Week 4 Questions with the FNV Staff

Which score or result surprised you the most?

Chris: I was shocked at how Saline took Bedford out to the woodshed. I’m starting to believe that this may be Joe Palka’s best team he has ever had at Saline.

Gary: In a week where almost all of the favorites won, I think it’s safe to say that the most surprising outcome was SMCC’s 47-40 victory over the Red Devils. A game where defense took a back seat to the offense, both teams combined for nearly 1,000 total yards of offense. SMCC rolling up 580 yards on the ground, while not attempting a single pass. 

Frank: I have to go with SMCC going to The Island and knocking off Grosse Ile 47-40. It’s never easy to defeat the Red Devils at home, much less roll up 580 yards on the ground. Give Adam Kipf and company credit for finding a way to win a game that all three of us had pegged as a loss.

Which team is trending up?

Chris: I would say SMCC is moving up. That was a big win against a solid Grosse Ile team on Friday. They rushed for almost 600 yards. If they can shore up the defense, division 7 will need to be on alert.

Gary: Riverview Gabriel Richard gets my upward arrow this week. The Pioneers are sitting at 4-0 and ranked #6 in Division 7.  Two big games on the horizon however in Bishop Foley and a possible matchup with the #4 team in D8, Clarkston Everest. RGR is a team to look out for come playoff time.

Frank: I’ll go with Ida. Granted, I expected the Blue Streaks to win over Onsted. But nobody would have expected them to drop a bomb on the Wildcats. Has the pilot light finally turned on for Jeff Potter’s team? It couldn’t happen at a much better time, as a trip to unbeaten and second-ranked in Division 6 Blissfield is up next.

Which week 5 game appeals to you the most?

Chris: The obvious choice would be Erie Mason/Sand Creek, but I think the Monroe/Bedford game is very intriguing. This will be a battle between the two largest schools in the FNV coverage area. These teams have played 20 times since 1950 with Bedford leading the series 11-9 which includes last season’s 37-14 Mule victory

Gary: The game I’m most looking forward to is of course #7 D6 Erie Mason vs #1 D8 Sand Creek. Could these two teams be any more of a contrast is style of play? Fantastic small town matchup right here in our own backyard. Statewide respect is what is on the table in this one. This one should be a dandy. 

Frank: Pretty obvious choice here with Erie Mason at Sand Creek. The Eagles are ranked #7 in Division 6, while the Aggies are ranked #1 in Division 8. The top two offenses in the Tri-County Conference, as well as the top two defenses in the conference. I know I’ve said that this is the game of the year in the TCC, but this could very well be the game of the century in the TCC. 

Which FNV will make the deepest run in the playoffs?

Chris: I really like Grosse Ile’s offensive capabilities. If they can play some defense, they could very well win their district. The only team that seems to jump out at me in the district other than the Red Devils is Summit Academy.

Gary: So many variables left to be revealed in terms of the playoffs and who might make the deepest run. I see only 2 teams making it out of a district. Now, it is possible that Huron, Riverview or Carlson could knock off River Rouge but it’s not likely. It’s also possible for RGR or SMCC to knock off JLC, however they wouldn’t be the favorites. Could Erie Mason knock off Clinton and Blissfield, sure but again they would be the underdog. There are two teams with a rather “easy” path to a District crown, the Grosse Ile Red Devils and the Milan Big Reds. They are probably the best teams in their respective districts. Milan might, and it’s a big might, be the best in their Region. Time will tell, but I look for GI and Milan to be playing deep into November.

Frank:  I’ll go with Riverview. Granted, the Pirates will likely have to go through River Rouge in their district, but if there’s a team in Division 3 that no one wants to play, it has to be the Pirates and their punishing ground game.