Football Playoffs

Heading into Week #9, three of the four area conferences are set as far as who is in the playoffs and who is out. Only the Greater Thumb West has teams still trying to get that elusive sixth win.

Tri-Valley East - In: Millington and Essexville-Garber. Out: Frankenmuth, Bridgeport, Caro, Birch Run, and North Branch.

Greater Thumb East - In: Ubly, Deckerville, and Marlette. Out: Sandusky, Mayville, Brown City, and Harbor Beach.

North Central Thumb - In: Dryden, Memphis, and Peck. Out: Kinde-North Huron, Kingston, Owendale-Gagetown, Akron-Fairgrove, and Carsonville-Port Sanilac. Even if North Huron gets their fifth win this week against Au Gres-Sims, it seems unlikely they will sneak into the playoffs as their playoff point average is the lowest out of all Class D teams with four wins.

Greater Thumb West - Out: Reese, USA, and Bad Axe.

After starting the season 2-3, Vassar has won three straight games due in no small part to the play of senior quarterback Zach Germain. In the Vulcans three game winning streak, Germain is 27 of 39 passing for 487 yards and six touchdowns. He also has over 200 yards rushing and 30 tackles.

The Vulcans host the Durand Railroaders (4-4) this week. Win and they are in the playoffs for the second time in school history. Vassar won the only other time these two schools met, winning 38-16 last season. For a comparison, Durand beat Lake Fenton earlier this year by a score of 28-6. Caro beat Lake Fenton last week 42-26. Vassar beat Caro in Week #1 by a score of 36-21.

Look for Germain to have another big game, and Vassar to get into the playoffs. Vassar 27 Durand 13.

The Cougars of Bay City All Saints have a difficult road ahead of them if they want to make the playoffs. The Cougars travel to #7 ranked and undefeated Carrollton on Friday night. The Cougars hold a 5-2 advantage in this series, but the Cavaliers will win this game big. Carrollton 35 BCAS 13.

All is not lost for Cougar fans though. With a playoff point average of 51.875, they could sneak into the playoffs, but the chances are not very good.

Back on Monday the 29th of September, did anyone imagine a secnario where Cass City would have to travel to Almont (6-2) in a must win situation. After starting the season 5-0, the Red Hawks must win against the Raiders to continue playing in Week #10. The Red Hawks hold a 2-2 record against the Raiders, including a 23-12 loss last year.

I have a bad feeling that Cass City has not snapped out of this funk yet. Almont 28 Cass City 21.

The Greater Thumb West champion Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port hosts Sandusky (4-4) this Friday needing a win to secure their first playoff appearance since 2002. Laker High boasts a 16-10-2 all-time record against the Redskins.

The Lakers and coach George Gardy have finished the season strong after starting 1-3. After winning their fourth straight game last week, the Lakers have moved to sixth place in the latest Thumb Power Rankings. The highest ranking by a non-playoff team. Look for a Laker win. Laker High 32 Sandusky 21.

So to summarize, In: Vassar and Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port. Out: Cass City and Bay City All Saints.

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