September 17, 2009
Montague won the D-6 state title in 2008 (above). Muskegon Oakridge won D-5. It's a battle of champions in week-4, 2009.
Three weeks down, six to go until playoffs start. Lots has happened in 2009, and there’s much more to come. I’m going with a glass-half-full approach (because I’m that kind of guy), in saying that we’re just getting started.
Last week saw East Kentwood get their glass slipper stepped on by the Panthers from West Ottawa and three of the four major powers in West Michigan continue their reign. East Grand Rapids, Lowell and Rockford all beat their week-3 opponents handily, but Muskegon, the fourth team in the West Michigan fab-four, suffered more than just a loss. The Big Reds saw the demise of a historic domination, as Grand Haven beat Muskegon for the first time since 1982.
And nobody would have called that game. So while we maybe didn’t have such a good week last week, going 1-2 overall, I don’t feel too bad about my predictions. WMA is still above .500 overall, especially after a strong showing in week-2, in which we went 3-0, and the season is still young.
Plus, this week’s picks are strong (I think).
Here are the games you absolutely must pay attention to in week-4, or your name’s Mud.
Muskegon Catholic Central @ Hopkins
Hopkins defends their home turf in week-4, coming in with an undefeated, 3-0 record. But history buffs would tell you that the history books are on the side of Muskegon Catholic Central. A cursory look backward shows the Crusaders have held Hopkins to 35-points in their previous four meetings. Combined. The Crusaders might be 1-2 in Division-8, but they seem to have been born knowing how to stop the Wing-T offense.
Prediction: If Hopkins hasn’t added a passing game, which I don’t believe they have, look for it to be deja-vu all over again.
Score: Muskegon Catholic Central-28, Hopkins-14
Hudsonville Unity-Christian @ Holland Christian
Holland Christian has been in nothing but close contests in 2009. And it isn’t too much of a stretch to say that they’ve all been against mediocre teams, which doesn’t necessarily bode well for the future. Part of the reason for these close contests is the Maroon defense, which is giving up an average of 24-points a game. There is nothing that makes me expect the porous unit to hold up any better against Unity Christian, so expect this to be a high-scoring affair which either team could win. However, Unity Christian has lost it’s last 6 meetings with the Maroons, including last year’s 38-35 playoff game.
Prediction: Just like weeks 1-3, the Maroons find a way to come out on top.
Score: Holland Christian-32, Unity Christian-24
Muskegon Oakridge @ Montague
Oakridge is riding an impressive conference winning streak — the Eagles have won 23 straight games against conference opponents, going back to a playoff loss to North Muskegon back in 2006. Interestingly enough, before that loss a previous winning streak went back to 2004, when they lost to — you guessed it — Montague. Montague comes into this game with a potent offense, averaging a whopping 57-points a game. That’s going to be a tough matchup for an Oakridge team that gave up 46 points in the loss/win/loss to Muskegon Heights.
Prediction: Both teams have great QB’s, and both teams will put up some points, but Montague wins the battle in the trenches.
Score: Montague-34, Oakridge-28
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