GARY HAUF, Huron League Blog contributor 8:31pm EDT October 3, 2016
Week 7 and still so many questions left to be answered. So many teams still playing for their football lives. let’s take a look at how the league has shaped up to this point and the playoff scenarios for each team. There are many.
**MILAN. The Big Reds have destiny in their own hands. They have been nothing but ultra impressive this year, especially these last few weeks. They have turned me into a believer, when once I wasn’t. With a profound victory over GI, if Milan wins out, the title is theirs. Who is in the way? Just the two time defending league champions in Monroe St. Mary. Who has gone 17-2 in league play over the last 3 seasons to date. To make matters even tougher, the game is played in the dingy, muddied, high grassed confines of Navarre Field. Milan is no doubt the favorite here but Milan has had trouble keeping SMCC off the field with SMCC’s lawn mowing, road grating, clock eating Full House T. Rabbits don’t like phone booths. Can they get out and run wild like they have all year? I think so but I’ve been wrong before. once.
**GROSSE ILE. The Red Devils laid an egg last week vs Milan. They were dominated in every facet and from the jump never got going in any fashion. Still so much to play for however. Win out, if Milan falls in one of their final 2 league contests, the league title will be shared(no tie breaker). GI is also playing for an all important home playoff game. let’s also keep in mind, Milan and GI could meet again in the playoffs. In rematches, the team that lost the first one almost always seems to perform much better and often times come away with victory. I don’t think Milan would like to play an angry and revengeful Red Devil squad. Much awaits and much at stake.
**NEW BOSTON HURON. The Chiefs sit at 4-2. They took a tremendous hit when their all everything QB went down with a possible season ending injury. They are just not the same without him. Add that to the loss of their coach just prior to the first game and 4-2 seems to be quite a feat. Huron seems to be in good shape to make the playoffs. Quite frankly, any team that reaches 5 wins this year in the league should make the playoffs. With the amount of 11 man football teams dwindling, thus the amount of 6 win teams sure to decrease as well, the amount of 5 win playoff teams will grow. So start pulling for non league opponents to win. More playoff points. Two very interesting games left in the league for Huron. Jefferson has things rolling and will be a very tough opponent for Huron. Follow that with a huge rivalry game vs Flat Rock and The Chiefs would appear to have their work cut out for them. Summit sits at week 9, if there were to fall to Jefferson and Flat Rock, Summit would provide them the 5th win. Play off bound are the Chiefs.
**MONROE ST. MARY CC. As mentioned in the Milan piece, Milan is coming to town. This is will be quite a challenge for the young Falcons. Most everything rides on this game for SMCC. Win and they keep Milan from going undefeated, they keep their playoff hopes very alive. Lose and the playoffs are seemingly out of reach with the juggernaut LCC waiting in week 9. SMCC’s ridiculous schedule might come back to bite them with one road loss to state power PW and another awaiting in Lansing. Have playbook will travel is the credo at SMCC it would appear but will the playbook be pulled out in week 10? A victory vs Milan will go a long way in answering that question.
**JEFFERSON. The Bears are coming off 2 very nice wins over Riverview and Flat Rock. Those victories have set them up now for a shot at the playoffs. Something Many never thought possible after the first 2 games of the season. You have to give credit to the coaching staff. They have pulled this group together and have them paying good ball. The 3 remaining games on the schedule are winnable. Hopes are high in Bear land. In my opinion the league and this blog is just plain ole better when the Bears are playing well and winning games. The Parents and fans of Jefferson are fun and get riled up. It makes for good, fun bantering as well. Jefferson is probably the surprise of the league for me. Might the future be bright? I’d say so. Bear Down!
**FLAT ROCK. The Rams are coming off a tough loss to Jefferson. But all is not lost. At 2-4, yes the Rams still have a shot at the playoffs with 3 winnable games left on the schedule. They have to win them all. Riverview, Huron and Hazel Park. I like their chances to win 2 of those games for sure. Flat Rock has been a tough victory for teams. No longer a push over. They are well coached and bring a more physical brand than in years past with some nice pay makers as well. I will be rooting for Flat Rock I must admit.
**RIVERVIEW. The Pirates have suffered many losses to injury. Which is the main reason why they have only 1 win. The bright side of this however is that younger kids have gotten the chance to step in and get valuable reps at the varsity level. They will have the most returning starters on both sides of any team in the league next season. The View could be a favorite to win the league in ’17. We will keep an eye out for that on the blog. With 3 tough games remaining, 2-7 would be a good record at this point. GI and Rouge await in week 8 and 9. YIKES! Looking to the future, the Pirates try to mend a tough season thus far with sound play and maybe just maybe an upset or two. We shall see.
** AIRPORT. The Jets are well, I don’t know what the Jets are. Disappointing comes to mind. After the first 2 weeks, I thought Airport was a league contender, I had a chat or 2 with Chris about this. He agreed. Then bad losses to View and FR and the wings have come off. Of course with this will always come the bad mouthing of the coaches, which may be warranted but it also may not be. There are many factors in why a team fails to meet expectations. I know one thing, calling for the coach to be fired after week 4 is one way to ensure poor and uninspired play. Airport has some talent, more than a 1-5 record would indicate. With some nice classes coming up, the Jets are looking toward the future. With community support this program looks good. Without it and you just never know.
Much to be played for as you can see. Let’s see what week 7 brings.
The blog isn't being expanded necessarily. I am going to have a separate blog that will include all Monroe County Schools. The links may arrive at the same place, but it will be separated. I hope that makes sense.
This weeks predictions:
1. Flat Rock 30 Riverview 24
2. Jefferson 26 Huron 22
3. GI 55 Airport 14
4. Milan 35 SMCC 16
Hope you are a gambler
Meant to say "NOT a gambler"
What up doe
OG Islander
There you are. What's up with Sheppard? How's his prognosis?
OG insider has been quiet since last week. OGGGGG, wherrrreeee arrreeee Yooooouuuuu??
Nick Humphrey on Hudl top 5 plays of the week in the country. Awesome run against Flat Rock. Monroe News sports page. Check it out.
I'm proud of the Huron League representation this year. I really think Milan, GI, and Jefferson are all capable of making a long run in the playoffs. All three teams are physical and can punch you in mouth. Teams like Lowell, King, Chelsea, Zeeland, etc. you might might not be as talented, but can be beat if you match their physicality.
Should've re-worded this. I meant, if you match the physicality of the stronger teams ( in your district), anyone can be beat.
Anyone know how the Sheppard kid from GI is doing? Looked like an ankle injury last week. Hate to see a senior miss his playoff chance.
The Huron league is a joke the last couple years. Not at all what it used to be say 3 to 5 years ago.
Saw on twitter that AP coaches took the team bowling this evening instead of working on adjustments to their game plan. Friday Prediction – AP ends up in the gutter. GI 44 – AP 3
GI Fan
You know what there pal. The young men had a great time as a team! Kudos to the coachs for thinking outside the box to raise moral with the 2 tuffest games of the season ahead. High school football is supposed to be fun rite? AP Dad
Flat Rick Dad here… My hats off to the AP coaching staff. Sometimes it's more important to work on team unity at this point isn't the season than adjustments. Great idea, that deserves credit, especially in light of all of the criticism they have endured!
I heard it might sprinkle Friday. Milan trying to get game changed to the Glass Bowl
CC Fan
I believe Milan will win out. Regardless they are in playoffs. From this point on winning the last 3 games means home field advantage in the playoffs at Milan, or Saline, either is fine.
As long as Milan plays like the have over the past 2 weeks they win out. But that's why they play, you never know what will happen.
GI was a good team, I do believe they are better than what the score was. But at the same time I think Milan is growing stronger and are more conifident in their game. The O line has stepped up, the whole D has really stepped up as well. Big Reds are rolling right now and I hope they continue to roll!
A little bit about Navarre, lights, Full House T, SMCC.
When Coach Giarmo took over at SMCC, he took over for a Hall of Fame coach in Joe Sandersen. Coach Sandersen won 13 Huron League titles in 20 seasons. Think about that for a minute. Not to mention a state title in '91 and runner up in '84.
This was back in the day when nobody made the playoffs. There were no playoff points. 3 games won you a state title, compared to the 5 now. Plus there were only 4 divisions(classes) now there are 8 divisions.
But back to the point.
Giarmo took over and the cupboard was quite bare. He needed an offense that didn't require the biggest kids.. CC rarely has them. How can 200lb lineman move 250lb lineman?
He then got in touch with Coach John Shillito of Zeeland West, formerly of Muskegon Orchard View and East Kentwood.
If you know anything about Orchard View or EK when Shillito was there and Zeeland West, where he is currenty, they are unstoppable on offense. ZW is a state power in D4 and usually just mows teams over. They are SMCC on steroids.
Coach Giarmo copied his offense to a T(no pun intended) and you have what you have now. It has become the hallmark of the Monroe Catholics.
It had very little to do with lighting or high grass and all that. Although it doesn't hurt that those things exist in this "hide the hoagie" offense. It had more to do with, what will fit my personnel the best.
Which is what all good coaches try to do.
I know SMCC doesn't intentionally have their field that way. They had lighting and turf at Ford Field when they won the State Title. Just saying, wouldn't hurt to fix that place up a little.
– The Field Post
I think it's going to be a great game against SMCC. We have only beat them once in 3 years, twice in 4. It's going to be a challenge for both.
I've never seen a home field advantage fit a school more perfectly than SMCC. Dime lights affect teams that throw, SMCC doesn't throw that much. High grass slows down the opposition to accomadate SMCC's shortening the game. Somebody was thinking when they put that thing together.
SMCC beat Milan last season AT MILAN! Do you want to complain about it to Milan's groundskeeper and maintenance crew?
As a former player that has played at every Huron league field Narvare field does not have the longest grass. What you should refer to is inbetween the hashes it gets pretty worn down from all the use the field gets. But longest/thickest grass in the league goes Flat Rock, grosse Ile/Milan/CC (no particular order) Riverview, Huron, Jefferson.
Prior to the season I thought GC was going to be much improved. I use to live up that way for a bit. Right off Ford Rd. I don't see GI having much trouble from the bigger school. The Western Wayne Conference is horrid. They barely beat a Flint Kearsley team who hasn't been good in years. GI wins.
-THE RABBITS ARE PISSED
I hear the RABBITS tried to get Friday's game moved to Saline.
Memo to SMCC: I understand you have some tricks up your sleeve to keep us from running this week.
1. I hear you're going to turn the lights so low that we can't see where we're running.
2. I hear your grass is up to our ears to try and slow us down.
3. I'm under the impression you're going to make us run in a " phone booth"?
4. Last but not least; you have the nerve to make our parents sit in those little league stands.
We were fine with all the tricks, until you messed with mom and dad. SEE YOU FRIDAY!!!
Ha. How droll. Like we haven't heard every one of these complaints before. From here on in, please direct any and all concerns to the City of Monroe Department of Parks and Recreation, Monroe, Michigan. Thank you. Unlike the rest of the league, we are not funded by tax dollars. But we do know that since SMCC has COMPLETELY DOMINATED the HL in the previous two seasons, the rest of you winners HAVE to complain about something. We definitely haven't done it this year, but, if by some divine reason, we are victorious, I cannot wait to hear the absolutely moronic reasons why we did. Good luck to both teams. Just be glad that mom and dad get to sit closer to the restrooms.
2014-2015 SMCC 14-0 in league play out scoring opposition 575-87
One more question; why schedule a non-conference game at the beginning and the end of the season? Why not play both early in the season like college? Dangerous at the end of the season! If you play a superior team and have some injuries, that will ruin your playoff chances.
Almost all the leagues in the state play their league games in the middle of the season. To change that would take a lot.
Just curious; who's in charge of scheduling non-conference games in the Huron league?
Great commentary Gary! JB
Milan and GI fans should be pulling for Jefferson and Adrian. If they were to get to 5 wins that would most likely be their REGION. Tecumseh has a shot to slide into the REGION as well. As it sits now. Milan would host Tecumseh and GI would host Adrian. Adrian has a tough path to the playoffs however. They might not make it in. Maybe Jefferson can slide into that slot. Lets hope!
How strong is Garden City? GI plays there the last game, right?
As mentioned in the latest podcast. The blog is expanding to cover all of Monroe County next season. To also include Riverview and GI. We are planning to do a Monroe County Football show on youtube as well.
I'd like to hear people's thoughts on this. What they would like to see. What we should cover. Who we should cover. How should we cover them. All(well maybe not all) suggestions will be considered. Let us know what you want.
Just don't ruin the blog, it's always been about the Huron league. I'd rather you guys expand into the other sports in the league, basketball, maybe even baseball. I don't really care about the rest of Monroe county.
Agreed KC. Like clockwork, each and every year, someone will say the league is down. I thought going in that there wouldn't be a powerhouse team but there would be 6-7 quality squads. I still feel that way but Milan and GI have separated themselves and might make a run in the playoffs.
The league is as balanced as its ever been. There is no doubt about that.
I am hoping for 4 teams to make it in the playoffs. Although if I were a betting man I would say only 3 get in. Milan and GI are shoe ins. Jefferson, Flat Rock, SMCC and Huron all have a shot to make it in. Huron is almost a shoe in to me as well. Believe it or not, I believe Jefferson has the next best chance of the remaining bunch. I just don't see CC beating Milan or Lansing Catholic. Can Flat rock run the table? Can Jefferson run the table?
Nice words about Jefferson. I agree totally. League has changed a bit. Parity is good. Good for the blog. Welcome, Mr. Hauf, always good to have a few perspectives on things.
Airport and Riverview big disappointments. Kudos to Jefferson
I stand behind the players and coaches at AP I think they will win the last 3 games just to throw a wrench into everything. If adjustments are made through out the game they can WIN
Airport will not beat Grosse ile.
Anytime you lose starters to injury, it's a disappointment. It hurt Riverview immensely and it appears that they don't have a lot of depth. However, I feel the situation at AP is primarily due to coaching. They have some really talented players but I don't believe they are being utilized in the proper positions. Play calling is also subject.
The league is definitely not down. For those that have been a part of this league for the last decade; can vogue for me in saying the league is quite possibly the most competitive it's been in years. Almost every game in the past years, you've been able to grasp a feel on what team is gonna come out victorious. Now? It's like a coin toss. It can go one way or the other. There's no knowing. Flat Rock after being smacked around the last two years have finally gotten their feet wet and aren't just laying down. AP after being a powerhouse for so long is finally shaping up to be a subpar team. Jefferson has come out of hibernation and is giving the top teams a run for their money. CC is finally losing. Lol The league overall is definitely more balanced than in years passed with no team being superior than another. As it should be.
Thankfully I've yet to see a "so and so team shouldn't even be in the league this year", amazing how that banter quiets down when the team they were bantering isn't stampeding the league.
The league is good in my book 👍
KC
The league is not weak, I always love that weak argument. EM
The league is not down.
nice
I see Jefferson at 4-5 maybe 5-4. Flat rock wins this week with sovey out.
9:39 must be a time traveler because this is the first time I have seen this week.
HEY 9:39 I assume you meant weak. I think there is a lot of parity. I am a Huron fan and wonder who will be the new COACH as Kabby only took it to help out.
The league is down every year since this blog started in 2009, don't you know?
I'm glad this guy decide to join me of course I may be looking for a job.
Welcome aboard Gary, we look forward to your coverage!
Huron league is down to this year very week . haven't seen it this week in years