Around the north

Week 6 – A good week to be a football fan.

Games I wish I was going to be at.

Northwest

Frankfort v. Suttons Bay. SB had some struggles last week with Mesick, but really probably should have had the game in hand earlier than they did. Even without Hernandez, SB is a pretty good team. I think SB can get this one done, but look for it to be an interesting game.

Suttons Bay 27 – Frankfort 14

Benzie v. Mesick. This one is interesting due to the importance of the game with regards to making the playoffs. Mesick needs to win out, and has three very winnable games after this one. Benzie only needs to win 3 of 4, but not only will this one be tough, they have Suttons Bay, the Soo, and Ludington left. Looking at the common opponents for these two teams in Frankfort and Kingsley doesn’t tell a whole lot other than it should be a good one. The Loney talk has me favoring Benzie.

Benzie 24 – Mesick 22

Ski Valley

Central Lake v. Mancelona. The big question here is if CL’s QB will be healthy enough to play yet. Mancelona hasn’t won this one since 1998 and likely haven’t had as good of a chance since. The common opponents in Jo-berg and GSM show pretty similar scores. I like that Mancy has possibly finally figured out a coaching situation that works for them, although it still needs to play out some. With only four games left, they have some tough games to get those two wins they need. CL has a slightly easier road to the two wins they need and their QB issues (back or not) might be too much to over come the Duerkson threat. Mancy needs this one more.

Mancelona 18 – CL 13

Bellaire v. Inland Lakes. Is Bellaire the sleeper team of the ski valley this year? They lost a close one to Marion who is doing fairly well. They also handled Forest Area earlier. What I don’t like about Bellaire, is the loss to Onaway. I Lakes has a nice win vs. a depleted Central Lake team, but lost the close one to a questionable Rogers City team. I think Bellaire is headed for the playoffs.

Bellaire 30 – I Lakes 24

Highland

Evart v. Whittemore-Prescott. Evart showed last week that they have the team that can get it done, but this week they get a bigger school with more tradition. WP doesn’t have much for quality wins other than Mio in week one. I think Evart has shown they can put the points on the board.

Evart 34 – WP 26

North Star

Hillman v. Lincoln Alcona. Both of these teams lost close ones to Mio, but Lincoln Alcona got thumped by Rogers City. Hillman lost a tough one to Rogers City. But, then again, both had close games with Au Gres. Hillman has the better shot at the playoffs based on remaining schedule. I think they will recognize that and get it done.

Hillman 22 – Lincoln Alcona 13

Straights Area

Cheboygan v. St. Ignace. This game is probably an easy prediction, but will be interesting to see what Iggy is made of. As opposed to past years, I like the schedule that Iggy has in terms of preparation for a Division 7 playoff game(s). I look for Iggy to play tough early, but Cheboygan will be too much to handle.

Cheboygan 34 – Iggy 14

Other Interest

TC Central v. Gaylord. Not much going on in the Big North this week. This game might not end up close, but TCC’s coach is making things happen quickly. It will be interesting to see how Central hangs around in this one, but Gaylord should get it done

Elk Rapids v. Charlevoix. Charlevoix is looking for a way to salvage their season and ER is looking to clinch the playoff spot. Just not much going on in the LMC this week. Charlevoix might put up more of a fight than expected, but I think ER clinches that spot.

Rudyard v. Rogers City. Both of these teams are looking toward the playoffs. Rudyard at 3-2 has more on the line with Cheboygan still on the schedule. Rudyard gets it done.

Week 5 thoughts

Games I wish I was going to be at.

TC West v. Gaylord

Will Gaylord continue to its air assault after a week off? West rolled by Cadillac, will they have a let down. I think both teams come out flat. I think the punt is going to be the best play in the first half, and then things will open up in the second. In the end, I don’t think enough plays go Gaylord’s way like they did against Cheboygan.

West 31 Gaylord 23

Lake City v. Evart

Lake City fared well last week versus Beal, but Evart is rolling. I just don’t see enough competition in Evart’s previous schedule to pick them. Not that it is their fault. I just like the LC wins against Mesick and Houghton Lake, as well as their tough loss to Beal.

LC 28 Evart 26

Benzie v. Kingsley

This one is mostly about whether Kingsley will have a let down or not. Still not sure who Benzie is yet. I think Kingsley will continue to play well.

Kingsley 24 Benzie 15

Hillman v. Mio

Is Mio in a downward trend? There are finally some other teams making this conference at least interesting. The common opponent here is Arenac Eastern. They both thumped them pretty good. Hillman 38-0, Mio 57-13. So that one doesn’t say a whole lot other than they are about equally better. I’m not sure if I like Hillman loss to Rogers City, better than I do the Mio loss to W-P. I think it might be Hillman’s time.

Hillman 26 Mio 24

Central Lake v. St. Mary

Is St. Mary on a downward trend? Is everyone playing for Central Lake this week? Not too many games of interest in the Ski Valley this week. I look for enough kids to be ready to go for Central Lake, and they get it done impressively.

CL 33 GSM 18

Worth Mentioning

Boyne v. Charlevoix

Slow week in the Lake Michigan. But look out for some upcoming interest in the next couple weeks. This one is interesting only because of the rivalry, and will help shed some light on some other teams.

Got to go Boyne on this one.

St. Ignace v. Rudyard

I’m having a hard time getting a feel for this one. I think I like St. Ignace’s schedule just a little better.

Iggy

I Lakes v. Rogers City

Even though IL knocked of Central Lake last week, they had help from CL. I think this one gives a little more indication to whether or not Rogers City can be a playoff contender.

RC

Week 4 thoughts

Week 4

Games I wish I was going to be at:

Big North

TC West v. Cadillac – This is an interesting game due to the early indications that this one has conference implications. With Gaylord off this week, Big North eyes will be on this one. Cadillac has a nice win vs. Big Rapids, but strength of schedule goes to West so far by not only playing the teams from the ok, but Kingsford is no slouch, regardless of their enrollment vs. West.

I think West gets it done, 28-22

Northwest

Benzie v. Glen Lake - Here is one that is a little confusing. Glen Lake lost to a bigger school in Coloma, but played a real good Suttons Bay team pretty tough. Benzie beat an OK conference team in Comstock Park, as well as Charlevoix, but dropped one to Frankfort. I think Benzie has shown a little more.

Benzie 20, GL 15

Suttons Bay v. Kingsley – This one might seem like a down Kingsley team playing a heavily favored Suttons Bay team, but I don’t see it that way. Suttons Bay’s win over SF in week one, although impressive, was still in week one. It remains to be seen what that game really meant at this point since some teams get so much better from week one through mid season. Kingsley’s loss in week one was, in week one, and to a school with 160 more kids. Kingsley also beat a bigger school in Harrison, and what might be a good team in Mesick. With the rivalry, I think this one is closer than people think.

Suttons Bay 26, Kingsley 20

Lake Michigan

Boyne City v. TCSF – The trouble with this game is that Boyne hasn’t played any tough competition yet, and SF has played some of the best. Boyne’s coaches will have them ready and the kids will come out expecting it to be tough. The emotional win vs. Nouvel might have led SF to a flat performance vs. Charlevoix. That should be enough for them to recharge and get by Boyne.

SF 32, Boyne 19

Highland

Beal City v. Lake City – How good is Lake City. Too early to tell, but they will find out a lot tonight. Beal’s loss was 9-0 to Clare, a school with 254 more kids and a decent program. Lake City beat a bigger school in Houghton Lake, but they’re 0-3. Lake City did get by a pretty good 1-2 Mesick team. In the end, program and tradition beat the upstart.

Beal 35, Lake City 18

Straights Area

Cheboygan v. Sault Ste. Marie – The common opponent here is Marquette. Cheboygan won 35-0, the Soo won 27-14. The other two games, the Soo just hasn’t played the competition. Cheboygan’s loss is to a very good Gaylord team in a very tight game. I think Cheboygan is getting back to days of old.

Cheboygan 34, Soo 13

Other games worth mentioning:

St. Ignace v. Rogers City – Iggy based on schedule

Cedarville v. Rapid River – Cedarville still has some athletes

Central Lake v. Indian River – CL is still the team, but I Lakes is getting better.