Friday Night Kickoff

While I normally have mixed feelings about the Detroit Free Press's Mick McCabe.   He has a few moments where he is not bowing to the almighty East side of the state.  

Take this article, Warren Fitzgerald fueled by 2007 snub.   Pay no attention to the first two parts of the article.   Scroll down to the header: KEEP THE FAITH, which sheds light on the Berrien Springs football program and how they went from 0-3 to 6-3 and in the playoffs.

Congrats on the ink Berrien Springs... Most people (including me) left you for dead after week 3... Glad you proved the doubters wrong.   Should be a great game with Coloma on Friday night

Posted by Dave Wolf at 06:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While the River Valley football program hasn't had much to celebrate over the last few years, their attitude is that of a winner.

There is an article in the South Bend Tribune that really opens your eyes on how a team with the recent record of the Mustangs go through the season with a winning attitude despite the lack of success on the scoreboard.

Winning Battles

It may have been an 0-9 season for River Valley, but given the development in the football program across the high school, middle school, and Rocket programs. It's only a matter of time before the Mustangs will be back.

Benton Harbor
While the Tigers have been through another 0-9 season, Tigers head coach Maurice Burton will not be letting that distract him from returning for a third season on the Tigers sidelines.   While there may not be the pressure to win football games at Benton Harbor, compared to other area schools, it doesn't mean that Maurice Burton's expectations are not justified.  He expects to win football games, he expects the players to work hard, he expects the fans and the community will support the team.   So far he's got two of the three.  We just have to wait until August 28, 2009 when Benton Harbor hosts Battle Creek Central to see if the wins start coming.  Besides as Meatloaf sang in song.. "Two outta Three ain't bad"

 *wow, I actually did a Meatloaf lyric reference????

Posted by Dave Wolf at 06:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Recently Jackson high school dedicated their new artificial turf field at Withington Stadium to the Dungy Family.    The Jackson newspaper made a list of key games in the history of Withington Stadium.   I ran across this blurb about one of those memorable games in Jackson.

"Jackson 21, Lumen Christi 20 (3 OT)
Oct. 1, 1983
Perhaps the most dramatic game in the city rivalry ended when Jackson's Dave Wolf blocked an extra-point attempt in the third overtime. After Lumen Christi scored first in the second overtime, Jackson's Scott Petersen completed a touchdown pass to Ron Eubanks on fourth-and-14 to keep the Vikings alive.

In the third overtime, Jackson scored first to lead 21-14. This time, Lumen Christi completed a fourth-and-10 pass for a touchdown, but officials ruled quarterback Tom Sullivan was past the line of scrimmage when he threw the ball.

The Titans were penalized and given another play, and Sullivan completed another touchdown pass to Jerry Smith before Wolf blocked the PAT. The officials later acknowledged that they erred in allowing the extra play and that the game should have ended 21-14."

Wow, am I good...

Posted by Dave Wolf at 04:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Here are the full MHSAA playoff pairings.

The ones of note locally

Division 1
Battle Creek Central at Grand Ledge

Division 2
Portage Central at Caledonia

Division 3
Wayland at St. Joseph
Charlotte at Lakeshore

Division 4
South Haven at Paw Paw
Dowagiac at Three Rivers

Battle Creek Pennfield at Marshall

Division 5
Buchanan at Hopkins
Berrien Springs at Coloma

Hillsdale at Jackson Lumen Christi

Division 6
Fennville at Kal. Christian
Hartford at Constantine

Division 7
Blanchard Montabella at Saugatuck

Centreville at White Pigeon
Cassopolis at Decatur

Division 8
Climax-Scotts at Battle Creek St. Phillip

Waldron at Mendon

All Games Times Local (games times in central time zone are shown in local time)

Division 1
R1-D1: Battle Creek Central (5-4) 64.889 at Grand Ledge (9-0) 117.333 - F 7:30 PM
R1-D1: Traverse City West (6-3) 72.556 at Rockford (8-1) 104.000 - F 7:00 PM

R1-D2: Milford (5-4) 67.444 at Howell (8-1) 103.778 - F 7:00 PM
R1-D2: Grand Blanc (6-3) 68.889 at Hartland (7-2) 81.222 - F 7:00 PM

R2-D1: Plymouth (6-3) 70.222* at Canton (8-1) 100.778 - F 7:00 PM
R2-D1: Saline (6-3) 70.222* at Ann Arbor Pioneer (7-2) 86.667 - F 7:00 PM
*Seed determined by Playoff Tiebreaker

R2-D2: West Bloomfield (6-3) 66.778 at Livonia Stevenson (7-2) 84.111 - F 7:00 PM
R2-D2: Detroit Catholic Central (5-3) 70.556 at Novi (7-2) 82.111 - F 7:00 PM

R3-D1: Utica Eisenhower (5-4) 65.000 at Lake Orion (8-1) 102.111 - F 7:00 PM
R3-D1: Clarkston (6-3) 73.000 at Romeo (7-2) 87.444 - S 1:00 PM

R3-D2: Troy (6-3) 68.778 at Macomb Dakota (8-1) 108.222 - S 1:00 PM
R3-D2: Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (6-3) 74.222 at Sterling Heights Stevenson (8-1) 103.000 - S 1:00 PM

R4-D1: Livonia Franklin (5-4) 64.000 at Dearborn Fordson (9-0) 112.889 - F 7:00 PM
R4-D1: Detroit Henry Ford (7-2) 80.556 at Detroit Cody (7-2) 85.444 - S 1:00 PM at Detroit-Renaissance

R4-D2: Detroit Mumford (6-3) 66.778 at Detroit Southeastern (8-1) 101.833 - S 1:00 PM
R4-D2: Warren Mott (6-3) 69.556 at Detroit Cass Tech (7-2) 81.556 - S 1:00 PM

Division 2
R1-D1: Traverse City Central (5-4) 64.111 at Bay City Western (8-1) 93.778 - F 7:00 PM
R1-D1: Saginaw Arthur Hill (6-3) 66.667 at Midland (8-1) 91.444 - F 7:00 PM

R1-D2: Davison (6-3) 77.778 at Fenton (8-1) 97.667 - F 7:30 PM
R1-D2: Flushing (7-2) 83.778 at Oxford (8-1) 95.889 - F 7:30 PM

R2-D1: Holland (6-3) 71.556 at Muskegon (9-0) 114.667 - F 7:00 PM
R2-D1: Hudsonville (7-2) 87.000 at Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills (8-1) 95.000 - F 7:30 PM

R2-D2: Lansing Everett (7-2) 86.667 at Lowell (9-0) 112.000 - F 7:30 PM
R2-D2: Portage Central (8-1) 92.889 at Caledonia (9-0) 99.556 - F 7:00 PM

R3-D1: Birmingham Brother Rice (6-3) 72.889 at Rochester Adams (8-1) 103.000 - F 7:00 PM
R3-D1: Auburn Hills Avondale (7-2) 78.000 at White Lake Lakeland (7-2) 89.556 - F 7:30 PM

R3-D2: Port Huron (7-2) 79.444 at Warren DeLaSalle (9-0) 106.889 - F 7:00 PM
R3-D2: Grosse Pointe North (7-2) 82.222 at Detroit Osborn (8-1) 90.556 - S 1:00 PM

R4-D1: Farmington (6-3) 68.556 at Southfield (8-1) 99.444 - S 1:00 PM
R4-D1: Dearborn (6-3) 71.667 at Walled Lake Western (6-3) 74.333 - S 7:00 PM

R4-D2: Brownstown Woodhaven (6-3) 66.444 at Southgate Anderson (8-1) 98.667 - F 7:00 PM
R4-D2: Wyandotte Roosevelt (8-1) 92.333 at Dearborn Edsel Ford (8-1) 92.667 - F 7:00 PM

Division 3
R1-D1: Ogemaw Heights (5-4) 58.222 at Petoskey (8-1) 93.889 - S 1:00 PM
R1-D1: Escanaba (5-4) 60.444 at Bangor John Glenn (7-2) 80.000 - S 4:00 PM

R1-D2: Grand Rapids Christian (6-3) 73.556 at East Grand Rapids (8-1) 99.556 - F 7:00 PM
R1-D2: St Johns (7-2) 81.444 at Mt Pleasant (8-1) 90.556 - F 7:30 PM

R2-D1: Wayland Union (6-3) 62.444 at St Joseph (9-0) 107.556 - F 7:30 PM
R2-D1: Charlotte (6-3) 67.000 at Stevensville Lakeshore (8-1) 94.222 - S 1:00 PM

R2-D2: DeWitt (6-3) 61.444 at Lansing Sexton (6-3) 73.222 - F 7:00 PM
R2-D2: Haslett (6-3) 63.222 at East Lansing (6-3) 71.000 - F 7:00 PM

R3-D1: Adrian (7-2) 84.556 at Mason (8-1) 89.778 - F 7:00 PM
R3-D1: Milan (8-1) 86.000 at Chelsea (7-2) 89.667 - F 7:00 PM

R3-D2: Gibraltar Carlson (6-3) 63.889 at Inkster (8-1) 100.000 - S 2:00 PM
R3-D2: Trenton (6-3) 66.667 at Carleton Airport (7-2) 74.333 - F 7:00 PM

R4-D1: Redford Thurston (6-3) 59.778 at Bloomfield Hills Lahser (8-1) 98.111 - S 7:00 PM
R4-D1: Lapeer West (6-3) 69.000 at Linden (8-1) 97.667 - F 7:30 PM

R4-D2: St Clair Shores Lake Shore (6-3) 63.000 at Ferndale (8-1) 92.333 - F 7:00 PM
R4-D2: Warren Lincoln (8-1) 79.333 at Warren Fitzgerald (8-1) 84.111 - S 7:00 PM

Division 4
R1-D1: Big Rapids (7-2) 62.111 at Remus Chippewa Hills (9-0) 88.000 - F 7:00 PM
R1-D1: Kingsford (6-3) 72.556 at Cheboygan (8-1) 82.556 - S 3:00 PM

R1-D2: Spring Lake (6-3) 63.111 at Muskegon Orchard View (7-2) 75.444 - F 7:00 PM
R1-D2: Grand Rapids Catholic Central (6-3) 63.556 at Coopersville (7-2) 69.778 - F 7:00 PM

R2-D1: Hudsonville Unity Christian (7-2) 70.111 at Holland Christian (9-0) 92.444 - F 7:00 PM
R2-D1: Hamilton (7-2) 76.222 at Grand Rapids South Christian (8-1) 87.111 - F 7:00 PM

R2-D2: South Haven (6-3) 62.222 at Paw Paw (8-1) 85.000 - S 1:00 PM
R2-D2: Dowagiac (7-2) 70.889 at Three Rivers (8-1) 83.444 - F 7:00 PM

R3-D1: Williamston (6-3) 57.667 at Goodrich (9-0) 93.333 - F 7:00 PM
R3-D1: Battle Creek Pennfield (7-2) 61.222 at Marshall (6-3) 67.222 - S 1:00 PM

R3-D2: Dearborn Heights Annapolis (6-3) 54.000 at Detroit Southwestern (8-1) 90.000 - F 7:00 PM
R3-D2: Detroit Crockett (6-3) 71.000 at Detroit Country Day (7-2) 78.889 - S 3:00 PM

R4-D1: Mt Morris EA Johnson (6-3) 59.222 at Yale (7-2) 71.444 - S 7:00 PM
R4-D1: Marysville (6-3) 63.778 at Croswell-Lexington (6-3) 67.000 - S 1:00 PM

R4-D2: Richmond (6-3) 65.889 at Marine City (9-0) 104.000 - F 7:00 PM
R4-D2: Madison Heights Lamphere (7-2) 71.778 at Clinton Township Clintondale (8-1) 87.111 - F 7:00 PM

Division 5
R1-D1: Menominee (5-4) 57.444 at Negaunee (8-1) 76.444 - S 1:00 PM
R1-D1: Elk Rapids (7-2) 59.444 at Gladstone (7-2) 76.000 - S 1:00 PM

R1-D2: Reed City (6-3) 50.333 at Standish-Sterling (9-0) 91.810 - F 7:00 PM
R1-D2: Tawas Area (6-3) 58.111 at Sanford Meridian (7-2) 64.111 - F 7:00 PM

R2-D1: Hemlock (5-4) 56.444 at Ovid-Elsie (8-1) 85.222 - F 7:30 PM
R2-D1: Stanton Central Montcalm (8-1) 74.667 at Portland (8-1) 82.556 - F 7:00 PM

R2-D2: Saginaw Swan Valley (7-2) 71.778 at Freeland (8-1) 88.778 - F 7:00 PM
R2-D2: Essexville Garber (7-2) 72.111 at Millington (8-1) 87.333 - S 1:00 PM

R3-D1: Wyoming Kelloggsville (6-3) 54.222 at Muskegon Oakridge (9-0) 91.556 - F 7:30 PM
R3-D1: Grand Rapids West Catholic (7-2) 73.333 at Allendale (8-1) 89.778 - F 7:30 PM

R3-D2: Buchanan (6-3) 53.222 at Hopkins (7-2) 74.556 - F 7:30 PM
R3-D2: Berrien Springs (6-3) 57.111 at Coloma (7-2) 64.333 - F 7:00 PM

R4-D1: Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard (6-3) 47.333 at Livonia Clarenceville (8-1) 75.556 - F 7:00 PM
R4-D1: Madison Heights Madison (5-4) 54.778 at Almont (7-2) 72.778 - S 2:00 PM

R4-D2: Ida (6-3) 53.000 at Onsted (9-0) 93.333 - F 7:00 PM
R4-D2: Hillsdale (8-1) 72.889 at Jackson Lumen Christi (7-2) 77.111 - F 7:00 PM

Division 6
R1-D1: Charlevoix (5-4) 42.000 at Iron Mountain (9-0) 90.667 - F 6:00 PM at Central Time
R1-D1: Calumet (7-2) 60.111 at Boyne City (8-1) 70.111 - S 1:00 PM

R1-D2: Grandville Calvin Christian (6-3) 53.556 at Clare (8-1) 81.667 - F 7:00 PM
R1-D2: Kingsley (6-3) 55.667 at Montague (8-1) 80.000 - S 1:00 PM

R2-D1: Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (6-3) 50.889 at Saginaw Nouvel (9-0) 94.222 - F 7:00 PM
R2-D1: Marlette (7-2) 57.667 at Carrollton (8-1) 73.667 - F 7:30 PM

R2-D2: Byron (6-3) 46.111 at St Charles (7-2) 61.000 - F 7:30 PM
R2-D2: Flint Beecher (6-3) 54.444 at Burton Bentley (6-3) 55.556 - F 7:00 PM

R3-D1: Fennville (6-3) 44.000 at Kalamazoo Christian (9-0) 85.333 - F 7:00 PM
R3-D1: Hartford (9-0) 71.111 at Constantine (8-1) 73.778 - S 1:00 PM

R3-D2: Hanover-Horton (6-3) 44.667 at Leslie (8-1) 71.889 - F 7:30 PM
R3-D2: Olivet (6-3) 51.222 at Laingsburg (8-1) 67.444 - F 7:00 PM

R4-D1: Clinton (5-4) 42.667 at Blissfield (8-1) 74.667 - F 7:00 PM
R4-D1: Manchester (7-2) 63.667 at Hudson (7-2) 64.778 - F 7:00 PM

R4-D2: Allen Park Cabrini (5-4) 44.333 at Monroe St Mary Catholic Central (7-2) 68.667 - F 7:00 PM
R4-D2: Madison Heights Bishop Foley (5-4) 50.778 at Whitmore Lake (8-1) 62.889 - F 7:30 PM

Division 7
R1-D1: Ishpeming (5-4) 42.889 at Iron River West Iron County (8-1) 69.333 - F 7:30 PM
R1-D1: Mancelona (6-3) 44.667 at Manistique (6-3) 51.222 - S 1:00 PM

R1-D2: Whittemore-Prescott (6-3) 51.111 at Traverse City St Francis (8-1) 77.333 - F 7:30 PM
R1-D2: Merrill (6-3) 53.667 at Fife Lake Forest Area (7-2) 54.111 - F 7:00 PM

R2-D1: Fulton (6-3) 44.000 at Ravenna (7-2) 68.333 - F 7:00 PM
R2-D1: Blanchard Montabella (7-2) 52.569 at Saugatuck (7-2) 58.556 - F 7:00 PM

R2-D2: Springport (6-3) 45.333 at Pewamo-Westphalia (8-1) 68.889 - F 7:00 PM
R2-D2: Potterville (7-2) 54.000 at Grass Lake (8-1) 64.667 - F 7:30 PM

R3-D1: Centreville (6-3) 47.556 at White Pigeon (8-1) 70.222 - S 1:00 PM
R3-D1: Cassopolis (6-3) 52.333 at Decatur (8-1) 67.556 - F 7:00 PM

R3-D2: Petersburg-Summerfield (6-3) 48.111 at Reading (9-0) 73.778 - F 7:30 PM
R3-D2: Addison (6-3) 53.889 at Sand Creek (7-2) 63.778 - F 7:00 PM

R4-D1: Genesee (6-3) 48.778 at Ubly (9-0) 78.222 - F 7:30 PM
R4-D1: Memphis (8-1) 53.333 at Dryden (9-0) 59.556 - F 7:00 PM

R4-D2: Southfield Christian (7-1) 50.778 at Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest (9-0) 78.222 - F 7:00 PM
R4-D2: Detroit Loyola (7-2) 60.667 at Royal Oak Shrine Catholic (9-0) 77.889 - S 2:00 PM

Division 8
R1-D1: Baraga (6-3) 39.667 at Crystal Falls Forest Park (9-0) 66.667 - F 6:30 PM at Central Time
R1-D1: Iron Mountain North Dickinson (6-3) 44.333 at Lake Linden-Hubbell (8-1) 55.111 - S 1:00 PM

R1-D2: Bark River-Harris (6-2) 39.333 at St Ignace (7-2) 59.889 - F 7:00 PM
R1-D2: Gaylord St Mary (7-2) 50.444 at Cedarville (9-0) 59.667 - F 7:00 PM

R2-D1: Marion (7-2) 58.222 at Frankfort (8-1) 70.889 - F 7:00 PM
R2-D1: Central Lake (8-1) 61.000 at Manistee Catholic Central (9-0) 65.778 - F 7:00 PM

R2-D2: Hillman (5-4) 37.333 at Bay City All Saints (6-3) 59.556 - F 7:00 PM
R2-D2: Au Gres-Sims (6-3) 39.111 at Mio (6-3) 44.444 - F 7:00 PM

R3-D1: Webberville (8-1) 55.000 at Muskegon Catholic Central (9-0) 100.444 - F 7:00 PM
R3-D1: Climax-Scotts (7-2) 55.778 at Battle Creek St Philip (9-0) 66.667 - F 7:00 PM at Battle Creek Central

R3-D2: Waldron (6-3) 38.056 at Mendon (9-0) 74.032 - S 2:00 PM
R3-D2: Colon (5-4) 41.000 at Pittsford (7-2) 59.556 - F 7:00 PM

R4-D1: Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (5-4) 46.444 at Beal City (8-1) 69.778 - F 7:00 PM
R4-D1: New Lothrop (6-3) 49.667 at Mt Pleasant Sacred Heart (9-0) 65.778 - F 7:30 PM at Central Michigan University

R4-D2: Marine City Cardinal Mooney (5-3) 35.778 at Deckerville (8-1) 64.000 - F 7:00 PM
R4-D2: Peck (6-3) 36.111 at Waterford Our Lady (5-4) 38.000 - S 1:00 PM

After the games of Friday night, there are 234 teams qualified for the playoffs,  With maybe two more teams qualifying on Saturday, there will be about 20 spots left for 5-4 and 4-4 teams.

Here are my first BOLD PREDICTIONS!!!!

I am thinking it's St. Joe vs. Wayland in round 1 at Dickinson Stadium.
I am also thinking that Three Rivers will be at Lakeshore in round 1 at Al Stockman Stadium.

I dont think LMC is getting in.

Battle Creek Central will get in at 5-4, Portage Northern will not.

more to come...

UPDATE...

After doing some more crunching of the numbers,  I am going to push Three Rivers to Division 4... barely.   So with the Wildcats in D4, I am now looking at Wayland vs. St. Joseph and Grand Rapids Christian at Lakeshore.

Download my breakdown prediction of the Divisions

Posted by Dave Wolf at 01:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

According to the Kalamazoo Gazette (http://www.mlive.com/kzgazette/news/index.ssf/2008/10/covert_forfeits_fridays_footba.html).   Covert has officially forfeited their last game, which was supposed to be Friday night at home vs. Mendon.

 The Bulldogs are now 1-8 on the season.  In the last two weeks, Covert has lost to White Pigeon 65-0, and lost to Eau Claire 57-0.  In the loss to Eau Claire, the Bulldogs dressed only 12 players.  The Bulldogs also gave up one of their three home games.  Covert's only two games this season have been a 18-14 win over Gary Bowman Academy in week 2, and a 32-0 loss to Centreville in week 3.  Other than those two games.  The Bulldogs have been on the road the other 6 weeks.

Mendon is now 9-0 on the season, a season that included two forfeit wins.

Posted by Dave Wolf at 09:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We are now in the final week of the regular season.  For most of the teams in the area, their seasons will come to an end when the scoreboard reaches 0:00 on Friday night.

It's pretty easy to figure out the teams that need to win to make the playoffs.

We'll start in the Red Arrow/SJV.

Lake Michigan Catholic (5-3) - While it may sound simple for the Lakers, win and you're in.  Unfortunately it's not that simple.  The Lakers are on the road at 7-1 White Pigeon.  It'll be an uphill climb for LMC, but if they can pull it off, they are well deserving of a playoff spot.

Eau Claire (4-4) - A win at 3-5 Bronson would give the Beavers a 5-4 record.  Eau Claire would have to be one of those select few teams that make it a 5-4 to reach the playoffs.  I don't think they have enough playoff points to make it.

Centrevile (5-3) - A win against New Buffalo will send the Bulldogs to the postseason.

Mendon, White Pigeon - Already in

Bronson, Covert, New Buffalo - Out

Big 16

Portage Northern (5-3) - A win against Battle Creek Central (4-4) will put the Huskies in the playoffs, Northern better watch out, BCC pulled the upset on Portage Central last week.

Kalamazoo Central (4-4) - The Giants have to win their final game in order to even have a chance to make it at 5-4, they have to do it against the 8-0 St. Joe Bears.   If they beat the Bears, it would give them a win with a lot of bonus points.

Marshall (5-3) - The Redhawks should have no problem making the playoffs as they host 1-7 Sturgis this week.

Harper Creek (4-4) - Harper Creek needs a win to improve to 5-4, they need a win that would give them a lot of playoff points, and if they can do it in their next game... Against Jackson Lumen Christi, they're chances really improve.

Battle Creek Lakeview (4-4) - They'll make it to 5-4, they are at Coldwater, but the teams that they have beaten really don't give them a lot of playoff bonus points.

Battle Creek Central (4-4) - Another "Hope to make it at 5-4" team, the Bearcats have a quality win against Portage Central, but the other wins they have are against teams that are 8 games under .500 combined.  Not many bonus points.

St. Joseph, Lakeshore, Jackson Lumen Christi, Portage Central - In

Benton Harbor, Niles, Mattawan, Coldwater, Sturgis, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix - Out.

Lakeland

Berrien Springs (5-3) - The Shamrocks looked to be dead and buried after week 3, the Shamrocks had lost their first three games and were going into the heart of the Lakeland Conference schedule.   The Shamrocks have been in playoff mode since week 4 and the Shamrocks will most likely take care of business on Friday when they visit Brandywine.

Buchanan (5-3) - Buchanan looked on course for an easy run at the playoffs after winning 4 of their first 5 games, but losses to Coloma and Edwardsburg have provided the road to the playoffs a few potholes.  But the road became very clear as the last two games for the Bucks were against River Valley and Bridgman.

Edwardsburg (4-4) - The Eddies have only one win against a team over .500, that would be the win over Buchanan.  The Eddies have to beat Class C Cassopolis this week.  It wouldn't be enough points for the Eddies to make the playoffs.

Coloma, Cassopolis - IN

Brandywine, Bridgman, River Valley - Out

SAC

Bangor (4-4) - The Vikings have to beat 8-0 Hartford to have a chance at 5-4, don't think it'll happen.

Bloomingdale (4-4) - The Cardinals face 3-5 Watervliet on Friday night.  But they probably won't have the points.

Gobles (4-4) - What a disappointing season for the G-Tigers, an loss to Mendon in week one wasn't really a killer, the week 2 loss to Watervliet was.  Gobles finds themselves in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 1997.  In order for them to have a chance, they have to beat longtime rival Decatur (7-1).

Fennville (5-3) - The Blackhawks will be in after they dispatch of 0-8 Lawrence on Friday.

Marcellus (4-4) - A win over 6-2 Saugatuck will put the Wildcats in the playoffs for the first time since 2003.  But it's easier said than done.

Hartford, Decatur, Saugatuck - In

Watervliet, Lawrence, Lawton, Martin - Out

Wolverine

South Haven (5-3) - The Rams pretty much could have the playoff red carpet rolled out for them, they visit 0-8 Allegan on Friday.

Otsego (4-4) - The Bulldogs have had a remarkable season already, 4 wins is the most they've had since 1999.  But Otsego will need a miracle to make the playoffs for the first time in their history, they will face their arch rival Plainwell (3-5), but with a Class B only schedule, they probably won't have the playoff points needed for a playoff spot.

Vicksburg (4-4) - Pretty much the same story as Otsego, a win at 7-1 Three Rivers would be miracle #1, Miracle #2 would be to make the playoffs at 5-4.  Vicksburg hasn't seen the playoffs since 1993.

Paw Paw, Dowagiac, Three Rivers - In

Plainwell, Gull Lake, Comstock, Allegan - Out.

Posted by Dave Wolf at 11:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A few of you have been wondering about the latest on St. Joe's Matt Jewell.

He was released from Lakeland this past weekend and he is home resting.   Matt's parents really appreciate and have been overwhelmed at all of the cards, good wishes and phone calls in support. 

And to show you that even heated rivals like St. Joe and Lakeshore can put forget all about that when it comes to an injury like this. the Lakeshore football team signed a card and delivered it to Matt.

Matt is continuing his recovery and we here wish him nothing but the best.

Posted by Dave Wolf at 07:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I need to be serious here for a minute.   But many of you have seen the paper and heard the stories of a St. Joe football player that was hospitalized.   If you didn't hear St. Joe WR Matt Jewell passed out during practice Tuesday at St. Joe.   Without going into details about his condition (I will respect his privacy about his condition), I will say that he is in the hospital but things are looking better for Jewell.

Please keep Matt and his family in your thoughts and prayers.   Matt is a terrific athlete and an oustanding young man.  Football just seems secondary at this point, Matt and his health is the important thing.   Matt, your teammates are thinking of you.   The St. Joe football "family" is hoping for your speedy recovery.

GO BEARS

Posted by Dave Wolf at 05:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We know that St. Joe*, Lakeshore, Portage Central*, Cassopolis, Mendon*, White Pigeon, Decatur, Hartford*, Three Rivers, Dowagiac and Paw Paw are in the playoffs.  (undefeated teams with the asterisk[*]).

Jackson Lumen Christi, Coloma, Centreville, and Saugatuck all need one win over these next two games to clinch a spot.

Now there are a number of teams that need to win BOTH of their last two games to clinch a playoff spot.  They are Portage Northern, Kalamazoo Central, Marshall, Battle Creek Lakeview, Berrien Springs, Buchanan, Edwardsburg, Lake Michigan Catholic, Marcellus, Fennville, Gobles, Bloomingdale, South Haven, Otsego, and Vicksburg.      Not all of these will make it, some of them are playing each other in these last two weeks.

Now these are the teams that have 4 losses, while not impossible, there is a chance that some teams with a 5-4 record can make it to the playoffs.   Based on playoff points and teams already meeting the minimum wins, the MHSAA usually has 10-12 5-4 teams that make the playoffs.  Battle Creek Central, Niles, Battle Creek Harper Creek, Eau Claire, Bronson, Bangor, Lawton, and Plainwell still have a chance, albeit slim.   In face St. Joe did in 2006, and beat Gull Lake 14-0 in the first round, so it does happen.

Now as for possible playoff matchups.

In Division 3.  The problem for Division three is that there aren't any real "local" teams for St. Joe and Lakeshore as in previous years.  A few years ago, division 3 qualifiers included teams like Sturgis, Niles, Mattawan, Gull Lake, and Harper Creek, but none of those teams are expected to make the playoffs.  That skews the district a bit and you have to go more north towards the Grand Rapids/Holland area.   If the MHSAA moves the district north towards Grand Rapids, you might find Holland Christian, Zeeland East, Hamilton, and Grand Rapids Christian down in this district.   Or the MHSAA could move the pairing to the east, which means you could have Three Rivers and Charlotte.  However, Three Rivers and Holland Christian could end up in division 4..   The Grand Rapids option is probably going to be the end result, because that would make it a Grand Rapids "Region",    The GR Area has maybe 6 teams that could find their way in to the matchup with St. Joe and Lakeshore.    There is a possiblity that Charlotte and Mason could be in the District with St. Joe and Lakeshore.... sound confused yet???  BTW, Mason and Charlotte are near Lansing.

Posted by Dave Wolf at 04:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I have to admit something here, a little behind the scenes here at the station.  Matt Orlando and I planned to do a "debate" style blog for last week, it would have been a nice entry for last week.  Unfortunately, we recorded it and it was my job to transcribe it.  I have to admit right now that I am not the best typist on the planet, I am not even close.   I had a typing class at LMC and that's about it.  So transcribing a 45 minute bull session wasn't a thing that I was planning on doing.

Now that's out of the way here goes...

In the "debate" Matt and I were going to discuss whether Berrien Springs would make the playoffs.  Matt said yes, I said no.  Basically we said it would come down to last week's game with Cassopolis.  I thought Cass was going to be too much for the Shamrocks, especially with DaShaun Curtis.   Matt disagreed, well Matt... I guess you were right.  Berrien Springs played an outstanding game, Cass didn't play anywhere near perfect, 7 turnovers will do that.

Now the other big game in the area was LMC vs. Mendon.  The halftime score maybe got some people thinking, while I was at Benton Harbor keeping stats for the St. Joe/Benton Harbor game, I had the radio on listening to Phil and Bret, when Marty said it was only 7-0 Mendon at the half, I thought I had misheard that.  I didn't expect LMC to be that close, after all... It's MENDON.

But the Lakers were able to stay close for the first half, but then Mendon does what good teams and good coaches do, they make adjustments.  LMC wasn't able to keep with the Hornets as Mendon went to 7-0 with a 28-0 win over LMC.  The Lakers to their credit were able to hold Mendon to their second lowest point total this season.   LMC has their back against the wall now if they want to make the playoffs.   The Lakers are 4-3 and have two games left, at New Buffalo and at White Pigeon.   The New Buffalo game should be a win for the Lakers, but the Lakers will have to put forth their best effort of the year and try to beat White Pigeon, the Chiefs are 6-1 and their only loss.... is to Mendon.

In the "no kidding" game of the night. St. Joe had an easy time with Benton Harbor.  St. Joe handed the Tigers their 7th loss this season with a 45-0 win at Filstrup Field.   This wasn't the full Bear lineup either, senior running back Drake Smith sat out this game because of some soreness from carrying the Bears offense for the last few weeks.   Insert junior Jamaal Jackson, 3 touchdowns on 95 yards for what was the 3rd running back for the Bears.  Now the Bears only recorded 329 yards of total offense.  It's a little misleading because from my count, the Bears started all but 2 drives on the Benton Harbor side of the 50 yard line.   The Tigers offense wasn't able to do much against the St. Joe defense.  When Benton Harbor tried to punt the ball, the Bears reached the punter before the ball did.  Josh Weaver blocked another punt, his 4th of the season (which ties a St. Joe record).  When the Tigers went for it on fourth down instead of punting, it didn't help.  The Tigers were 0 of 5 on 4th down. Benton Harbor was 3 of 14 on third down.  

I know it's been a rough two seasons for Maurice Burton, when I arrived at Filstrup Field on Friday, before I even got out of my car, I was approached by some parents from Benton Harbor and we spent a little time talking about our teams, some of the previous games between the Bears and Tigers back in the 80's and early 90's when I was at St. Joe.  It's not because of a lack of talent, it's not a lack of coaching, it's not a matter that can be fixed easily with the Tigers.  Are the teams they are playing better, I would say yes.  The Tigers have losses to Portage Northern, Jackson Lumen Christi, Lakeshore, and St. Joe, some of the best teams in the Big 16.   Are the Tigers undermanned.  I would say yes.  Benton Harbor isn't the football school the St. Joe and Lakeshore are.  Basketball is the marquee sport for the Tigers, I don't see that changing, but I would speculate if some of those talented players on the basketball team would go out for football, I could see improvement for the Tigers.

Is Maurice Burton the right man??? WITH NO DOUBT YES!!!!  I can't think of a more qualified person that "Mo" to be at the helm of the Tigers. 

Now the one suggestion I would have is that Benton Harbor needs to find a kicking game.  The need to have at least one specialist who will go to kicking camps who will give the Tigers that one aspect of the game they've never really been able to nail down.  Special teams, it's such an important part of the game, and you can't overlook it.

If you think about it.  When you kickoff, you want to pin the other team as deep as you can.  Giving your opponent a short field on every drive puts your defense in a tough spot.  The same with punting, you're defense isn't going to fare well when giving another short field.  St. Joe's first drive last Friday started at the Benton Harbor 22 yard line.  The Bears were in the end zone one play later.  Plus after the touchdown wouldn't you like to be able to add the extra point, it's almost a free point and it's an important point.

I'm not saying that a kicker will cure all of Benton Harbor's ills, but it would be a start.  It won't get them to a St. Joe or Lakeshore, but if you think, what was the score of the Tigers game at Kalamazoo Central??? Kalamazoo Central 7, Benton Harbor 6.  Don't think that extra point is important???  Wouldn't a win for the Tigers against the Giants been a huge step?

Lakeshore clinched their 11th straight postseason appearance with a 28-9 win at Battle Creek Central (I hope Al had a sloppy joe at C.W. Post... they are good).   Coco Johnson had 212 yards rushing for the Lancers who rebounded after the heartbreaking loss to St. Joe.  If you ask me, this was even more of a statement game for the Lancers than the Bears 67-35 shootout a few weeks ago.  The Lancers were able to keep the BCC offense out of the end zone for most of the night, Larry Caper did have 180 yards, but none of those yards were between the 1 yard line and the goal line for the Michigan State recruit.

If you enter halftime with a 13-6 lead against one of the top teams in your conference in the last 20 years, in a game that is important for your playoff lives.  Name one thing you shouldn't do in the third quarter.  I'll bet you South Haven knows the answer, the answer is not allow 27 points in the third quarter.  Unfortunately for the Rams, that is exactly what they did in a 33-21 loss at Three Rivers.  Three Rivers scored two rushing touchdowns, one passing touchdown, and to top it off, a fumble return for a touchdown.  South Haven faces a hungry Vicksburg team this week, Vicksburg is 4-3 and trying to reach the playoffs for the first time since 1990.

That's all for now.  The Red Wings beat Ottawa on Saturday 3-2, and the Grand Rapids Griffins lost to Lake Erie 4-3 in overtime.  So it's been an OK Saturday.   Not looking forward to Sunday... The Lions are playing

Posted by Dave Wolf at 03:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I posted this in the previous post, but it got buried under everything else, so here it is again.

IN...
These teams have reached the magical 6 wins to qualify for the MHSAA playoffs.

• St. Joseph
• Hartford
• Mendon
• Cassopolis
• Portage Central

ONE WIN AWAY...
These teams have 5 wins each and need one more victory to clinch a playoff spot. (remaining games in parenthesis).

• Lakeshore (at BC Central, at Niles, vs. Mattawan)
• White Pigeon (vs. Covert, at Centreville, vs. LMC)
• Decatur (vs. Watervliet, at Marcellus, at Gobles)
• Dowagiac (vs. Gull Lake, at Otsego, vs. Paw Paw)
• Paw Paw (at Vicksburg, vs. Allegan, at Dowagiac)
• Three Rivers (vs. South Haven, vs. Comstock, at Vicksburg)

TWO WINS AWAY
These teams are two wins away, with three games left to play (remaining games in parenthesis).

• Portage Northern (vs. Portage Central, at Kalamazoo Central, vs. BC Central)
• Battle Creek Lakeview (vs. Lumen Christi, vs. Marshall, at Coldwater)
• Jackson Lumen Christi (at BC Lakeview, vs. Coldwater, at Harper Creek)
• Coloma (vs. Bridgman, at Cassopolis, vs. River Valley)
• Buchanan (at Edwardsburg, at River Valley, vs. Bridgman)
• Lake Michigan Catholic (vs. Mendon, at New Buffalo, at White Pigeon)
• Centreville (at Eau Claire, vs. White Pigeon, vs. New Buffalo)
• Marcellus (at Hartford, vs. Decatur, at Saugatuck)
• Gobles (vs. Fennville, at Saugatuck, vs. Decatur)
• Saugatuck (at Bangor, at Martin, vs. Hartford)
• South Haven (at Three Rivers, vs. Vicksburg, at Allegan)
• Vicksburg (vs. Paw Paw, at South Haven, vs. Three Rivers)

THREE WINS AWAY
These are the teams that have three wins, they have to win their last three games to qualify for the playoffs.  Some of these teams won't make it.  Marshall plays Harper Creek this week (remaining games in parenthesis).

• Battle Creek Central (vs. Lakeshore, at Portage Central, at Portage Northern)
• Kalamazoo Central (at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, vs. Portage Northern, vs. St. Joseph)
• Battle Creek Harper Creek (vs. Marshall, at Sturgis, vs. Lumen Christi)
• Marshall (at Harper Creek, at BC Lakeview, vs. Sturgis)
• Berrien Springs (vs. Cassopolis, vs. Edwardsburg, at Brandywine)
• Edwardsburg (vs. Buchanan, at Berrien Springs, vs. Cassopolis)
• Eau Claire (vs. Centreville, vs. Covert, at Bronson)
• Bloomingdale (vs. Martin, at Fennville, vs. Watervliet)
• Bangor (vs. Saugatuck, at Martin, vs. Hartford)
• Fennville (at Gobles, vs. Bloomingdale, vs. Lawrence)
• Otsego (at Allegan, vs. Dowagiac, vs. Paw Paw)

MAY HAVE A CHANCE.... MAY
These teams all have 4 losses, in order for any of these teams to reach the playoffs, they have to win their last three games, and have to do a lot of hoping.   In previous years, about a dozen or so 5-4 teams have made the playoffs, including St. Joseph in 2006 (remaining games in parenthesis).

• Niles (at Mattawan, vs. Lakeshore, vs. Benton Harbor)
• Kalamazoo Loy Norrix (vs. Kalamazoo Central, at Benton Harbor, vs. Portage Central)
• New Buffalo (vs. Bronson, vs. LMC, at Centreville)
• Bronson (at New Buffalo, vs. Mendon, vs. Eau Claire)
• Watervliet (at Decatur, vs. Lawton, at Bloomingdale)
• Lawton (vs. Lawrence, at Watervliet, at Martin)
• Plainwell (at Comstock, at Three Rivers, vs. Gull Lake)

These are eliminated from any chance at the playoffs
These teams have 5 losses or more and will not make the playoffs.

• Mattawan
• Benton Harbor
• Coldwater
• Sturgis
• Bridgman
• Brandywine
• River Valley
• Covert
• Lawrence
• Martin
• Comstock
• Allegan
• Gull Lake

Posted by Dave Wolf at 01:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wow, what a game..
A regulation high school football game lasts for 48 minutes.  For 47 minutes and 20 seconds, the game was still in doubt.  The only turnover of the game came at the St. Joe 11 yard line sealed the deal and allowed the Bears to run out the last 40 seconds of the game.

Lakeshore played well for the first quarter and a half and jumped out to a 10-0 lead.  But the Bears finally put things together and got on the board with under a minute to go until halftime, much the same way the Bears did during the game last year at Dickinson Stadium.  St. Joe's Matt Jewell used his height advantage over Lakeshore defender Bo Paxson and caught a 13 yard pass for a touchdown.

If you listened to Friday Night Kickoff, Lakeshore play by play voice Al Pscholka said that he expected the Bears to block a punt.  Wow he was right.  Josh Weaver came through the Lancers line untouched and blocked the punt by Lee Myers to set up the Bears go-ahead touchdown by Drake Smith a few plays later.

St. Joe would add to the lead on the first play of the fourth quarter as Drake Smith ran for his second touchdown of the game to make it 21-10.  It was set up by another great play by receiver Matt Jewell, the elusive Jewell was wide open as QB Sean Guinane floated the ball to the open Jewell and made it inside the 10 yard line.

Lakeshore then resorted to the trick plays to try to get back in the game, the Lancers cut the Bears lead to 21-18 after Coco Johnson ran for a 19 yard touchdown.  Followed by Zak Wasserman's two point conversion.

Now comes the critical point of the game... the fumble.   There has been a lot of talk saying that if Zane Metz would not have fumbled the ball, then Lakeshore would have scored a touchdown to take the lead or at least been able to have Kai Peng kick the field goal to tie the game.   Now remember one thing, nothing is certain.   Watching an NFL football game as recently as last week's Chicago Bears/Philadelphia Eagles game on Sunday night, you saw the Chicago Bears defense stop the Eagles on 4 tries, the last two inside the one yard line. 

Plus, Kai Peng has also had a kick blocked and one missed against the Bears, the first was less than a 30 yard field goal in the game last year at Dickinson, he also missed one inside the 25 in the playoff game at St. Joe.   He's good, but he's not automatic. I have yet to see a college or pro kicker ever finish perfect.  When you consider the things that have to happen for a field goal or extra point.  The snap, the spot, the hold, and the kick.  They all have to be right.  Nothing is automatic.

Was St. Joe "lucky" if you ask me no.  Fumbles are part of the game.  The team with the fewest mistakes usually wins.  St. Joe made less mistakes than Lakeshore.   The two glaring mistakes by the Lancers are the poor blocking on the punt block which allowed Weaver to come in untouched, and the fumble by Metz.  In all the game was pretty even, yards, first downs were just about even.  The two stats that weren't -- turnovers, 1 for Lakeshore, 0 for St. Joe.  The other -- Touchdowns, St. Joe had 3, Lakeshore with 2.  Field goals are nice, but aren't touchdowns better?

I guess for most coaches who don't have a Kai Peng like Lakeshore does, the decision to go for the end zone rather than the uprights is easy.

Posted by Dave Wolf at 09:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you thought this one was going to be one of those serious breakdowns of each position and how each team will fare against whatever formation each other will throw at them... You're wrong

It's been such a serious week, so we'll break it down... scientifically.

Greatest Moments in Football History
St. Joseph:  1988 State Finals
Lakeshore: 17 Game Win Streak against St. Joe

Advantage: St. Joseph

Home of...
St. Joseph:  Whirlpool/Maytag execs
Lakeshore:  Whirlpool/Maytag execs

Advantage: Push

Fine Dining...
St. Joseph: Bistro on the Boulevard
Lakeshore: Santienellos

Advantage: Push, I can't afford either one.

Cozy places to have breakfast
St. Joseph: Dino's
Lakeshore: Bert's

Advantage: Lakeshore, (Dino's just isn't Nicholson's)

Local Pizzeria's
St. Joseph: Passero's
Lakeshore: Flour Shop

Advantage: St. Joseph, the sauce is worth it...

Distance from the nearest Walgreens:
St. Joseph: About a half mile
Lakeshore: About a half foot.

Advantage: Lakeshore

Eateries near the stadium
St. Joseph: Roxy's
Lakeshore: does it matter????

Advantage: St. Joseph... I love Roxy's

School Colors
St. Joseph: maize and blue
Lakeshore: red and white

Advantage: Push, I like the Maize and Blue for St. Joe and U of M.  But I am a die hard Detroit Red Wings fan, I've even touched the Stanley Cup. So I have an extensive collection of red and white.

Stadium pressbox cuisine
St. Joseph: varies from game to game, pasta, chicken, sandwiches.
Lakeshore: Fried chicken and sandwiches from Heavenly Ham

Advantage: Lakeshore (just need those pickles from Heavenly Ham Tom and I'd really be happy)

All Name Team:
St. Joseph: Frank Nyambweke, Belem Mpamba
Lakeshore: Coco Johnson

Advantage: Lakeshore, can you say Nyambweke and Mpamba without messing up???

What the nicknames do?
St. Joseph: Bears, they maul you.
Lakeshore: Lancers, they violently poke you

Advantage: St. Joseph

Summer Events
St. Joseph: Venetian Festival
Lakeshore: Discover Stevensville

Advantage: St. Joseph, I guess St. Joe wins this by default now

Best places for a hot dog:
St. Joseph: Hot Dog Cart along State Street each summer.
Lakeshore: Culvers

Advantage: St. Joseph

Coaches... Prior coaching locations
St. Joseph: Michigan, Western Michigan, Navy, Ohio State, Indiana, Georgetown, Minnesota, Maryland, Colorado, Cleveland Browns.
Lakeshore:  Dowagiac, Hartford

Advantage: St. Joseph... Come on, he knows Lloyd Carr, Bill Belicheck, he was friends with Bo... I don't need to say more do I?

Touchdown celebrations...
St. Joseph: Lights on the scoreboard, horn.
Lakeshore: Fireworks.

Advantage: St. Joseph, fireworks pollute the atmosphere and are a fire hazard.

Marching Bands:
St. Joseph:  D-1 ratings at Marching Fest each year, even back when I was playing drums at St. Joe
Lakeshore:  D-1 ratings at Marching Fest each year, State competitions, Fiesta Bowl trip

Advantage: Benton Harbor (Sorry, but the TMB is still the tops when it comes to exciting bands for a football game)

Biggest irony
St. Joseph: Lakeshore drive runs next to the stadium
Lakeshore: St. Joseph drive runs through downtown Stevensville

Advantage: Push

Second biggest irony
St. Joseph: The "City" boys play on real grass.
Lakeshore: The "Farm" boys play on fake grass. 

Advantage: Lakeshore

Polish Radio Announcer
St. Joseph: Bret Witkowski - "The Taxman"
Lakeshore: Al Pscholka - "The Polish Prince"

Advantage: St. Joseph, don't want the taxman upset at you.

There you have it.  We've broken the game down scientifically.

Posted by Dave Wolf at 11:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Friday Night Kickoff - Week 6 Outlook

In case you didn't realize it, St. Joe/Lakeshore is this week.  This will preview the other games in the area.

Big 16
St. Joe/Lakeshore.. Ok that's enough if you haven't had enough previews of this game, then you are already camped out at the stadium already.

Benton Harbor best chance to pick up a win is tonight when they host Mattawan, the Tigers and Wildcats are both 0-5 on the year.   Benton Harbor after losing to Jackson Lumen Christi and Lakeshore, two state powerhouses year in and year out get a chance for their new quarterback to get into a game where he's not like the Detroit Lions playing... well anybody else.  But the Tigers quarterback now has had two games to adjust to the new offense.   Plus Benton Harbor if anything else... Needs to score some points this week.  Benton Harbor has scored a grand total of 18 points this season, they scored 12 in week 1 against Portage Northern, and 6 points at Kalamazoo Central in week 2.  The Tigers have been shut out three straight weeks.  Harper Creek, Lumen Christi, and Lakeshore, have kept the big bagel on the scoreboard for the Tigers... 

Ever the optimist, If you've listened to "The Coaches" on Saturday's (also here at http://midwest.ezstream.com), you'd know that Benton Harbor's coaching staff are not quitting, the players are motivated, they are still planning on turning this around and they're working hard.  That's good enough for me.  I'll take the Tigers to win this game tonight.   Benton Harbor, at home, with the TMB playing loud and proud.

Niles
A tough loss at St. Joe last week, the Vikings never were really in the game.  The Vikings recorded a total of 3 yards in the second half in the 34-3 loss.  The Vikings tried to keep the Bears offense off the field, but it didn't matter as the Bears offense didn't take long to find the endzone.  It's not an easy task for Niles today either... They host Portage Northern this week, the Huskies two losses are to 5-0 St. Joe and 5-0 Lakeshore, they had great games against the Bears and Lancers but couldn't get it done.

Lakeland

Berrien Springs is hoping to get back to the .500 mark and most likely will get there when they visit Bridgman tonight.

Coloma has a critical game tonight against Buchanan, not just because it's against Buchanan, but what Coloma still has down the line, Cassopolis looms in week 8 and the Comets postseason hopes depends on wins against either Buchanan tonight or Cass in week 8.

Red Arrow-SJV

LMC really has their backs against the wall, the Lakers are 3-2 and still have 5-0 Mendon and 4-1 White Pigeon still on the schedule.  The loss to Centreville last week might have cost the Lakers a chance at the playoffs.

Wolverine

Rememember when Gull Lake was the Wolverine Conference Champs.  The Blue Devils are now 0-5 and face 0-5 Allegan tonight.  A rough fall from the top.   Although it could be worse, you could be a Cubs fan.  After the games in Chicago, there might be some truth to the "Curse" rumors in Chicago.

South Haven is really in good shape. They control their own destiny, The Rams still have games against Three Rivers and Vicksburg, but they also have games against 1-4 Comstock and 0-5 Allegan.  The game that will make or break the Rams is the game against Vicksburg in week 8.

Posted by Dave Wolf at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As we continue our preview of the big St. Joe Lakeshore game this Friday, let's look at the home team for Friday. The Lakeshore Lancers.

It's hard to argue with what the Lakeshore Lancers have done under Denny Dock.  The Lakeshore football program may have officially started in 1957, but you could really say that "Lakeshore Football" didn't really start until 1988 when Denny Dock left Dowagiac and took over the coaching position at Lakeshore.  Previous to his role at Lakeshore.

After three straight losing seasons where the Lancers had a combined record of 7-19 including a 1-8 record in 1987, Dock was brought in, and like St. Joe did recently with coach Uzelac, the Lancers had an immediate turn around.

The Lancers had their first winning record since 1987 and only thier second winning season since 1981.  It would get better for Lakeshore as the 1989 season played out.  Lakeshore went 7-2 and the final exclaimation on that season was the Lancers 17-14 win over arch rival St. Joe, whom the Lancers haven't beaten since 1979, of course they didn't play for five of those 10 years.

During the past 21 seasons Dock has been at the helm of the Lakeshore program, he has a combined record of 161-50 at Lakeshore, taken Lakeshore to their first playoff appearance in 1992, followed by playoff appearances in 1994 and then 10 consecutive appearances from 1998-2007.  During Dock's tenure at Lakeshore, the Lancers have not had a losing season and have finished the regular season unbeaten 3 times (1992, 1994, and 2005).  But most Lakeshore fans will remember the 17 game winning streak against St. Joseph from 1992-2006.

The Lancers also built the new Al Stockman Stadium in 1998 which many refer to as "The House that Dock Built."  Which has become one of the top facilities in the region.  Compared to the wooden bleachered Lancer Field.  The Lancers also just added the Million Dollar artificial turf field named Kohn-Lehmann Field at Al Stockman Stadium. 

Last season's Lancers finished a somewhat dissapointing 7-4, while the Lancers continued their streak of winning seasons and playoff berths, the Lancers saw the 17 game win streak against the Bears end with a 21-3 loss one year ago.  The Lancers also lost to the Bears 49-14 to put an end to the Lancers 2007 season.

Going into the season, some questions surrounded the Lakeshore offense as only one starter remained from the previous team.  There is an appropriate cliche' describing Lakeshore.  "They don't rebuild... They Reload"

The one remaining starter QB Zak Wasserman has led the Lancers to a 5-0 record this season.  With the help of slotback Coco Johnson and running back Adam Miller the Lancers have shown that their offensive questions leading into the season may have been erased.  

The main part of the Lancer success so far this season has been the defense.  The Lancers have only given up 28 ponts this season and two of those were on a safety.  Lakeshore's stingy defense has already pitched three shutouts this season.  Shutting out Coldwater 48-0, Jackson Lumen Christi 17-0, and Benton Harbor 41-0.

Special teams for the Lancers is also providing a spark as Coco Johnson tied a school record with a 99 yard kickoff return against Jackson Lumen Christi, plus the Lancers have one of the area's top placekickers in senior Kai Peng.

Recapping the season so far

August 28 - Lakeshore 48, Coldwater 0
at Al Stockman Stadium, Stevensville
Lakeshore jumped all over Coldwater, scoring 28 points in the first quarter en route to a 48-0 win. Lakeshore got two touchdowns from Coco Johnson and Zak Wasserman ran for 1 TD and threw for 2 more in the Lancers win.

September 6 - Lakeshore 17, Jackson Lumen Christi 0
at Withington Stadium, Jackson
Lakeshore's Coco Johnson ran the opening kickoff back 99 yards for a touchdown in the Lancers 17-0 shutout victory at Jackson Lumen Christi,  Johnson also scored on a 17 yard pass reception in the second quarter.

September 12 - Lakeshore 20, Battle Creek Lakeview 6
at Spartan Memorial Stadium, Battle Creek
Lakeshore’s Coco Johnson ran for an 86 yard touchdown and had a 35 yard touchdown reception as Lakeshore beat Battle Creek Lakeview 20-6.  Kai Peng had two field goals for Lakeshore.

September 19 - Lakeshore 24, Portage Northern 22
at Al Stockman Stadium, Stevensville
Portage Northern rallied from a 24-2 deficit against Lakeshore, but the Huskies were unable to convert on a 2 point conversion with less than three minutes left to fall 24-22.

September 26 - Lakeshore 41, Benton Harbor 0
at Al Stockman Stadium, Stevensville
Quarterback Zak Wasserman ran for three touchdowns and passed for another as Lakeshore improved to 5-0 with a 41-0 win over Benton Harbor.

Posted by Dave Wolf at 11:46 PM | Permalink

Before I start.   It's really starting to seem like fall, I stepped outside last night during the intermission of the Red Wings/Montreal preseason game (I really am a hockey nut), and the wind was really blowing, plus it even... "smelled" like fall.  It sure is cold enough

But now for the game.

As we continue our preview of the big St. Joe Lakeshore game this Friday, let's look at the visiting team for Friday. The St. Joseph Bears

It's hard to believe that the Bears were a winless team just three seasons ago.  The Bears only winless season in school history.  After John Van Wagoner was not retained as the head coach, St. Joe's coaching search was in the final stages before a resume came in very late.  That late entry into the coaching search would be the catalyst for the resurgence of the St. Joseph football program.  

Elliot Uzelac, a coaching veteran who served as an assistant coach for numerous college programs, including the staff of Bo Shembechler at the University of Michigan.  As well as head coach at Western Michigan University, and the US Naval Academy wanted to return to Michigan, thanks to a another former assistant at Michigan, he was informed of the vacancy at St. Joe, and made the decision to apply.  The rest is history.

St. Joe would finish 2006 at 6-5 including a playoff win over Gull Lake.  St. Joe would then would finish the 2007 regular season undefeated and finished the year 12-1, only losing to eventual state champion East Grand Rapids in the state semifinals.

This season the Bears seem well on their way to matching that magical run of 2007.

So far the Bears have wins over Battle Creek Harper Creek (34-0), Marshall (35-12), Portage Northern (20-7), Battle Creek Central 67-35, and Niles (34-3).

In week 1, the Bears only allowed 103 yards of total offense against Harper Creek.  The Bears got two touchdowns each from Drake Smith and Ryan Bock.  It wasn't know at the time, but that would be the last game Ryan Bock will play this season as he tore his ACL after falling in the second quarter.  Bock, who did play later in the game would get the bad news the next week at practice.

Drake Smith would then be called on to fill in that hole, and he filled it well.  Smith would rush for 178 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Marshall.  At Portage Northern, Smith ran for 214 yards with another touchdown.  But the one that turned heads was the 245 yards rushing and 6 touchdowns in the record breaking 67-35 win at Battle Creek Central.  Smith had another 156 yards rushing an a touchdown in the win over Niles.

Drake Smith also handles the PAT's and Kickoffs.

The Bears offense isn't all Drake Smith either.  Junior quarterback Sean Guinane is quickly filling the gap left by outgoing senior Ethan Schweir.  Guinane who served as the backup QB to Schweir last year has thrown for 7 TD's so far this season and is 43 of 64 passing.

The Bears wide outs are led by Senior Matt Jewell who has 321 yards on 20 receptions and 3 TD's, Jay Nimtz has 79 yards on 7 catches for 2 TD's.

On defense, beware of linebacker Johnny Schweir who leads the Bears with 39 tackles and 1 interception.  Also look out for Nose Guard Josh Weaver who has 17 tackles as well as three sacks as well as a blocked punt.

Recapping the season so far...

August 29 - St. Joseph 34, Battle Creek Harper Creek 0
at Dickinson Stadium, St. Joseph
The Bears would open the 2008 season the way they started 2007, with a blowout win over Battle Creek Harper Creek.  St. Joe got two touchdowns each from Ryan Bock and Drake Smith, and one touchdown from Jamaal Jackson.  St. Joe allowed only 103 yards of offense.

September 5 - St. Joseph 35, Marshall 12
at Dickinson Stadium, St. Joseph
Drake Smith scored two touchdowns and Sean Guinane threw two touchdown passes to Jay Nimtz in the Bears 35-12 win over Marshall.  The Bears also got a touchdown run from Jamaal Jackson.

September 12 - St. Joseph 20, Portage Northern 7
at McCamley Field, Portage
The Bears got 214 yards rushing and a touchdown from Drake Smith in the Bears 20-7 road victory at Portage Northern.  Sean Guinane had one rushing touchdown and Devonte Jones ran for a 80 yard kickoff return.

September 19 - St. Joseph 67, Battle Creek central 35
at C.W. Post Field, Battle Creek
A record setting night for the Bears as St. Joe scored a school record 67 points and Drake Smith had a record 6 touchdown runs as the Bears offense overwhelmed the BCC defense.  Jamaal Jackson scored 2 TD's while Chris Killebrew had another TD for the Bears.

September 26 - St. Joseph 34, Niles 3
at Dickinson Stadium, St. Joseph
The Bears showed that the passing attack is just as dangerous as the running attack.  Sean Guinane threw 4 touchdown passes, 2 to Michael Carter and 2 to Matt Jewell.  Guinane was 8 of 13 for 163 yards.  Drake Smith still added 156 yards rushing on 15 carries and 1 touchdown.  The Bears out gained Niles 392-113.  The Bears defense only allowed Niles a total of three net yards and zero first downs in the second half.

Coming up tomorrow, we'll look at the home team, the Lakeshore Lancers...

Posted by Dave Wolf at 01:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)