Football Preview Week II

As Mystery Ref always says, "Without referees, it's just recess."

By Ken DeLaat, N3 Sports
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Ok, that first game is now history and teams have had a week's practice to wotk out the bugs, fine tune their game or in some cases perhaps look at a major overhaul.
The Lions, Tigers, and Indians are on the road while the Packers entertain at home and the Panthers get their neighbors coming in from down south on M120 for a matchup. Too early to see who has what but this week should shed some light. 


Newaygo at Central Montcalm  
The Hornets hired Coach Scott Cripe after going 0-9 in ‘18 and have been in the post season 4 of 5 seasons since. This year they move to the White Division, a definite advantage since they haven’t been able to get past Reed City or Big Rapids and neither is on their schedule.
This will be a tough test for the Lions, a road game against the likely top contender in the White who slapped 55 on the board in their opener. If Newaygo can come out of here with a win it will be well earned and could make for an interesting season for Lion fans. 

Grant at Tri County
It was a good start for the Tigers but TC is not K-ville. Coach Butler seems to have reloaded after losing some key talent last year if the Vikes win over Comstock Park is any indication. This rivalry isn’t like the one with Newaygo (next week) but it’s there. 62 games between the two and each has won 30 with 2 ties. TC has won the last 3. The Tigers would love to be building some Mo heading into the Big One next week but it ain’t gonna come easy

Manistee at Fremont
I have it on good authority (according to him) that the Packers will take this one over the Mariners. They moved the ball pretty well against Hopkins but the Vikings dropped 45 on the Packer D. Manistee took it to Kalkaska but the Blazers aren’t exactly a powerhouse. Fremont is at home and isn’t taking that long bus ride north. I’ll go with my advisor on this one despite his rep of being a bit of a homer. 

Holton at Hesperia 
Three years ago the Red Devils whipped the Panthers in a win that sent them to the postseason. It was not only the last time they beat Hespo it was their last time they beat anyone. 21 losses later they head to Panther country. Last season the Devils couldn’t score and couldn’t stop anyone. A  59-0 loss to Morley indicates not much has changed. Panthers should manage to go 2-0 for the first time since their magical 2015 season.

White Cloud at Harrison
When you get down early as the Cloud did against Shelby every mistake, every turnover, every bad call seems to magnify itself and often results in points for the opposition. The team has some talent if not numbers, but they can't let the Hornets jump out early. and be forced once again into playing catch up. They need to stick close and hope for a big play or 2 going their way.

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