Football Preview Week VIII

Mystery Ref's least favorite catcall: "Did they stop printing the rule book in braille?"

By Ken DeLaat, N3 Sports

Newaygo (5-2) vs. Lake Odessa Lakewood (2-5) at Kelly Shorts Stadium, CMU 
NOTE: 5 PM KICKOFF!
A great opportunity for these teams to compete on the home field of a Division 1 college program. Kudos to the Chips for stepping up when this game needed to be moved from its original site at Davenport.
As for the game itself…
The Vikings 2 wins came against teams with a cumulative 1-13 record this season. Granted, they play in the CAAC White, a tough conference in the Lansing area, but  they haven’t come close in most of those 5 losses.
The Lions are coming off a loss to a Big Rapids team that looks prepared to make a lengthy postseason run if they play like they have lately. The Lions can move the ball and should be able to put up points on Lake O. They need this one to stay in the hunt for a home game in week 10 so motivation won’t be an issue. 
Actually, motivation never seems to be an issue on Coach Munger’s squad. 

Whitehall (5-2) at Fremont (2-5)
The Vikings are cruising after starting the season 1-2. Those losses came against highly ranked D3 and D4 powerhouses from the OK Gold, a grinder of a conference. Since surviving the Dux and Crusaders they have run off 4 straight against some of the best in the conference, sealing a title with a win here and muscling themselves into the playoff picture.
And our Packer Prognosticator has gone silent this week.
Of course there’s always a chance for the host Packers to pull off the upset of the year in h.s football, but if you recall the conversation between Lloyd and Mary about chances in Dumb and Dumber…
Despite Fremont’s offensive explosion last week the Vikes are just too good on defense to allow the Pack to pile up the points they would need to pull out a W. Whitehall will likely score early and often in the first half and that lead will probably put this one on ice.

Chippewa Hills (1-6) at Grant (2-5)
With an away game at Kent City next week this is the best shot the Tigers have at posting a 3rd win. But despite their record, the Warriors have some quality athletes on both sides of the ball and they were competitive most of the game in losses to Newaygo and Tri County. 
Grant should be able to score on CH but turnovers could swing the game quickly. 
And interestingly enough, the only win for the Warriors was the only team they have faced with a losing record.
Until this Friday.  

White Cloud (1-6) at Central Montcalm (6-1)
The Hornets are the cream of the Red Division with title in hand and a more than likely home game in week 10. Since losing to Newaygo in week 2 they have beaten opponents by an average margin of 36 points. That’s a lot. And the Cloud has struggled keeping teams in check, a condition that has led to squeezing their offensive options.
A win by the visiting Indians would be as big and upset as the aforementioned Packer/Viking matchup.

Hesperia (2-5) at Hart (2-5)
The Panthers will likely get strong games from Sayer, Stalbaum, and a couple others but they need help, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
The Pirates slapped over 40 on OV last week  but so has everyone else so…
Hespo will have to battle on defense  and win the turnover war if they are to pull this one off. If they fall  behind quickly those chances will slim down like a dieter on Ozempic.