Michigan Center hosts Hillsdale in playoff opener
Michigan Center hosts Hillsdale on Friday in playoff opener What: Division 6 pre-district Where: Michigan Center High School When: 7:00p.m Friday Michigan Center Cardinals 8-1, 6-1 in the Cascades Schedule W Climax-Scotts 35-6 W Hanover-Horton 15-0 L Napoleon 17-14 W East Jackson 62-0 W Addison 36-24 W Manchester 21-14 W Vandercook Lake 51-0 W Grass Lake 41-14 W Reading 45-43 Offensive PPG: 35.5 Defensive PPG Allowed: 13.1 W/L in games decided by 7 points or less: 2-1 Hillsdale Hornets 5-4, 4-3 in LCAA Schedule W Jonesville 25-14 L Ionia 35-14 L Dundee 20-7 W Erie Mason 41-0 L Onsted 31-7 L Hudson 51-8 W Blissfield 28-20 W Ida 27-8 W Columbia Central 17-10 Offensive PPG: 19.3 Defensive PPG Allowed: 21 W/L in games decided by 7 points or less: 1-0
Lumen title defense begins with challenge of not looking past Quincy
By Mike Moore Photo Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports Staff Writer Jackson — Should he have to, Herb Brogan can reference the 2013 playoff opener, or go back to 2012 or 2010 or even as far back as 2006. The years are all different, but the outcome the same. In each of those seasons, Brogan and his Lumen Christi football team entered the postseason as favorites to go on a run. In each of those postseasons, the Titans were on the outside looking in after one week. “We know it can happen, because it’s happened to us before,” Brogan said of pre-district upsets. “In games like this, the focus has to be on what we do well and how we execute. If we do that, we should have a good chance to move on.” Lumen Christi rolled to another state title last year, and begins its title defense at home against Quincy Friday night in a Division 6 opener. The Titans went 7-1 in their eight-game schedule, and will host a Quincy team that went 5-4 and is in the playoffs for…
Western travels to Haslett for D3 pre-district
The Panthers bid for its first playoff win in program history begins with a trip to face 7-2 Haslett. The Vikings have only missed the playoffs five times since 1998, but have only one playoff win since a 2005 runner-up finish in Division 3. Western’s only other trip to the postseason came in 2015, a pre-district loss to I8 rival Coldwater. Haslett is 2-0 all-time vs. Western (2001, 2002) What: Division 3 pre-district Where: Haslett High School When: 7:00p.m Friday Haslett Vikings 7-2, 4-1 in the CAAC Red Schedule W Fowlerville 43-20 L Ortonville Brandon 20-14 W St. Johns 28-24 W Mason 24-3 W Charlotte 38-13 W Lansing Waverly 56-8 L Dewitt 28-0 W Williamston 20-14 W Petoskey 24-21 Offensive PPG: 27.4 Defensive PPG Allowed: 16.7 W/L in games decided by 7 points or less: 3-1 Western Panthers 6-3, 4-3 in the Interstate 8 Schedule W Lansing Eastern 62-12 W Battle Creek Pennfield 32-20 L Marshall 41-36 W Coldwater 28-21 W Hastings 26-14 L Battle Creek Harper Creek 33-28 L Lumen Christi 35-6 W Northwest 35-6 W Dexter 50-20 Offensive PPG: 34.5 Defensive PPG Allowed: 22.2 W/L in games decided by…
Football playoff field set, local teams ready for action
By Mike Moore Photo by Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports Staff Writer When the football season begins, teams from across the state have hopes and dreams about a long run to Ford Field and a chance at a state title. When the regular season ends, well, reality has a strong way of showing up. But, for 256 teams, the hopes for one of those eight state titles, and 16 spots in Detroit, remains alive and well. Here’s a quick look at the teams in JTV’s coverage area and their first-round playoff pairings. Exact times and dates for games will be made available Monday or Tuesday, at the latest. Let the fun begin Lumen Christi rolled to another state title last year, and begins its title defense at home against Quincy this weekend in a Division 6 opener. The Titans went 7-1 in their eight-game schedule, and will host a Quincy team that went 5-4 and is in the playoffs for just the second time (2014) since 2005. Quincy’s last playoff appearance ended abruptly in a 53-16 loss to, well, Lumen. The Lumen-Quincy winner will take…
Home playoff game on the line as Columbia looks to upend Hillsdale
By Mike Moore Photo by Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports Staff Writer Brooklyn — A playoff spot secure, the Columbia Central football team is trying to get a bit greedy now. And why not? Come Sunday night we’ll know where the 256 playoff teams fall, but Golden Eagles’ coach Josh Kubiak is fairly certain his guys could be playing at home in the pre-regional round. If, if they find a way to win Friday night at Hillsdale. “We’re going to have to match their urgency,” Kubiak said of the Hornets, who are 4-4 and will have a decent shot at making the tournament with five wins. “They are in a spot where they absolutely have to win, so we know they are going to be ready to go.” The need to win is one thing, but Hillsdale is also seeking some needed revenge. The Hornets lost to Columbia 29-28 in last year’s finale, officially ending their playoff hopes. In 2015, Columbia snuck away with a 26-22 victory. “I think it’s fair…
Western football stressing focused approach in must win against Dexter
By Mike Moore Photo by Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports Staff Writer Parma — There are some obvious particulars to focus on here. First, this is a must win in every sense of the term. Secondly, there can be no looking past anyone, not at this stage, not with this much on the line. Thirdly, well, it’s a must win, which needs repeating. “I’m pretty confident we are not in with five wins,” Western football coach Dave Mifsud said Wednesday night while speaking of this weekend’s tilt against Dexter. “I mean, there’s a chance, I guess, but I don’t think we’re in with only five wins.” Fourthly, this is a must win. Ok, enough of that, but the point is clear. The Panthers got what they needed last weekend in a lopsided victory over Northwest, and on Friday need one more win to go to 6-3 and secure an automatic playoff berth for the second time in three years. Simple enough, until you look at the opponent, an 0-8 Dexter team, and consider what else…
