MHSAA Football - Week Six Preview

It’s time for the big push! The end of the season is within sight and some teams can either secure a playoff spot this week or possibly keep themselves from being totally eliminated from the playoffs. Teams should be starting to play their best, not leveling out. The football season is a grind and it’s imperative to be tough mentally and physically. That is what all the early morning summer workouts are all about. Some players might only get to suit up a few more times as part of an organized football team. Make every play count! Now, on with the show!

Great Lakes Bay Region

Swan Valley (5-0) at Freeland (5-0) (Friday October 3, 7pm)

In my area, this is the biggest game of the week. These two rivals from the Tri Valley Conference Central Division have plenty of respect for each other. Many years has seen this game determine the winner of the Central and even on the years it doesn’t, these two teams are ready to trip up a team going for that crown. Swan Valley is led by Alex Grace. He set the MHSAA single season rushing record last year with 2,962 yards. Quarterback Nick Call has been utilized much more this season as Grace hasn’t played as much on offense (he’s getting reps on defense.) For the season, he has a 60% completion rate and six touchdowns with 474 yards. The Vikings are ranked #1 in Division 4.

Freeland is always tough. They run a Wing T offense, but are not afraid to throw the ball. This is evident by the fact that quarterback Jarrett Riffel has thrown for 411 yards and five touchdowns. That stat is pretty impressive for a squad who almost always runs the ball. Leading the rushing attack is Matt Formsma with 282 yards and five scores. Ryan Schauman has 239 yards and three scores. They are averaging 50 points per game. The winner of this game will win the Battle of the Mountain trophy which is in its second year. Freeland is ranked #5 in Division 5.

South East Michigan

Morenci (5-0) at Clinton (5-0) (Friday October 3, 7pm)

This is a battle between two smaller schools down toward the Ohio border. Morenci is having an awesome season. They have given up a total of 16 points, and that was all in their Week Two win over Hudson. Last week, they SMOKED Sand Creek 63-0. It was 42-0 at halftime. Alex Thomas scored three touchdowns in the game; an 80 yard punt return, a 32 yard reception, and an 85 yard run. Bobby Black rushed seven times for 107 yards and two scores. On defense, they sacked the quarterback five times and recorded two sacks. A win in this game could give Morenci their first Tri County Conference title since 2003.

Clinton is no slouch. Although their defense has given up 55 points, 30 of them were given up in Week Three. Last week, they destroyed Whitmore Lake 41-0. Quarterback Ryan Karapas completed three of his six passes for 20 yards. Collin Poore was the workhorse with 14 runs for 106 yards and a score. Mathew Sexton carried the ball six times but gained 159 yards and scored three times and gained 20 yards on two receptions. Jared Sackett and Noah Poore also found the end zone running the ball. This game is very important to both teams. Clinton has unfinished business and a win this week will put them back into the playoffs and on a possible collision course with the team that beat them for the state title, Ithaca. Not only that, but it could give them a conference title.

North

Cedarville (5-0) at Rapid River (5-0) (Friday October 3, 7pm)

I highly doubt there will be anything for this one, but both are among the top teams in 8 player football. The winner will still have to contend with another top notch 8 player program in Bellaire who is also in the Bridge 8-man Football Alliance. Bellaire takes on both of these teams in the final two weeks of the season. Sorry to the fans of 8 player football, but the good information is behind that blasted pay wall!

Detroit

Dearborn Heights Robichaud (5-0) at Romulus (4-1) (Friday October 3, 7pm)

Both the Bulldogs of Dearborn Heights and Romulus sit with 3-0 conference records. After this week, much of rankings will be set and it will mostly finish up on October 10th when the majority of conference action will conclude. Last week, the Bulldogs beat Garden City 48-21 to give GC their first loss. Traivon Clayton caught three passes for 52 yards and a score while also adding an 86 yard punt return score and a 96 yard kickoff return score. Michael Charter carried the rock 14 times for 143 yards and a score. Quarterback Jairus Grissom completed 11 of his 26 passes which included three touchdown strikes. He also ran for 90 yards.

Romulus also blasted their opponent last week. They beat Livonia Clarenceville 46-6. Forcing five turnovers helped a lot. No other stats could be found for the game. This is a huge game for Romulus. They have a chance to win their first Western Wayne Conference Red Division. It would be their first conference title since winning the Mega Blue back in 2000. Historically, they have played Robichaud 30 times and are just under the .500 mark with a record of 14-16.