The Irish and the Aggies…Several years ago these two teams would have matched up and only one could be a district champion! Now for the first time…In well I think it’s the first time that these two squads could both win district championships playing on the gridiron. The Mt Pleasant Oilers and Clare Pioneers were bested Saturday to leave us with the smallest of our five ultra local schools playing in the MHSAA playoffs. Saturday Sacred Heart Academy travels to Kinde North Huron, and on Friday night the Beal City Aggies head to Joberg Lewiston!
First a quick thought on the Irish, it has been a strange year with blowout wins, and odd loss, and not a lot of heated competition. This game vs Kinde North Huron will surely be their biggest test to date. Kinde is 7-1 and they have won their 2 playoff games 110-26, but the Irish can put up those points to beating their playoff opponents 114-18. This game may very well come down to who has the ball last, or who creates some turnovers. If the Irish win they would most likely face Portland St Patrick on the road next week.
The Aggies face off against Joberg on the road for the second straight year. It’s pointless to count Aggie district titles because they have won so many regional championships before district titles were even a thing. If Beal City wins they will be going for Regional title number eleven since 2000! With the weather we have had the field should be in much better shape this year. Last year it was orange dots down the sideline, literally for the sideline. This year it may be cold again, but several inches of ice and snow are not in the forecast. If you joined us last Friday Bret Hyble said it best about Beal City, maybe the best team win he had ever seen. The Aggies were faced with a lot of adversity last week and had several players step into big roles, and not just play well, they played excellent. It is amazing what can be accomplished when playing for something bigger than yourselves, and even more amazing what can happen when a team is literally playing for some of their best friends. This week will be no different that last week…Just like Breckenridge Joberg is a very strong team that has plans on moving deep into the playoffs, just like Beal.
I was almost a little emotional at the end of last weeks game, it was just a moment for a group of kids that had worked so hard after last years great run, then to maybe not have the season, then to have it. Then you pile on what they went through late last week…It was truly amazing. All I can hope for is another effort from this group of kids Friday night, if that happens I’ll be a little emotional at the end of the game no matter the outcome!
