BUTCH HARMON
Sports Scene
Following are some of the top matchups in the Mid-Michigan area and across the state for the second weekend of the high school football season.
Howell @ Belleville
Highlanders off to a fast start but face a difficult trip to face a Belleville team trying to avoid an 0-2 start.
HSSS prediction: Howell 28, Belleville 27
East Kentwood @ Byron Center
Huge matchup on the West Side between two state heavyweights. Byron Center coming off a big week 1 win against Hudsonville.
HSSS prediction: East Kentwood 31, Byron Center 21
Sparta @ Clare
Host Pioneers testing themselves against a solid program from the powerful River Cities Alliance. This game should be a fun one.
HSSS prediction: Sparta 27, Clare 22
Charlotte @ Eaton Rapids
Neighboring rivals come into the game with 1-0 records. Orioles opened the season with an impressive win against Three Rivers.
HSSS prediction: Charlotte 34, Eaton Rapids 14
Swan Valley @ Freeland
Freeland knew the early potion of the season would be tough sledding. Swan Valley is riding high after an opening-night win against Detroit Country Day. Look for the Vikes to keep rollin’.
HSSS prediction: Swan Valley 35, Freeland 20
Spring Lake @ Gladwin
Gladwin is primed for big things this season. Spring Lake fell in week one but this is a dangerous team. This game could be a thriller.
HSSS prediction: Spring Lake 27, Gladwin 24
Detroit Cass Tech @ Grandville
Huge game in West Michigan. Last year this game went to overtime. Host Bulldogs won an overtime thriller at Muskegon in week one. This should be fun.
HSSS prediction: Cass Teck 35, Grandville 27
DeWitt @ Mason
DeWitt offense picked up where it left off last year. Mason is an experienced squad on an upswing. These rivals will cook up a good one.
HSSS prediction: DeWitt 42, Mason 28
Saginaw Heritage @ Midland Dow
Last year these two high-octane offenses combined to put 83 points on the scoreboard. Can they eclipse that mark this season?
HSSS prediction: Dow 50, Heritage 34
Lansing Sexton @ Portland
It’s showdown time in the CAAC White. Sexton looked impressive in week one while Portland survived a tough trip to Cadillac. This one will be good!
HSSS prediction: Sexton 33, Portland 28
Howard City Tri-County @ Sanford-Meridian
Both teams coming off impressive week 1 wins. This Mustang team, however, looks really impressive on both sides of the ball.
HSSS prediction: Sanford-Meridia 28, Tri-County 7
FRIDAY GAMES
Davison @ Detroit Catholic Central
Young Davison team looked good in week 1. A trip to the defending D1 state champs will reveal a lot.
HSSS prediction: Detroit CC 35, Davison 7
Detroit King @ Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
This one will be worth the price of admission and then some. A college recruiters dream.
HSSS prediction: Detroit King 27, St. Mary’s 24
Muskegon @ Rockford
Both teams came up short in week 1. Both teams need a win in week 2. Rockford may need it more playing in the rugged OK Red.
HSSS prediction: Rockford 28, Muskegon 27
Lowell @ St. Joseph
Red Arrows fell at home toa tough East GR team in week 1. Trip to St. Joe is no easy task.
HSSS prediction: St. Joseph 27, Lowell 20
Midland @ Zeeland West
Talented Midland team makes the long trip west to face a rugged Zeeland squad.
HSSS prediction: Zeeland West 30, Midland 17
Last week’s prediction record: 9-3