46.6 -- 7
Garret Glysz (C) 11 – 180 – 16.4 – 2
Brian Closen (G) 10 – 137 – 13.7 – 0
Logan LaCourse (W) 10 – 93 – 9.3 -- 1
Tyler Albrecht (P) 10 – 79 – 7.9 -- 0
*Eight-player format
Central's Tanner Koth gets into position for the play during a game against Midland Dow Thursday Sept. 1, 2016, at Bay City Central's Engel Stadium. (Gavin McIntyre | The Bay City Times)
2016 LEADERS
Player, school Rec. Yards Avg. TD
Ben VanSumeren (G) 39 – 656 – 16.8 – 7
Tanner Koth (C) 39 – 630 – 16.2 – 5
Eliseo Vasquez-Landin (W) 31 – 217 – 7.0 – 3
Grant Dittmer (AS) 30 – 545 – 18.2 -- 5
Robert Walkowiak (C) 27 – 314 – 11.6 -- 3
Jake Sansburn (G) 25 – 478 – 19.1 – 6
J.P. Szczypka (AS) 25 – 320 – 12.8 -- 2
Miles McFarland (G) 20 – 433 – 21.7 – 5
Eric Hanover (JG) 20 – 264 – 13.2 – 1
Liam Tobin (W) 15 – 168 – 14.0 -- 0
Austin Monville (JG) 14 – 133 – 9.5 – 3
Grant Fry (W) 13 – 296 – 22.8 -- 4
Robert Houghtaling (JG) 12 – 261 – 21.8 – 2
Judson Morse (C) 12 – 212 – 17.7 -- 1
Anthony Niemiec (AS) 12 – 178 – 14.8 -- 2
All Saints' Grant Dittmer goes up for a catch in a game Thursday Sept. 8, 2016, at St. Stan's Athletic Club in Bay City. (Gavin McIntyre | The Bay City Times)
2015 LEADERS
Player (school) Rec – Yards – Avg -- TD
Ben VanSumeren (G) 38 – 790 – 20.8 – 6
Grant Dittmer (AS) 30 – 492 – 16.4 – 5
Desmond Glaza (G) 20 – 288 – 14.4 – 1
Jake Sansburn (G) 19 – 252 – 13.3 – 2
Ryan Adcock (W) 19 – 249 – 13.1 – 4
Robert Walkowiak (C) 19 – 202 – 10.6 -- 1
Alex Nellett (W) 18 – 122 – 6.8 – 1
Lucas Williams (G) 17 – 231 – 13.6 – 1
Kristen Valliere (JG) 15 – 197 – 13.1 – 0
Brett Chislea (C) 13 – 157 – 12.1 -- 0
Zach Wheaton (C) 13 – 106 – 8.2 – 0
Devonte Mysliwski (C) 11 – 153 – 13.9 – 2
Massino Moreno (AS) 10 – 136 – 13.6 – 1
Zach Ambroziak (AS) 10 – 112 – 11.2 -- 0
Evan Lay (AS) 10 – 78 – 7.8 – 0
Garber wide receiver Brendyn Claerhout hauls in a first down at Ed Harvey Field in Essexville, MI. Friday, Sept. 26, 2014. (Jeff Caverly | For The Bay City Times)
2014 LEADERS
Player, school Rec. – Yards – Avg. -- TD
Brendyn Claerhout (G) 38 – 576 – 15.2 – 10
Nathan Anthony (C) 29 – 442 – 15.2 – 5
Jake Sansburn (G) 24 – 359 – 15.0 – 4
Josh Dorion (AS) 23 – 253 – 11.0 – 2
Dan Kolanek (G) 22 – 317 – 14.4 – 5
Gabe VanSumeren (AS) 16 – 218 – 13.6 – 2
Garrison Niedzielski (G) 16 – 137 – 8.6 – 0
Mitch Syring (W) 14 – 179 – 12.8 -- 2
Alex Mudd (W) 14 – 111 – 7.9 -- 0
Ryan Adcock (W) 13 – 199 – 15.3 – 4
Trevor Ambroziak (AS) 13 – 159 – 12.2 – 3
Brett Tahash (C) 11 – 143 – 13.0 – 1
Zack Booth (P) 10 – 247 – 24.7 – 1
Bay City Western's Alex Mudd runs around the end for a gain at the Bay City Western field. Friday, Sept. 19, 2014. (Jeff Caverly | For The Bay City Times)
2013 LEADERS
Player, school Rec. – Yards - Avg. - TD
Alex Mudd (W) 39 – 388 – 9.9 – 2
CJ Glaza (G) 26 – 488 – 18.8 – 8
Simeon Berry (G) 15 – 243 – 16.2 – 4
Bruce Mann (W) 14 – 203 – 14.5 – 4
Nick Verity (W) 13 – 192 – 14.8 – 0
Dylan Staebler (P) 13 – 159 – 12.2 – 0
Gabe VanSumeren (AS) 13 – 116 – 8.9 -- 1
Brandon Craven (P) 13 – 66 – 5.1 -- 0
Nate Anthony (C) 11 – 159 – 14.5 – 1
Connor Bluhm (JG) 10 – 108 – 10.8 -- 2
Simon Klida (W) 10 – 84 – 8.4 – 0
Bay City Central's Austin Jones hauls in a 39-yard touchdown pass against Saginaw High during their Saginaw Valley League football game at Engel Stadium in Bay City. (Jeff Schrier | Mlive.com)
2012 LEADERS
Player, school Rec. – Yards - Avg. - TD
Alex Delgado (JG) 30 – 344 – 11.5 - 2
Austin Jones (C) 27 – 344 – 12.7 – 2
Charles Proctor (W) 21 – 276 – 13.1 - 2
Tyler Robbins (JG) 16 – 291 – 18.2 - 2
Brandon Craven (P) 14 – 119 - 8.5 - 0
Nick Hunter (AS) 13 – 251 – 19.3 -- 3
Curtis Leaman (AS) 13 – 161 – 12.4 - 1
Tyler Cardinal (AS) 11 – 137 – 12.5 – 0
Mason Myers (W) 10 – 185 – 18.5 - 2
Bobby Meeth (C) 10 – 78 – 7.8 - 0
Western's Charles Proctor scores the first touchdown Friday, Oct. 19, 2012 at Western. (Yfat Yossifor | The Bay City Times)
2011 LEADERS
Player (School) Rec. Yards Avg. TDs
Charles Proctor (W) 38 718 18.9 11
Josh Rivard (P) 36 581 16.1 3
Tyler Kuch (W) 31 405 13.1 5
Nick Vachon (W) 23 393 17.1 4
Ryley Henika (G) 22 420 19.1 4
Nick Hunter (AS) 21 416 19.8 2
Cameron Penix (P) 17 296 17.4 4
Chris Baba (W) 16 198 12.4 3
Alex Chorba (C) 16 192 12.0 1
Stephon Hardwick (C) 14 199 14.2 3
Ben Pijaszek (AS) 12 162 13.5 1
Devin McCulloh (JG) 10 205 20.5 2
Robert Anthony (C) 10 124 12.4 0
Austin Sautter (G) 10 90 9.0 0
John Glenn's Tanner Kain runs on a breakaway touchdown during their game against Standish Sterling at John Glenn High School. (Jared Hamilton | The Bay City Times)
2010 LEADERS
Player (School) Rec. Yards Avg. TD
Tanner Kain (JG) 36 753 20.9 14
Charles Proctor (W) 29 273 9.4 4
Tyler Ellis (W) 27 542 20.1 8
Carter Harris (G) 23 327 14.2 2
Garrett Bowker (AS) 19 543 28.6 3
Ryley Henika (G) 14 434 31.0 5
Tyler Kuch (W) 13 207 15.9 2
Brandon Ruszkowski (C) 13 143 11.0 2
Sean Daugherty (C) 10 173 17.3 3
Nick Vachon (W) 9 113 12.6 1
Sam Bourcier (P) 9 97 10.8 0
Caleb Boileau turns an early 1st quarter pass into a touchdown against Flint Northern, Friday night in Auburn. (Jerry Carmien | Special to The Times)
2009 LEADERS
Player (School) Rec. Yards Avg. TD
Caleb Boileau (W) 30 464 15.5 3
Tyler Ellis (W) 27 370 13.7 6
Deon Martin (C) 25 380 15.2 1
Isaac Saucedo (C) 25 317 12.7 1
Todd Walraven (G) 20 341 17.1 3
Jason Pressler (W) 20 233 11.7 1
Travis Britko (G) 18 191 10.6 0
David Paulik (P) 16 247 15.4 0
Mike Schroeder (G) 13 253 19.5 3
Tanner Kain (JG) 12 195 16.3 1
Tyler Espitia (P) 11 228 20.7 2
Bay City Central's Deon Martin gets taken down by Saginaw Heritage's Kyle Sproull Friday night at Engel Stadium in 2008. (Jeffrey LaMonde | Times Photo)
2008 LEADERS
Player, School Rec. Yards Avg TD
Deon Martin, Central 47 570 12.1 5
Corey Arnold, Western 19 363 19.1 4
Jordan Murphy, Central 19 282 14.8 2
Jimmy Cornejo, Garber 16 199 12.4 2
Lucas Foco, Pinconning 15 314 20.9 2
Todd Walraven, Garber 15 275 18.3 5
Angelo Colbert, Central 13 135 10.4 0
Scott Osentoski, Western 11 134 12.2 1
B.J. Weaver, All Saints 10 297 29.7 4
Justin Drzewicki, Central 10 96 9.6 0
Bay City Western's Corey Arnold, left, runs down field as Central's Deon Martin, middle, attempts a tackle in 2008. (Jeffrey LaMonde | Times Photo)
2007 LEADERS
Player, School Rec. Yards Avg. TD
Corey Arnold, Western 32 501 15.7 4
Justin Zielinski, Garber 30 724 24.1 4
Ryan Brunette, Central 24 301 12.5 2
Alex Bush, Central 20 313 15.7 2
Brandon Delgado, Pinconning 17 288 16.9 4
Matt Johnson, Western 17 214 12.6 1
Trenton Robinson, Central 16 236 14.8 2
Ryan Kleinhans, Pinconning 15 171 11.4 1
Ricky Phillips, All Saints 14 205 14.6 3
B.J. Weaver, All Saints 13 191 14.7 1
Scott Osentoski, Western 12 266 22.2 3
Jimmy Cornejo, Garber 12 184 15.3 2
Andrew Aho, Garber 12 63 5.3 1
Andrew Marut of Pinconning led Bay County in receptions during the 2006 season. (Kevin Hagen | MLive.com)
2006 LEADERS
Player, School Rec. Yards Avg. TD
Andrew Marut, Pinconning 27 507 18.8 7
Sergio Campbell, Central 26 414 15.9 4
Chad Skrocki, John Glenn 22 381 17.3 3
Derrick Smith, Central 17 364 21.4 5
Jordan Henika, Garber 17 236 13.9 2
Kurtis Mowbray, Pinconning 12 164 13.7 2
Ian Wood, Garber 11 241 21.9 1
Jordan Noonan, Garber 11 115 10.5 2
Jason Wright, Central 11 44 4.0 2
Brad Huber, Western 9 116 12.9 0
Nate Fisher was Bay County's leading pass catcher during the 2005 season for Bay City Central. (Su Anderson | Times file)
2005 LEADERS
Player, School Rec. Yards Avg. TD
Nate Fisher, Central 39 730 18.7 8
Eric Fournier, Garber 33 718 21.8 6
Jeff Gwizdala, Western 24 735 30.6 6
Matt Gradowski, Western 22 280 12.7 3
Jeremy Haga, Glenn 20 323 16.2 4
Aaron Oleniacz, Glenn 12 209 17.4 3
Scott Schmidt, Western 12 164 13.7 2
Sergio Campbell, Central 12 152 12.7 2
Phil Brown, Garber 10 195 19.5 2
Ryan Wilson, Garber 10 179 17.9 1
Matt Bush, Garber 10 110 11.0 2
Garber wide receiver Matt Toporski makes a grab against Frankenmuth. (Clint Spaulding | Times file)
2004 LEADERS
Player, School Rec. Yards Avg. TD
Matt Toporski, Garber 26 261 10.0 3
Robert Smith, Central 25 347 13.9 5
Ryan Wilson, Garber 19 334 17.6 1
Steve Marshall, Central 17 250 14.7 1
Justin Haga, John Glenn 13 289 22.2 3
Mark Neitzel, John Glenn 13 286 22.0 5
Jeff Gwizdala, Western 13 277 21.3 2
Kyle Bauer, Western 13 209 16.1 2
Scott Schmidt, Western 13 137 10.5 2
Pat VanPoppelen, Garber 9 115 12.8 0
Nolan Fick, Western 9 99 11.0 1
Garber's Jonn Mathews catches a touchdown pass with Glenn's David Williams trying for the breakup. (Cathy Layman | Times file)
2003 LEADERS
Player, school Rec. Yards AVG. TD
Jonn Mathews, Garber 34 621 18.3 7
Robert Smith, Central 30 441 14.7 2
Kyle Rosebush, Garber 29 376 13.0 3
Josh Swiecicki, Pinconning 28 441 15.8 3
Jeff Gwizdala, Western 23 267 11.6 1
Steve Putt, Western 21 341 16.2 2
Eric Krenz, John Glenn 21 311 14.8 5
Drew Weiler, Garber 20 228 11.4 1
Jason Kelly, Western 18 215 11.9 1
David Williams, John Glenn 16 388 24.3 7
Mike Schecter, Pinconning 16 281 17.6 4
Robert Cherry, All Saints 14 439 31.4 4
Bay City Central's Jeff Mackey (1) evades Midland Dow's Chase Kobel in 2002. (Dan Staudacher | Times file)
2002 LEADERS
Player, school Rec. Yards Avg. TD
Jeff Mackey, Central 35 561 16.0 6
Bobby Pilon, Garber 34 720 21.2 13
Josh Swiecicki, Pinconning 21 306 14.6 2
Matt Garrett, Central 18 247 13.7 2
Greg Szczepanski, All Saints 16 233 14.6 3
Brett DuRussell, Western 16 124 7.8 1
Justin Slater, Western 13 165 12.7 2
Derek Ingle, Pinconning 12 191 15.9 0
Ben Bauer, Western 12 124 10.3 1
Cam Kochany, Western 12 103 8.6 0
Jason Kelly, Western 11 149 13.6 1
Matt Voss, Central 11 134 12.2 1
Western's Chris Baranek finds an opening as Heritage's David Lauka tries to catch up. (Cathy Layman | Times file)
2001 LEADERS
Player, school Rec. Yards Avg. TD
Chris Baranek, Western 37 504 13.6 3
Dave Matthews, Garber 30 480 16.0 3
Andy Ignash, Western 25 347 13.9 2
Louie Collins, Western 17 166 9.7 2
Jeff Mackey, Central 16 298 18.6 3
Matt Garrett, Central 16 244 15.3 4
Matt Staszak, Garber 16 194 12.1 1
Charlie O’Neill, Central 12 127 10.6 1
Brian Kinley, John Glenn 11 230 20.9 5
Brian Fritz, John Glenn 11 214 19.5 5
Garber's Matt Lovely (32), charges down the field just out of the reach of Ben Riedel of Vassar during their game in Essexville. (Michael Randolph | Times file)
2000 LEADERS
Player, school...Rec..Yards.Avg..TD
Matt Lovely, Garber...26....271....10.4....0
Nick Belski, Central...22....287....13.0....0
Dave Matthews, Garber...21....210....10.0....0
Troy Wallaker, John Glenn...13....279....21.5....2
Andy Light, Garber...12....112...9.3....1
Steve Besson, Garber...11....160....14.5....3
Billy Ramos, Garber...11....138....12.5....1
B.J. Prime, John Glenn...10....211....21.1....5
Chris Krueger, Western...10....179....17.9....3
Kyle Stewart, Western...9....132....14.7....2
Louie Collins, Western...9...82...9.1....1
Pinconning's Jeff Dembowske tries to give Garber's Matt Lovely and Mark Stefaniak the slip. (Cathy Layman | Times file)
1999 LEADERS
Player, school...Rec..Yards.Avg..TD
Jeff Dembowske, Pinconning...44....776....17.6....8
Mark Stefaniak, Garber...26....302....11.6....4
Matt Tiede, Western...19....246....13.0....0
Kyle O’Neill, Garber...15....191....12.7....0
Aaron Gaubatz, Garber...15....171....11.4....1
Chris LaRose, Garber...11....129....11.7....0
Aaron Roach, Central...9....183....20.3....2
Josh Fellows, Central...9....177....19.7....2
Matt Wall, John Glenn...9.....91....10.1....5
Brian Bal, Pinconning...8.....74.....9.3....0
Bay City Central graduate Scott Mackey went on to star at Grand Valley State University. (Chris Clark | Times file)
1998 LEADERS
Bay County had three different leaders in the three receiving categories in 1998, with Pinconning's Jeff Dembowske catching a County-high 29 passes, Bay City Central's Scott Mackey going for 563 yards and John Glenn's Andy Moreau scoring a County-best five touchdowns through the air.
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