Week 8 is here and the suspense is killin’ us!
But last week brought some upsets and some battles too. The state’s best team with a losing record was our upset special, but Brighton (3-4) couldn’t pull-out the victory against one of the top Division-1 teams in Howell (6-1). Elkton Pigeon Bayport (5-2) entertained Reese (6-1) and couldn’t knock-off the #9 team in Division-6. Kingsford dropped from the Division-4 Top Ten with its second loss of the season to Division-6 Iron Mountain (5-2), Division-6 Negaunee was ranked #6 but went into Division-7 Ishpeming (5-2) and got pounded and Division-3 Ottawa Hills took its one loss into Division-2 Caledonia (5-2) and also lost.
But those were the only games CoachesAid.com missed. We picked St. Mary’s to beat Brother Rice in our other upset special, we picked Rockford to beat Muskegon, Linden to defeat Lapeer West, North Dickinson to take Cedarville and 11 other correct outcomes to go 15 – 5 for Week 7. This raises our season total to a very impressive 67 – 27.
But this week brings must-win situations for many teams looking for playoff bids. It also brings conference titles.
The Oakland Activities conference blows up this week with White leader Rochester Adams (6-0, 6-1) at Red co-leader Lake Orion (6-0, 6-1) and the other Red co-leader Clarkston (6-0, 7-0) at Farmington Hills Harrison (4-2, 5-2) who can still win a share of the White title. Whew…
Sterling Heights Stevenson, the state’s number one team, has to travel to Romeo (5-1, 6-1) who could clinch a share of the Macomb Area Conference Red title with the win. Dakota is pulling for the Bulldogs.
Let’s take a look:
GAME OF THE WEEK – Lowell (7-0) at East Grand Rapids (7-0): “How Boucha?!” #1 in Division-2 versus #1 in Division-3…”Whoa Nellie!” And the loser of this one could still be one of the Top Ten teams in Michigan and not even win their league…wow. PICK: The only difference we can see is the location…EGR at home.
GAME OF THE WEEK – Walled Lake Central (7-0) at Grand Blanc (7-0): #3 in Division-2 versus #6 in Division-1…holy cow. PICK: Another toss-up so the home team gets the nod.
UPSET SPECIAL – Sterling Heights Stevenson (7-0) at Romeo (6-1): For the first time this year, the CoachesAid.com staff is putting a disclaimer on a pick…if Ben Brown touches the ball more than Jason Fracassa throws it; the Bulldogs upset the #1 team in Michigan. If not, the Titans win. PICK: The numbers tell the story.
Rochester Adams (6-1) at Lake Orion (6-1): This was almost a GAME OF THE WEEK as both teams have been moving up their respective division rankings since opening week losses to top teams. Adams (#2, Div-2) lost by 3 to top-ranked Clarkston (#7, Div-1) and has some good wins versus Harrison and Southfield. Lake Orion (#9, Div-1) doesn't have a real good win and lost to Hudsonville who is 2-5. And although Hudsonville could be one of the top teams in the country with a 2-5 record, the numbers are telling a story. PICK: Adams sends Lowell a message in Division-2.
BC Pennfield (7-0) at Schoolcraft (6-1) – Schoolcraft (#4, Div-6) can gain a share of the Kalamazoo Valley Conference with the win. But Pennfield is #8 in Division-4 and looking to sew-up the league title. PICK: Pennfield rolls.
Hudson (7-0) at Stockbridge (7-0) – Both teams have wrapped-up their conference titles, so this is for state bragging rights as Hudson is #4 in Division-7 and Stockbridge is honorable mention in Division-5. Stockbridge hasn’t been tested and Hudson has squeaked-by some good teams. Tough call. PICK: Hudson proves a tough schedule is the way to go.
Stevensville Lakeshore (6-1) at St. Joseph (6-1) – This game is to just keep pace in the tough SW Michigan Conference as both Portages are also 4-1 in league play with Lakeshore. St. Joe leads at 5-0 and can wrap-up at least a share with the win. PICK: The Bears defend at home.
Millington (6-1) at North Branch (5-2) – The winner of this one keeps pace with Essexville Garber in the Tri Valley East and stays honorable mention in Division-5. The Broncos also have a difficult Yale team in Week 9 and four losses probably keeps them from the playoffs. PICK: North Branch goes to Week 9 needing a win as Millington takes this one.
Davison (4-3) at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (3-3) - This is a huge game…seriously. How, you ask, with 4-3 Davison and 3-3 OLSM? Well both teams were ranked among Michigan’s best to start the season. Both have lost to powerhouses and are very good in their own right. Both cannot lose again and be assured of the playoffs. Both teams are ranked in the Super 50 and looking to move up with a win. And both teams have brutes in Week 9 as Davison travels to 6-1 Holt and OLSM takes on one of a number of monsters in the Catholic League Playoffs. The loser of this one is in trouble. PICK: We love Davison and their tough schedule; but have gone with OLSM every time at home and cannot break THAT string…Go Eagles.
Other games of note:
Clarkston (7-0) at Harrison (5-2) – The second of the Oakland Activities blowouts. PICK: Clarkston’s getting stronger.
Ithaca (7-0) at St. Charles (6-1) – This is for Division-6 supremacy. PICK: Ithaca earns #3 rating.
Hamilton (7-0) at Holland Christian (6-1) – Hamilton is the top team in Division-4. PICK: go Hawkeyes.
Grand Ledge (6-1) at Holt (6-1) – Both teams deserve recognition. PICK: Holt moves closer to Top Ten.
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