Football Preview Week VI

Don't blame him.Mystery ref wasn't part of the crew at the flag filled Newaygo/Grant game last week

By Ken DeLaat, N3 Sports

Newaygo (1-2, 2-3) at Reed City (3-1,4-1)
The Lions nabbed a victory on homecoming and edged into a 33-32 lead over their down the road a piece rivals from Grant. Their offense has come alive after a sputtering start to the season and they are likely to once again put up some points against the Coyotes.
But will it be enough?
Reed City is averaging 50 points a game. 50!
Big Rapids stayed with them for a while before the Yotes pulled away and Tri County won a shootout by holding that potent RC offense to a mere 40 points. Last week they gained over 400 yards on the ground so the O-line is doing their job.
 I like the Lion D. They have personnel that can make big plays and  but they are facing a team that can grind down defenses,
And the game is in Coyote Country, a wickedly tough place for visitors.

Fremont (0-2,3-2) at Orchard View (0-2,0-5)
The Packers should get back on the winning track when they visit OV and nail down their first WMC W,. Granted it’s an away game (the 3rd of 4 straight on the road) but the Cardinals are struggling to stop anyone in the trenches and the Fremont O-line should give Dirheimer and Co. ample running room.

Grant (1-2,1-4)at Big Rapids (3-1,3-2)
The Tigers offense is primarily an air attack and it’s not unusual to see a 5 wide set at any time. The Cardinals are very aware of this as well as Obenauf’s ability to scrabble so they will likely be showing a bit of blitzkrieg from time to time. Grant’s defense pulled together after the first half last week, holding Newaygo scoreless during that flag-filled fiasco, but BR can roll up the points in a hurry. Three of their next 4 games will see the Tigers facing teams who will likely be playing in week 10. 
This is one.

Muskegon Hts (0-5) at White Cloud (0-1,3-2)
The Cloud hasn’t lost to a team with a losing record.
Their final four are all teams with a losing record.
The Tigers are 0-5  but they have played a tough schedule  so Coach Gorman’s team needs to jump out early and not let them hang around. WC won’t likely put up 60 like they did last week against a battered Holton squad but their line play has been tough all season and should be able to give their talented backfield some room to run. 

Tri County (3-0,5-0) at Central Montcalm (0-3,1-4)
The Hornets didn’t host a game for the first 4 weeks of the season.
Then last week their first time on home field they get powerhouse Reed City.
THe Vikes are rolling toward a possible title and are unlikely to stumble here with a possible conference clincher on tap next week against BR.

Hesperia (0-2,1-4) at Ravenna (3-0,4-1)
The Dawgs have 3 tough games ahead of them after this one but Coach Ego isn’t likely to let them look past this one. The Panthers lost a heartbreaker in OT last week and also lost their starting QB to injury. Could be a long night for the Black Cats.


Holton (0-2,0-5) at Shelby (1-2,1-4)
The Tigers are coming off their first win since late 2019 and it’s their Homecoming. The Devs were trampled by White Cloud’s running game and have been outscored 271-14 thus far.
Things look good for Shelby to put up their first 2 game winning streak since 2014.

Kent City (2-0, 5-0) at Morley Stanwood (0-1,0-5)
This game has been a tussle for the title the past several years.
Not this year.
The Eagles should have few problems sewing up the Silver.