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Week 4 Preview: Another big SVC battle for St. Mary
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 9:38 AM EDT
Forest Area Warriors (2-1) at St. Mary Snowbirds (3-0)
RADIO: 101. 5 FM (live)
LAST YEAR: Forest Area 27, St. Mary 20
LAST WEEK: Central Lake 34, Forest Area 30; St. Mary 18, Mancelona 13
SERIES: St. Mary leads 3-1
RADIO: 101. 5 FM (live)
LAST YEAR: Forest Area 27, St. Mary 20
LAST WEEK: Central Lake 34, Forest Area 30; St. Mary 18, Mancelona 13
SERIES: St. Mary leads 3-1
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OUTLOOK: St. Mary passed the first test last week against Mancelona. The Snowbirds now are onto test No. 2, a home matchup with a very-skilled Forest Area team. This game will have huge implications in the Ski Valley Conference race.
ABOUT FOREST AREA:
It’s hard to believe Forest Area hadn’t ever won a varsity football game just three years ago. One of the state’s great turnaround stories, Forest Area has developed into one of the best programs in the Ski Valley Conference. They’ve done so through player development. The current group of seniors took their lumps as freshmen and sophomores, but are now the most experienced groups in the league. The Warriors run the football — a lot. They had over 400 yards rushing against Inland Lakes, and have racked up big numbers throughout the season. A.J. Freeman and Justin Gordon could both be up for all-league and all-state consideration. Gordon was all-state last year. To keep defenses honest, quarterback John Ricketts is also capable of throwing well. Defensively, the Warriors are led by Collin Park, who has been involved in all kinds of disruption this season.
ABOUT ST. MARY:
The Snowbirds are no slouch at running the football, either, as they’ve averaged about 250 yards per game on the ground. Senior Arron Sitkiewicz is tough for defenders to drag down, as he’s rushed for 500 yards and seven touchdowns in three games. Justin Malczyk is also a good tailback, while Chris Churches is the fullback. Defense is where the Snowbirds have also been strong on. Junior Matt Churches has been a force on the interior defensive line, setting up a permanent home in the opposing backfield. Senior cornerback Justin Rabish also had a great game against Mancelona.
THE LAST WORD:
This will be the toughest test the St. Mary defense has faced this season. Having the home crowd behind them will certainly help the Snowbirds, however.
Muskegon Heights Tigers (1-2) at Gaylord Blue Devils (0-3)
RADIO: 101. 5 FM (9:30 p.m. Friday night tape delay)
LAST WEEK: Bay City John Glenn 40, Muskegon Heights 30; Petoskey 55, Gaylord 35
SERIES: First Meeting
OUTLOOK: Staying upbeat will be the challenge for the Gaylord football team, who took one on the chin in the second half of last week’s loss to Petoskey. The Blue Devils have lost three tough games, and another tough task awaits them in a speedy and athletic Muskegon Heights team
ABOUT MUSKEGON HEIGHTS:
The Tigers will be a bit of an unknown when they enter Gaylord High Stadium Friday, but one thing is for sure — they’ll bring athletes with them. Heights is 1-2 on the year, with losses to good teams in Muskegon Oakridge and Bay City John Glenn and a victory against a poor Grand Rapids Central squad. Last week, they had a 24-6 halftime lead against John Glenn, but fell apart in the second half. The Tigers will try to get their athletes on the perimeter of the defense by running option, so the Gaylord defense is going to have to be ready to run.
ABOUT GAYLORD:
The Gaylord offense has been nearly unstoppable this season — that is, when the Blue Devils haven’t put the ball on the ground or into the hands of the opponent. Moving the football isn’t the problem — Gaylord has averaged well over 350 yards in each of its first three games. Fourteen turnovers is the single-most reason the Blue Devils are 0-3. Gaylord’s offensive line had its best performance of the season against Petoskey. That group includes Mitch Hintz, Nick Hansmann, Brian Bliss, Jeremy Martinez and J. T. Boron. Despite the loss, quarterback Nick Freeman set the school’s single-game passing touchdown record and broke the school’s all-time touchdown pass record, while Quinn Woodhouse set the school career reception mark. Kicker Jake Dombrowski is closing in on school kicking records as well.
THE LAST WORD:
The roller coaster that has been Gaylord’s football season is in need of some heights. A win against an athletic team at home would be some much-needed good medicine.
Johannesburg-Lewiston Cardinals (2-1) at Mancelona Ironmen (1-2)
RADIO: 101. 5 FM (Monday 7 p.m. tape delay)
LAST YEAR: Mancelona 34, J-L 16
LAST WEEK: St. Mary 18, Mancelona 13; J-L 26, Inland Lakes 6
SERIES: J-L leads 11-5
OUTLOOK: The Cardinals have already proven they are a much better team than last year. Now, if they want to thrust themselves back into the Ski Valley’s upper echelon, they’ll have to beat a good Mancelona team on the road.
ABOUT MANCELONA:
The Ironmen now have an uphill battle to get into playoff consideration, after dropping two of their first three games. Still, the Ironmen remain dangerous, especially with Superman Greg Blanco quarterbacking. Blanco nearly single-handedly lifted Mancy back into the game Friday against St. Mary, displaying elusive running and superior athleticism. His top running back is Kodi Balhorn, with Nick Lockman as one of his favorite passing targets. The Ironmen aren’t as big on the line as last year. On defense, Mancelona is a hard-blitzing team, led by Blancon and Lockhorn, two solid defenders.
ABOUT J-L: Kudos are deserved for J-L defensive coaches John Bush, Joe Bush and Jim Hilgendorf. The three crafted an excellent plans and the players executed it to perfection against Inland Lakes last week. It was a breakthrough performance for a much-improved unit. The Cardinals’ defensive line dominated against the Bulldogs. On offense, J-L has been able to control the ball with minimal turnovers the past two games. Curtis VanDoren is a first-class athlete, who has 468 yards of total offense this season. He’s benefited from an improved passing game, highlighted by quarterback Ty Knapp.
THE LAST WORD:
A win against the Ironmen, and the Cardinals would set themselves up well for a trip back to the playoffs, something the program has uncharacteristically missed the past two years. But, first things first. The Cardinals must win on the road in their first game away from Johannesburg this season.
ABOUT FOREST AREA:
It’s hard to believe Forest Area hadn’t ever won a varsity football game just three years ago. One of the state’s great turnaround stories, Forest Area has developed into one of the best programs in the Ski Valley Conference. They’ve done so through player development. The current group of seniors took their lumps as freshmen and sophomores, but are now the most experienced groups in the league. The Warriors run the football — a lot. They had over 400 yards rushing against Inland Lakes, and have racked up big numbers throughout the season. A.J. Freeman and Justin Gordon could both be up for all-league and all-state consideration. Gordon was all-state last year. To keep defenses honest, quarterback John Ricketts is also capable of throwing well. Defensively, the Warriors are led by Collin Park, who has been involved in all kinds of disruption this season.
ABOUT ST. MARY:
The Snowbirds are no slouch at running the football, either, as they’ve averaged about 250 yards per game on the ground. Senior Arron Sitkiewicz is tough for defenders to drag down, as he’s rushed for 500 yards and seven touchdowns in three games. Justin Malczyk is also a good tailback, while Chris Churches is the fullback. Defense is where the Snowbirds have also been strong on. Junior Matt Churches has been a force on the interior defensive line, setting up a permanent home in the opposing backfield. Senior cornerback Justin Rabish also had a great game against Mancelona.
THE LAST WORD:
This will be the toughest test the St. Mary defense has faced this season. Having the home crowd behind them will certainly help the Snowbirds, however.
Muskegon Heights Tigers (1-2) at Gaylord Blue Devils (0-3)
RADIO: 101. 5 FM (9:30 p.m. Friday night tape delay)
LAST WEEK: Bay City John Glenn 40, Muskegon Heights 30; Petoskey 55, Gaylord 35
SERIES: First Meeting
OUTLOOK: Staying upbeat will be the challenge for the Gaylord football team, who took one on the chin in the second half of last week’s loss to Petoskey. The Blue Devils have lost three tough games, and another tough task awaits them in a speedy and athletic Muskegon Heights team
ABOUT MUSKEGON HEIGHTS:
The Tigers will be a bit of an unknown when they enter Gaylord High Stadium Friday, but one thing is for sure — they’ll bring athletes with them. Heights is 1-2 on the year, with losses to good teams in Muskegon Oakridge and Bay City John Glenn and a victory against a poor Grand Rapids Central squad. Last week, they had a 24-6 halftime lead against John Glenn, but fell apart in the second half. The Tigers will try to get their athletes on the perimeter of the defense by running option, so the Gaylord defense is going to have to be ready to run.
ABOUT GAYLORD:
The Gaylord offense has been nearly unstoppable this season — that is, when the Blue Devils haven’t put the ball on the ground or into the hands of the opponent. Moving the football isn’t the problem — Gaylord has averaged well over 350 yards in each of its first three games. Fourteen turnovers is the single-most reason the Blue Devils are 0-3. Gaylord’s offensive line had its best performance of the season against Petoskey. That group includes Mitch Hintz, Nick Hansmann, Brian Bliss, Jeremy Martinez and J. T. Boron. Despite the loss, quarterback Nick Freeman set the school’s single-game passing touchdown record and broke the school’s all-time touchdown pass record, while Quinn Woodhouse set the school career reception mark. Kicker Jake Dombrowski is closing in on school kicking records as well.
THE LAST WORD:
The roller coaster that has been Gaylord’s football season is in need of some heights. A win against an athletic team at home would be some much-needed good medicine.
Johannesburg-Lewiston Cardinals (2-1) at Mancelona Ironmen (1-2)
RADIO: 101. 5 FM (Monday 7 p.m. tape delay)
LAST YEAR: Mancelona 34, J-L 16
LAST WEEK: St. Mary 18, Mancelona 13; J-L 26, Inland Lakes 6
SERIES: J-L leads 11-5
OUTLOOK: The Cardinals have already proven they are a much better team than last year. Now, if they want to thrust themselves back into the Ski Valley’s upper echelon, they’ll have to beat a good Mancelona team on the road.
ABOUT MANCELONA:
The Ironmen now have an uphill battle to get into playoff consideration, after dropping two of their first three games. Still, the Ironmen remain dangerous, especially with Superman Greg Blanco quarterbacking. Blanco nearly single-handedly lifted Mancy back into the game Friday against St. Mary, displaying elusive running and superior athleticism. His top running back is Kodi Balhorn, with Nick Lockman as one of his favorite passing targets. The Ironmen aren’t as big on the line as last year. On defense, Mancelona is a hard-blitzing team, led by Blancon and Lockhorn, two solid defenders.
ABOUT J-L: Kudos are deserved for J-L defensive coaches John Bush, Joe Bush and Jim Hilgendorf. The three crafted an excellent plans and the players executed it to perfection against Inland Lakes last week. It was a breakthrough performance for a much-improved unit. The Cardinals’ defensive line dominated against the Bulldogs. On offense, J-L has been able to control the ball with minimal turnovers the past two games. Curtis VanDoren is a first-class athlete, who has 468 yards of total offense this season. He’s benefited from an improved passing game, highlighted by quarterback Ty Knapp.
THE LAST WORD:
A win against the Ironmen, and the Cardinals would set themselves up well for a trip back to the playoffs, something the program has uncharacteristically missed the past two years. But, first things first. The Cardinals must win on the road in their first game away from Johannesburg this season.
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