Vander Luitgaren leads Batavia in what could be coach Dennis Piron’s last game

When senior quarterback Michael Vander Luitgaren came off the field late in the fourth quarter Saturday night, he was quickly intercepted by Batavia coach Dennis Piron.

With the Bulldogs on their way to a season-ending loss, the Wyoming-bound Vander Luitgaren and Piron — who was likely coaching his last game — had a memorable moment.

“It was kind of emotional,” Vander Luitgaren said. “We just thanked each other for everything, starting sophomore year until now. It was a good little send-off.”

Afterward, Piron confirmed he’s still waiting to make a final decision on his coaching future. Vander Luitgaren, however, wasn’t going to pass on taking his change to say goodbye.

The 6-foot-2, 198-pound Vander Luitgaren threw for 116 yard and added an 11-yard touchdown run in Batavia’s 49-6 loss to Brother Rice in the Class 7A second-round playoff game.

Western Michigan recruit Darin Ashiru added four catches for 43 yards for the Bulldogs (8-3).

Sam Holcomb completed 9 of 12 passes for 156 yards and two TDs for Brother Rice (9-2).

Looking back, Vander Luitgaren was called upon to start halfway through his sophomore season and helped lead Batavia to the Class 7A state championship game. He continued to succeed, eventually committing to Wyoming.

He credited Piron for getting that process rolling.

“At the time, I was just excited for the opportunity to play as a sophomore,” Vander Luitgaren said. “Over time, every day, I just realized more and more how much that really meant to me. It kind of set up my future, going to Wyoming.”

Vander Luitgaren did his best to try to get Piron at least one more game. Batavia trailed 14-0 in the first quarter, but the Bulldogs failed to convert on fourth down from the Brother Rice 15 in between those TDs.

His 11-yard TD run cut the lead to 14-6 in the second quarter. He was then picked off on fourth down on a drive that could have tied the game.

Brother Rice scored again. On Batavia’s final drive of the half, Vander Luitgaren left the game due to an injury and that drive came up just short of the end zone as well.

“We had a really nice plan,” Piron said. “We just couldn’t get into the end zone. At half, if we were a score down with energy going into the half, who knows. Then Michael got hit.

“We were unsure if he was going to go back in or not.”

Vander Luitgaren did return, but Batavia’s play-calling was conservative in order to protect his health. The Crusaders pulled away from there.

Senior safety Loukas Vatianou agreed that Piron’s potential last game was on their minds.

“We felt like we owed him something,” Vatianou said. “He puts his life into this program.”

Vander Luitgaren pointed out the Bulldogs tried to downplay the possibility of Piron retiring all season but it was always there.

“He knows how to run a program, that’s for sure,” Vander Luitgaren said of Piron. “Love the guy. He does everything right. He does everything for us.”

The assumption was that this would be Piron’s last game, but he did leave the door open.

“I’ll have a final decision to make here pretty soon,” Piron said. “If I want to keep going, I’m sure they’ll let me.”

He did have some thoughts on if this really was the end.

“I’ve loved every minute of this,” Piron said. “If I am done, I am blessed with (wife Joanne), who loves football as much as I do, and my kids, who have been with me every step of the way.

“I’ve loved everything I’ve gotten to do in Batavia.”