Playoff Bubble Teams
Following are some area playoff bubble teams with my predictions of whether they will make the playoffs or not. I define a bubble team as being 3-3 after six weeks of play. In order for any of these teams to make the playoff, they will have to win three straight games.
Bridgeport - A very much improved team this year. Head Coach Mel Skillman seems to being try to turn this program in the right direction. With wins over Caro, Riverview Gabriel Richard, and Birch Run, the Bearcats are attempting to make the playoffs for the first time since 1999. North Branch (2-4), Essexville-Garber (5-1), and Freeland (5-1) remain on the schedule. I do not think Bridgeport wins the last three. Probably both Garber and Freeland beat the Bearcats. They will not make the playoffs this year, but watch out for Coach Skillman and the Bearcats in the future.
Frankenmuth - A down year for Coach John Blankenship and the Eagles this year coming off their Tri-Valley East championship year last year. The team only returned four starters and struggled early in the season. Essexville-Garber (5-1), Birch Run (2-4), and state ranked Standish-Sterling (6-0) remain on the schedule. Even if the Eagles get by Garber and Birch Run, they will not beat Standish. The Eagles get ready for basketball by taking the playoffs off this year.
Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port - After starting the season 1-3, Laker High has come back to win two in a row to even their record. Bad Axe (1-5), Cass City (5-1), and Sandusky (3-3) remain on the schedule. Either the Lakers or Sandusky will definitely not make the playoffs since they play each other in Week #9. I think Cass City will take care of business in Week #8, and the Lakers will finish the season at 5-4 and no playoffs for the sixth straight year.
Reese - The Rockets have been hit with the injury bug this year. I think the loss last week to Laker High really put a damper in their nine year playoff streak. With USA (1-5), Bay City All Saints (4-2) and Mt. Morris (4-2) remaining on the schedule, Reese will probably end up one win short of qualifing for the playoffs. Look for the disappointing loss to come in Week #9 against Mt. Morris.
Vassar - The Vulcans got off to a good start this year by defeating Caro and Laker High. Since that point they are 1-3, and have to beat 5-1 Cass City this week to keep their playoff hopes alive. After Cass City, Bad Axe (1-5) and Durand (3-3) remain on the schedule. I do not think the Vulcans beat the Red Hawks, but they do have the best chance to make the playoffs this year than any other bubble team. I think they stay home again.
Sandusky - The Redskins have won two straight to get back into the playoff hunt. With state-ranked Ubly (6-0) coming up in Week #8, Sandusky will be staying home this year. I do not think Ubly will lose this year.
Bridgeport - A very much improved team this year. Head Coach Mel Skillman seems to being try to turn this program in the right direction. With wins over Caro, Riverview Gabriel Richard, and Birch Run, the Bearcats are attempting to make the playoffs for the first time since 1999. North Branch (2-4), Essexville-Garber (5-1), and Freeland (5-1) remain on the schedule. I do not think Bridgeport wins the last three. Probably both Garber and Freeland beat the Bearcats. They will not make the playoffs this year, but watch out for Coach Skillman and the Bearcats in the future.
Frankenmuth - A down year for Coach John Blankenship and the Eagles this year coming off their Tri-Valley East championship year last year. The team only returned four starters and struggled early in the season. Essexville-Garber (5-1), Birch Run (2-4), and state ranked Standish-Sterling (6-0) remain on the schedule. Even if the Eagles get by Garber and Birch Run, they will not beat Standish. The Eagles get ready for basketball by taking the playoffs off this year.
Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port - After starting the season 1-3, Laker High has come back to win two in a row to even their record. Bad Axe (1-5), Cass City (5-1), and Sandusky (3-3) remain on the schedule. Either the Lakers or Sandusky will definitely not make the playoffs since they play each other in Week #9. I think Cass City will take care of business in Week #8, and the Lakers will finish the season at 5-4 and no playoffs for the sixth straight year.
Reese - The Rockets have been hit with the injury bug this year. I think the loss last week to Laker High really put a damper in their nine year playoff streak. With USA (1-5), Bay City All Saints (4-2) and Mt. Morris (4-2) remaining on the schedule, Reese will probably end up one win short of qualifing for the playoffs. Look for the disappointing loss to come in Week #9 against Mt. Morris.
Vassar - The Vulcans got off to a good start this year by defeating Caro and Laker High. Since that point they are 1-3, and have to beat 5-1 Cass City this week to keep their playoff hopes alive. After Cass City, Bad Axe (1-5) and Durand (3-3) remain on the schedule. I do not think the Vulcans beat the Red Hawks, but they do have the best chance to make the playoffs this year than any other bubble team. I think they stay home again.
Sandusky - The Redskins have won two straight to get back into the playoff hunt. With state-ranked Ubly (6-0) coming up in Week #8, Sandusky will be staying home this year. I do not think Ubly will lose this year.
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