MHSAA Football Week Three - Finding the Groove

Here we go! Week three is here.  Can you believe that on Sunday, the first third of the season will be over? It’s like we just started! Football season

Here we go! Week three is here.  Can you believe that on Sunday, the first third of the season will be over? It’s like we just started! Football season goes by pretty fast. If you think it goes by fast as a fan, think about how fast it goes by for the players. Although they may not like to practice in the heat of August, four years goes by quickly. Enjoy every second of it, because before you know it, you will be talking about the glory days with teammates at your high school reunions!

Flinttown

Lapeer West (2-0) at Lapeer East (2-0) (Friday September 13, 7pm)

These two teams won’t get another chance to play each other. After this school year, Lapeer is consolidating the two schools. Emotions will run high. Even though West has beat East 28 of the 38 times they have played, none of that matters now. This is for pride and one last bragging rights. Both teams are undefeated right now. Last week, West beat Ortonville-Brandon 29-14. Quarterback Hunter Sharrad threw for 147 yards and four touchdowns on 12 completions of 18 attempts. Leading the receiving corps was Tyler Wills, who grabbed three balls for 87 yards and a score. Jon Currie and Jeremy Kalisz also both grabbed three passes and scored a touchdown, with 29 and 13 yards, respectively. Matt Place also had a touchdown on his two receptions and 18 yards. The rushing attack was led by Maleic Demerol, who ran 27 times for 85 yards.

Don’t count out Lapeer East, because of the historic record. They own that unblemished record right now. Heck, the team hasn’t even given up a point yet! Last week, they beat up Flint Kersey 32-0. Quarterback Eli Hunt completed 10 of his 21 passes for 184 yards and two scores. Both touchdowns were caught by Chris Frank, who finished with seven receptions for 129 yards. Kyle Archway ran the ball eight times for 131 yards and two scores. The defense came away with two safeties during the game as well. This game will be a battle. Both sides want one last chance to say “we got you” and bring the pride of beating a rival to their school. Turn on the lights and grab the popcorn because I bet both teams are raring to get going!

Lake Michigan Land

Rockford (2-0) at Muskegon (2-0) (Friday September 13, 7pm)

The Rams of Rockford are a tough team. Coach Ralph Monger always has his teams ready to play. While Coach Monger was happy at times last Friday, he also saw some big breakdowns that got his teeth grinding. His secondary gave up three TD passes of more than 25 yards, but the defense also came up with four interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Quarterback Austin McKellar completed one of his eight passes for 51 yards. Zach Sargent caught that pass. Twelve different players ran the ball in the win. They were led by McKellar who ran eight times for 64 yards and a score. Darian Vaughn toted the rock 12 times for 61 more yards. On the night, they racked up 214 rushing yards on 46 attempts. Even Quinn Nordic got in on the action. He nailed two field goals for the Rams. Coach Munger knows that this next game will be tough. He said that Muskegon will win a state title this year. That’s some big praise for the Big Reds.

Muskegon is always tough. Historically, they are the winningest program in the state. They haven’t missed the playoffs in the 21st century. Last week, they beat a very good Grand Rapids Christian squad. It was a close game, with GRC holding a slight advantage at the break, 6-0. In the span of one minute in the third quarter, Muskegon scored 21 points and scored a bit later in the third quarter to take 28-6 lead. Big Red quarterback DeShaun Thrower only completed one of his six passes for 12 yards, but ran 21 times for 108 and four scores. Javanutae Thomas ran 26 times for 107 yards. John Hall intercepted a pass and returned it 20 yards for a score. Tavon Jackson caught that 12 yard pass from Thrower. This game should be epic. They are separated by 50 miles, but are both top programs on the west side of the state with six state titles since 2000 for these two schools.

Yoopers vs. Thumbers

Menominee (2-0) vs. Harbor Beach (2-0) (Saturday September 14, at Gaylord)

Like the title says, it’s a game between a team from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan against someone from the Lower Peninsula. These two teams met last year, giving Harbor Beach their only loss during their Division 8 championship run. Last week, the Maroons traveled to Milwaukee to beat up on Riverside 42-7. The Maroons scored on their first four possessions and had 247 offensive yards in the first half. 26 plays equaled 28 points for the visitors from the “Yoop.” Coach Joe Noha was very happy with the improvement along both lines and that they sustained drives. James Brown led the squad with 108 yards on 15 carries and scored twice. Justin Brilinski rushed for 72 yards on 13 carries and completed 11 of his 17 passes for 136 yards two touchdowns. This single wing offense is good. Ken Hofer has retired, but the next generation of coaches has taken the reigns and are steering them toward more success.

Harbor Beach got a wake-up call from Menominee last year. It helped spur them on to a state title. This year, they have picked up right where they left off. So far, the Pirates haven’t allowed a single point. Last week, they got a running clock against Sandusky and cruised to a 41-0 win. Kraft was the leading running back, with six carries for 158 yards and three touchdowns. Kraft also completed two of his five passes for 100 yards and a score. Essenmacher caught a pass and raced 83 yards to open the scoring in the first quarter and also scored on a three yard run in the third quarter. Cook caught the other 17 yard pass. Feltz rushed 10 times for 73 yards. Schelke score the final touchdown from seven yards out and finished with 16 yards on two carries.

Coming from the D

Macomb L’anse Creuse North (2-0) at Grosse Pointe North (2-0) (Friday September 13, 7pm)

It’s always interesting to look at all the teams in the Detroit area. So many leagues and so many teams go up and down every season; it’s hard to figure out who is on the rise and who is on the decline. Macomb L’anse Creuse North seems to be a team that has trended upward the past few seasons. Last week, it all came down to one play with 3.1 seconds remaining. The Crusaders held on defense, but were forced to drive 93 yards to win the game. Quarterback Sean Koski found Trevor Conklin by the sideline on that final play and Conklin was able to get into the end zone…through two defenders. Koski completed 28 of his 51 passes for 511 yards, five touchdowns, and an interception. Connor Carbary caught six passes for 175 yards and two scores. Alex Bond caught six for 129 and a score. Jacob Cattinger caught six for 99 and a score. Running back Deiontae Nicholas ran nine times for 103 yards and a score. This game will have major implications in the race to win the Macomb Area Conference Blue Division.

Grosse Pointe North had a solid game last week. They beat Harrison Township L’anse Creuse by the score of 35-14. Quarterback Daniel Robinson completed four of his passes for 107 yards. He also ran for 65 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Todd Long carried the ball 16 times and gained 113 yards and scored once. The winner of this game may have to wait until the middle of October to decide the winner of the MAC Blue this year.

Rated S for Spartan

Couldn’t find any stats on Jayru Campbell or Deon Drake, but Cass Tech beat Detroit Collegiate Prep 60-0, so I’m sure their stat line was impressive…or short.

Byron Bullough rushed for 59 yards on 13 carries. One of those carries went for 10 yards and a score with four minutes left to play and helped finish off Gaylord.

Matt Sokol didn’t have his best night. He completed one of his nine passes for six yards, one interception, had one reception for 13 yards, and ran 16 times for 50 yards. Rochester Adams lost to perennial powerhouse Farmington Hills Harrison 20-7.