The boys are back on the field for a new season of high school football. Head Coach Scott Shankel brings Reed City into another campaign after back-to-back regional championships. His staff and non-graduated players won’t be the only ones returning for another season of Coyote football.
In his second season with the Coyotes, alumni Brandon Wirth will return for the booth this season for the full 2024 slate. This year, Wirth will not be alone, as his newly dubbed color commentator, Mark Holcomb, will join him for Reed City game broadcasts this fall. Joe Nagy will also make appearances this season as a studio analyst and board operator. Here’s more about the three-man team:
BRANDON WIRTH
In his third football season with the network, former Reed City and Ferris State student athlete Brandon Wirth will call his second season as lead play-by-play for his alma mater this fall.
The former Coyote was an all-conference honoree in three different sports during his prep career and is a two-time GLIAC Commissioner’s Award Recipient at the collegiate level. He also is an award-winning sports podcaster with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.
Here’s more about him:
- Nicknames:
- Primary Job:
- News Director & Sports Coordinator at the Big Rapids Media Network; Athletics Communications Graduate Assistant at Ferris State University
- Broadcasting Experience:
- Two seasons of DI college hockey (TV & Radio), Two seasons of DII college volleyball (Video Stream), Two seasons of HS football & basketball (Radio), Multiple fill-in roles for DII college basketball, softball, and women’s soccer (Radio + Video Stream), Five years of college and high school sports podcast hosting
- Style of Broadcasting:
- “My style of broadcasting is very analytical, but very relatable. I love numbers and breaking down a game to the nitty-gritty; however, I want to help fans understand the game at a simple, but higher level to appreciate it even more. My games will have jokes and metaphors, data-driven breakdowns, and everything in-between.”
- Favorite Broadcasters:
- Kevin Harlan, Bob Wischusen, Ian Eagle, all Detroit sports broadcasters
- Expectation for the Season:
- “I truly believe this Reed City team will be slept on this year. While they have lost some key contributors from last year’s team, Coach Shankel and his staff do an incredible job of developing young players for top-level football. The schedule will be a gauntlet, as it is one of the toughest in the state statistically, but that will mean three things: great games, great calls, and great Friday night football. I’m ready if you’re ready.”
MARK HOLCOMB
While it may be his debut season with the Coyotes, Mark Holcomb is no stranger to the broadcast booth.
Holcomb has over a decade of broadcasting experience at the college level for multiple different sports. He also serves as the Reed City girls varsity assistant basketball coach, entering his second season this winter wearing the Coyote logo.
Here’s more about him:
- Nicknames:
- Primary Job:
- Director of Spiritual Life & Staff Care at Eagle Village, Assistant Girls Varsity Basketball Coach at Reed City High School
- Broadcasting Experience:
- Twelve seasons of NAIA college football (Radio + Video Stream), Six seasons of NAIA women’s college basketball (Radio + Video Stream), Two seasons of NAIA men’s college basketball (Radio + Video Stream)
- Style of Broadcasting:
- “My style is casual, complimentary to the play-by-play. I try not to get in the way. I'm a homer, unapologetically, but will compliment good play from anyone at any time. I will also add as much depth, nuance, and ‘arm-chair quarterback’ perspective to the broadcast experience.”
- Favorite Broadcasters:
- John Madden, Tory Aikman, Kirk Herbstreit, Chris Fowler
- Expectation for the Season:
- “Watching the Coyotes reload on a year where there are low expectations should be fun. I think people need to watch for this team to improve every game this year like last. I wouldn't be surprised to see another deep run too. I look forward to wearing the headset again, with a great partner, and a fun program to watch. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
JOE NAGY
In his second season as analyst and ‘board op’, Joe Nagy will be adding to the broadcasts once again in 2024.
Nagy has contributed to Big Rapids Media Network’s high school sports show, “The Rundown,” for the past year as well as filled in as a broadcast alternate for football and basketball on Y-102 and WBRN. He also studied Sports Communication at Ferris State University during his undergraduate studies and won a statewide award with Wirth for college sports podcasting.
Here’s more about him:
- Nicknames:
- Primary Job:
- Former Afternoon Radio Show Host on Big Country 100.9
- Broadcasting Experience:
- Two seasons of high school football and basketball (Radio), Five years of college and high school sports podcast hosting
- Style of Broadcasting:
- “I try to be a fan first. Of course, you want to stay somewhat unbiased; but if I see a big play that gets me out of my seat, you'll know it for sure.”
- Favorite Broadcasters:
- Ian Eagle, Dan Dickerson, Ken Daniels, Eric Collins
- Expectation for the Season:
- “The CSAA looks deep this year, and I cannot wait for each game in the schedule for Reed City and Big Rapids to be a big matchup. Not to mention, how much that will make the weekly episodes of The Rundown that much more exciting to watch. Football is almost back, and I cannot wait until this thing gets kicked off. I am itching for the sport and facing withdrawals.”
BROADCAST NETWORK INFORMATION
Reed City Coyote Football will be hosted on Y-102 for the second consecutive year within the Big Rapids Media Network. Games can be heard on standard radio dials via 102.3 FM as well as online radio streams via the WYBR mobile app and the WYBR.com website. Pregame will begin at 6:30 P.M. for every contest. Additional broadcasts and further details are being discussed but not finalized at this time.
CSAA season coverage will be held on the “The Rundown” via Big Country 100.9’s YouTube channel, which will return for its second year with Brandon Wirth and J.T. Scarpelli as the lead hosts. There will also be score recaps, box scores, and other game notes on Big Rapids Daily News via WBRN.com. More information on the show and additional football coverage will be released officially soon.
Businesses interested in being broadcast sponsors can contact the Big Rapids Media Network for more information.
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