Grosse Ile (10-2) vs. Marine City (12-0) @ Birminghaam Groves 1:00 pm Saturday: Grosse Ile is in the playoffs for the first time since 2004 and has made an improbable march to the semi-finals after finishing in 3rd place in the Huron League. Marine City has been one of the top ranked teams in Division IV all season. The Mariners have only lost 13 times in the last decade. Coincidently it was the Red Devils of Grosse Ile that ended Marine City’s undefeated season in 2004 by defeating the Mariners in the Division IV Regional Final 26-15.
Grosse Ile has been led the last four seasons by senior QB Rob White. White has thrown for 16 TD’s and has run for another 10 this season. Senior RB Alex Kish provides game breaking speed and has rushed for nearly 1400 yards and has scored 19 TD’s. Junior Jordan Nellenbach is the X-factor for the Red Devils and has carried the ball for over 900 yards and has scored 10 TD’s.
Defense has been the biggest area of improvement for the Islanders this season. GI has excellent team speed and an outstanding LB in senior Corey Groff. The All Huron League selection has picked up his game in the playoffs and will be counted on heavily against the Mariners deceiving straight T attack.
Marine City is in the middle of what perhaps is the schools greatest season in school history. Marine City won the 2007 Divison IV State Championship but finished 13-1 that season after an opening week 1 loss to Downriver opponent Melvindale. Offensively the Mariners run a T attack much like the Huron League’s SMCC or Monroe Jefferson. Marine City is led by Central Michigan commitment and the coaches son Anthony Scarcelli. The 6’0″ 190 lb senior RB has rushed for 1700 yards and 31 TD’s. Senior RB Jamie Salisbury is a nice compliment to Scarcelli in the backfield. Salisbury has rushed for 940 yards and 11 TD’s.
Defensively the Mariners are giving up 14 points per game but aren’t afraid to get in a shootout with opposing teams. The defense is led by LB Aaron Loconsole. The 185 lb senior is averaging nearly 9 tackles a game. Senior LB J.J. Russell plays at 255 lbs and is the second leading tackler on the team.
Once again, Grosse Ile will be faced against a tradition rich football power. The Mariners road through the playoffs includes some wins over excellent teams. Marine City will most likely be the best team that the Red Devils will have faced all season. Pick: Marine City 31 Grosse Ile 21
I watched the interviews as well, it was the reporters choice to only interview our coach and his son, if you listened to what Anthony said, he wants to help his team win the state championship…and hate to tell you, we don't have a group of "me" players…that's why they have done so well…they have jelled like a team and have given us much to cheer about each week! Amazing how some of you can enjoy spouting such junk about high school boys (from any school) who are just trying to do the best they can and play their game….great season to the Red Devils…and for you Red Devils talking smack…probably time to stop now!
So who won?
SITOFN…..your not going to Ford Field pal. Deal with it.
Bigehays from mlive is talking some smack about the Devils, he will be in for a surprise IMO.
MC is big headed, hopefully GI squashes the scarcelli family dream.
November 19th – 6:49am:
AMEN – you hit it right on the head. There are no "me" players on this team! Go boys – play together as a team and leave everything you've got on that field! GO DEVILS!
Will Marine City sail from the marina to Ford Field? Is the fantasy still on, at Fantasy Island?
We will see today won't we!
After watching the Game of the Week interviews on the news last night. GI's comments were for and about the team. Marine City was about the coach or his son being groomed for football. I see a GI upset here.
If GI listened to newspapers, Blog pundits, ghosts, and just about anybody else who has an opinion they would be average at best and heading for oh-for seasons again and likely bottom feeders.
BUT THEY'RE NOT…and they're not listening. I've always said that if you expect great things from your kids….THEY WILL DELIVER!!
This team has been an underdog for years now trying to claw it's way out of a deep cellar (2 oh-for years in a row) and are now playing for the right and honor to play in Ford Field. WOW I say!
WOW is for sure and this team is for REAL. SO any parent or fan or GI faithful or Blog master or blog pundit or ANY Football fan that is questioning the chances for GI victory tomorrow…STOP NOW!!
The game will be played on the field with proud young men that not only deserve the right to represent Grosse Ile, they deserve the Grosse Ile faithful (and the Huron League) to be there to represent them. This includes an expectation that they can and will win.
If this is so crazy an idea, then tell me why Pennfield and Douglass didn't hand GI a defeat? Ask Bedford about Jefferson, ask the 1980 olympic hockey team, ask Broadway Joe, or Brian Piccalo or Rocky Blier….. that's right, if you believe, you can achieve.
I believe…so I ask, do you?
I know my son and all his mates believe, see you at 1:00 tomorrow for a lesson in achievement.
SITOFN
GI back in 04 was built on a team with alot of heart like Matela,Harwood,Smolen,Judd,Boisture to win this year as it was in 04 will be in the players hands and if they have the heart they have a chance otherwise MC will wear then down.
2004 GI team had smolen, boisture and big sean matela, the similarity between the 2004 team and this GI team is that both teams have hit there stride come playoff time, the best teams play there best ball in the postseason, I wouldnt be surprised if GI beats MC just like 04.
I think this game will be closer than everybody thinks, I dont think MC is all that. Crockett looked overated, oline looked soft, GI is on fire right now. I wont be surprised if they beat MC again.
2004 team had smolen, boisture, and sean matela. This GI team is solid though too. Those two teams are similar in the sense that they both started to get in a groove come playoff time.
Gi can pull this one off. My sources say that the islanders have a decent chance. Frankly, our seniors have a fire in their belly that is a rare commodity. They know what it is to lose and don't like it. Conversely, they have figured out how to work as a team and eek out a victory. They rise to the level of the teams they play. Fire Up Devils!!
GI MOM
We all know that predictions in HS football are irrelevant in the playoffs. My high school football team went to the dome, was predicted to win by 3 touchdowns, and ended up losing in double overtime. Let's not kid ourselves, anyone has a chance to win tomorrow. If GI uses their speed efficiently they have a chance to beat "anyone" in their division.. This definitely includes Marine City.. Where is Marine City anyways? Didn't even know they even existed.
bn-
I hope you're kidding right?
Go Red
Where y'all gonna be tomorrow? Battle Creek to watch the kestrels or Birmingham to watch the red Devils.. haaaaaa
-bn
My heart says GI but my head says MC(after watching MC-Crockett battle)..Hopefully GI gets some breaks early….If not this game could get UGLY early–MC is definitely the better team …Good luck to the Devils and Coach B.
Marine city is overated
High scoring affair this week. The GI O will take the wraps off the pass which has been dormant since week 9.
GI D only gettihg stronger as the weeks go by too.
Where's the faith Chris???…GI delivered last week and weren't supposed to.
GI 34
MC 27
Ford Field date coming!!
SITOFN
November 17, 6:34PM:
YOU ARE AN IDIOT!
Grosse Ile 50
Marine City 2
Ignore the negitivity and keep doing what you guys have been doing. good luck saturday! SMCC parent.
It's all over for the Islanders..Nice Season, but it's time to play someone.
Marine City 34
Grosse Ile 13
Good Luck Grosse Ile, show them what the Huron League is really about, and how good this league really is!
I will be the fist to predict a upset. GI by 1