Nick Maksimchuk has never finished worse than 4-5 in five seasons at Birch Run, and last fall was another 4-5, 3-4 in the MMAC, with no playoff berth. He enters year six at 23-25. The high-water mark was 6-5 in 2023, when the Panthers won a playoff game at Swan Valley, their first since 2010.
The MHSAA lists Birch Run at 484 students, Class B, Division 5, the same grouping as Frankenmuth, Swan Valley and Bridgeport.
The opener is Thursday, Aug. 27, at Grosse Ile. Then come Ovid-Elsie, Mt. Morris, New Lothrop, Chesaning, LakeVille, Durand, Montrose and Sanford Meridian.
Graduation took Hugh Tanner, Wyatt Stephens and Eli Magyar. Junior Boston Brown, the brother of Kahleel Brown, takes over at tailback. Four of five offensive linemen are back, including Kaleb Miller, Jonas Campbell and Karson Anglebrandt. Garett Martinus is the senior quarterback and Kaelen Harrington returns at tight end and linebacker.
Maksimchuk told MLive: "We lost quite a bit and have some big voids from last season. But we've got our numbers trending upwards, and it's been a good summer."
Sources: [MHSAA](https://www.mhsaa.com/schools/birchrun) and [MLive](https://www.mlive.com/highschoolsports/2026/08/birch-run-hopes-football-numbers-talent-can-overcome-graduation-losses.html).
