Week 2 Predictions

In week 1, I was correct in four of my five predictions; only Swan Valley's loss to Frankenmuth threw me off. Week 2 looks to be much tougher, though; with a couple match-ups between conference frontrunners and one game between state powerhouses, it looks to be an exciting Thursday and Friday!

GAME OF THE WEEK
Bullock Creek Lancers at Alma Panthers
For the last couple days, a poll have been up here at Michigan Gridiron regarding who would win the Tri-Valley Central. When the results were finalized, Alma was the leader with 34 votes. Right behind them, and well ahead of the nearest team, was Bullock Creek with 28 votes. Week 2 could crown the conference champions; will it be the balanced Panther team including star QB Adam Follet and WR Jake Blake, or the rough Lancers that employ the wing T offense with multiple all-conference athletes in the backfield? Personally, I think that Bullock Creek will struggle to stop Alma's offense, and the Panthers' stingy defense will keep the game in hand. Neither team should lose another game until the play-offs after this week.
Prediction:
Bullock Creek: 21
Alma: 32

Ithaca Yellowjacks at Saint Charles Bulldogs
This is the game that has been hotly anticipated ever since the classic district championship last year. The Tri-Valley West favorites meet, this time at Bulldog Stadium, for another heavyweight bout. Ithaca employs a prolific spread offense with senior Jared Cline behind the helm. He has a tough job filling the shoes of 1st Team All-Stater Andy Graham, but some help from senior runningback Brandon Walker, who scored four touchdowns in the opening game against Farwell, should keep the Yellowjacket offense balanced.
St. Charles, on the other hand, runs the wing T offense. With four returning starting lineman from last year, two starting runningbacks, and senior quarterback Brian Halas, the 'Dogs will try to turn the game into a very physical one. Their week 1 32-8 victory over the defending state champion New Lothrop Hornets made a big statement, and a victory here would catapault the Bulldogs into a clear title contender in division 6.
The all-time series is set at 24-25 in favor of Ithaca, but my vote goes towards St. Charles pulling off a close one and evening the record after 50 games.
Prediction:
Ithaca: 21
St. Charles: 23

Rockford Rams at Davison Cardinals
Rockford is one of the most dominating programs in all of Michigan football. They've been to the last three state finals, including back-to-back wins in 2004 and 2005. Their opening route of Brighton makes it clear that a fourth consecutive trip to Detroit may be in order.
Davison is no slouch, though; star RB/DE Richard Kirksey leads the team that is recovering from a 7-0 loss to Lowell, another state powerhouse.
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, they've started their season against two of the best squads from around the state. I predict an 0-2 start, but a long play-off run.
Prediction:
Rockford: 21
Davison: 10

Montrose Rams at Lake Fenton Blue Devils
The highly-anticipated game between two of the top GAC Red programs is an interesting match-up. Montrose is led by runningbacks Cody Groulx and James person and QB Seth Hursh. Their season opening win against Croswell-Lexington, a traditionally tough team, may be a sign of a resurgence of the dominance that the Rams displayed before 2005.
Lake Fenton, the team that won the last two conference titles, also started well. They beat Kelloggsville 18-0 to start the 2007 campaign, and no doubt have their eyes set on yet another GAC Red crown.
Montrose might be too much, though; in the end, Lake Fenton may not have enough this year to beat the rising Rams squad.
Prediction:
Montrose: 23
Lake Fenton: 15

Midland Chemics at Bay City Central Wolves
Last week, Midland lost to SVL frontrunner, the Mt. Pleasant Oilers. There were bright spots, however; they were winning at halftime and RB Joel Parson looked very impressive. Midland may have lost their first game, but they are still a serious contender.
Bay City Central entered the season as a favorite alongside Mt. Pleasant, but a sloppy victory against Saginaw High has raised questions as to whether those aspirations were warranted. Bad weather and a host of suspended players may have impacted that, though; this week will determine whether the Wolves are for real.
I predict that the Wolves' backfield combo of Luther Ware and Trenton Robinson will come to play in week 2 and set themselves on a collision course for week 4 against Mt. Pleasant.
Prediction:
Midland: 18
Bay City Central: 28

Garber Dukes at Vassar Vulcans
Vassar's new head Coach, Jason Kiss, received the best welcoming present a coach could ask for - a week 1 win. Against the Dukes, the Vulcans will look to their runningback tandem of Mike Arksey and Justin Woolwine to make big plays and keep the clock running.
Garber will look to build upon last week's victory over Pinconning. Star quarterback Randon Henika will lead the team through the air, while Josh Pierson, who tallied 77 yards on 14 carries last week, will be the workhorse runningback.
I anticipate that Vassar will struggle to get their offense going against the stifling Garber defense. As long as the Dukes produce offense like they're capable, they should win it.
Prediction:
Garber: 18
Vassar: 6

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