High School Football Is Here!
Hello again my friends of the Spartan Nation! It’s great to be sitting here, pounding away at my keyboard talking about one of my favorite subjects in the whole world, FOOTBALL! The media covers the NFL, Hondo does a fantastic job of covering our Spartans, so I feel like my little niche of prep sports meshes nicely with the overall direction of SpartanNation. I’d like to remind everyone that if you have an idea of a game to cover, please post a message in the Phalanx Forums or click the Email Hondo link. I will try to cover some games that involve future Spartans over the course of the season. Now that I have gotten that out of the way, let’s get into our first entry of the year looking at upcoming high school football games around the state.
Mid Michigan
Rockford at Davison (Friday 8-28-09, 7pm)
Last season, Rockford won a state title in Division 1. Led by Ralph Munger (in his 18th season as the head man of the Rams) they have won three state titles in five years. It’s hard not to like a team that has had the success that Rockford has, especially playing in the toughest conference in Michigan, the OK-Red. They start out the season by traveling across the state to take on Davison for the third year in a row. Both of the previous games have ended in wins, including a 20-19 win last September 8th. It will take a good game plan and mistake free football to beat Davison.
The Cardinals of Davison have changed a bit this season. Jeff Putnam is gone and Jake Emmendorfer is the new head man. These Cardinals have started out slowly in their opening games recently, but finish the season strong. They will be led by junior quarterback Jake Thompson. Last season, Davison had a chance to beat Rockford, but failed to convert a two point attempt in the final minutes of the game. Coach Emmendorfer considers this a measuring stick game; if they can hold their own against the defending state champions (and arguably one of the top programs in the state) then they should be alright this season.
Detroit
Clarkston at Rochester Adams (Friday 8-28-09, 7pm)
Last season, the Highlanders of Rochester Adams cruised through the season with a potent offensive attack. Unfortunately, they lost in the first round to Brother Rice. This season, they return a top lineman in Jordan Sanders (son of Lions Hall of Famer Charlie Sanders). The Highlanders won their division the past two years and are expected to win it again this year. Rochester Adams plays in the tough Oakland Activities Association White Division. Also in that division are good teams like Farmington Hills Harrison and Southfield. If RA takes it one game at a time and doesn’t overlook anyone, they should be in a fine position come the playoffs.
Clarkston a good offensive team, but their defense might be lacking. They squeaked into the playoffs with a 6-3 record last season, gave up a bunch of points in almost every game, and were bounced in the first round by Romeo. Head Coach Kurt Richardson will get his team ready to play, but this first game might be a tough hill to climb against the favorites to win the league. Fortunately, anything can happen in that first game; no one really knows exactly which teams will be better or worse until they get on the field of competition. He will need to rely on senior leadership to keep the team going in the right direction.
Capital Area
Grandville at Grand Ledge (Friday 8-28-08, 7pm)
The Bulldogs of Grandville didn’t fair too well last season. It’s tough to have a great record when you play in a conference with teams like Muskegon, Hudsonville, and Rockford. Led by fifth year head coach Scot Shaw, they bring back most of their offensive starters. They will be leaned on heavily to put points on the board quickly and efficiently. On the defensive side, they lost most of the starters, only returning two players. That inexperience could be a hindrance. These 2009 Bulldogs will look to change their ways and gain a winning record for the 2009 season, which would be their first winning season in two years.
Over by our capital city, the Comets of Grand Ledge are ready to go. They have a big, tough, and experienced offensive line. Kory Schrauben is a returning all Capital Area Activities Conference selection and he also has two honorable mentions with him (Nick Cadwell and Terrance Tyson). Unfortunately, they lost their quarterback, top three receivers, and top two running backs to graduation. Junior Dario Bongiorni takes over the QB position. Their defense will need to step up this year under the leadership of senior linebacker Alex Davis, one of the top LB’s in the Capital area.
West Coast
Muskegon Orchard View at Montague (Friday 8-28-09, 7pm)
Montague is coming off a state championship season. They beat Leslie 41-20 for the state title in Division 6. Returning to the Wildcat team are seniors Matt DeJong (receiver) and Cody Kater (QB). Kater has been called “The state’s top QB with a ring†by the Detroit Free Press. Offensive tackle and defensive end Kyle Eilers, receiver Anthony Root, and linebacker Drew Pineda will be the leaders on this team. Coach Pat Collins feels less pressure than in the past because of the ring on his finger, but he knows that expectations will build as the season progresses.
Even though these two teams play in different divisions, they are only separated by 20 miles and both have been considered powerhouses in regards to football. The Cardinals of Muskegon Orchard View have made the playoffs the past eight seasons. Even though last season ended in the second round of the playoffs, they hope to make it further this year. Orchard View scheduled some very tough out of conference games; they open the season with Montague and close the regular season with Muskegon Oakridge. Those two teams are very tough and should be good at showing where this team is at those two points in the season.
North
Iron Mountain at Ishpeming (Friday 8-28-09 7:30pm)
The Mountaineers of Iron Mountain have been a perennial playoff team for the past 10 years. They are one of the top teams in the Upper Peninsula and are coached by Scott Boddy. Last season, they lost in the third round of the playoffs to eventual champion Montague, spoiling their 11-0 record. Iron Mountain looks to keep their success going and make a run in the playoffs again this season.
Ishpeming is another good UP football team in Class C/Division 7. The Hematites were edged in the playoffs last season by Iron River West Iron County 22-20. Coach Jeff Olson acknowledges that his team is a bit on the small side, but they have speed and some quickness. The squad won’t be that big, but the players have great work ethic and will play hard. Ishpeming will need to translate that work ethic and the skills they do have into some wins.
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