Huron (11-1) is coming off of a 38-29 victory over Redford Thurston while Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (10-2) defeated Mason 49-10. These teams have never met in football. St. Mary’s is a member of the Detroit Catholic League’s Central Division.
St. Mary’s is coached by George Porritt who is in his 26th season and has won four State Championships in football. The Eaglets are led on the field by junior QB Brandon Tabone. OLSM has a powerful running game that includes RB’s Justin Myrick, Pierce Bauer and Ryan Johnson. Receiver Kahlee Hamler will be the best receiver the Chiefs have seen all season.
Defensively the Eaglets are led by sophomore LB Josh Ross and senior DB and co-captain Tyson Smith. The strength of the defense may be from the defensive line. The line is led by seniors Jared Mosley, Josh Dabney and Max Posa.
Huron enters the game riding a nine game winning streak and with the first 3 playoff wins in school history appear to have nothing to lose in this game. The Chiefs will rely on the feet and arm of junior QB Matt Hartwick. Junior RB Jacob Fryer will run behind a big offensive line led by senior OT Chase McKay.
Defensively the Chiefs must find a way to stop the Eaglet running game. Huron is led by senior defensive linemen; Jon Krug, Dustin Vukas and Justin Carey. Senior Logan Ritchie and junior Steele White lead the linebacking corp.
This is a game between tradition rich St. Mary’s and a team brand new to football success in Huron. While this appears to be a David vs. Goliath scenario, stranger outcomes have happened over the years in the MHSAA playoffs. Prediction: St Mary’s 34 Huron 21
8:33 am
"Ithaca gets every good football player from Alma south. EGR was the is the same on the west side"
Wow, kids who want to go play football on a successful team aren't allowed to do so? That's not called recruiting, that's called wanting to be successful or wanting to win. I guarantee you that Ithaca coaches aren't travelling state-wide to find kids to play. Players are probably flocking towards them wanting to be a part of that team. Same with EGR.
"If you choose to go private go ahead and have your own league."
I don't see the difference between powerhouses like Muskegon, EGR, and Ithaca and all the private schools you're talking about. If you win you should go to a different league that is also full of winning teams? Sounds like your team hasn't been winning a whole bunch.
"I wonder how many smcc football players would go there if their schedule included…"
My guess is all of them. Those kids aren't there JUST to play football. A lot of them are multiple-sport athletes. And, almost all of the kids went through the CYO. Being in this super-league you talked about would be brutal, but the kids are at the school because of their family's tradition, not because of an "easy football schedule" that you think it is. In fact, the only players that have left SMCC are the ones who want to play D1 college football. Those kids transferred to public schools FOR FOOTBALL.
"…schedule included Muskegon cc, Lansing cc, olsm, Warren DE LA salle, lumen christi, etc..a bit different than playing Jefferson and FR."
Way to try to make your argument stronger…not gonna work on a whole lot of people. You've chosen 5 of some of the best private schools in the state and try to compare them to the bottom of the HL. Weak analogy, not even going to address the hypothetical.
8:33 AM, you're an idiot. So you're saying that if CC's team was broken up and let's say that 5 kids go to Airport, 6 kids, to Jefferson, a few to Monroe, Bedford, etc., that your team would be that much greater? IF SMCC decided to leave the HL and join a Catholic League, I do NOT think that it would make that big of a difference. CC's fans travel pretty well. We had more fans in Jackson than JLC did. We had more fans in Riverview, Grosse Ile, and Airport. The only place we were topped was in Lansing, but not by much.The competition would definitely be better. Problem is, if CC was gone, you'd be complaining about someone else. You're not only mentally challenged, but geographically challenged as well.
Why do you disagree with my comment at 913 Chris? Look at all the schools in the finals..
It will be several parochial schools. Because they have great coaches?? Maybe. Ithaca gets every good football player from Alma south. EGR was the is the same on the west side. Now schools are matching EGR offering the same facilities. You're telling me Terry Hess brook is a genius at Ithaca? No he has recruited talent. Every kid should have to stay in the district they live in unless they move because parent job change or emergency, even then people would cheat the rule. If you choose to go private go ahead and have your own league. I wonder how many smcc football players would go there if their schedule included Muskegon cc, Lansing cc, olsm, Warren DE LA salle, lumen christi, etc..a bit different than playing Jefferson and FR. .
Huron undefeated vs everyone not named Mary.
If the OLSM tuition bothers you, look it up. They don't hide it. Recruiting on the other hand??? Hmmmmmmm….
http://www.stmarysprep.com/pdfs/FormsUS/New-Tuition%20&%20Fees.pdf
11:08 pm is right on the money. Buckle 'em up and hit 'em. Take the next step in making this a dream season and give more…
Kids go to SMCC because their parents went there and or because they want to win. SMCC has also had the best coaches around as well. That certainly helps. Winning breads success.. that is very true.
Its the same families year in and year out at SMCC… all the same names. Parents who went there 20 years ago send their kids there, rinse and repeat. Good luck to SMCC and Huron.
9:13am
The point of the playoffs is to find the best team in the state at that size of school. There's already enough separation with 8 divisions and an 8-player league. You want to split each one of those up and have 16 state championship teams? Nope. I already kinda wish they went back to the Class A,B,C,D just by combining D1-2, D3-4, D5-6, D7-8.
Huron's reward for having a great season includes the school's first ever playoff win, first District championship, first Regional championship, and being one of the final 4 in Division 3. That's a pretty fantastic list. When you get to the semis, chances are that you're going to play a damn good school. Is OLSM a private school with storied success? Yes they are. But so has East Grand Rapids in the past. Would you be complaining about facing them in the semis, too? Because you shouldn't. Getting to Ford Field usually involves beating a good school to get there. OLSM is that team this year.
Great coaching is not paired with private schools. Have you seen Ithaca? And take ANY Huron League coach??? I'm not even going to argue that point because I could go on forever. That statement is just wrong in every sense of the word.
9:13 AM; I disagree with you comment.
I agree…parochial schools get in your own playoff and play each other. Huron's reward for having a great season. ..olsm..not fair. Do you think these coaches at these catholic schools are soo great? Take any HL coach and they'd win with olsm's talent or smcc talent
To those saying OLSM is gonna roll Huron.. let me say this;
OLSM rolls Huron, you want to know what they will have accomplished? Nothing. Why? Because they're Goliath in this battle and from their history as a power house, they should smack Huron.. so even walking away with a win, they've proven nothing.
Huron tho, they win, you want to know what they'll have accomplished? The 2nd playoff berth in school history, a district championship, and a regional championship. One more win, they'll have accomplished making it to the schools first state championship in school history and be the first team in their school history to make it to Ford Field, if they win. Win or lose, Huron is gonna walk away from this game with a smile and their heads held high because they broke so much history in one year.
What does/will OLSM have to be proud of exactly?
KC
8:15, if you are such a fan of sports you might want to become a fan of knowing your facts before you let diarrhea fall out of your mouth. SMCC does not recruit. All those kids have a parent that went there. They all played CYO. There are no transfers on the team. If they recruited then they would not run the T. How many kids from SMCC go and play at the next level ? Can you see how you are looking like an idiot right now?
To the Huron boy's, dont for one second listen or believe this crap. You know you are playing a powerful team. Just lace those shoestring a little tighter and give them all you have. Leave everything on the field. Believe in yourself and your teammates. We are just a bunch of old men with no life's talking crap about a bunch of kid's. Go play the game of your life and . Whatever happens will happen. I wish you luck !
SMCC fan.
8:15pm
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
At least say something other than what the same complainers say every other week. It's just boring at this point.
OLSM cost over 10,000 for tuition but hey if your kids awesome at a sport its free same goes for SMCC because they both recruit kids. So yes they should be damn good! Lol I will laugh so hard if Huron a public school beats OLSM. I'm not a fan of either team. # just a fan of sports.
How is it Huron's fault they have supposedly had such an easy road? They can only play the teams in front of them. As far as the game goes all the pressure is on OLSM cause they are supposed to win. If Huron can keep it close into the 2nd half maybe the BIG BAD Eaglets will play tight and things could get interesting. Go Chiefs!! The Huron League is rooting for you. EM
@ 3:05
Welcome to the blog, OLSM fan. I hope Huron keeps this game close to they can beat you and shock the state. It happened to Allen Park and St. John's and now it's going to happen to you. Huron will come fired up and looking for victory. Stranger outcomes have happened. I also highly doubt that your team could beat the Huron League All-Stars. You clearly don't belong here.
CC Fan
Haters will hate..as a Huron dad I am proud of what this team has accomplished so far. Do they have a chance ??? Well since we will be on the field on Saturday against OLSM I would have to say yes. Of alll of you saying Huron is an average team which one of you would swap places with your sons team????? Each and every one of u…. if Huron is such an average team what does that say .about the team u root for in the .Huron league? ??? Thanks SMCC .people. ….Milan #9 dad …..the
Jefferson grad that wished us all luck….the Chief's players say thank you….now go SMCC and go Chief's
play the best game of your lives and leave everything on the field Saturday
To all the people saying that Huron doesn't have a chance…
Redford Thurston beat Detroit Mumford in the pre-districts (a pretty good team). Detroit Mumford lost to the all powerful Cass Tech early in the season by 10 points. Redford Thurston was a good football team that Huron could have beaten even worse if you take away the 3 turnovers. Also lets not forget the DRL runner up was out in the first round on the same side as Huron and Thurston rolled the team that ended there season.
My point is to not sleep on Huron and they have beaten good teams to get where they are. period.
For what it's worth:
Going into the playoffs, St. Johns was ranked #3 in D3 and Allen Park #6. Both of those teams lost first round to teams that weren't really considered contenders by any means.
Obviously rankings only mean so much, but upsets happen all the time. There are circumstances you just can't predict. On paper OLSM should win for sure. But then again, Allen Park and St. Johns should have won their first round games on paper as well.
I will take OLSM and spot the 33 points…will be a rout. You can take the Huron league all stars and they wouldn't stand a chance in this game. Huron had an EASY schedule and did with itwhat they should have – nice run, but your time has come.
They all want it just as bad that's why there both are in it still an I guarantee there both working hard on there goal. I wish both teams luck. Let the boys handle it rather everyone talk shit an let the best team show who wants it. Hats off to both teams. I'm just happy an blessed to watch high school football at its best. An be thankful there good kids enjoy what we all wish we could still be doing.
With all due respect, OLSM has rolled everyone in the playoffs thus far. They are all average teams? Couldn't OLSM be a great team and everyone else they beat along the way be pretty damn good too?
12:15pm I have to fully agree with you on Huron with having a easy road they haven't played anyone good an no team that is on top of there leagues even when Huron played SMCC they beat um up that's why SMCC finished on top there league there just a lot better. This weekend will show that Huron had it easy an there just a average team. OLSM rolls 47-0
Sorry. Huron has played nothing but unranked opponents in what will absolutely go down as one of the easiest roads to a D3 semi-final a team has ever had. Let's be clear… the past 3 games are in NO WAY indicative of how this game will go. Huron has been favored against Riverview, Trenton, and Thurston. Why? Because none of those team are really that good.
Huron is a 33 point underdog against OLSM. Why? Because OLSM is great. Just pause… stop being drooling fanatics. Huron is a good D3 football team, but all this talk about them beating OLSM (or even competing against them) is insane.
OLSM rolls… 49-7
You are funny. These boys earned and want to play at ford feild. They are at practice working there buts of to make it. Olsm doesnt want this as bad as us. I think Collins,hartwick and fryer will do want they always do
I think this one is just too far out of reach for Huron… But I will be rooting for them still. Good luck Chiefs
Rock on Chiefs !!!
#9 Dad
I'm thinking it will be all good games for Huron an SMCC. I'm taking SMCC finial will be 36-26 an I believe Huron will play there heart out an make it a close game but I don't think they will come out with the win finial OlSM 40-Huron 34. But Huron will be back next year because of the great program they have from little league an up.
I keep hearing the phrase On any given Sunday whenever I think of this game. Huron has the heart and desire to win. I wish them lots of luck and am praying for another win.
GO GET'EM CHIEFS!!
Chiefs made it this far, would be great for the league if we had two teams at Ford Field, but I think this weekend is the end of Huron's magical season. I hope I'm wrong, but it looks grim for the Chiefs.
I think your stats validate what you say…I think everything I know about OLSM and Huron should make this a fairly easy "W" for the Eaglets, but in the back of my mind and at the forefront of my heart, we have watched these kids forge something and go where they have never been before, and part of me deep down wonders if they can't find just a little magic (or a some Kalbfleisch trick plays) Saturday afternoon to keep them close enough to really have a shot at this thing at the end of the game… Probably not, but I know these kids believe in Kalby and each other right now, so I think anything might just be possible.
And I can't pick any score, because I have learned over the years that for me, it is the kiss of death for my team, so just a GO CHIEFS!!! will have to suffice.
Well my comment must've been deleted from earlier lol
Anyways; do it for #2 fellas. Heads high, play the best game of your life, and don't hold nothing back. You guys have come a long way and done nothing but impress and improve as the weeks have gone on. You guys have more accomplishments under your belts in one year, than any other Huron team in school history. That's pretty cool in itself. Good luck boys. I'll be praying for you a W. Remember have fun, and that #2 is watching down at you all smiling the biggest smile. Good luck boys!
Huron 28 OLSM 27
KC
Chris you really handicap this game at 12 points?
I think if we are really being honest here, this game is a blow out. 50- 7
Hater I bet its closer than you think it could be an upset. Bet your life on it we'll see Saturday evening. No more talking cause you ain't playing for no-one you hater. Go chiefs
Milan fan
I was unclear. The list of teams I labeled as "Playoff opponents" are teams they played during the regular season that made the post-season. Sorry for that confusion.
OLSM
AVG OPPONENT WINS (including playoffs) – 5.91
PPG – 35.36 (didn't include forfeit)
PA – 14.45
Playoff opponents (Soutfield*, HWCPA, WDL*, BBR)
HURON
AVG OPPONENT WINS (including playoffs) – 4.67
PPG – 32
PA – 16.67
Playoff opponents (RV, GI, SMCC*)
* = alive in playoffs
OLSM is seemingly on a different level than Huron, simply because of their competition. Their 2 losses came to Brother Rice, by scores of 8 and 7 respectively. Brother Rice lost to Warren DeLaSalle last week for a Regional Title, and OLSM beat Warren DeLaSalle in the regular season. OSLM beat Southfield 21-19 in week 1, who faces off against Warren DeLaSalle for a trip to Ford Field.
What does this all mean? Basically that OLSM has played 3 teams that were semi-final / state final material if they didn't run into eachother in the playoffs. That's a brutal league that prepares OLSM for the playoffs pretty well, and they're fortunate they're not in D2 with the rest of their league.
We already know a lot about Huron, they're proving themselves, winning week in and week out, but here's the game that everyone's waiting for. This is the best opponent Huron has faced in a long, long time. It's also the best team that Huron has had in a similarly long time. A lot of people say Huron is not good because of their SMCC loss. But a team early in the season is not the same as one 3 wins deep into the playoffs. I would really like to see another matchup with SMCC, and think it'd be much closer.
OLSM has athletes all over the place…turnovers is how Huron can win this game. If OLSM takes care of the ball, they could run away with it. This game reminds me of the SMCC game coming up. One team is historically storng in their Division come playoff time, and the other is a team in their position for the first time and proving that they belong there.
While I think Huron will suprise OLSM in some regards, I can't see them pulling off the upset. However, nothing would make me happier for the Chiefs to shock the state and gain some awesome exposure for their team and the league as a whole. Prove me wrong, Chiefs.
OLSM 38 – 17
At least spell your teams name right Chris lol. I hope this is a competitive one. Many have their doubts. Nothing to lose is right… go for it Chiefs.