Vassar at Millington



The Vassar Vulcans (7-3) move into district final play this Friday as they travel seven miles south on M-15 to renew their rivalry with the Millington Cardinals (9-1). Vassar advanced to the final by defeating #5 Flint Beecher 28-0. The shutout was the Vulcans first since beating North Branch 39-0 on October 03, 2003 - the only other year the made the playoffs. Millington advances to distict final play by way of their 53-21 victory over #8 Carrollton.

The Vulcans and Cardinals have been playing each other since approximately 1911. Records are not very reliable before 1955. Since 1955, Millington holds a 29-20-4 advantage, including winning 24 of the last 27 games. Last year was the first year the two schools did not play since at least 1955.

One of the most memorable games of this long standing rivalry took place in September of 2002. Millington ended up winning this game by a score of 62-39. Each team's score is their most productive output in any game of this series. During this game, Vassar wide receiver Shannon Harper had the following statistics - three receptions, 305 receiving yards, and four receiving touchdowns! Harper had touchdown receptions of 85, 63, and 76 yards. His fourth touchdown reception came on an 81 yard hook and lateral play. Harper gets credit for the yardage and touchdown, but not the reception.

These two teams have also crossed paths on November 06 before. In 1981, Millington won the low scoring contest 6-0.

Millington enters this game averaging 36.1 points per game, while only giving up 11.1. Vassar is scoring 29.0 points per game and giving up 20.1. Millington and Vassar have two common opponents this year - Caro and Frankenmuth. Millington defeated Caro 24-22 on October 09, and Frankenmuth 34-14 on September 18. Vassar lost to Caro 26-12 on August 28, and beat Frankenmuth 48-23 on October 23. Millington has won the last four meetings, outscoring the Vulcans 127-31.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Big Game.

Here it is. Well, it's here...the game that everyone around here has been looking forward to all season long. Frankenmuth at Millington. Both teams are 7-0 (6-0 TVC-E) and the Cardinals and the Eagles could not be more evenly matched. They have the exact same number of playoff points (85.714) at this point of the season; both teams blew out Vassar and held the Vulcans without a defensive TD (kickoff return against the Eagles and punt return vs the Cards); both teams blew out Bridgeport and North Branch. And both teams had to play their best to hold off Garber (Muth won 17-7 at Muth while Millington won 20-14 at Garber). One game where things were different was when both played Birch Run. Muth had to use a last minute field goal to win 23-20 while Millington blew out the Panther 45-17, both games played in Birch Run. The game also has the best storylines associated with any game in the area. Roger Bearss, who was the Frankenmuth head varsity football coach from 2001-05, is now ...
Read more

Still talkin' football

First top ten of the year. After Friday's opening games, the TCA released it's first Area Top ten of the young season. In association with four area coaches, representing the four area conferences, along with the sports staff of the TCA, here it is: 1. Millington (1-0) 53 pts (2) 2. Reese (1-0) 52 pts (2) 3. USA (1-0) 45 pts 4. Frankenmuth (1-0) 37 pts (1) 5. Birch Run (1-0) 32 pts (1) 6. Marlette (1-0) 19 pts 7. Ubly (0-1) 17 pts 7. Harbor Beach (1-0) 17 pts 9. Cass City (1-0) 12 pts 10. Garber (1-0) 11 pts All of this will ofcourse settle itself out as the week goes on, but I think the biggest surprise is the fall of Ubly after the opening game loss to USA. Word out of the Thumb is that Bearcat QB Jordan Kaufman broke his collarbone and is out for 7 to 8 weeks, which essentially is the entire season. Ubly must now rely upon a sophomore quarterback to lead them in the GTE, which could open things up for Harbor Beach and Marlette to take the reigns in the conference. As for...
Read more

Craziest Gyms in the Thumb?

I had a discussion lately with some area folks about the toughest gymnasium to play a basketball game. The area is full of great venues past and present, so please share your thoughts here. I have two, one from personal experience and another from having the pleasure to announce high school basketball on the radio. First, the gymnasium in Sebewaing has to be a very intimidating place for opponents to enter. The bleachers are tall, so the crowd seems to be right on top of you. The banners for championships are aplenty, and the place is always packed and loud. Very tough for an opponent. Secondly, from my own experience, Vassar was the toughest place for me to play when I was in high school. Vassar is an older gym with the student section of bleachers right behind one of the baskets. When the place is packed it is almost impossible, to have a coherent thought on that side of the court as an opponent of the Vulcans. Great place! Past or present, I am looking for your thoughts. I know ther...
Read more