Milan (3-0) is coming off of a 47-12 victory over Jefferson while Huron (1-2) is coming off of a 28-0 loss to SMCC at home. Milan won last year’s contest 38-8 and are 12-1 against the Chiefs since rejoining the Huron League in 2000.
Milan has simply reloaded this season. Seniors Robert Kanitz, Max Blackburn, Austin Hoover and Gage Smith are seemingly trying to will the Big Reds to another title.
Huron has struggled to find the end zone this season offensively. The defense has been somewhat solid holding two of the top teams in the league to 28 points each. The Chiefs just have to get out of their own way on offense.
I have been perfect picking the Huron games this season. Picking against Milan burned me once. I won’t let them burn me again. Pick: Milan 28 (big surprise) Huron 10
Just going to tell you this..Milan will dismantle Huron. They're not fond of Hartwick transferring to Huron.
I was around practice tonight…trust me the 28-10 score is kind Chris.
Looks like u were wrong
First off, I love when Milan gets disrespected or overlooked and I always get nervous when Chris predicts a Milan win. 🙂
As for the open enrollment issue, it sure isn't helping the football program as it currently stands. Milan doesn't have 50 kids on it's sidelines and they aren't plucking all-league kids from other districts. They had no JV team last year and no Frosh or 7th grade teams this year. Lindeman is a slick runner with loads of speed, but when did Milan last start a freshman at that coveted workhorse running back position? Low numbers and no depth in the program: maybe here in Milan we're just not doing Open Enrollment "right"…
Be nice bn…but you may be correct.
I just don't think this week against Jeff will tell us much about View unless they squeeek by or loose, then your comment is well founded.
SITOFN
View has nothing to say.
-bn
A little angst in the air between the "REDS"…gotta love it as it makes this game almost as big as GI/SMCC. (door was open, had to take a shot)
While everyone will be watching GI/SMCC result as "THEE" HL barometer, I think this game is more intriguing.
WHY??…because Milan is more "dark horse" than "shining Knight" in HL hierarchy. And this game will tell us more about Milans stock than GI/SMCC will reveal about their stocks. (that game will be GI in a close one…so that means toss-up at the top)
So is the league a top 2 or top 3 scenario???
Milan blowout, Top 3
Milan win, ????
Huron win, Top 2
Now View may have something to say about all this too…
SITOFN
"Would like to hear from Huron folks on their prediction on the SMCC GI game. "
Having seen both play against Huron; GI has a solid offense, and a decent defense. GI can move the ball up and down field no problem; defending though, they can get pushed back by a rushing defense, but they make stops when needed. SMCC against Huron, they had issues with their Offense with Hurons defense, and getting stopped a few times and losing possession. The defense did hold up, and keep Huron out of the endzone too. I say both teams are evenly matched when it comes to defensive perspective, but offensively? GI has SMCC. GI will use Mitroka and #9 [cant remember his name] to their advantage, they're a tag team duo.. GI will walk away with a win if SMCCs defense plays like they did last week.
Also, who cares about open enrollment. If my kid can play for a better school and get a better education at a school 15 miles away, I'd send my kid there as well. You want you kids to go where they are comfortable, and if its not at the school within the district, send them elsewhere… School of choice is irrelevant here.. This is football, not High School Educational Draft… lets stick to the subject at hand.. I swear, some people have the attention span of a goldfish. LOL
KC
I think open enrollment is a wonderful thing. May the best school win. I think Milan is in a nice situation to be a desirable school in a location that maybe has suspect schools surrounding it (simply an opinion).
I would question why someone would leave Ann Arbor Public Schools to go to MIlan but maybe someone is looking for a smaller environment.
I understand people's frustration with schools that maybe benefit more than others when it comes to athletics. The Huron League has always been a small school type league. Riverview has moved up to Class A because they accept tons of open enrollment students. I know MIlan had jumped up to A but have moved back down to Class B.
Obviously I am a Huron guy. Huron accepts open enrollment students although they usually have limited openings. I believe that number was less than ten in the 9th grade this year. If they have more applicants than openings then they do a drawing that is supervised. I believe Huron wants to keep enrollment around the 875 mark in the high school.
Schools like Grosse Ile have very limited enrollment. I'm not sure of the exact policy but I do believe it is limited to children of school district employees.
One thing that has to be considered is even though there is open enrollment the MHSAA does have an undue influence rule which athletic departments and coaches have to follow. The MHSAA recently passed legislation that would force some student/athletes to sit an entire year athletically if there is any sort of illegal contact from the Athletic Department with a student that enrolls. Quite frankly I think all transfers who don't meet the transfer rules should sit an entire year but that is just me.
As for this stuff being written on the blog, Obviously, I don't see it as too much of a problem. People like to air their feelings on both sides of a topic. It is what it is. I'm sure if people had to attach a name to the post most would chicken out.
Anyway, just my two cents from the only guy who ever attaches a true name to every post he writes.
I can't believe the garbage that's allowed on this blog. Unless you have been under a rock for the last couple of years, you would know that the state is cutting funds to all schools and most school districts are doing what they can to increase their numbers. If it comes through sports, so be it. If that means our wonderful teachers in Milan get to keep their jobs then I am all for school of choice.
I disagree with Milan not having good sportsmanship.
Actually look at the schools I mentioned; Grosse Isle, Jefferson, Airport and Flat Rock. You don't see open enrollment or school of choice as the first thing on their website. Nobody said open enrollment is wrong and that others don't do it but apparently Milan considers that a big deal to make it the first thing you see on the website. Milan has a knack for bringing in kids from the Ypsi area, notice that I didn't say Ypsi High, Willow Run or Ypsi Lincoln. I'm talking the whole Ypsi greater area. Might as well include Ann Arbor too! Keep doing what your doing but don't ask for respect when Milan never gives it back.
I'm from milan and I completely respect you and every team we play and yes my son is on varsity football here and we have taught him to respect his opponents and the coaching staff does as well. The whole open enrollment argument has been done to death so I don't want to comment on that anymore. Any time I go into the supermarket here or the bank, or the bakery, e.t.c. I see and talk to respectful courteous young men who give all they have on friday nights in order to make a name for our little town of milan.
I am tired of the school of choice talk. The State of Michigan encourages it. You get money for each kid who comes into your district. In an age of educational budget cuts many school advertise in papers, online, and on TV to attract students to their district. This is what the state wants; survival of the fittest. Of course districts are going to highlight athletics because it is an important part of the educational system
Most all schools have open enrollment if theres room. Milan has a new school, so there is desire to go there. Same thing happened in Dundee. When you have good things to attract students, they will come.
I would leave SMCC out of this discussion, maybe they don't actually recruit, but their kids are from all over the county, plus wayne county. So they assemble their own all star teams under the radar. If their kids were only from Monroe, they would not be what they are.
Airport and SMCC dont have freshman teams either, thats going to happen.
Milan is on the rise, so deal with it. Respect or not.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
Check out Milan's website. What is the first thing you notice? Open enrollment, complete with scrolling pictures that tout their athletics.
http://milanareaschools.org/
Most schools in michigan are open enrollment so try again!!!
P.s. there isn't anything wrong with being proud of your athletic program either last time I checked.
Too funny someone asking for respect coming from a school that has some of the WORST sportsmanship and MOST disrespectfulness in the Huron League! I always cringe when we have to play Milan just because most of the poor sportsmanship comes from the Fans which of course trickles down to players! The biggest impression left was when we were the "visitors" for a freshmen football game, Milan didn't have any volunteers to run their own scoreboard/clock. One of our parents offered to help, which Milan gladly accepted only to critize and SCREAM across the field at what a poor job that person was doing! Such a fine way to thank the volunteer don't ya think? And with that you want respect??? Maybe show a little respect and maybe you will get some back! But until then, NOT GONNA HAPPEN!!!
Drop the respect garbage! You have a nice team again and your team last season was the class of the league. The fact is, nobody likes Milan because a big majority of your great athletes are open enrollment from the Ypsi area You know it, they know and everyone else knows it. Basketball is the biggest culprit bringing in an All Star team to play home grown kids. Do some searching, every kid from schools like Grosse Isle Airport, Jefferson, and Flat Rock grew up in their small town environment. Most of SMCC's kids attended a Catholic grade school and had planned on attending SMCC their whole lives. If Milan wins the league, then good for them but don't give us this respect thing. Milan disrepected every team in the league last season by dropping JV football at the last minute and going with a freshman only team. Now this year they drop freshman and have only JV. Milan does what is only in their best interest period. You get what you give!
You obviously dont know what your speaking on because I can tell you DEFINITIVELY that milan does not get most of the open enrollment from ypsi…LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL DOES. I cant speak to the basketball program but the football program I can! They bust their butts at practice each and every day and still get labeled as a bunch of "hicks from the sticks" so for them to get ticked off about it and make a statement on the field is admirable. And of course we ALL know that SMCC doesn't recruit right!!! Don't insult our intelligence….please….
!!!!!!GO BIG REDS!!!!
I'm tired of Milan never getting any respect. We have a great new school, we have improved a lot on there 3 main boys sports, doing a lot better than back in the day. How bout some repect!
If you want to see what Huron has to say, great for now, but the end of the season will speak for itself.
I have seen all 3 play, Milan will surface. Then I would like to see some respect.
After the game Huron will be able to tell us which of the big three were their strongest opponent and why.
Would like to hear from Huron folks on their prediction on the SMCC GI game.
AMEN^ go chiefs!
"Just going to tell you this..Milan will dismantle Huron. They're not fond of Hartwick transferring to Huron.
I was around practice tonight…"
So because a student transfers, this causes rage within an entire football team? Does it rage Milan, that Hartwick wanted to be at Huron instead of Milan? Sounds to me like some players might be a bit saddened and need a tissue if Hartwick transferring is their issue with Huron….Makes sense.
I'm praying between Hartwick, and the rest of the Huron Offense, and defense, I hope they run all over Milan this week and find the endzone, and stop Milan and run them 3 and out all night. Kind of tired of Milan thinking they will be on top of the league when they havent faced a team worth it yet..
KC
Milan 28 Huron 14. While Milan appears to be better than i predicted, I still believe the 2 best teams in the league are playing at Navarre Field this week. EM
Don't look ahead, Milan.
Focus on this week.
Every week–Earned.
The only poll that matters is the last one.
Remember what Akron did.
Take each opponent as the championship game, because it actually is!
A fair prediction, I'd say.
Milan's skilled positions are overall better than last year.
Their line is doing the job. Their DB's are as of yet untested, as their opponents have not been strong teams.
So far, Milan has won the turnover battles in each game and it has scored on big plays.
If GI and SMCC are both better than last year, then those 3 games will be great match ups. Milan has the advantage in that they get to see how GI and SMCC play it out.
It was a very close battle last year when GI played Milan.
haha milan fans i laugh at you. mitroka is the best player in the league hands down. no question about it. kanitz is FINE. mccormick is better than him anyways…
Milan will dismantle Huron. I agree. In there 2 Huron league wins they actually let off the gas pedal. They scored 47 and 48 points easily and could have had more. They will beat Huron no problem and win the league. Their offense is better than any other. Defense is suspect, but if defense gives up some scores, the offense will just get them right back. SMCC/GI game this weekend will be for 2nd place.
Sorry…make that 9 HLC wins in a row…my mistake.
KDR
You can't be the "Man"….until you beat the man.
10 Huron league wins in a row. GO BIG REDS !
KDR
Saginaw nouvel isn't in the Huron League
-bn
SNCC will win the league
I named a bunch of key players who are back for Milan in the original post. I think Huron would be disappointed with 5-4 but isn't that better than usual. Where do they go from here? I have no idea what that means.
I disagree on Kanitz being better than Mitroka but hey they're both darn good.
Widham is probably the fourth best QB in the league behind Mitroka, Kanitz and McCormick but he is still a very good QB and perfect for SMCC's system.
I don't think Milan is as talented as last year. Their passing attack seems to be improved which might make up for their lack of size on the line.
Bryce Windham best QB in Huron league?
Bryce Windham best QB in Huron league?
C'mon Man
Milan was far better last year, but they still have horses and some key players at key spots which make them dangerous. They have the best QB in the league, yes he's better than Mitroka.
Riverview steam rolled Airport. Didn't you say before the year that Airport was better than Jefferson? So they should steamroll Jefferson and Flat Rock.
In my opinion the league is down from last year.
Huron will be 5-4 at best. Answer my question. What happens to Huron from here?
GI is better now, Mitroka can throw much better and the defense is better. Giving up 28 points a piece to GI/SMCC is nothing to sneeze at. Those teams can score! I don't think Huron gave up a big play to SMCC it was all 3 or 4 yard gains. One was a 4 yard drive after a botched Huron snap. Riverview will only steam roll FR, nobody else. Good game from Airport doesn't mean they lose to Airport.
You didn't answer my question about Milan. Be honest!
I think GI was better last year. Their QB has improved, that's it. Milan is going to make a statement. I wouldn't call giving up over 20 pts a game "solid".
I think Riverview will steam roll Huron and Airport will give them a good game.
You do know that they have lost to two very good teams right? Let me ask you a question. Is Milan better than last season? Be honest now. Newsflash, both GI and SMCC are better than last season and it isn't even close. Huron's defense is solid, the offense just has struggle to finish. They can move the ball. Since when is a 3 TD spread kind anyway?
Just going to tell you this..Milan will dismantle Huron. They're not fond of Hartwick transferring to Huron.
I was around practice tonight…trust me the 28-10 score is kind Chris.
What happens to Huron from here? They're going to go 5-4 at best, lose to Riverview, maybe Airport. After their coach said this is the best team he's had and expecting to make the playoffs and win the league?? What is going on there?