Photo by Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports
By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Michigan Center — Win and in.
It’s as simple and as complicated as that for the Michigan Center football team.
Last weekend the Cardinals were on life support, sitting at 4-3 on the season and taking on an undefeated Grass Lake team everyone in their right mind would have picked to improve to 8-0.
“It was an upset in a lot of people’s eyes,” Center coach Troy Allen said with a laugh. “We found a way to beat a great program. I think there’s been a great rivalry there, and for us, it was do or die. We needed it.”
Center got it by a 24-22 final, earning the fifth win of the season while setting up Thursday’s road game at Quincy for a chance to automatically qualify for the state playoffs.
“We started the year wanting to win the conference and make the playoffs,” Allen said. “We didn’t take care of one of those, but now we have a chance at the other.”
The season started rough for the Cardinals, who were just 1-2 after three weeks. But their 4-1 mark since then has come in large part to a defense allowing roughly 13 points per game, and an offense that’s seemed to find its groove.
But desperation will be on both sidelines Thursday.
Quincy started the year 5-0, but has since dropped three consecutive games and faces a must win as well.
“The biggest thing for us is limiting our turnovers,” Allen said of his offense. “We’ve been a turnover machine this year, even three last week against Grass Lake. … We’ve had too many games where we’ve found ways to fumble inside the 20, or throw an interception hen the safer play was there.”
As for his defense, which is set to face a Quincy offense averaging nearly 30 points per game?
“We have to play disciplined football,” Allen said. “We have to be in the right spot and trust our guys. If they follow their responsibility, we’re going to be all right.”
Center hasn’t been to the playoffs since going 8-1 in 2013, and, as he spoke Tuesay night, that fact wasn’t lost on Allen.
“This is the biggest game of the season, without question,” he said. “I think the kids are ready as they can be. I’m excited. I feel like we’re playing the type of football now I thought we could early on. There’s going to be nerves, of course, but we just want to get at it. I wish it was Thursday right now.”
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’
Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.
Visit http://lovedefinedbook.weebly.com for more information.