Week 6 Predictions

Five games done, four left until we know exactly how the play-off picture turns out. There are a couple games this week with big impacts that will help to uncover how the second season will unfold; let's take a look at a few of them

Game of the Week
Detroit Country Day Yellowjackets at Flint Powers Chargers
This battle between two of the better class B teams in the state should be a great one! Country Day (4-1) has already defeated a well-known Mid-Michigan team in Nouvel C.C., but Powers is a bit larger and a bit more experienced that Nouvel is. The key will be whether they can contain the Yellowjackets' Nebraska-committed runningback Jonas Gray. The Chargers have their own stud back in Ronnie Lark. I see the game being close, but Powers taking home a close victory.
Prediction:
Country Day - 22
Powers - 28

Midland High Chemics at Bay City Western Warriors
The Chemics have been riding high since their week 1 loss to undefeated Mt. Pleasant, outscoring opponents 147-13 in 4 consecutive wins, including 3 straight shut-outs. The combination of a stingy defense, quality play from quarterback Andrew Maxwell, and a stable of talented runningbacks makes Midland tough to beat. Western will have its shot, though; they've won 5 of the last 8 meeting between these two squads. The Warriors should be riding a wave of momentum after their victory in Traverse City last Friday. I anticipate a close first quarter, followed by Midland pulling away and holding the game in check with their defense.
Prediction:
Midland - 28
Western - 7

Millington Cardinals at Birch Run Panthers
The Cards are undefeated and unchallenged so far this year, but Birch Run will have a shot at changing both of these facts. Millington is rolling, coming off of a 47-6 stomping of Vassar. They're about to hit the meet of their schedule now, with Garber and Frankenmuth following this week. The Panthers just dropped two very close games to those exact teams, but their program has proven that it is resilient enough to defend their home turf well. This game will reveal exactly how tough Millington is, and I think they'll make a big statement.
Prediction:
Millington - 22
Birch Run - 14

Arthur Hill Lumberjacks at Mt. Pleasant Oilers
Nobody expected much from the Lumberjacks last week; they responded by upsetting formerly-undefeated Flint SWA Knights. This week, Mike Schaaf, Jerrell Wilson, and the rest of the cast from Arthur Hill are heading northward to Mt. Pleasant to play the underdog once again, this time to the 5-0 Oilers. Arthur Hill is play-off bound, but they probably don't have the firepower to keep up with the high-scoring Mt. Pleasant offense that includes stars Will Arnold, Tyler Mills, Fisayo Famayo, and Nick St. John.
Prediction:
Arthur Hill - 15
Mt. Pleasant - 35

Hamady Hawks at Byron Eagles
This could very well be the game that decides the GAC Blue championship. Byron has been successful against conference foes so far, but they've yet to face a team as talented as the Hawks, whose only loss came against Nouvel Catholic Central. Unfortunately for Byron, I just don't see them keeping up with the speedy Hamady squad.
Prediction:
Hamady - 35
Bryon - 14

Chesaning Indians at Alma Panthers
This match-up lost a bit of its appeal when the Indians received their first loss last week, but the game should be exciting nonetheless. Alma is undefeated and facing perhaps its biggest hurdle towards the TVC-Central crown. Defining the match-up is the duel between two of the area's top quarterbacks: Indiana-bound Adam Follet from Alma and 4-year starter Joe Bitterman for Chesaning. I think that the game will be decided, not on passing like you might assume, but on the run game; Alma's fullback Kraig Williams might be the deciding factor.
Prediction:
Chesaning - 14
Alma - 28