By Mike Moore Photo by Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports
Staff Writer
Jackson — As the weeks go longer, the teams get tougher.
That’s a simple truth the Lumen Christi football team is all-to-familiar with over the past 12 months or so, and one that is about to be front and center again Friday night.
After a bye week to close out the regular season, coach Herb Brogan vowed his guys wouldn’t take anyone lightly entering the playoffs.
His guys didn’t, and rolled past Quincy 48-15 in a Division 6 opener.
Now, the reward is a one-loss Michigan Center team looking to win its first district title in program history.
“They are going to be ready to play, we know that,” Brogan said of the Cardinals, who are 9-1 and haven’t lost since the first week of September. “(Coach) Troy (Allen) does a great job. They’ve won a lot of football games and are going to be fired up to come in here and play.”
Brogan said his guys have to do what’s gotten them to this point, and beyond, in the past.
“Run, block and tackle,” he said. “That what we did last week. It’s what we have to do well.”
Lumen enters the game 8-1, having its only loss of the season the same weekend as Center did.
And while the Titans rolled past Quincy last week, Center snuck past Hillsdale 10-7.
Neither team allows much, with Center giving up 12.5 points per game and Lumen just 11.7, so a high-scoring shootout may not be in store.
A key play here or there?
A special teams surprise?
Who knows what will alter this one and give one team a trip to the regional round.
As is always the case, though, Brogan knows his guys have to be ready, even shrugging off the notion his team will be favored.
“I don’t know that (Center) considers itself an underdog,” he said bluntly. “The thing is, any time you play a local team that’s talented, it’s dangerous. We expect to get their best effort. We expect a battle.”
Which is why he’s happy to be playing at home.
“I don’t know if it’s an advantage or worth any points, but it’s nice,” Brogan said. “You don’t have to go anywhere. You can stick to the same routine. … This is the time of year you love, when the intensity is up and the electricity is in the air. The season can end at any moment, and that pressure is something you have to thrive on.”
The game will air on JTV on Saturday at 1pm and 7pm. For photos from tonight’s game check back after the game.
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports.
He’s also a Realtor with Real Estate One, specializing with buyers and sellers throughout Michigan, from the Jackson area to metro Detroit. You can reach him at mmoore@realestateone.com or by calling (313) 770-6365 with any inquiries.
