FNV Week 11 Staff Questions

Observation from games we attended?

Chris: I had planned on attending the Riverview/Allen Park game, but realized I had seen the “View” three times already this year so I opted for Michigan Collegiate/SMCC game. Three things really stood out for me on Friday. 1. SMCC’s Sam Cousino is an absolute beast. He was seemingly everywhere on defense and was unblockable. 2. SMCC’s Alex Morgan is the best RB I have seen all year. He has size, speed and the ability to break tackles. He would have 2,500 yards on the season if he carried the ball 30 times per game. 3. SMCC’s offense is relentless. Stopping the Falcons for a gain of 3 yards is a loss for the defense. My quote before the game was that the Falcons would score every possession. I believe they did.

Frank: Not many players can take control of a game like Milan’s Tristen Hines. The senior set the tone early with a 61-yard run for a touchdown on the Big Reds’ first offensive play. He would add another score minutes later, and cap off the first quarter with an interception on defense and a touchdown pass to Kendrick McBride. In all, Hines had a hand in five of Milan’s touchdowns (2 rush, 2 pass, kickoff return). All in all, Milan was a team on a mission as they took Summit Academy to the woodshed 56-22 to reach 11-0 for the first time in school history and won their fourth District title. Up next is a much stiffer test in unbeaten Detroit Country Day.

Gary: I went to Navarre Field on Friday and caught WMC @ SMCC. I observed a very physical Falcons team that plodded its way down the field all night long. Frustration would set in for the visiting Cougars allowing SMCC to break several long runs for scores. Wyatt (swiss army knife) Bergmoser stepped in for the ailing Harrington at QB and did a great job. A player who stuck out to me was Jace Worrell from his RB position. He got the call more times this game than any other. He ran hard all night and got the Falcons going early. His energy was infectious. Luke Bilan at RT was a road grader, punishing the man across from him all game. In the Falcons, I saw a team that is on it’s way.

What to watch for next week?

Chris: I’m really looking forward to the Milan (11-0) at Country Day (11-0) game. DCD has size, speed and athleticism, but so does Milan. Preparation for both teams will be a factor. Weather could impact the practice sessions at Milan, while Country Day is practicing in an indoor facility that rivals many public universities.

Frank: I’m most interested in how well Country Day’s stingy defense (allowing a scant 5.5 points per game) can slow down Tristen Hines, and how well will the Big Reds rise to the occasion of playing the number one ranked team in Division 4.  As for SMCC-Montrose, I’m interested to see what Montrose will do against the T. On paper, this appears to be a favorable matchup for the Falcons, but everyone knows that games aren’t played on paper.

Gary: The battle for a Regional Crown will take place Saturday at 3pm. The Falcons of SMCC will welcome the Rams of Montrose to friendly Navarre Field. I went to Linden to watch Millington vs Montrose last Saturday. Montrose has great size with very nice athletes. This will be another tremendous challenge for the Falcons. SMCC will have to play it’s best ball to capture the Regional Title which has eluded them the last two seasons.

Out-of-area game that is most appealing?

Chris: I’m pretty sure Gary will pick the Pewamo-Westphalia (11-0) @ New Lothrop (11-0) game in Division 7, so I will go with the River Rouge (10-1) @ Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (10-1) game in Division 3. This is a battle of football heavyweights with OLSM bringing a Championship pedigree and Rouge playing the role of a #1 contender. The Eaglets haven’t been in the playoffs since they won their 3rd straight State title in 2017. The Panthers have been a top tier program since the arrival of Coach Corey Parker nearly a decade ago, but have yet to win the big game when it really mattered.

Frank: I’m going to pick a game in Division 1, but not the game that everyone is talking about. There is a lot of hype surrounding Belleville and West Bloomfield, and rightfully so, but don’t sleep on Cass Tech-Sterling Heights Stevenson. Both teams made it in at 5-4 and will be playing for a trip to the semi-finals. Both teams pulled off big upsets in Round 2, with Cass Tech knocking off Dearborn Fordson, and Stevenson upsetting Macomb Dakota. Both coaches, Cass Tech’s Thomas Wilcher and Stevenson’s Justin Newcomb, are earning their due.

Gary: Chris was right, I am going to go with PW at NL in D7. This is a game everyone has been waiting for all year long. The 2017 state champ in PW vs the 2018 champ in NL. I honestly think these two teams would have a great chance to win D4 down. The winner of this game will be all but in the final, and will very likely face the Titans of JLC at Ford Field. What a match-up that will be as well.