Football Preview: Week IX

Mystery Ref peering at playoff possibilities

Holton, Grant, White Cloud still have a shot at the dance with new playoff qualifications

By Ken De Laat, N3 Sports

Newaygo (1-7)  at Holton (5-3)
The Red Devils sit in the 27th spot in the D8 playoff race with the top 32 teams getting an invite to game #10.They have an impressive offense led by Fowler’s arm  with Ericson, Hosmer, Robins and Nichols among his TD  targets. The defense rises to the occasion with several players capable of creating opportunities. Their 3 losses include the season opener to Hart, a tough 2 point loss on the road to Morley and a Kent City game that got away from the Devs via turnovers.
The Lions?
They’ve won once, a mid season home victory over Fremont. They’ve been in some games but hit a low point last week in a loss to a Chip Hills team that had not even come close in any other game this season
Still, there’s that Lion Pride to play for if not a playoff spot.
The Perfect Storm here however, is that the Lions have struggled all year with yielding big plays while Holton thrives on delivering such plays.
The RD's are at home, had a rest week courtesy of a Wyoming Lee forfeit, and would love to take their high octane offense into  the second season with first year Holton Coach Alex Smith.

White Cloud (4-4)  at Hart (3-5)
The Cloud has a shot at the playoffs!
They currently rank 28th in playoff points for D8 and a win at Hart Friday would likely earn them a seat at the dance for the first time since ‘03. I know, I know they were in last year but so was everyone else so it's not like it was earned.
But they most likely need this win. And while it took a visit from winless Shelby to snap the Pirates 5 game skid, they are 2-0 against the Silver having dispatched Kent City and Holton, two of the upper echelon teams in the division in the early part of the season. 
It would be great to see the Cloud players take the field in a postseason battle. Even if it meant facing off with a D8 powerhouse like Beal City or the Heights. 
But they can’t fall behind early on the road and need to minimize the turnovers that have haunted them in their losses.

Kent City (5-2) at Grant (3-5)
In D5 the Tigers sit at 33rd just one spot away from being in the postseason party. Even though they have  yet to beat a team with a winning record. Of course  they would probably need a team or two in front of them to lose even if they beat the Eagles but if they falter in game #9 there won’t be a game #10. 
Despite a better record the Eagles would need more help than Grant for a shot at the dance. They are 38th and among the teams in front of them is the Morley team (34th) the Eagles had to forfeit to. A win over Grant would elevate their chances and combined with a few falters by the teams in front of them the Eagles could, and should be in the playoff picture.

Fremont (1-7) at Cadillac (6-2)
Cadillac is in. The Packers have won once. Cadillac gave Reed City their only loss. Reed City dropped 30 3rd quarter points on the Packers last week.
It’s been a tough season for Fremont on and off the field. A year that began with a bit of promise is ending with the same scarcity of wins Packer fans have witnessed the last half dozen years.
It’s on the road and while the Vikings have lost to each of the Traverse City schools, they also grinded out a win over a really good Portland team last week.
The hosts will be wanting to pad their resume to secure a home game in the second season. The Packers will give them a game, but this one’s stacked against them.
 
Tri County (7-1) at Manistee (5-3)
The Vikings are in. Manistee is likely in but a loss could jeopardize their spot.
TC could be seeing a rematch of last week's battle in Big Rapids in game #10

Hesperia (0-7) at Shelby (0-8)
The best shot at a win for the Panthers comes in their final game when they visit the Tigers of Shelby.
Why? Well, while Hespo has been outscored 316- 77 the Tigers have been dominated by a 418-24 margin. If the Panthers can score 3 times they should end the season on a high note, but final games with 2 teams looking to notch their first win?
Could go either way




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