Huron League Football

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2011-12-24T16:06:00.000-05:00

Thanks for reading the blog everyone!

Future of the Blog

2011-12-04T17:30:00.000-05:00

There will be no post on the blog until some time next year. If you would like updates to where the blog will be headed and what to expect please send me an email to huronleaguefootball @gmail.com I will include you on my mailing list and provide you all the exciting details for next seasons blog.

Saturday Playoff Score

2011-11-19T14:01:00.004-05:00

Marine City 45 Grosse Ile 6 Final

Marine City/ Grosse Ile Preview

2011-11-16T12:52:00.022-05:00

Grosse Ile (10-2) vs. Marine City (12-0) @ Birminghaam Groves 1:00 pm Saturday: Grosse Ile is in the playoffs for the first time since 2004 and has made an improbable march to the semi-finals after finishing in 3rd place in the Huron League. Marine City has been one of the top ranked teams in Division IV all season. The Mariners have only lost 13 times in the last decade. Coincidently it was the Red Devils of Grosse Ile that ended Marine City's undefeated season in 2004 by defeating the Mariners in the Division IV Regional Final 26-15.

Grosse Ile has been led the last four seasons by senior QB Rob White. White has thrown for 16 TD's and has run for another 10 this season. Senior RB Alex Kish provides game breaking speed and has rushed for nearly 1400 yards and has scored 19 TD's. Junior Jordan Nellenbach is the X-factor for the Red Devils and has carried the ball for over 900 yards and has scored 10 TD's.

Defense has been the biggest area of improvement for the Islanders this season. GI has excellent team speed and an outstanding LB in senior Corey Groff. The All Huron League selection has picked up his game in the playoffs and will be counted on heavily against the Mariners deceiving straight T attack.

Marine City is in the middle of what perhaps is the schools greatest season in school history. Marine City won the 2007 Divison IV State Championship but finished 13-1 that season after an opening week 1 loss to Downriver opponent Melvindale. Offensively the Mariners run a T attack much like the Huron League's SMCC or Monroe Jefferson. Marine City is led by Central Michigan commitment and the coaches son Anthony Scarcelli. The 6'0" 190 lb senior RB has rushed for 1700 yards and 31 TD's. Senior RB Jamie Salisbury is a nice compliment to Scarcelli in the backfield. Salisbury has rushed for 940 yards and 11 TD's.

Defensively the Mariners are giving up 14 points per game but aren't afraid to get in a shootout with opposing teams. The defense is led by LB Aaron Loconsole. The 185 lb senior is averaging nearly 9 tackles a game. Senior LB J.J. Russell plays at 255 lbs and is the second leading tackler on the team.

Once again, Grosse Ile will be faced against a tradition rich football power. The Mariners road through the playoffs includes some wins over excellent teams. Marine City will most likely be the best team that the Red Devils will have faced all season. Pick: Marine City 31 Grosse Ile 21

Saturday Playoff Score

2011-11-12T14:13:00.004-05:00

Grosse Ile 18 Pennfield 13 Final

GI/Pennfield Playoff Preview

2011-11-10T10:09:00.067-05:00

Grosse Ile (9-2) @ Battle Creek Pennfield (11-0) Saturday 1 pm: Pennfield enters the game as Champions of the Kalamazoo-Valley Conference and have qualified for the playoffs for 13 straight seasons. The storied program from the "Land of Cereal" has a .700 winning pct all time and own a 1991 State Championship. Grosse Ile enters the Regional after defeating two PSL teams after qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

The Panthers are flying high after defeating Lansing Sexton 14-6 in the District Final. Sexton had defeated Pennfield last season 47-14 in the District. The Panthers are led offensively by senior QB Nicolas Acton along with senior RB's Nathan Wallace, Cole Whitney and Roy Herpin.

The Panther defense has only given up 90 points in 2011 and is led by LB Tyler Grimes, DL Josh Nicolaisen, and DE Levi Hamlin. The Panthers are extremely physical on defense and have been opportunistic on defense all season.

Grosse Ile will counter offensively with a diversified attack led by senior QB Rob White. The Red Devils boast two more playmakers in the backfield with senior RB Alex Kish and junior RB Jordan Nellenbach.

Defensively, the Islanders are led by LB Corey Groff who made seemingly every tackles in last week's District Final win over Detroit Douglass. A healthy Tyler Judd in the defensive secondary should help keep the Panther passing game off balance.

This should be an exciting game in what will most likely be a sold out venue at Pennfield. The Panthers uniforms and helmets match those of metro Detroit's famed Farmington Hills Harrison and that may not be a good thing for the Red Devils. Look for this to be a fun and entertaining game between two solid teams. Pennfield is eyeing an undefeated season but may have benefited last week with Sexton's QB and all everything Willie Dillard not playing. I'm calling the upset here. Pick: Grosse Ile 28 Pennfield 27

I Can't Believe....

2011-11-05T00:03:00.001-04:00

First let me say congrats to Grosse Ile.

I can't believe Grosse Ile won that game.

I can't believe Douglass had a 320 lb FB.

I can't believe the lights went out during the game.

I can't believe it took GI four plays to score a TD from the 2" line.

I can't believe Alex Kish ran down Javonte Simpson on a break away.

I can't believe that Douglass went for it on 4 and 3 on their own 9 yard line with 3:10 to go in the game and nursing a 22-14 lead.

I can't believe the ref threw a flag on a 60 yard scoring run by Douglass when the Red Devils stacked the line of scrimmage with 9 guys yet the flag occurred 12 yards down the field.

I can't believe Douglass threw a pass that resulted in an interception on 1st and 10 with 2:03 to go in the game while hanging on to a two point lead.

I can't believe Alex Kish ran 61 yards for the winning touchdown.

I can't believe Grosse Ile won that game.

I can't believe how much I ate at the Motor City Casino buffet after the game.

I can't believe Pennfield beat Sexton.

Congrats to Grosse Ile.

Friday Night Playoff Scoreboard

2011-11-04T23:36:00.001-04:00

Grosse Ile 26 Frederick Douglass 22
Battle Creek Pennfield 14 Lansing Sexton 6
Ecorse 32 Madison Heights Madison 14

Playoff Preview

2011-11-02T12:36:00.002-04:00

Grosse Ile (8-2) vs Detroit Frederick Douglass (9-1) Friday 7:00 pm @ Detroit Northwestern: This is the first ever meeting between the Red Devils and the Hurricanes. Grosse Ile's two losses came to the Huron League champion Airport and to cross river rival Riverview. Both of those teams were playoff qualifiers. The Hurricane's lone loss was to playoff qualifier detroit Henry Ford in week 4. The Canes avenged that loss with a 28-0 shutout of the Tojans in the PSL Division II Championship game.

Historically Frederick Douglass is hardly a football power. The school boast a paltry .277 winning pct and has only 1 playoff win in school history which came over PSL rival Detroit Southwestern last week 26-18. Meanwhile Grosse Ile is making their first playoff apprearance since 2004 when the Islanders advanced all the way to the Division 4 semi-finals. Grosse Ile has an overall playoff record of 5-7 but boast a winning percentage of .532 all time in the regular season.

The Grosse Ile Red Devils have a prolific offense that averages over 36 ppg. They are led be arguably the best QB in Huron League history in senior Rob White. White has thrown for 1,479 yards and 16 TD's this season with a QB rating of 122. White has also rushed for nearly 600 yards and 8 TD's. The devils are hardly a one man show on offense. Running backs Alex Kish and Jordan Nellenbach have combined for over 1800 yards and 26 TD's. Plowing the way for the high powered offense has been solid line play led by senior OT Vince Berardi.

While offense seems to be Grosse Ile's strong suit, the Devils biggest improvement has come on defense where they boast speed and athleticism. This season the Islanders have given up 18 ppg compared to the 2010 season of 34 ppg. The defense is led by senior LB Corey Groff and senior DB Tyler Judd. The defensive line has improved this season and is led by senior Joe Alongi and Berardi.

Detroit Douglass is led offensively by 6-1 190 lb junior QB Kory Peterson. The Canes are averaging nearly 30 ppg with much of the firepower coming from 200 lb junior RB Demetrius Stinson. Stinson learned the game playing for the famed Westside Steelers of the Police Athletic league. Stinson has carried for over 1300 yards and 16 TD's this season. The other back for the Canes is senior speedster Javonte Simpson. This tandem gives the Canes a solid tandem that has kept defenses off balance all season.

Defense is the strong side of the ball for Frederick Douglas this season and is the reason the Canes qualified for the playoffs. The defense gives up a meager 10 ppg and has recorded three shutouts this season. The defense is led by 240 lb MLB Marquise Steward while the defensive line is anchored by 320 lb DT Donovan Howard. Patrolling the secondary for the Canes will be sophomore DB Omari Taylor.

This will be an entertaining matchup that could include some offensive fieworks. Don't be surprised if this ends up a low scoring defensive struggle. Contrary to popular opinion the Canes are well coached and are a disciplined football team. Field conditions should be perfect on the beautiful Northwestern football field Friday Night. One thing to look at is both of Grosse Ile's losses have come on the road this season while the Hurricanes have not left the city of Detroit all season. Pick: Grosse Ile 21 Frederick Douglass 14

Friday Night Playoff Scoreboard

2011-10-28T17:28:00.019-04:00

Chelseas 49 Riverview 14 Final
Grosse Ile 42 Kettering 6 Final
Adrian 28 Airport 21 Final

Friday Night Picks

2011-10-27T22:17:00.000-04:00

Division 3
Chelsea 26 Riverview 21
Airport 21 Adrian 20

Division 4
Grosse Ile 34 Kettering 20

Huron League Thoughts and Questions

2011-10-27T10:27:00.000-04:00

The league went 11-5 in non-league games with 2 wins coming over playoff teams.

Riverview and Airport aren't playing vintage SEC opponents this week but will have tough contest.

Jefferson's win over Bedford certainly opened some eyes.

Lot's of good running backs in the league this season.

Have any of the Detroit Kettering kids ever been on an island other than Belle Isle?

Flat Rock has to feel better about next season after recording 3 wins with one coming over Jefferson and another Milan.

How anxious are the returning SMCC players to take the field next seaso?

If you had to pick a QB to start a team who would you take from the league teams?

Milan may not have another season like that again.

Any weight rooms open yet?

After much thought I'm starting to feel the league may not be down. I'll have a better idea come Friday night though.

All League Teams

2011-10-24T21:52:00.001-04:00

Here are my picks for 1st team All Huron League

Offense

QB SR Rob White, Grosse Ile
FB SR Caleb Schumake, Airport
RB SR Shawn Brewer, Huron
RB SR Alex Kish, Grosse Ile
OL SR Kellen Sorensen, Airport
OL SR Vince Berardi, Grosse Ile
OL JR Alex McLaughlin, SMCC
OL SR Ken Phelps, Huron
OL SR Blake Smith, Riverview
WR SR Tory Martinson, Milan
WR SR Brandon Lewis, Airport
K JR Dylan Raisanen, Airport

Offensive Player of the Year Rob White, Grosse Ile

Defense

DL SR Jake Anson, Airport
DL SR Kyle Fudoli, Jefferson
DL JR David Lorain, Riverview
DL SR David Minckeweicz, Flat Rock
LB SR Brock Salser, Riverview
LB SR Curtis French, Airport
LB SR Wade Raddatz, Milan
LB SR Corey Groff, Grosse Ile
DB SO Scott McCormick, Airport
DB SO Drew Antonelli, SMCC
DB SR Tyler Judd, Grosse Ile
P SO Matt Bacon, Riverview

Defensive Player of the Year Curtis French, Airport

Coach of the Year Adam Barber, Airport

I didn't pick any players all league for both sides of the ball. I'm sure there are plenty other players deserving but these are my personal picks. The coaches picks will come out Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.

Playoff Pairings

2011-10-23T21:07:00.000-04:00

Division 3
Adrian 5-4 @ Airport 8-1
Chelsea 7-2 @ Riverview 8-1

Division 4
Detroit Kettering 6-3 @ Grosse Ile 7-2

Friday Night Stars

2011-10-23T14:55:00.000-04:00

Here are a few of the stars from around the league on Friday night.

Ty Grancitelli, Jefferson: The Bear QB completed 9 of 14 pass attempts for 45 yards and a TD while rushing 11 times for 64 yards in the Bears thrilling 7-6 victory over Class A playoff bound Bedford.

Shawn Brewer, Huron: The senior Chief RB carried the ball 30 times for 196 yards in the Chiefs 28-6 victory over Crestwood. Huron finished with a 4-5 record.

Rob White, Grosse Ile: The senior QB completed 8 of 11 passes for 183 yards and four TD's in the Ded Devils thrashing of playoff bound Dundee 49-26.

Vince Maheras, Riverview: The senior LB recorded 11 tackles and had an interception as the Bucs blanked Algonac 42-0. The shutout was the second of the season for the Riverview defense.

Justin Jones, Airport: The Jet RB carried the ball 18 times for 114 yards and a touchdown as Airport defeated SEC opponent Tecumseh 35-14.

Friday Night Scores

2011-10-22T01:12:00.000-04:00

Jefferson 7 Bedford 6 Wow!
South Lyon East 24 Milan 7
Grosse Ile 49 Dundee 26
Flat Rock 14 Erie Mason 6
Riverview 42 Algonac 0
Airport 35 Tecumseh 14
Huron 28 Crestwood 6
SMCC 847 Windsor Assumption 0

Thursday Night Scores

2011-10-21T07:05:00.004-04:00

Grosse Ile 46 Dundee 22
South Lyon East 41 Milan 26
Erie Mason 38 Flat Rock 26

Please send in your scores. I'll get them posted ASAP.

Friday Night Predictions

2011-10-19T06:49:00.001-04:00

Airport 28 Tecumseh 13: This is a game the Jets should dominate but the Indians play a tough schedule and this may be a game.

Riverview 31 Algonac 18: The Pirates should be able to use this as a tune up game for the playooffs.

Grosse Ile 28 Dundee 27: Most likely the game of the night. The Islanders need to get back on track. Dundee could use a win to help them gain momentum for the playoffs.

SMCC 847 Windsor Assumption 0:Forfeit

Huron 21 Crestwood 20: Crestwood has been playing better as the season has gone on. This will be a much tougher test than expected.

Bedford 41 Jefferson 12: This game could get ugly but don't be surpirsed if the Bears compete.

Flat Rock 28 Erie Mason 21: The Rams owe the Eagles from last season's closer. Flat Rock cannot afford to look opast anyone.

South Lyon East 28 Milan 20: East plays a tougher schedule and will most likely end the Big Reds season on a sour note.

Huron League Thoughts and Questions

2011-10-17T22:31:00.000-04:00

Nice win for Jefferson to end the league season.

When was the last time SMCC finished with a losing record?

Riverview made me look foolish this season.

Congrats to Airport for running the league schedule.

When was the last time Milan finished last in a league?

Grosse Ile better not look past Dundee.

Both Flat Rock and Huron disappointed a little this season but both should be better next season..

I'm convinced that the league was down this year.

Airport and Riverview need to avoid Thurston in the playoffs.

Grosse Ile could win a few games if they avoid Crockett.

Any coaching changes coming in the league?

Friday Night Stars

2011-10-16T14:20:00.000-04:00

Here are a few stars from around the Huron League Friday night.

Josh Smith, Riverview: The speedy sophomore carried the ball 27 times for 190 yards and two TD's in the Pirates 31-21 victory over arch-rival Grosse Ile

Steven Curnett, Huron: The bruising junior carried the ball 16 times for 109 yards and a touchdown in the Chiefs 21-14 victory over Flat Rock.

Caleb Schumake, Airport: The senior RB made a convincing case for Huron League Offensive Player of the Year by running for 100 yards and four TD's on just 10 carries in the Jets convincing 48-14 victory over Milan.

Ryan Bosanac, Jefferson: Bosanac scored two TD's including the game winner in the Bears 15-13 OT victory over their hated rival SMCC. Bosanac carried the ball 20 times for 77 yards.

Trevor Zajac, Huron: The senior LB had 10 tackles in the Chiefs victory over Flat Rock.

Vince Maheres, Riverview: The senior LB recorded 11 tackles and led a strong defensive effort by the Pirates as they won back the Colvin Cup from Grosse Ile.

Friday Night Scores

2011-10-14T21:51:00.002-04:00

Huron 21 Flat Rock 14
Jefferson 15 SMCC 13 OT
Riverview 31 Grosse Ile 21
Airport 48 Milan 14

Friday Night Picks

2011-10-14T06:57:00.000-04:00

Grosse Ile 28 Riverview 27
SMCC 20 Jefferson 13
Airport 31 Milan 12
Huron 21 Flat Rock 20

Thursday Night Scores

2011-10-13T18:22:00.001-04:00

JV Scores
Huron 20 Flat Rock 12
Grosse Ile 19 Riverview 6
Milan 14 Airport 13

Huron League Thoughts and Questions

2011-10-11T11:31:00.000-04:00

How about the Detroit Lions?

Best football rivalry in the league and why?

Flat Rock's Colin Knoch is basically a guard playing fullback.

SMCC probably has a chance of making the playoffs if they can finish 5-4.

Which team has been the league biggest disappointment this season?

Riverview certainly has exceeded my expectations this season.

Who ends up the Offensive Player of the Year?

How about Defensive Player of the Year?

Does Riverview hate Grosse Ile because the best part of their "View" is the "Island"?

Michigan State or Michigan?

Playoff Projections

2011-10-10T09:15:00.000-04:00

Obviously it is early but the playoff prognosticators have picked where Airport, Riverview and Grosse Ile will end up. These guys are usually pretty solid in their projections so I will roll with it for now.

Division III

Region 4 District 1
(3)Riverview @ (2)Airport
(4)Adrian @ (1)Chelsea

Division IV

Region 3 District 2
(3)Detroit Kettering @ (2)Grosse Ile
(4)Detroit Southwestern @ (1)Detroit Frederick Douglas