Huron League playoff picture and more.

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.