By DOUG DONNELLY

Noah Bauman made up for lost time.

Bauman didn’t play much defense his freshman and sophomore seasons at Whiteford but came on strong the past two seasons, winning the Monroe County Region Defensive Player of the Year honors. Next year when Bauman continues his football career in college, defense is where he’ll be.

“I kind of thought I would be playing offensive line, but as my career went on, I realized that defensive line would be a good fit for me,” the Whiteford senior said.

Bauman last week committed to Grand Valley State University to play college football. He signed a letter of intent in front of family and friends.

“They were the first team to contact me back in my freshman year,” said Bauman, a four-year varsity player for the Bobcats. “They were the first to show an interest in me and they stayed with me all the way through school.”

Last fall Bauman completed a remarkable four-year career with the Bobcats, leading the Bobcats to the state semifinals and winning all-state honors for a third straight year. He was being recruited by several Division II, Division 3 and NAIA programs but decided on Grand Valley.

“I really love it there,” he said. “When I got the opportunity to go to their camps and things, I always had a great experience.”

Grand Valley has a storied football tradition. The Lakers play in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and have appeared in six national title games, winning four national championships since 2001. They team has won or shared 17 league titles and made the playoffs 20 times.

The Lakers play home games at Lubbers Stadium, often to overflow crowds.

“When I walked through the tailgate area, I felt like I was back home at one of the Whiteford games,” Bauman said. “The Saturday atmosphere there is insane.

“They play all of their home games on Saturday nights and the community is really behind them. That reminds me of what it is like at Whiteford. It’s a tight-knit football community.”

Bauman was a four-year starter on the offensive line at Whiteford but steadily played more defense as well. As a senior he was an outstanding two-way lineman. He said he began to realize that his future was going to be as an interior defensive lineman.

“On their offensive line, everyone is like 6-6, which I’m not,” he said. “I realize that defensive line is a better position for me. Plus, I like playing defense.”

Grand Valley has about 11 offensive linemen in its latest recruiting class, but only four defensive lineman.

Bauman’s amazing four-year career was full of success for both the Whiteford Bobcats and him. In his 43 career starts, the Bobcats won 32 games, two Tri-County Conference championships and reached the Division 8 semifinals his senior. He appeared in 10 playoff games.

Individually, Bauman is the most decorated Bobcat football player ever, having received more all-conference, all-region and all-state honors than any other player in Whiteford history. He’s the first three-time First Team All-Stater in TCC and Monroe County history and the first Bobcat ever named as defensive player of the year by The Monroe News.

Here’s a list of Bauman’s individual honors received during his four years at Whiteford:

2018 (Freshman)

Honorable Mention All-TCC

2019 (Sophomore)

First Team All-TCC

First Team All-Region Offense, Monroe News

Division 8 First Team All-State, Detroit Free Press

Division 7/8 First Team All-State, Associated Press

Division 7/8 First Team All-State, Detroit News

2020 (Junior)

First Team All-TCC

First Team All-Region, MHSFCA

First Team All-Region Offense, Monroe News

Division 8 First Team All-State, Detroit Free Press

Division 7/8 First Team All-State, Associated Press

Division 7/8 First Team All-State, Detroit News

2021 (Senior)

First Team All-TCC

First Team All-Region, MHSFCA

First Team All-Region Offense, Monroe News

First Team All-Region Defense, Monroe News

Monroe County Region Defensive Player of the Year

Division 8 First Team All-State, MHSFCA

Division 8 First Team All-State, Detroit Free Press

Division 7/8 First Team All-State, Associated Press

Division 7/8 First Team All-State, Detroit News

BAUMAN’S FOUR-YEAR STATS

Year                       Solo       Assist    Total      Sacks     TFL         FR          

2018                       0              0              0              0              0              0

2019                       16           17           33           1.5          8              2

2020                       20           31           51           0.0          11.5        0

2021                       31           24           55           7.5          14           4

CAREER                 67           72           134         8.5          33.5        6