Hmmmmmmmmm.
I guess that’s all I can say.
Last weekend, I made a big deal out of Morley Stanwood not being ranked in the Associated Press Division 6 poll. They hadn’t lost a regular season game since 2008 and returned key players from their 2010 season in which they went to the state playoffs’ third round.
Well, Reed City’s football team apparently wasn’t too impressed with my words. The Coyotes defeated the Mohawks 30-26 and now are in control of the CSAA race.
Of course, I could always say: Reed City is 4-0, how come the Coyotes aren’t ranked?
But….The Coyotes have to play at Central Montcalm this week. The Hornets lost at Manistee so they’ll be smarting.
OK, Morley Stanwood has suffered a loss. But if memory serves me correctly, Ithaca, the reigning state champs are 4-0 and they should be ranked No. 1, not No. 2, until someone knocks them off. That’s kind of unofficially the rules of the game. You’re the King of the Hill until someone knocks you off on the field, not in the polls.
The Yellowjackets were very impressive in blanking a decent Breckenridge team. But chances are Oakridge will stay No. 1 since it beat Hart 47-14.
Also in Division 6, Hemlock got a nice win over Chesaning 20-12. The Huskies are set for a strong season.
But hey, all of you Jack Pine Conference experts, what happened to Sanford-Meridian? The Mustangs, ranked eighth in Division 6, lost to Houghton Lake 58-14. Ouch.
In Division 7, Saginaw Nouvel looks invincible with 55-14 win over Detroit Westside Christian.
But hang on everybody, what about Pewamo-Westphalia? The Pirates won 66-13 over Potterville. Anyone that scores 66 points is the real deal.
I like New Lothrop’s chances to run the tables in Division 8. Yes, it’s only week 4 of the regular season. But the 63-0 win over Dryden on Friday tells me New Lothrop can return back to the top of Division 8.
Beal City got a nice 58-20 win over Manton and the Aggies are likely to be the kings of the Highland Conference again.
By the way, congratulations to Montabella for its 3-0 start. It all ended on Friday with Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart taking a convincing 35-6 win. The Irish, unlike Ithaca, might not have the tools to make it back-to-back state titles. But the Irish will be heard from before all is said and done.
Also, Detroit Catholic Central at 4-0 might be the best team in the state. But hopefully, Rockford, which got a nice win over Holland West Ottawa 41-18, will have a chance to see CC in the playoffs.
By the way, in Division 2, why don’t we let Lowell and Farmington Hills Harrison end the season right now now and play for the state title like they did last year? Why play any more games? We all know they’ll both be in the title game at Ford Field. Thanksgiving weekend, right? So, if that’s the case, why not play the game now? Why wait? Oh, I know, ticket sales, concession sales, homecoming kings and queens, parades, floats, prep assemblies, marching bands…
OK, OK, OK….let the Division 2 season continue until Lowell and Farmington Hills Harrison make it official.
Maybe Bay City Western will have something to say about the Division 2 match-up, how about it guys? Western is 4-0 after a 41-26 win over Saginaw.
By the way, Mount Pleasant is 4-0 after beating Midland Dow 42-14. The Oilers are ranked No. 1 in Division 3 and looking mighty fine.
How about DeWitt, 4-0? But Haslett gave DeWitt a good battle, losing only 27-17.
Keep your eye on Brian Moore. He led DeWitt with three rushing touchdowns. A state website put his name accidentally as Brain Moore in a headline, switching the a and the I. We all know Brian is a good player but it doesn’t surprise us that he’s very intelligent.
East Grand Rapids is back at it with a 61-15 win over Muskegon Mona Shores. The Pioneers still have a good shot at making it six straight state titles
Congratulations to Lansing Catholic Central, 4-0, ranked No. 1 in Division 5, for a nice 46-12 win over a good Corunna team. Portland, ranked third, is also 4-0 after a rip-roaring 48-0 over Lakewood. Alma looks tough at 4-0 after a 28-14 win over an always dangerous Shepherd team.
By the way, this is Week 5. If you’re 1-3, you’re not allowed to lose any more games, OK? We’d like to see you in the playoffs.