Baldwin Panthers' wide receiver is now a Ferris Bulldog

Brandon Childress (10), a former All-Stater at Baldwin, gets ready for picture day last month at Top Taggart Field.
File photo

BIG RAPIDS – Ferris State senior wide receiver Brandon Childress has been hauling in passes from various Bulldog quarterbacks, but admits he’s anxious to have No. 1 QB Mylik Mitchell get healthy and return to the lineup.

The former Baldwin All-stater had quite a day in the 69-3 victory for the defending national football champions and current No. 1-ranked team in the country in September. He caught three passes for 44 yards including a 20-yard score from quarterback Evan Cummins on a circus catch.

“It was exciting to see the younger players and a lot of guys get a chance to play,” Childress said. “It was fun. I knew (on his touchdown catch) I had a high chance of catching the ball and Evan was going to throw me a jump ball after the first attempt he threw me. I went into that play knowing I would get the ball and I had to make a play for my quarterback.”

Mitchell has missed the last two games because of a lower body injury. Indications are he won’t be back until possibly the game at Saginaw Valley this Saturday In the meantime, Evan Cummins, Carson Gulker and Jesse Rivera have picked up the slack.

“Coach (Tony Annese) is great,” Childress said. “He and his son (Steve Annese offensive coordinator) were great in finding out what the defense is trying to do and we take advantage of what they will give us. All four of our quarterbacks play at a high level. It’s a great feeling to know that no matter what, we’re going to be good. It’s a great feeling to have that.

“It’s going to be great to get Mylik back. He’s been our leader. From a player to player leadership standpoint, Mylik has been great. He’s been the voice for our team in a lot of ways. Getting him back will make us better because he’s around the team day-to-day. Who doesn’t want a left-handed quarterback who is able to run the ball? We’ll be great when he comes back.”