Week 4 Predictions

The Mid-Michigan Gridiron Blog has moved to http://www.everyseasonhasastory.com/blogs/. However, I will continue to update this site for a bit as well. If you like what you're reading, please continue to follow the blog at its new location.

------------------------------------------------------------

Last week, my picks went 6-2, putting me at 14-5 on the season. This week is chock full of big games, and here are my humble predictions for the most exciting 9.


Game of the Week
Nouvel Panthers at Country Day Yellowjackets
Last year, Nouvel's team of destiny prepared well for this highly-anticipated game and blew out the Yellowjackets. This year, the game might be closer. Nouvel has not dominated like they did in 2006, but they have established themselves as one of the best teams the Saginaw area has to offer. Detroit Country Day is home to one of the nation's top-rated runningbacks, Nebraska commit Jonas Gray. Last year, Gray was shut down, but this year very well may be different. One team will leave the game with two losses; who it will be is anybody's guess, but I have a feeling that Nouvel will leave with a misleading 2-2 record.
Prediction:
Nouvel - 21
Country Day - 31

Mt. Pleasant Oilers at Bay City Central Wolves
This game has been circled on a lot of calenders ever since the schedules came out. Despite losing some luster with Bay City Central's narrow defeat from Midland, you should still expect a great game. Mt. Pleasant is most well-known for the connection between quarterback Will Arnold and receiver Tyler Mills, while Bay City Central is led by defensive back/runningback and Michigan State commit Trenton Robinson. In a battle between the Valley's best passing offense against the league's toughest secondary, the Wolves will need to generate turnovers and make some big plays if they want to have a chance at the upset. However, it's tough to pick against the Oilers until they lose. So far, they've been having their way with opponents.
Prediction:
Mt. Pleasant - 38
Bay City Central - 21

Flint Southwestern Knights at Bay City Western Warriors
Week 4 will be a defining moment in the 2007 season for the Saginaw Valley conference. Flint SWA has been riding high, though amidst a storm of local controversy. Meanwhile, Bay City Western has quietly started off with a 3-0 record and hopes for a SVL title. This game should be one of the two most important for the Warriors, along with Midland in week 6. It's still difficult to believe in them since they've yet to defeat a high-profile opponent. Because of this, I'm putting my money on the Mark Ingram and company in this battle of the "West"s.
Prediction:
Flint SWA - 28
Bay City Western - 14

Swan Valley Vikings at Chesaning Indians
Chesaning has been the surprise team of the Tri-Valley Central so far, compiling 3 consecutive wins to start the season after last year's 2-7 mark. Senior quarterback Joe Bitterman has led the Indians to prominance, but they've still yet to beat a marquee team. Swan Valley may provide that opportunity, but they won't take it laying down. The Vikings, who are led by runningback Herb Waits, rebounded from their opening-season loss to win convincingly against Freeland and Hemlock. I predict a hard-fought struggle with Chesaning walking out with their first loss of the season.
Prediction:
Swan Valley - 21
Chesaning - 14

Garber Dukes at Frankenmuth Eagles
After three weeks, three Tri-Valley East teams remain undefeated. Two of them will meet in a heads-up match to help determine the direction of the conference crown. Garber is led by tailback Josh Pierson, who accumulated 196 yards and 3 touchdowns in Garber's last big game, against Vassar. Frankenmuth is still riding the emotional high of defeated perennial champs Birch Run with a last moment field goal. Both teams have played well and both teams could claim to be the favorite in this one. Momentum and home field advantage are the two great intangibles in a football game, and Frankenmuth has both.
Prediction:
Garber - 18
Frankenmuth - 23

Carman-Ainsworth Cavaliers at Davison Cardinals
The always athletic Cavs dropped a tough contest to Flint Powers last Friday, and will have no time to recoup as they take on a hungry Davison squad. The Cardinals can't afford to lose, as consecutive losses to start the season have given them very little wiggle room. Davison is probably the more talented and experienced team, but C-A will give the Cardinals a game.
Prediction:
Carman-Ainsworth - 20
Davison - 42

Pewamo-Westphalia Pirates at Laingsburg Wolfpack
In the most important CMAC match-up of the night, PW looks to extend their undefeated record against the 2-1 Wolfpack. Keep in mind, though, that only 2 points and about 1 yard against 3-0 Fowler seperates Laingsburg and an undefeated record. Quarterback Klinton Koonter will try to lead the Wolfpack past the undefeated Pirates of Pewamo-Westphalia. PW is led by a stingy defense that intercepted 5 passes last week against Carson-City Crystal. It's a tough call - I actually like the Wolfpack in this one, but a Pirate victory would not shock me at all.
Prediction:
Pewamo-Westphalia - 14
Laingsburg - 20

Deckerville Eagles at Reese Rockets
Two of the top teams in their respective classes will clash in a battle between two of the top programs from the Thumb. Deckerville, a class D team, is undefeated and ranked as an honorable mention in the latest Division 8 AP poll. Reese is a powerhouse in its own right. They are also undefeated, ranked 7th in the Division 7 AP poll, and are looking to make their 8th consecutive play-off appearance. However, I have a feeling that this game may have the makings of a minor upset; Reese might be vulnerable to their toughest test so far in this season.
Prediction:
Deckerville - 24
Reese - 18

Ithaca Yellowjackets at Michigan Lutheran Seminary
For Ithaca, this is a game to prove that they are still a dominant team; MLS, on the other hand, cannot afford a loss. Close early season losses to Vassar and Merrill have put the Cardinals in a rough situation. Luckily for them, MLS is far from a push-over; their option attack featuring QB Joe Lindloff and RB Caleb Dietreich has been very effective so far. Ithaca, only one touchdown from an unblemished record, will be ready. Tailback Brandon Walker spearheads the Yellowjacket offense. Expect a shoot-out, with Ithaca's firepower overwhelming the tough Seminary squad.
Prediction:
Ithaca: 42
MLS: 32


How do you feel about this post? Leave a comment to have your voice heard!