By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Jackson — There are no breaks early on, no down times or down weeks.
So it goes in the first third of the 2016 football season for Herb Brogan and his Lumen Christi squad.
After opening the season against the three-time defending state champs from Grand Rapids West Catholic, and disposing an athletic squad from Hastings last week, the Titans now face the task of a Battle Creek Harper Creek team that’s 2-0 on the young year and has outscored its opponents by a 74-10 total.
“It’s going to be a dog fight,” Brogan said simply. “We have to be at our best.”
Lumen is 1-1 entering the game, and it should be noted that Harper Creek’s opponents thus far are a combined 0-4.
Still, Brogan and his guys aren’t taking anything lightly.
“That’s a very veteran team,” he said of the Beavers, who were just 3-6 last year. “They brought back almost everyone from last year. They are very athletic with good team speed, and they play an aggressive defense that’s going to send guys inside and bring guys off the edge. As far as their offense, they are very wide open. They run three different styles very well, the pro, the wing-T and the spread.”
In other words, the Titans have to be ready for a little bit of everything as they look to improve to 2-0 in I-8 play.
“We’re going to have play a little better defense up front,” Brogan said. “We’re going to need guys to rotate and be ready to go. At the same time on offense, we have to protect the quarterback and control the line of scrimmage. If we’re able to control the line, we’re going to have a great chance to win.”
Lumen is 6-2 all-time against Harper Creek, though last year’s 20-17 victory was anyone’s for the taking.
Brogan also said he saw plenty of improvement in his guys from the first week to the second.
“The performance and execution were so much better,” he added. “Obviously, Hastings is no West Catholic, but the way we executed was much better.”
And that will be the focus Friday, against a team that’s started hot, but still enters the game as an under dog.
“We have a chance to get that second win and take another step toward the playoffs,” Brogan said. “To be 2-0 in the conference would be great, but the main focus is moving closer to six wins.”
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.
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