Thoughts Around the State.

Written Sunday October 6th at 1:00 PM

Things have changed in the football world around the state. Here are my storylines thus far.

What has happened to Detroit Cass Tech???

The Technicians were due for a down season but not this bad. Detroit Cass Tech had made the playoffs 12 of the last 13 years are in real danger of missing out on the playoffs after falling 25-20 to a very good Detroit Renaissance squad on Friday afternoon. The Technicians sit at 2-4 right now.

The Phoenix beat Avondale in week two 20-14 in Auburn Hills. They will look to get to the playoffs for the first time since 2014 but beating two quality opponents is a good start as they sit at 4-2.

Detroit Cass Tech is not in a good spot right now. Also with the new playoff system coming next year it certainly does not help the Technicians or the Detroit Public School League.

Is Lowell back???

The Red Arrows are at their third coach in three years but they have managed to bounce back since losing to Rockford and Zeeland West sitting at 4-2. Lowell has two huge games looming starting with this week going up against Cedar Springs who is tied with the Red Arrows in the Ottawa Kent White and is at 5-1. Lowell also has to play Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central in week eight and Grand Rapids Northview to close out the season. If the Red Arrows can win two of three against that tough schedule then they would have earned their trip back into the postseason.

Rockford winning ugly???

The Rams sit at 6-0 but the last two weeks they have won by a combined five points including last week’s 10-7 win over Caledonia. Rockford has a tough schedule having to play Hudsonville this week following by East Kentwood and Grandville. It will be a test to see where the Rams are at heading into the postseason.

The Catholic League Central is over.

The Catholic League Central Division crown was likely decided on Saturday night with a resurgence Orchard Lake St. Marys beating Birmingham Brother Rice 44-21 at home sending their record to 6-0 on the season and a playoff appearance for the first time since 2016 likely in Division Three. The Eaglets still have to play Novi Detroit Catholic Central and have wins over the Warriors and Warren De LaSalle. They will likely be in the Catholic League Championship Game as well in a few weeks. Things are heading in the right direction for Orchard Lake St. Marys.

Davison and Lapeer on collision course.

The Cardinals have been scoring on everybody lately. The state’s best offense has scored 331 points in six games to go to 6-0 but they will be tested this week when they head down to Wayne State to play Warren De LaSalle. The Pilots won 35-7 last season in Davison. It will be interesting how the Cardinals respond against a stout defense.

The Lightning have outscored their respective opponents 229-34 since the Lake Orion game where they lost 17-7 in week one. Lapeer has a tough game next week at home before going to Davison to close out the season in Birmingham Brother Rice. The Warriors have lost two straight since a 4-0 start and a trip to Lapeer isn’t the easiest trips for any team south of M-59.

Pending if both Davison and Lapeer get past their respective Catholic League foes then it shapes up to be for the South title in Davison and that place will be rocking.

Midland is the best team in the North.

The Chemics sent a statement in the Saginaw Valley North by beating Mount Pleasant 22-21 on Friday night in Mount Pleasant. Midland is 6-0 was a Division Two State semifinalist last season after blowing out Walled Lake Western in the regional final.

The Chemics should run the table the rest of the season but always that last game against Midland Dow is always the trickiest but they should be fine for a deep postseason run whether they go south or west.

What has happened to Waterford Mott???

I read Paula Pasche of the Oakland Press’s interview with Corsairs coach Chris Fahr after the team’s 51-12 loss to South Lyon on Friday night. He said that “I didn’t have my football team ready, I’m a crap coach, I lost control of my team, they don’t play for me.”

That was a strong statement and the stats have proven why. Waterford Mott is 7-8 in the last two years and both sides of the football are struggling. The Corsairs have scored 52 points which is the second lowest in the Lakes Valley and has allowed 156 points which is in the middle of the pack in the league.

Waterford Mott sits at 3-3 but the schedule somewhat eases up. They play Walled Lake Central this week and then Taylor the following week then it’s the “Beef Bowl” with Waterford Kettering who is battling for their playoff lives this week when they play Lakeland.

Fahr needs to figure things out and fast or they will miss the postseason for the second straight season.