Hartford Indian Football is excited to announce that eight of the nine games for our 2012 Varsity Football season are set! Below is the schedule for the 2012 season. We will be updating the schedule for the Junior Varsity and Middle School as we get closer to fall.
2012 Schedule
8/24: Game TBA.
Game Analysis: The Athletic Department is working hard to set a game for week one and we will announce it soon. It will NOT be Martin as in previous years.
8/31: @ New Buffalo.
Game Analysis: The Indians and Bison will play a rematch of a 47-28 Indian victory last season. It was the first game between the two since Hartford left the Red Arrow Conference after the 2002 season. It will be dubbed “Casino Royale 2″, as both cities have Four Winds Casinos in their communities.
9/7: Home vs. Bloomingdale.
Game Analysis: The Indians won a shootout, 41-34, in overtime at Bloomingdale last year. It was the first overtime game in the history of the series, currently led by Hartford by a 5-3 margin.
9/14: Home vs. Bangor.
Game Analysis: The Indians first game with the Vikings since 2008 last season ended with a thrilling 17-14 victory on the road at Viking Stadium. Hartford has won 28 of the 36 games previously played in the series and not many of those games were that close.
9/21: Home vs. Watervliet.
Game Analysis: The Indians and Panthers have split the last four games in the series, with the Indians winning two at home, the Panthers two at home; including a 28-14 win in week nine last year. The Panthers lead the series, 32-29-1 since 1950. This game, due to SAC Conference procedures, moves to week five in 2012.
9/28: @ Lawton.
Game Analysis: The Indians make a bi-annual trek to Blue Devil Stadium to take on Lawton, which recently seems to be becoming a rivalry game. The Blue Devils took a 27-24 decision last year in Indian Stadium, winning their third straight in the series. Lawton holds a 5-4 lead in the series that started in 2003.
10/5: @ Decatur.
Game Analysis: Everyone knows this IS the rivalry for the Indians against the Raiders. Decatur escaped 12-7 in an ugly game in the wind last season in Hartford, but have only won two games in the series since 2005. They still hold a slight 27-23 lead in the series in the past 50-plus years. The Indians will visit the new confines of the new Raider Stadium next year.
10/12: Home vs. Marcellus.
Game Analysis: The Indians and Wildcats match-up in week eight at Indian Stadium. This series, outside of 2009, is all Hartford. The Indians are 8-1 in the series, including a 45-6 win last year in Marcellus. This most likely will be Homecoming at Hartford this year.
10/19: @ Lawrence.
Game Analysis: The Tigers and Indians, separated by six miles, hookup for the annual rivalry in Lawrence. The Indians scored a 62-0 decision despite a weather delay last season and are 29-10-1 against the Tigers overall, including winning 14 of the last 15 games in the series. The Indians look to end the regular season with a road win.
UPDATE: More information will be made available closer to the January 27th game, so stay tuned to this post for additional information! The original post begins below…
Hartford, along with the other 11 members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, will be hosting its annual “Coaches vs. Cancer” night on Friday, January 27th.
The annual endeavor, started a few years ago by then-Hartford Athletic Director and now High School Principal, Dave Janicki, has raised tens of thousands of dollars over the last few years for the American Cancer Society. Hartford hosted the first one solely on its own and the conference schools of the Southwestern Athletic Conference joined the initiative the next year.
Hartford will be hosting Lawton at the High School gym that night and “Coaches vs. Cancer” night will coincide with Hartford’s “Winterfest” festivities. The Varsity Girls Basketball game will be played first at 5:30 PM, while the Boys game will follow a between game ceremony plus 20 minutes of pregame. The crowning of Queen and Princess will happen during halftime of the Boys game, with King and Prince being crowned at the dance following the games.
As a result of “Coaches vs. Cancer” night, several fundraising efforts will be taking place the week of January 23rd-27th in preparation of the big night at Hartford and all across the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
FUNDRAISERS
The Hartford Athletic Department will be selling “Coaches vs. Cancer” T-Shirts in the Athletic Office beginning January 23rd. The shirts will cost $10, with a majority of the sales benefiting the American Cancer Society.
On Friday, January 27th before the games, there will be a benefit spaghetti dinner in the Hartford High School / Middle School cafeteria from 4:30-6:00 PM, with proceeds also benefiting the American Cancer Society.
Also, as you enter Hartford High School on game night, donation jars will be available with all funds also going to the American Cancer Society. Also, there will be a raffle available. There are usually some great prizes involved. Previous prizes have included game balls and a fishing trip to Canada.
GAMES ACROSS THE CONFERENCE
Other Southwestern Athletic Conference games ongoing on “Coaches vs. Cancer” night will be Gobles at Bloomingdale, Bangor at Fennville, Decatur at Lawrence, Watervliet at Marcellus and Saugatuck at Martin.
LAST WORD…
On behalf of all of us at Hartford and the Hartford Indian Football Web Site, we ask that everyone that can donate please donate to this worthwhile cause and support our vision to raise awareness and bring hope that we can make inroads to defeat cancer. We, as a conference, have pulled through the good and bad; the triumphs and the tragedies, especially in the past year. We, as a conference, can make a huge impact on so many people, within our conference, the state and the nation. This cause is far greater than ourselves!
ABOUT “COACHES vs. CANCER”
Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches that empowers coaches, their teams and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer. The program leverages personal experiences, community leadership and professional excellence of coaches nationwide to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities and advocacy programs.
Coaches vs. Cancer evolved from the idea of Norm Stewart, the former Men’s Basketball coach at the University of Missouri. Stewart, himself, was a cancer survivor and a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. He began the program by challenging fans to pledge dollar amounts for every three points made by his team during the season.
In 1993, the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches adopted Stewart’s vision and transformed it into a nationwide effort to unite coaches and teams across the nation in a common goal to provide help and hope to people facing cancer. Today, more than 2,000 Division I, II and III college coaches and teams and more than 100 high school coaches and teams are involved in the program and have raised nearly $75 million since its inception to support the American Cancer Society lifesaving mission to eliminate cancer as a life-threatening disease.
As we near the end of the year 2011 and the calendar faces another daunting change into the year 2012, HartfordFootball.com is trying to give you a small postseason dose of Hartford Indian Football by announcing a few small changes coming in the weeks ahead. We hope this changes, albeit subtle, will make your viewing experience even better:
1) We will be posting postseason team reviews for both the Varsity and Junior Varsity in the coming weeks. Once awards are handed out and everything is totally completed, we will post them on the website. (NOTE: I believe there will be an awards night of some sort in the near future. Check back with the Website and Blog for further details)
2) We are currently working on a “Mobile Website” experience that will make your “on the go” experience even better. The Mobile Website will allow you to view rosters, schedules and even, live score updates (at home games only, for now) with just a few small clicks on your cell phone! We will let you know when that will be made public in the near future.
3) We will NOT be adding apps this year. I have acquired some Website job opportunities that will make my time less and less available. Plus, apps cost a lot of money to even put on the markets and that is money I do not have right now to spend. Sorry for the inconvenience.
4) We are working on a solution that will allow us, at least at home games, to have near live up-to-date stats on the Website. That was one comment I heard over and over again and we are working on a “Jerrod” solution or a paid solution to that problem in the next couple of months. Continue checking back on that as well. Any ideas on what you want to see are certainly appreciated!
We hope that these small changes give you an even greater viewing pleasure of the Hartford Football Website! Please let me know of any questions, comments, complaints; whatever you may want to express by leaving a comment (comments are moderated) or e-mailing me at webmaster@hartfordfootball.com. I try to respond to every comment and e-mail I do receive. However, it may take a few days to get back to you, so be patient!
Thank you for your continued support of the Website, the teams and everything Hartford Football. GO INDIANS!
This Monday night, December 5th, Hartford Football, for the sixth straight year, will be hosting its annual “Recruiting Night” at Hartford High School. This “Recruiting Night” is specially designed for Juniors and Seniors aspiring to play football at the next level.
On average, around twenty schools, mainly from Division 2 and Division 3 schools from around the Great Lakes, make the trek to Hartford to meet with young student-athletes from around the area. The athletes are encouraged to spend as much time with the schools they are most interested in.
There is no cost to attend “Recruiting Night”, but athletes are encouraged to bring transcripts, as well as Highlight Films to give to the coaches they do meet.
The “Recruiting Night” will be in the Hartford High School / Middle School cafeteria and will be from 5:00-8:00 PM. (NOTE: We encourage all coming to park in the Middle School parking lot, as there will be a High School Boys Basketball game occurring in tandem with the “Recruiting Night”)
Hope to see a lot of our student-athletes from Hartford and around the area there!
It is now playoff time, which means I’ll be picking local playoff games for the next five weeks (well, I hope to). From now until the end of the playoffs, I will be making picks on ALL the games in the state. For the playoffs, the games are in order by Division and District order. (For state finals week, games are listed in order of the way they will be played Friday and Saturday.)
This, being state finals week, is the final edition of Jerrod’s Game Picks for the 2011 High School season, but I plan to make college bowl picks when bowl season comes around, so stay tuned for that! Thank you for allowing me to share my High School knowledge with you this season and look forward to this returning in 2012!
Last Week: 12-4 (.750)
Season: 333-85 (.797)
Friday Games
Division 8
Mendon (13-0) vs. Fowler (11-2)
About the Teams
Mendon Hornets: John Schwartz, Head Coach
Points Scored: 598
Points Allowed: 97
Road to Ford Field: def. Saint Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic (45-0), def. Muskegon Catholic Central (28-21), def. Climax-Scotts (35-10), def. New Lothrop (34-13).
Fowler Eagles: Craig Koenigsknecht, Head Coach
Points Scored: 449
Points Allowed: 201
Road to Ford Field: def. Fulton-Middleton (35-15), def. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (24-21), def. Beal City (34-18), def. Saint Ignace LaSalle (45-8).
Game Analysis
Mendon Players to Watch: Chance Nightingale (QB), Tyler Harris (RB), Tanner Cook (RB/Defense), Cody Bingaman (TE/Defensive), Cody Henckel (WR), Cody Ross (Defense).
Fowler Players to Watch: Dustin Wirth (QB), Mitch Thelen (RB), Codey Schafer (WR), Kevin Koenigsknecht (Defense), Tyler Koenigsknecht (Defense).
Prediction: Mendon 38, Fowler 10. Despite Fowler being two points from being 13-0, they haven’t met a team deep like Mendon. Mendon, by far, plays the tougher schedule and has the state experience that Fowler does not. And if not for Hudson, Mendon might be making its fourth straight state title run. Fowler’s only chance in to wear Mendon out on offense, as many Hornets on defense play offense.
Division 2
Birmingham Brother Rice (9-4) vs. Lowell (12-1)
About the Teams
Birmingham Brother Rice Warriors: Al Fracassa, Head Coach
Points Scored: 345
Points Scored: 173
Road to Ford Field: def. North Farmington (34-8), def. Farmington Hills Harrison (30-7), def. Southfield (16-6), def. Detroit Martin Luther King (27-26).
Lowell Red Arrows: Noel Dean, Head Coach
Points Scored: 453
Points Allowed: 185
Road to Ford Field: def. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (13-7), def. Muskegon (36-7), def. Fenton (35-14), def. Walled Lake Western (42-35).
Game Analysis
Birmingham Brother Rice Players to Watch: Chayne Lacanaria (QB), Nick Rao (QB), Devin Church (RB), Brian Roney (WR), Joe Warner (WR).
Lowell Players to Watch: Gabe Dean (QB), Josh Addington (RB), Blake Lyman (WR), Luke Digham (WR), Pierce Watson (Defense), Jake Stehley (Defense), Garett Stehley (Defense).
Prediction: Lowell 31, Birmingham Brother Rice 21. While Brother Rice may have faced the toughest schedule in the state and went 5-4, they don’t have the offensive depth to beat Lowell. Lowell has resorted to pass a little more this year then usual and if you’ve played them before, that’s different. Brother Rice’s offense has to beat Lowell’s defense. They have a chance: Lowell has given up 185 points this year.
Division 6
Constantine (11-2) vs. Ithaca (13-0)
About the Teams
Constantine Falcons: Shawn Griffith, Head Coach
Points Scored: 453
Points Allowed: 303
Road to Ford Field: def. Hartford (28-21), def. Schoolcraft (37-30), def. Grass Lake (42-25), def. Ecorse (45-44).
Ithaca Yellowjackets: Terry Hessbrook, Head Coach
Points Scored: 566
Points Allowed: 109
Road to Ford Field: def. Byron (56-6), def. Montrose (28-13), def. Montague (22-19), def. Iron Mountain (28-0).
Game Analysis
Constantine Players to Watch: Tom Reed (QB), Payton White (RB), Ben Mallo (RB), Jeff Steiner (RB/Defense), Justin Bontrager (TE), Brandon Edwards (TE), Ben Barber (Defense), Chase Niblock (Defense).
Ithaca Players to Watch: Travis Smith (QB), Garrett Miniard (RB/Defense), Charles Schnetzler (WR), Jared Evers (WR), David Brown (WR), Tyler Gibson (Defense), Luke Bunting (Defense).
Prediction: Ithaca 38, Constantine 17. Sorry Falcons, the run stops here no matter what, but in a loss. Ithaca will defend its Division 6 title. Ithaca is tough, period. It doesn’t matter top gun Alex Niznak graduated last winter, they have reloaded. Big difference is defense: Ithaca has given up just over 100 points, Constantine–over 300. Plus, Ithaca passes. Constantine can’t stop it. Besides, Ithaca saw the Wing-T last year in the finals.
Division 4
Marine City (13-0) vs. Zeeland West (13-0)
About the Teams
Marine City Mariners: Tony Scarcelli, Head Coach
Points Scored: 553
Points Allowed: 196
Road to Ford Field: def. Croswell-Lexington (45-21), def. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (55-31), def. Detroit Crockett (15-7), def. Grosse Ile (45-6).
Zeeland West Dux: John Shillito, Head Coach
Points Scored: 569
Points Allowed: 178
Road to Ford Field: def. Grand Rapids South Christian (49-7), def. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (43-21), def. Paw Paw (53-12), def. Comstock Park (30-6).
Game Analysis
Marine City Players to Watch: Adam Kroll (QB/Defense), Anthony Scarcelli (RB), Jamie Salisbury (RB), Aaron Loconsole (Defense).
Zeeland West Players to Watch: Clay Coutney (QB), Kyle Kujawa (RB), Derek Postma (RB), Brad Mesbergen (RB/Defense), Jake McKellar (Defense).
Prediction: Zeeland West 37, Marine City 24. Zeeland West will win their second state championship this weekend in just the short time the school has been open. The Wing-T has given the Mariners fits in previous games this season. Although the stats point to an even game both ways, Zeeland West has the offensive size and fire power to win. Although star defensive player Josh Blanton is injured, he will earn his ring: as a leader on the sideline.
Saturday Games
Division 7
Pewamo-Westphalia (13-0) vs. Saginaw Nouvel (12-0)
About the Teams
Pewamo-Westphalia Pirates: Brad Weber, Head Coach
Points Scored: 464
Points Allowed: 122
Road to Ford Field: def. Ravenna (33-7), def. Saranac (24-13), def. Watervliet (20-14), def. Hudson (22-14).
Saginaw Nouvel Panthers: Michael Boyd, Head Coach
Points Scored: 525
Points Allowed: 90
Road to Ford Field: def. Coleman (63-14), def. Blanchard Montabella (62-6), def. Harbor Beach (28-0), def. Traverse City Saint Francis (14-3).
Game Analysis
Pewamo-Westphalia Players to Watch: Justin Thelen (QB/Defense), Alex Thelen (RB), Josh Nurenburg (WR), Cameron Trierweiler (WR), Lane Simon (Defense), Collin Nurenburg (Defense), Gavin Smith (Defense).
Saginaw Nouvel Players to Watch: Joe Buchalski (QB), Bennett Lewis (RB), Gabe Augustin (RB), Ty Jacobs (WR), Nick Hammis (WR), Josh Buchalski (WR), Tyler Jacqmain (Defense), Clae Henderson (Defense), Mitch Jacqmain (Defense).
Prediction: Saginaw Nouvel 37, Pewamo-Westphalia 17. Look, I know Pewamo-Westphalia beat Hudson last week, but Hudson wasn’t as good as hyped. Meanwhile, Saginaw Nouvel struggled with Traverse City Saint Francis, winning 14-3 but winning for the second time over them this year. And while Pewamo will put up the points on the run, Nouvel will score both ways: offense and defense. Nouvel wins after wearing the Pirates down.
Division 1
Detroit Cass Tech (10-3) vs. Detroit Catholic Central (12-1)
About the Teams
Detroit Cass Tech Technicians: Thomas Wilcher, Head Coach
Points Scored: 320
Points Allowed: 123
Road to Ford Field: def. Livonia Churchill (35-6), def. Dearborn Fordson (33-7), def. Warren DeLaSalle (6-0), def. Utica Eisenhower (6-3).
Detroit Catholic Central Shamrocks: Thomas Mach, Head Coach
Points Scored: 356
Points Allowed: 116
Road to Ford Field: def. Northville (56-6), def. Canton (21-14), def. Ann Arbor Pioneer (21-0), def. Rockford (23-20).
Game Analysis
Detroit Cass Tech Players to Watch: Jayru Campbell (QB), Royce Jenkins-Stone (RB), Deon Drake (RB), Lile Ruben (WR), Lewis Jordan (WR).
Detroit Catholic Central Players to Watch: Kyle Cooper (QB), David Houle (RB), Anthony Darkangelo (RB), Zach Bock (RB), David Racey (WR), Matthew Donath (WR/Defense), Aaron Hess (Defense), Alex Kozlowski (Defense).
Prediction: Detroit Catholic Central 28, Detroit Cass Tech 14. The Shamrocks are back and ready to beat Cass Tech, who hasn’t been this far before. Catholic Central will play smash-mouth football and that is also something, in the playoffs, that Cass Tech hasn’t seen. Cass Tech will spread out Catholic Central and has hard runners, but you have to win both ways and I don’t believe Cass Tech can stop a hard running team. DCC is making Ford Field look like their hockey team does at state: home on Thanksgiving weekend.
Division 5
Flint Powers Catholic (9-4) vs. Lansing Catholic (13-0)
About the Teams
Flint Powers Catholic Chargers: Bob Buckel, Head Coach
Points Scored: 317
Points Allowed: 214
Road to Ford Field: def. Frankenmuth (35-13), def. Millington (28-7), def. Hemlock (26-0), def. Almont (27-10).
Lansing Catholic Cougars: Jim Ahern, Head Coach
Points Scored: 573
Points Allowed: 245
Road to Ford Field: def. Olivet (55-41), def. Portland (50-33), def. Dowagiac (61-13), def. Grand Rapids West Catholic (42-35).
Game Analysis
Flint Powers Catholic Players to Watch: Garrett Pougnet (QB), Drew Fortier (RB), Prescott Myers (WR), Danny Meissner (WR), Ethan Wiskur (WR/Defense), Danny O’Brien (Defense), Chris Koenigsknecht (Defense).
Lansing Catholic Players to Watch: Cooper Rush (QB), Matt Macksood (WR), Jack Swain (WR/Defense), Conor Bartlett (WR), Devin Fogel (Defense), Dan Liesman (Defense).
Prediction: Lansing Catholic 48, Flint Powers Catholic 28. Lansing Catholic will score a state championship, as no one…I repeat NO ONE, has been able to neutralize their passing attack. When Cooper Rush breaks records in multiple playoff games in multiple categories, you know it’s going right. Needless to say to win, Flint Powers has to keep the Lansing Catholic offense off the field. Even if they do, Lansing Catholic can strike quick. No one stops the Lansing Catholic offense: but the refs and the final whistle.
Division 3
Orchard Lake Saint Mary’s (11-2) vs. Mount Pleasant (13-0)
About the Teams
Orchard Lake Saint Mary’s Eaglets: George Porritt, Head Coach
Points Scored: 426
Points Allowed: 151
Road to Ford Field: def. Detroit Pershing (56-6), def. Redford Thurston (62-20), def. Linden (49-7), def. Battle Creek Harper Creek (14-10).
Mount Pleasant Oilers: Jason McIntyre, Head Coach
Points Scored: 522
Points Allowed: 222
Road to Ford Field: def. Cadillac (45-10), def. Petoskey (35-28), def. East Lansing (28-20), def. East Grand Rapids (38-37).
Game Analysis
Orchard Lake Saint Mary’s Players to Watch: Spencer McInnis (RB), Grant Niemiec (RB).
Mount Pleasant Players to Watch: Ryan Elliott (QB), Michael Tweh (RB), Colton Odykirk (WR), Dustin Lee (Overall Player).
Prediction: Mount Pleasant 31, Orchard Lake Saint Mary’s 24. Look, I realize Orchard Lake Saint Mary’s is making its third straight finals appearance, but Mount Pleasant has been clutch in the spotlight this year. After spending a couple years as a hurdle to East Grand Rapids’ playoff runs, Mount Pleasant finally broke through, on a late field goal to beat the Pioneers last week. Mount Pleasant has to shore up defensively against the heavy run Eaglets, but they should control the line of scrimmage. East Grand Rapids was a stern test for the Oilers, who score a close, but hard fought championship.
On behalf of the Hartford Indian Football Web Site, we would like to wish all of our great Indian Football fans, Web Site viewers and Blog readers a Festive and Happy Thanksgiving!
We are very THANKFUL that you have made HartfordFootball.com the number one destination for all things Hartford Indian Football! And as we continue throughout the remainder of the year into 2012, we will continue to work tirelessly to make sure your viewing experience of the web site is 100% positive and top-notch, just as it should be for you great and loyal fans!
Thank you again and we hope your day with family, friends and even strangers is a happy one! Enjoy the feasts of this day, eat a lot; but create lasting memories with those you are around and with this holiday.
And to those serving around the United States and the world allowing us to have freedom to celebrate this holiday and everyday in peace, a big THANK YOU to you, as well and many blessings sent to you on this holiday wherever you may be serving!
Best Wishes and GO INDIANS!
It is now playoff time, which means I’ll be picking local playoff games for the next five weeks (well, I hope to). From now until the end of the playoffs, I will be making picks on ALL the games in the state. For the playoffs, the games are in order by Division and District order. (NOTE: This week, I will be just listing scores with no local game or statewide game previews. Game previews will return for the state finals next week.)
Local Games Last Week: 4-1 (.800)
Statewide Games Last Week: 21-6 (.778)
Overall Games Last Week: 25-7 (.781)
Season: 321-81 (.799)
Division 1
Detroit Catholic Central 24, Rockford 17 (@ Battle Creek Central H.S.)
Utica Eisenhower 31, Detroit Cass Tech 14 (@ Troy Athens H.S.)
Division 2
Lowell 34, Walled Lake Western 20 (@ Central Michigan University)
Birmingham Brother Rice 28, Detroit Martin Luther King 20 (@ West Bloomfield H.S.)
Division 3
East Grand Rapids 34, Mount Pleasant 31 (@ Ferris State University)
Orchard Lake Saint Mary’s 27, Battle Creek Harper Creek 23 (@ Withington Stadium, Jackson)
Division 4
Zeeland West 31, Comstock Park 20 (@ Jenison H.S.)
Marine City 38, Grosse Ile 17 (@ Birmingham Groves H.S.)
Division 5
Lansing Catholic 41, Grand Rapids West Catholic 31 (@ East Kentwood H.S.)
Flint Powers Catholic 28, Almont 27 (@ Ortonville Brandon H.S.)
Division 6
Ithaca 38, Iron Mountain 21 (@ Northern Michigan University)
Constantine 28, Ecorse 20 (@ Gibraltar-Carlson H.S.)
Division 7
Saginaw Nouvel 38, Traverse City Saint Francis 14 (@ Central Michigan University)
Hudson 35, Pewamo-Westphalia 30 (@ Vicksburg H.S.)
Division 8
Saint Ignace LaSalle 24, Fowler 10 (@ Thirlby Field, Traverse City)
Mendon 35, New Lothrop 28 (@ Howell H.S.)
First, before I get to the State Semifinal sites, I would like everyone to take a look at the new banner on top of the Blog and the entire Hartford Football web site. The new banner, created by Josh Fairbanks, highlights the history of our football team and defines our State Championship feat in 1993 the most. The new banner fits the site exponentially and I thank Josh for his hard work on the banner and the splash page you saw all fall!
NOW, onto the state semifinal sites for the playoffs. 32 teams, all next Saturday, will be teeing it up for one of 16 spots in the state Football finals on Thanksgiving weekend in Detroit. All the sites and many of the game times have been set for the semifinals. Below is a list of the games and their game sites. (NOTE: The teams listed first are considered the “Home” team because they were the WINNERS of Regions 1 and 3)
Division 1
Rockford (11-1) vs. Detroit Catholic Central (11-1)
Game Time: Saturday, 11/19; 1:00 PM at Battle Creek Central H.S.
Utica Eisenhower (11-1) vs. Detroit Cass Tech (9-3)
Game Time: Saturday, 11/19; 1:00 PM at Troy Athens H.S.
Division 2
Lowell (11-1) vs. Walled Lake Western (11-1)
Game Time: Saturday, 11/19; 11:30 AM at Central Michigan University
Birmingham Brother Rice (8-4) vs. Detroit Martin Luther King (9-3)
Game Time: Saturday, 11/19; 1:00 PM at West Bloomfield H.S.
Division 3
Mount Pleasant (12-0) vs. East Grand Rapids (9-3)
Game Time: Saturday, 11/19; 1:00 PM at Ferris State University
Battle Creek Harper Creek (12-0) vs. Orchard Lake Saint Mary’s (10-2)
Game Time: Saturday, 11/19; 1:00 PM at Withington Stadium, Jackson
Division 4
Comstock Park (10-2) vs. Zeeland West (12-0)
Game Time: Saturday, 11/19; 1:00 PM at Jenison H.S.
Grosse Ile (10-2) vs. Marine City (12-0)
Game Time: Saturday, 11/19; 1:00 PM at Birmingham Groves H.S.
Division 5
Grand Rapids West Catholic (10-2) vs. Lansing Catholic (12-0)
Game Time: Saturday, 11/19; 1:00 PM at East Kentwood H.S.
Almont (11-1) vs. Flint Powers Catholic (8-4)
Game Time: Saturday, 11/19; 1:00 PM at Ortonville Brandon H.S.
Division 6
Iron Mountain (11-0) vs. Ithaca (12-0)
Game Time: Saturday, 11/19; 1:00 PM at Northern Michigan University
Constantine (10-2) vs. Ecorse (10-1)
Game Time: Saturday, 11/19; 1:00 PM at Gibraltar-Carlson H.S.
Division 7
Traverse City Saint Francis (11-1) vs. Saginaw Nouvel (11-0)
Game Time: Saturday, 11/19; 2:30 PM at Central Michigan University
Pewamo-Westphalia (12-0) vs. Hudson (12-0)
Game Time: Saturday, 11/19; 1:00 PM at Vicksburg H.S.
Division 8
Saint Ignace LaSalle (12-0) vs. Fowler (10-2)
Game Time: Saturday, 11/19; 1:00 PM at Thirlby Field, Traverse City
Mendon (12-0) vs. New Lothrop (12-0)
Game Time: Saturday, 11/19; 1:00 PM at Howell H.S.
It is now playoff time, which means I’ll be picking local playoff games for the next five weeks (well, I hope to). From now until the end of the playoffs, I will be making picks on ALL the games in the state. The first picks will be from the games within my seven county window (Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, Saint Joseph and Van Buren) and will cover ALL games. For the playoffs, the games are in order by Division and District order.
Last Week: 6-0 (1.000)
Season: 296-74 (.800)
Division 4
@ Zeeland West 38, Paw Paw 20 (7 PM, Friday): Paw Paw will take the road for the first time in the playoffs, but it comes at 11-0 and state-ranked Zeeland West. The Dux are quite possibly the favorite in Division 4 right now to win state, thanks in a large part to a ball-hogging Wing-T offense. The Dux possess two 900-yard rushers, a 700-yard rusher and a 450-yard rusher. They have also thrown for 600 more yards, too. All in all, Paw Paw has to hit everyone, EVERYONE. Paw Paw has scored 40 points per game this season. Zeeland West, 48 points. Favorite at home are the Dux.
Division 5
@ Lansing Catholic 31, Dowagiac 21 (7 PM, Friday @ Holt): Dowagiac may have faced Parchment and Hopkins, but Lansing Catholic is a major step up in the competition level for the Chieftains. Not saying that Dowagiac can’t win, but they must step up the defensive effort. Why? Lansing Catholic has some big time players in their pass offense. Last week, 23-of-36 passing, 363 yards passing, five touchdowns. Since only scoring 21 in the opener, Catholic has scored 37, 52, 46, 61, 48, 49, 56, 55 and 50 points. Going for Dowagiac? They run a very similar offense and the fact Lansing Catholic has dug big holes early in games this playoff year (14-0 against Olivet, 21-0 against Portland). Dowagiac won’t let them unbury themselves.
Division 6
@ Grass Lake 28, Constantine 27 (1 PM, Saturday): Another close one for Constantine this week, however, I see it on the losing end. If you consider Constantine has won 28-21 (over Hartford, Hartford threatened to pull an upset) and 37-30 in double overtime last week over Schoolcraft (Schoolcraft led 23-13 late in the fourth quarter), Constantine’s been challenged. All Grass Lake has done is start 11-0, score 30 or more points in seven games and beat two opponents twice. Constantine can win if their offense is solid. Grass Lake has given up 20 or more points in five games.
Division 7
@ Pewamo-Westphalia 30, Watervliet 24 (1 PM, Saturday): I’m picking this as a “coin flip” and possible upset on the road this week for Watervliet. Why? I think Pewamo-Westphalia may have the athletes on offense, but defensively, they may have trouble covering the spread. Watervliet likes the fast pace, Pewamo-Westphalia likes to chew up clock. Watervliet can win if they score early and often, however, they have struggled early in games so far and Pewamo-Westphalia is not 11-0 for nothing. Pewamo-Westphalia wins based on home field, their stud run offense and the fact their defense has averaged just 8.5 points allowed through eleven games.
Division 8
@ Mendon 38, Climax-Scotts 28 (1 PM, Saturday): Mendon, by far, is the more challenged team in this game in this postseason (hence, Muskegon Catholic Central last week). Climax-Scotts is a lethal playoff team, but you know heading into Mendon, if you don’t hit everyone on the field in green and white, you’re getting beat. Just ask the Crusaders. Twice they forgot about Chance Nightingale and twice, he had 50+ yard TD runs. Mendon wins at home.
REST OF THE STATE
Division 1
@ Rockford 31, Grand Blanc 21
@ Detroit Catholic Central 38, Ann Arbor Pioneer 20
@ Utica Eisenhower 41, Walled Lake Central 14
@ Warren DeLaSalle 31, Detroit Cass Tech 28
Division 2
@ Lowell 38, Fenton 28
@ Port Huron 28, Walled Lake Western 13
Birmingham Brother Rice 38, @ Southfield 17
Detroit Martin Luther King 41, @ Wyandotte Roosevelt 37
Division 3
@ Mount Pleasant 31, East Lansing 24
East Grand Rapids 41, @ Holland 31
@ Battle Creek Harper Creek 37, Adrian 20
@ Orchard Lake Saint Mary’s 48, Linden 14
Division 4
@ Comstock Park 34, Alma 30
@ Battle Creek Pennfield 41, Grosse Ile 30
Detroit Crockett 48, @ Marine City 41
Division 5
@ Grand Rapids West Catholic 34, Menominee 31
@ Almont 28, Jackson Lumen Christi 14
Flint Powers Catholic 38, @ Hemlock 24
Division 6
@ Iron Mountain 35, Morley-Stanwood 27
@ Ithaca 41, Montague 21
@ Warren Michigan Collegiate 38, Ecorse 10
Division 7
@ Traverse City Saint Francis 27, Ispheming 22
@ Saginaw Nouvel 31, Harbor Beach 17
Hudson 38, @ Detroit Loyola 35
Division 8
Crystal Falls Forest Park 38, @ Saint Ignace LaSalle 28
@ Fowler 24, Beal City 14
@ New Lothrop 38, Petersburg-Summerfield 14
It is now playoff time, which means I’ll be picking local playoff games for the next five weeks (well, I hope to). After the second round of the playoffs, I will begin making picks on ALL the games in the state. Until then, games posted will be within my seven county window (Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, Saint Joseph and Van Buren) and will cover ALL games. For the playoffs, the games are in order by Division and District order.
Last Week: 13-4 (.765)
Season: 290-74 (.797)
Division 4
@ Paw Paw 31, Plainwell 17: After Plainwell’s shocking win over Edwardsburg, Paw Paw may have got the opening it needed to get to Regionals. Plainwell, however, poses a stern test. Paw Paw won the regular season battle, giving up only a safety, in a 21-2 decision. While I see more points, home field favors Paw Paw. The Redskins SHOULD win, but if Paw Paw can’t stop the rush (Plainwell had 489 yards rushing last week), could be a different story.
Division 5
@ Dowagiac 34, Hopkins 24: It’s Dowagiac’s game to win at home. However, Hopkins poses a opposing test at 7-3 overall (1-3 outside of conference). However, Dowagiac is a stronger test than Berrien Springs (Lakeland curse, huh?). Both teams pose a offensive dual-threat (pass/rush), however, I feel Hopkins defense is a little more vulnerable to the big play then Dowagiac. The Chieftains should keep the Vikings in check.
Division 6
@ Constantine 28, Schoolcraft 20: Yes, after much and much flip-flopping, I’m taking the Falcons at home in this one. Sure, the score above is just one point difference from the week nine 28-21 Constantine win and I believe it will still be THAT close. Schoolcraft’s plan of attack to win is to wear down the Constantine defense. It was showing cracks last week against Hartford. Only problem? Constantine’s offense should show back up after a sub-par Hartford performance.
Division 7
@ Watervliet 34, Lawton 14: This all Southwestern Athletic Conference district gets a champion this week–and it should be Watervliet. This game was a 33-0 road win for Watervliet in the regular season and those were in tumultuous conditions (delayed one day, then windy the next day). Watervliet struggled to find early traction against Decatur, where it was a 0-0 game after three and a 6-0 Decatur lead in the fourth. Knowing it is a big game, Watervliet steps up.
Division 8
@ Mendon 24, Muskegon Catholic Central 21: The “WOW” factor is this game, this week. Why? Both of these teams will, most likely, be playing favorite for the state title this week. Mendon wants it worse than Catholic Central in this one. Why? Two straight regional final losses to Hudson. A packed John Schwartz Field. And a desire to put those two road losses behind them, gives them more than enough desire to win. Besides, Saugatuck, without Brad Speet last week, wasn’t the Saugatuck from this season.
@ Climax-Scotts 24, Pittsford 17: Second straight match up for Climax-Scotts with teams from the Southern Central Athletic Association, this time, it’s Pittsford. Like I said last week, Climax-Scotts always, ALWAYS finds ways to win playoff time. Last week, they didn’t play their best, winning 30-16. This game between these two teams was 20-14 (Climax-Scotts win) in the regular season and the point spread shouldn’t be much more than that, but the win? It stays with the Panthers.
