Which score or result surprised you the most?
Chris: I was shocked at how Saline took Bedford out to the woodshed. I’m starting to believe that this may be Joe Palka’s best team he has ever had at Saline.
Gary: In a week where almost all of the favorites won, I think it’s safe to say that the most surprising outcome was SMCC’s 47-40 victory over the Red Devils. A game where defense took a back seat to the offense, both teams combined for nearly 1,000 total yards of offense. SMCC rolling up 580 yards on the ground, while not attempting a single pass.
Frank: I have to go with SMCC going to The Island and knocking off Grosse Ile 47-40. It’s never easy to defeat the Red Devils at home, much less roll up 580 yards on the ground. Give Adam Kipf and company credit for finding a way to win a game that all three of us had pegged as a loss.
Which team is trending up?
Chris: I would say SMCC is moving up. That was a big win against a solid Grosse Ile team on Friday. They rushed for almost 600 yards. If they can shore up the defense, division 7 will need to be on alert.
Gary: Riverview Gabriel Richard gets my upward arrow this week. The Pioneers are sitting at 4-0 and ranked #6 in Division 7. Two big games on the horizon however in Bishop Foley and a possible matchup with the #4 team in D8, Clarkston Everest. RGR is a team to look out for come playoff time.
Frank: I’ll go with Ida. Granted, I expected the Blue Streaks to win over Onsted. But nobody would have expected them to drop a bomb on the Wildcats. Has the pilot light finally turned on for Jeff Potter’s team? It couldn’t happen at a much better time, as a trip to unbeaten and second-ranked in Division 6 Blissfield is up next.
Which week 5 game appeals to you the most?
Chris: The obvious choice would be Erie Mason/Sand Creek, but I think the Monroe/Bedford game is very intriguing. This will be a battle between the two largest schools in the FNV coverage area. These teams have played 20 times since 1950 with Bedford leading the series 11-9 which includes last season’s 37-14 Mule victory
Gary: The game I’m most looking forward to is of course #7 D6 Erie Mason vs #1 D8 Sand Creek. Could these two teams be any more of a contrast is style of play? Fantastic small town matchup right here in our own backyard. Statewide respect is what is on the table in this one. This one should be a dandy.
Frank: Pretty obvious choice here with Erie Mason at Sand Creek. The Eagles are ranked #7 in Division 6, while the Aggies are ranked #1 in Division 8. The top two offenses in the Tri-County Conference, as well as the top two defenses in the conference. I know I’ve said that this is the game of the year in the TCC, but this could very well be the game of the century in the TCC.
Which FNV will make the deepest run in the playoffs?
Chris: I really like Grosse Ile’s offensive capabilities. If they can play some defense, they could very well win their district. The only team that seems to jump out at me in the district other than the Red Devils is Summit Academy.
Gary: So many variables left to be revealed in terms of the playoffs and who might make the deepest run. I see only 2 teams making it out of a district. Now, it is possible that Huron, Riverview or Carlson could knock off River Rouge but it’s not likely. It’s also possible for RGR or SMCC to knock off JLC, however they wouldn’t be the favorites. Could Erie Mason knock off Clinton and Blissfield, sure but again they would be the underdog. There are two teams with a rather “easy” path to a District crown, the Grosse Ile Red Devils and the Milan Big Reds. They are probably the best teams in their respective districts. Milan might, and it’s a big might, be the best in their Region. Time will tell, but I look for GI and Milan to be playing deep into November.
Frank: I’ll go with Riverview. Granted, the Pirates will likely have to go through River Rouge in their district, but if there’s a team in Division 3 that no one wants to play, it has to be the Pirates and their punishing ground game.
The result that surprised me the most was definitely Milan. Being down 7-6 at Half and winning the game without letting Huron get anymore points is nuts. Jesse Hoskins has his team right where he wants them. Same for which team is on the uprise. The Big Reds look to be trending up at the right time. We’ll have to see what happens these next couple of weeks, but if Milan keeps their streak going, they will go into the Playoffs strong. The most appealing game to me is the Downriver Rivalry between Grosse Ile and Riverview. Thats going to be a great game as always. I expect Riverview to win, but don’t expect a blowout. And finally, for which FNV team will go farthest, give me Riverview Richard. The Pioneers are tough. They will refuse to back down. If they go into the Playoffs with that same attitude, expect this Pioneers team to go all the way to Ford Field. Whether they will win or lose is still to be seen, but I like them a lot.
Richards most likely path to the State Title game… which wont be at Ford Field by the way.
Lumen Christi
SMCC
Schoolcraft
New Lothrop
Pewamo-Westphalia
Yikes to say the least.
Riverview Gabriel Richard plays nobody during the regular season every year until Everest. Hard to know until they actually play someone how good they really are. Riverview is solid but not in the league of Rouge. Not athletic enough (sorry).
You sound like a Riverview school fan lol. Who is as athletic as Rouge?
RGR plays Foley this week. Solid team.
I’m not ready to say SMCC is back yet. I root for both Monroe teams (Trojans and Falcons) but a shootout win over Grosse Ile is hardly anything to get excited about. Not throwing shades but their defense is still giving up 26 points a game. Jefferson is better than their record shows, they should have beat Airport, and Detroit Southeastern is undefeated and hasn’t even been scored on this year! If the Falcons can win those 2, then I will jump on the bandwagon.
Monroe looked good. I know Pioneer is missing kids but it seems like the Trojans are clicking and I personally don’t think their game against Bedford will be close. I see them upsetting Chelsea as well. This is a good Monroe team.
The Falcons are what they are… a team that plays a lot of underclassman, trying to improve each week. The win over an experienced team in GI on the island was a good one.
Not many had them winning that game.
Based on paths GI should go far and right now I would call Milan the favorite in their district but don’t sleep on Airport. This Friday Airport plays Milan in what I expect to be the first of two meetings this year. Riverview has all the makings of a team that can make a playoff run with a punishing ground game, a QB that can make timely throws and what appears to be a really good defense. But like you guys said what might hold them back is being in the same district with River Rouge and Allen Park.