SAGINAW TOWNSHIP — Paul Reid told MLive in July that he steps down after 2026. In five years he took Valley Lutheran from 1-8 to its best season. The Chargers went 9-1, 9-0 in the regular season and won their first TVC Blue title, snapping Ithaca's 16-year league streak. They beat Nouvel 27-20 and Ithaca 23-22, then lost a Division 7 district rematch to Ithaca 24-12. It was the third winning season and school-record wins. In 2024 they were 5-5 and lost to Cass City 50-15. The MHSAA lists enrollment 279, Class C, Division 7; SASA is counted separately at 174. The program is standalone. Off to college: Cole Strieter (Michigan Tech), Jack Strieter (Northwood), Colt Jolin (SVSU), Andrew Kunish (Alma). Back: Aiden Herzberger, Dominic Pugh, Saynt Brandow, Luke Schember, Ryan Pittman, Lucas Norton. WNEM reported 17 returning players and 15 graduated.
"We don't have maybe the one outstanding guy but we have more pieces. We're two-deep at every single position, even the offensive line. Our offensive line is as big as I've ever seen in my entire life and we like our chances."
Week 1 is Thursday Aug 27 vs Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest. Ithaca leads the series 19-1.
Sources: [MHSAA](https://www.mhsaa.com/schools/svl), MHSAA 2025 scoreboard, MLive July 29, WNEM.
