Week Three - Don't Let The Peaks Get Too High

Well, the kids are back in school and football is in week three. The picture is becoming clearer in regards to which teams are strong and those who still need

Well, the kids are back in school and football is in week three. The picture is becoming clearer in regards to which teams are strong and those who still need work. Some teams are having injury problems because the bumps and bruises are starting to add up. This year, the MHSAA added Eight Man Football for the first time in ages. From what I have read, it’s a lot of fun to watch and the scoring is high. Plus, it’s tough not to root for a team like Flint Michigan School for the Deaf who have their first football team since 1986. I had to make a tough choice this week in the games I profile. It was a toss-up between two games, so I went with the game that featured a certain future Spartan punter. Let’s get it on!!

Mid Michigan

Bay City Western (2-0) at Midland (2-0) (Friday September 11, 7pm)

There is bad blood between these two teams. They have played each other 14 times since 2000 in the regular season and playoffs. This year, the Warriors of Bay City Western have new leadership. Gone is local legend Jim Eurick. He was replaced by Bruce Mann from Webberville. They have had one test so far and came away with a double overtime win over Midland Dow. Last week, they blew out Flint Southwestern 44-26, taking a 34-14 halftime lead. Sophomore quarterback Austin Pichiotino went seven of nine for 136 yards and three touchdown passes while also running for 91 yards on four carries and had a rushing touchdown. I’ve heard that Austin is a great quarterback, but this week will be a real test for the young man. The Warriors and their spread offense is teeming with young and inexperienced players. Although these two teams are in the Saginaw Valley League, this game is a non-conference game for both teams.

Midland is a perennial playoff team and doesn’t lose often. Their last losing season was back in 1976. The Chemics have blown out their first two opponents by a combined score of 97-24. They have been led by running back Charlie Leffingwell. Last week, Leffingwell ran for 123 yards and scored four touchdowns, including a touchdown reception. Midland also has a sophomore quarterback in Alex Rapanos. He went 11 of 13 for 178 yards and four touchdowns in his varsity debut. Alex Albrecht was his main man, catching seven balls for 130 yards and a score. Coach Eric Methner knows the importance of this game having been in the program for several years before becoming head coach.

Capital Area

Jackson (1-1) at Lansing Eastern (1-1) (Friday September 11, 7pm)

The Vikings of Jackson will take on the Lansing Eastern Quakers in a tough Capital Area Activities Blue Conference matchup. Coach Jack Fairly knew he had a game on his hands when they went into the half losing 7-6 to East Lansing. Once the second half started, it was all Jackson. At one point in the second half, the Vikings scored twice in the span of 16 seconds. They didn’t bother taking to the air much, gaining 426 yards of total offense, all on the ground. Roe Dedeaux led Jackson with 125 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The pass defense was suspect as they gave up 201 yards to EL. Fortunately, they were able to come up big in situations that needed a big play. Jackson will need to clean up the penalties as they racked up 14 penalties for 125 yards…one negating a 99 yard touchdown run.

Lansing Eastern had a nice game as well last week. Richard Woods got his first victory as the full time coach after serving as the interim coach last season. The Quakers knew that Okemos would bring a steady diet of the run, and Lansing Eastern stopped them. They held Okemos’ top two backs to a combined 80 yards. Junior quarterback Herb Alford went nine of 19 for 202 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. It was the defense that sealed the deal for Lansing Eastern. Okemos had recovered a fumble with a little over three minutes to play. The Quakers bent, but didn’t break as they stopped them on the 16 yard line as time expired. Both teams will need to play tough football in the CAAC and this will be a good test for Jackson and Lansing Eastern.

Detroit

Birmingham Brother Rice (2-0) at Highland Park (2-0) (Friday September 11, 4pm)

If you’re a regular reader of my column, you’ve probably heard of Brother Rice. Legendary coach Al Fracassa has been at it for longer than a lot of us have been alive (and played for the Michigan State national championship team in 1952). This year, the Warriors are looking tough as usual. Last week, they went down to Toledo and beat St. John’s 42-21. Quarterback Frankie Popp, in his second year as the starter, went 15 of 28 for 177 and four touchdowns. Running back Jimmy Pickens ran for 123 and a score. Popp’s favorite target was Kevonte Martin-Manley who caught two touchdown passes and had 110 yards in put returns. Highland Park will be a tough game and they better not look past them to Detroit Catholic Central.

The Polar Bears of Highland Park have a good coach as well. Cedric Dortch knows he wants his teams to play tough defense and they have been getting it done. Last week against future Penn State quarterback Robert Bolden and his Orchard Lake St. Mary’s team, Dortch had his defensive end DeMarcus Murray and linebacker Brandon Philson shut down Bolden, which they did effectively. Philson ended the game with 14 tackles. The Polar Bears had to come from behind in the fourth quarter to win the game. They put together a nine play, 74 yard drive to score from one yard out on a Cameron Janack quarterback sneak. Highland Park had better not look past Brother Rice to their next game. They also have a very tough schedule with Detroit Country Day and Inkster in the next two weeks.

North

Whittemore Prescott (2-0) at Oscoda (2-0) (Friday September 11, 7pm)

The Cardinals of Whittemore-Prescott are looking good so far this season. They run the spread offense and attack with a 4-4 defense. Coach Kevin Frederick has most of his offensive line from last season back. The team is small (in numbers) though; they only have 25 players on varsity, but that’s up from 18 last year. Last week against Hale, quarterback Dylan DeBoever went six of 14 for 145 yards and two touchdowns. Five of those balls were caught by Cody Foreman for 133 yards and both touchdown receptions. Foreman also ran the ball seven times for 96 yards and two touchdowns. They will be tested against Oscoda.

The Oscoda Owls are 2-0 for the first time in ages. Coach Chris Davis was a player the last time and most of the players were in first grade that fateful season of 1999. They have won more games this season than all of last year. Oscoda is fielding a larger (numbers) team than in the past. They canceled their JV season and moved everybody up to Varsity. Sophomore quarterback Kieran Clarke had two touchdown passes; one from 15 yards out and the other from 56. He also had two touchdown runs and three two-point conversions. Both teams run the spread offense so they both will know what to expect, and how to defend it.

West

Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern (1-1) at Comstock Park (1-1) (Friday September 11, 7pm)

Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern Huskies have tied their total games won over the past two seasons already. They are led by future Spartan Mike Sadler. Last week, they lost a close game. After defensive back Alex Johnson returned a fumble 61 yards to pay dirt and pulled the team within five points, Sadler had a chance to onside kick and give the ball back to his team. He had a nice kick and GRFHN recovered, but the officials said a Huskie touched the ball before it traveled 10 yards. Two quarterbacks are battling it out for the starting job. They are sophomore Cam Wysocki and junior Dan Michaud. Forest Hills Northern is steadily gaining experience and improving. They will need to continue improving if they are to beat Comstock Park.

Last week, Comstock Park took care of business. They beat Wyoming Rogers 54-0. Quarterback Ty Mason went five of five for 183 yards and three touchdowns. Receiver Zach Crittendon caught three passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns. Coach Steve Gough knows that bringing six starters back on each side of the ball should help improve his team, but they also lost some important pieces from last year. They have 42 players on Varsity this year and should have plenty of depth to compete in their tough division. This is the first game for the Panthers and Huskies in the O-K Blue this season. It is important for them to get off to a good start if they want to compete for a division crown.