​Petoskey football opened the summer with a 7-on-7 passing league night on Tuesday, July 7, hosting Boyne City, Harbor Springs, East Jordan, Cheboygan and Benzie Central at Northmen Stadium. The event marked the first football action of the season for the Northmen, who gathered under the lights to test their passing game and sharpen their timing.
Petoskey’s junior quarterback Lukas Nemec presents a rare blend of maturity and readiness for his role as a leader. He’s spent so long preparing for this moment that it’s easy to overlook that he was only a sophomore starter on varsity last year. Now entering his second varsity offseason, Nemec has already logged two full seasons’ worth of experience and a busy start to the summer, returning Tuesday, July 7, for a month of 7-on-7 action. “I’ve been busy, trying to be with my guys and here and there,” Nemec said. “It’s good to be back in the flow of things and excited for this season. I’m excited to see what we can do.”
Nemec is stepping into year two as Petoskey’s starter, following a hectic June that included camp stops to meet college coaches. He won’t shy away from acknowledging that last season carried heavy expectations on a young quarterback at the Division 3 level. The Northmen narrowly missed the playoffs by one spot, finishing 4-1 down the stretch after a couple of late losses by less than a touchdown. Nemec was one of six sophomores who started, and he doesn’t dodge the truth that there were growing pains. “Obviously last year we went through a lot of growing pains,” he said. “Some games cost us, but everything happens for a reason. We have to learn from it, bounce back and I’m honestly happy we went through it, because now I know what it feels like. We know what it feels like.”
Nemec’s summer has included a robust schedule of camps and showcases across the state. He’s attended stops at Michigan State, Central Michigan and Western Michigan, and participated in the Manning Passing Academy. Frequent trips to Grand Rapids have connected him with quarterbacks from around Michigan, guided by the well-regarded quarterback coach Cheyne Lacanaria. The experience has served as a continuous engine for improvement, with Nemec emphasizing gratitude for every opportunity to grow. “It was a lot of fun,” he remarked. “I’m really thankful for my mom and dad, taking me down there. I had a blast, learned a lot of great things from a lot of great coaches. A lot of great athletes were there too, so it was a lot of fun.”
Throughout the summer, Nemec has traveled with other Petoskey players, including offensive lineman Connor Berg and defensive end/tight end Jace Shaw, who have also benefited from increased recruiting interest as seniors. Their presence at camps alongside Nemec has added a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose, reinforcing the team’s approach to improvement and preparation for the season ahead. As Petoskey continues its 7-on-7 circuit through July, Nemec’s leadership and his continued development will be pivotal in guiding the Northmen toward potential success in the fall.