Football Preview: Week 3

Mystery Ref reportedly made an appearance at White Cloud last week

White Cloud at Hesperia
The Cloud is 2-0 for the first time since most of their seniors were getting ready to enter preschool.
Of course one of those wins was the forfeit by Wyoming Lee but hey a win is a win when the last time the team notched 3 victories in a season was also that 2007 year that began 2-0.
The Panthers are 0-2 and both teams that bested them have yet to lose. Coach Smith will have the Black Cats ready for their home opener so this one should be a battle between a pair of long time rivals in what might be the final CSAA season for Hesperia who are likely headed to the WMC.

Fremont at Central Montcalm
The buzz in Stanton is that this Hornet team might well be contending for a title after consecutive wins over Morley and Newaygo. They are traditionally tough at home and containing Kaleb Crooks can be a challenge.
The Packers are 0-2 but young and improving. This would be a huge step forward after dropping a pair to the O’s and Cards but it’s an uphill climb on the road against a team with title hopes.

Newaygo at Big Rapids
The Lions have been a pretty good team in the first half thus far but turnovers have hurt them after intermission. Facing down a tough CM team, QB Harkness came in and lit a spark on the offense toward game's end but the deficit proved too much to climb.
This is a tough road contest with the Cards christening their new field and the Strickler to Strickland combo giving  fits to pass defenses thus far. 
The Lions feel like a team that is almost there. Hopefully they arrive on that new  Big Rapids field on Friday. 

Holton at Morley Stanwood
The ‘Hawks have dropped their first 2 but their competition has been pretty tough. The Devs beat Coleman after a loss to Hart in the opener. It’s the first of 3 road games in a row for Holton. A win would be huge for the team under the first year tutelage of coach Alex Smith but it is not going to be an easy task. The good news is  the Mohawk defense  isn’t winning any awards thus far and the Red Devils have been able to move the ball. Whether they can do it on the Morley field will determine the eventual outcome.

Tri County at Reed City
How good are the Vikings? This Friday will reveal whether TC is a likely contender or another Gold team looking up at the Coyotes in the standings. Coach Butler’s team plays an uptempo game on offense which might help put the rugged RC D off stride but the game is  in Coyote country, always a tough venue for visitors.
I like TC’s chances here but they will need to minimize mistakes and take advantage of any miscues on the other side to take home a W.

Grant at Chippewa Hills
The Tigers are off to a slow start but the schedule maker didn’t do them any favors as they have faced 2 of the top teams in the region in Comstock Park and Reed City.
This one should give Coach Stephan a good shot at notching win number 1  if the offense can get the ball across the goal line which has been a challenge thus far. In fact the two teams combined have scored just 2 touchdowns in 16 quarters of play this season.
CH has also started with 2 rugged teams including a Gladwin squad that has outscored opponents 132-0. 
And the Warriors are playing at home for the first time this season.
A loss would give the Tigers an 0-3 mark for the first time since 2013 when they finished 1-8 and would make for a long bus ride home from Remus.

Lakeview at Kent City
The Eagles would have to self-destruct to lose this one.

​