SAGINAW — Michigan Lutheran Seminary opens the 2026 football season at home, and 18th-year head coach Karl Schmugge is chasing more wins.
The Cardinals are located at 2777 Hardin St. in Saginaw. The MHSAA lists enrollment at 184, Class C, 11-player Division 8, and TVC Blue. Schmugge enters his 18th season at the helm with a 107-66 career mark.
In 2025, MLS went 6-4 and lost the Division 8 district semifinal at Nouvel 34-28. Nouvel also won the regular-season meeting 27-14. In 2024, MLS was 6-3, beat Nouvel 21-20 in the district semifinal, and lost to Fowler 43-13 in the district final.
Week 1 is Friday, Aug. 28, at home against Fowler. Graduated TVC all-league players include Noah Reif, Andrew Miller and Joey Cain. Senior backs Josiah Naumann and Eli Lewis return, along with Zach Scharrer, Nick Johnston, Simeon Kober, Ridley Wakefield, Noah Hoffman and Jake Broekhuizen. Mason Krager is a sleeper at quarterback.
Nouvel visits Hardin Street on Sept. 25.
"We've got more skill players than we've had in a long time. We've got some good size, but we're very athletic. As long as we can stay healthy, we're going to compete."
Sources: [MHSAA](https://www.mhsaa.com/schools/mls) · [MLive](https://www.mlive.com/highschoolsports/2026/08/michigan-lutheran-seminary-prepares-victory-dance-for-2026-football-season.html)
