My City July 2021

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best ways to make everything happen as far as work, home life and the team.” The Fury’s promising start this sea son has certainly made all of Lawler’s ef forts feel worthwhile.The team, 4-4 last year, took a 2-1 record into their June 19 game against Tri-City Stampede. “The season has been great so far because we’ve improved with every game which is a really good sign,” Lawler says. “The running game has been solid, but our offense overall needs a little work. The defense has been great, maybe the best it has looked since 2012, especially the defensive line.” Derricks, who is playing safety, finished with five tackles and was barely touched in returning an interception for a touchdown in a 12-6 road win over the Muskegon Mustangs on June 5. “We’ve improved a lot since we first came together in the spring,” he

Lawler estimates his commitment to the Fury consumes about 25 hours of his time each week during the sea son. He juggles that with his full-time job as a first-shift transporter at Hurley Medical Center. “It can be challenging, but working first-shift makes it easier to organize practices and other activi ties,” he says. “Working only one week end a month also helps. I’ve learned the

COACH CLARENCE HARDY PROVIDES LAST-MINUTE INSTRUCTION.

says. “We are going to surprise people with what we do this season and put the Fury back on the map.” Lawler has even labeled this season “The Great Reset,” switching the team’s colors from navy, silver and white to red, black and white. A two-quarterback offense is also new, consisting of Cortez Effinger and Craig Halmon. Effinger played for Flint Central and UM-Flint’s club team while Craig Halmon is one of three Muskegon natives on the roster. At 5-feet-11 and 270 pounds, he is an imposing presence in the pocket. All but five players hail from Flint area high schools, including offensive lineman Lamar Jenkins, a Grand Blanc All-Stater who also played for NCAA Division 2 Ferris State. Hamady’s Jaylen Watson, a receiver and defensive back, played

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