Concord looks for second win, district title, tonight in rematch with Homer
By Mike Moore Staff Writer Concord — As has been the case nearly all season, there’s a certain significance with tonight’s district final for the Concord football team. A year of program firsts can put another check in the record book should the Yellowjackets find a way to go to Homer and defeated one of their top rivals for a second time this fall. “If we can win this game, it will be the most successful two-year span in program history,” coach Max Clark said. “It’s an exciting time for us. There’s some history to be made.” And a district title to be won. Concord (8-2) went 7-3 a year ago, equaling the highest win total for the program in two years, set in 2001 (10-3) and 2002 (5-5). But this year’s team has plenty of experience with big games, and big wins. The Yellowjackets won the first conference title in program history, and last week, knocked off rival Springport 21-14 for the first playoff win since 2001. Now, the team faces a Homer (8-2) squad it edged 28-26 in overtime way back in Week 2. “We expect close game, just…
Pirates look to avenge Week 2 loss, pull upset at Grass Lake for district crown
By Mike Moore Staff Writer Napoleon — Following a season-opening loss to Columbia Central, Scott Ashe admitted his Napoleon football team never really recovered. “We were down, and I think as coaches, we were too hard on the guys right then,” Ashe said. “That’s on us. But that was a huge factor. We were down and never really recovered.” Not the best recipe for success when taking on Grass Lake. The Pirates learned that lesson the hard way too, being dominated by the Warriors 36-18. Two weeks in, Napoleon was 0-2 and had a season on the brink of disaster. And then, it all changed. Eight weeks, and eight wins, later, the same two teams are set to meet in a Division 6 district final at Grass Lake. Ashe said his guys have learned their lesson, are confident, and simply can’t wait for 7 p.m. Friday night. “It needs to get here,” he gushed. “I can’t sleep or eat. I just want to play this game.” Napoleon earned a spot in the Friday final after beating Michigan Center 25-24 last week, the first postseason victory for the program since October…
Lumen Christi welcomes Saturday challenge of undefeated Schoolcraft squad
By Mike Moore Photo by Ryan Kerwin, JTV Staff Writer Jackson — A Saturday road game against an undefeated opponent. That’s the next challenge for the Lumen Christi football team as the 2016 playoffs resume this weekend with district final action. For the Titans, there’s plenty to think about. A rare Saturday contest. A road game against a team that has yet to lose. Maybe even the prospect of entering as an underdog. None of which matters to Herb Brogan and his guys. “It’s a football game. We have a chance to advance, and that’s all that we’re worried about,” Brogan said. “For us, the next team in front of us is all we’re concerned about. Whether they are 10-0 or 6-4, we have to come out and perform.” The Titans did that last Friday, stunning and confusing the high-powered Watervliet attack in a 55-28 victory. School craft also defeated Watervliet this year, but a similar 51-30 final. Much like Watervliet, the Eagles can score, and score often. They enter Week 11 averaging 46.6…
Jackson’s Robinson is the MIAA football Defensive Player of the Week
Albion College had a pair of scholar-athletes picked for Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Athlete of the Week awards in their respective sports Monday. Rayshawn Robinson, a sophomore cornerback from Jackson, Mich., was named the Defensive Player of the Week in football after returning an interception 42 yards for his first touchdown at the collegiate level during Albion’s 63-20 victory over Rockford (Ill.) University last Saturday. Robinson was also credited with wrapping up five tackles in the game. Albion will play its final home football game of the season at 1 o’clock Saturday against Hope College. Sebastian Tostado, a senior from Mexico, gained the Athlete of the Week award in football after winning four events – the 200-yard medley relay and the 100 backstroke (53.64), 200 backstroke (1:57.75) and 200 individual medley (2:00.12) – in a meet against Ball State University and the Rose-Hulman (Ind.) Institute of Technology last Friday. Tostado was not initially entered to swim the 200 backstroke, but added the event to help the Britons secure a 150-131 victory over Rose-Hulman. “Sebastian was excited for the opportunity to swim against a higher level of competition,” Head Coach Jake Taber said of swimming against…
Lumen defense shuts down Watervliet early as Titans roll to district final
By Mike Moore Staff Writer Jackson — The high-powered offense certainly showed up. The only difference, it was wearing green and gold. Lumen Christi welcomed in a Watervliet team Friday night that was averaging more than 55 points per game, and then subsequently put on an offensive show of its own, jumping out to a 35-6 first half lead en route to a 55-28 victory in the opening round of the Division 6 football playoffs. “I thought we played a great football game, other than the last eight minutes of the game,” coach Herb Brogan said. “But overall, this was a great effort. We played great defense against a great offensive team, especially in the first half.” Watervliet’s offensive prowess was well documented, as the team’s nearly 60 point-per-game average was just the starting point. The Panthers were racking up nearly 500 yards of total offense every time out, had scored 60 or more on four separate occasions, and had a quarterback in Cameron Rendo who’d thrown 30 touchdowns and just five interceptions. And you would have never known any of that based on the first half. Lumen’s defense seemed to confuse…
