Western

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…

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…