"The Challenge" Week 4
Each week, Sovereign Communications News/Sports Director Joe Dexter and JT pick a few U.P. High School, Collegiate, and NFL football games. The winner- gets bragging rights for a year- the loser- wears a t-shirt of the winners choice in Marquette for the day.
Last week: Joe: 9-1 JT: 9-1
Overall: Joe: 20-3 JT: 19-4 1GB
Ishpeming vs. Westwood
Joe: Ishpeming might be ranked in the top five in the latest Division 7 state rankings, but I really like Westwood’s chances this week. At home, with a running game that has been dominant and a defense that has shut out two straight opponents and held them nearly under 100 yards rushing combine. Ishpeming is another animal though. It’s going to take a complete effort and some good bounces for the Patriots to remain undefeated at home. I’ll take Westwood to win by two.
JT: Not much will be getting done around the town of Ishpeming Friday night. Both the Hematites and the Patriots are clicking on all cylinders right now in all phases of football. The key to the game to me is- can the Patriots get off to a fast start and keep a lead? Last season in the playoffs, Westwood opened up the game against Ishpeming with a kickoff return. The Pats are going to need something like that again Friday night. Westwood is a great football team, but I think Ishpeming is the better team of the two. Ishpeming over Westwood
Gwinn vs. Baraga
Joe: Something’s gotta give. Gwinn will get their first win of the season on Friday on the road.
JT: This is a tough game to pick. Gwinn and Baraga both have not won a game so far this season. This game is at Baraga, so you would think that “home field advantage” would favor the Vikings. However, Baraga has had problems putting up points period this season. The Modeltowners have scored a few touchdowns. Like I said, this is a tough game to pick. Gwinn over Baraga?? Yep I am going with Gwinn over Baraga
Escanaba vs. Marquette
Joe: You really have to like the roll the Redmen are on heading into GNC play. This game always seems to be close, and was definitely a thriller last year with Austin Young and company sneaking by Marquette. This year, The Redmen will control the ballgame. Marquette by two scores.
JT: This matchup is a great one to get conference play started in the GNC! After winning big in week 1, Escanaba has lost two straight games to two very tough opponents. Everyone knows that Marquette plans on running the ball just about every play with that big, experienced offensive line of theirs. I think that the Redmen will control the clock- and the game- because of their rushing attack. Marquette over Escanaba
Negaunee vs. Iron Mountain
Joe: Negaunee vs Iron Mountain – Holy Cow, this is going to be a ballgame. Iron Mountain has really bounced back after a tough loss to Ishpeming to start the season. And the newly Division 6 #9 ranked Negaunee Miners have found ways to win football games. The question is can the edge defense of the Mountaineers stop the Option. I think so. Let’s make the MPC interesting. Iron Mountain over Negaunee by a touchdown.
JT: Just like the Gwinn vs. Baraga matchup, I can think of reasons why both teams can win this game. Iron Mountain is starting to play like “Iron Mountain”, while Negaunee is off to another fast and hot start. The Miners eliminated a 34-22 4th quarter deficit to come back and beat Gladstone last week. Negaunee’s confidence has to be sky high right now, and if they want to take that “next step” in challenging for the Mid Pen Conference Championship- they must win Friday night between the yellow walls; I think they do! Negaunee over Iron Mountain
Northern Michigan vs. Ohio Domincian
Joe: NMU has a tough task again heading to Ohio this week. The “other” team in Columbus Ohio is rearing and ready to go this season. Despite a loss to #25 Hillsdale to open the season. Ohio Domincican will be too much for the Wildcats on Saturday.
JT: The Wildcats left a day earlier this time around for Ohio, in hopes of their bodies reacting better to more rest and being on the road. I see QB Ryan Morley throwing his first career collegiate touchdown pass this week, but I think that the Panthers win by 10 over NMU. Ohio Dominican over Northern Michigan
Michigan Tech vs. Walsh
Joe: Walsh College brings a pretty good football team to the table. They are without a doubt a basketball school though. Michigan Tech continues their dominance over Ohio to begin the season.
JT: The Huskies will welcome a new GLIAC team to the conference by beating Walsh handedly. Michigan Tech all over Walsh
UMASS vs. Michigan
Joe: Denard Robinson er I mean Michigan easily defeats UMASS
JT: No triple option attack to prepare for this week, so the Wolverines should be fine. Michigan over UMASS.
Notre Dame vs. Michigan State
Joe: Michigan State wins in a defensive battle of uglyness
JT: A tough game for two very good teams. Can Michigan State run the ball against a very good Notre Dame run defense? That will be fun to watch. By a late field goal Michigan State over Notre Dame
Chicago vs. Green Bay
Joe: Chicago puts Green Bay at 0-2
JT: Big division game in for both teams, and its only week 2 of the NFL season! Speaking of the number “2”, that’s how many losses Green Bay will have after 2 weeks. Chicago over Green Bay
Detroit vs. San Francisco
Joe: Detroit wins “The Handshake Rumble” to get back at last season’s tomfoolery.
JT: Can the Lions win “a big game” on the road? San Francisco easily took care of Green Bay last week- and Detroit may not have Calvin Johnson come Sunday because of a foot injury. That scares me a lot. San Francisco over Detroit