Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools

BY GUSTAV STRENGE STAFF WRITER, SHOPPER NEWS Coming off a disappointing 0-8 season in 2025, the St. Philip High School Fighting Tigers football team are looking to restore the roar this fall. And if their first game is any indication, it could be quite a roaring season. On Aug. 28, St. Philip blew out Tekonsha 72-0 in its season opener. St. Philip is led by first-year head coach Chris Rabbitt, who served as an assistant for the Tigers last year. This year’s team will feature some new talent on the field after the MHSAA granted a co-op with Athens High School, merging the two programs, days after Athens had announced that they did not have enough players to field a team. The lone returning senior for St. Phil is captain Brogan Lightfoot. Last season, multiple freshmen stepped into starting roles. This season, they will be called upon to use that experience. “All eight starters from offense and defense are returning, led by Senior Captain, Brogan Lightfoot at running back,” said Rabbitt. “The other returning players are all sophomores, who made significant contributions as freshmen, with seven of them being starters on both sides of the ball. Those sophomores include Gio Lugo, Caleb Francisco, Cooper Rabbitt, Ryder Weiss, Will Rapelje, Mason Rhinesmith, Colton Merkle and Gabe Vega. The merger with Athens brings in several experienced athletes. “Leading that group are three Athens seniors Abe Carpenter, Reese Asher and Silas Hall ,” said Rabbitt. “The underclassmen coming over from Athens are Treyton Mongan, Caden Bulifant and Blake Anthony. Chase Ganka, Reed Hendrickson, Graham Striker and Lincoln Striker are also newcomers to the program this year.” Building cohesiveness and camaraderie will be a major factor for the team says the coach. “Our main focus for improving this season is to get these two groups of former opponents to mesh and develop team chemistry as we progress through the nine-week schedule,” Rabbitt shared. Rabbitt feels that his senior leader have done a good job of setting the tone heading into the season. The Tiger skill position players and linemen are expected to perform well this fall, he noted. “The strength of this team is derived from the four seniors, Lightfoot, Carpenter, Asher and Hall,” said Rabbitt. “They set the tone with their determination and commitment. We have great talent in our skill positions and along the line.” Rabbitt says the Tigers are geared up for the season and prepared to exceed outside expectations. “With the emergency co-op being granted on Aug. 19, we only experienced five practices and one scrimmage with this new collection of talent leading up to the season opener, so it’s hard to nail down our expectations just yet,” said the coach. “One thing I expect is that we are going to surprise people. The boys have really started to gel as one unit, even in such a short time. There is a sense of excitement at practice, and we can’t wait to get on the field and see this Tiger football team in action.”