By Ken DeLaat, N3 Sports Fremont (1-5, 1-6) at Reed City (6-0, 6-1) The Coyotes are ranked 6th in D6, are heading for the playoffs, and need this win to secure the Gold title they have dominated since 2011 winning 8 of them outright and sharing the crown with Newaygo in ‘14. And they’re at home, a tough venue for visiting teams. Unless the stars somehow align in a pattern that tosses every break and every call Fremont’s way, allows then to miss not a single opportunity, delivers a dominant turnover ratio and includes a few players from the RC squad being deemed ineligible due to the discovery they formerly played pro ball, this one likely falls to the Coyotes. Reed City is a very good team, the only squad to beat Tri County (also a very good team) and their lone loss was a 4 point season opener road game against the 11th ranked team in D4 from Cadillac. The Pack got a big win last week. A win they badly needed. But this week there’s a high hill to climb and the season ain’t going to get any easier because next week the Pack finishes their season with another road game. Against Cadillac. You know, the only team to beat the Coyotes. Newaygo (1-5, 1-6) at Chippewa Hills (0-6, 0-7) The Lions tendency toward second half struggles wasn’t a factor last week when Reed City rolled past them early and often. But hey, if there’s a club for teams that the ‘Yotes have rolled past, it’s a big club. Newaygo has lost a few tough ones this season. Their record doesn’t reflect the quality of the team but they have been bitten by big plays and costly turnovers all season long. They have an opportunity to capture a road win in Remus Friday and though it may not save a disappointing season, a victory will make that long bus ride home a bit more pleasant The Warriors can’t score and can’t stop opponents from scoring. The Lions have the talent to take this one but late season games on the road against winless teams playing for nothing but pride can be dangerous so they can’t afford to let CH hang around. Grant (3-3, 3-4) at Central Montcalm (3-3, 4-3) Three of Grant’s 4 losses came against state ranked teams and the 4th was to a 5-2 Big Rapids squad. The Hornets have lost 3 of 4 and their only win against a team with a winning record was their season opener over Morley (3-2, 2-0 in forfeits). The Tigers have gotten better on offense to compliment their rugged defensive play. They have to go into the Hornet's nest to play this one and CM can still decide their own playoff fate if they take this one and beat Ravenna next week. This one is not going to come easy, but the Tigers should be able to stay with the Buzzboys if they can contain Crooks and Wells. Tri County (5-1, 6-1) at Big Rapids (5-1, 5-2) This one is for second place unless a Packer miracle win occurs in Reed City The Vikes are rated 11th in the state in D5. A narrow loss to Reed City cost them a conference crown but they have won 4 straight since then and no other team has scored more than twice on the TC. The Cards are opportunistic and can score quickly, but the TC defense has delivered some big plays for Coach Butler and a couple here would give the Vikings some serious momentum going forward. And. like I said, second place. White Pigeon (6-1) at White Cloud (2-3, 4-3) The Cloud has had a good season but to have a shot at the postseason they will have to contend with the red hot team from White Pigeon,the 9th ranked team in D8. WC wins have come against teams with a collective 1-19 record island that doesn't include the 0-5 Lee team that has forfeited its season. Their 3 losses came from teams with winning records. White Pigeon has a winning record. It is the final home game for the Cloud and the fans will turn out to see how the team fares but the hosts better bring their ‘A’ game to this one and hope for a few fumbles going their way. The visitors count heavily on their ground game and won’t toss many passes but they have piled up yards behind some strong line play. WC needs some big plays and some big breaks to have a shot here. Manistee (4-3) at Hesperia (0-4, 0-6) The Panthers struggle to score and, outside of being blanked by 7th ranked MCC last week, Manistee doesn’t. Holton (3-2, 5-3) over Lee The RD’s get a forfeit to set up a playoff qualifying game with Newaygo next week. At home.
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