It pains me to write these Bay City area high school football predictions.
And I know pain.
I am currently in a bout with gout – and I’m a Detroit Tigers fan.
If you’ve never experienced gout, you don’t want to. It’s a buildup of uric acid, which forms crystals in my ankle, leading to pain, swelling, sleep deprivation and pain.
It’s triggered by any food or drink that looks good, smells good or tastes good, primarily red meat and beer.
The pain level is equivalent to watching your favorite baseball team go through a September swoon or leave 15 runners on base in a playoff game.
I believe both afflictions are life’s way of balancing the scales after I went 10-0 in my Spotlight picks and 18-0 overall in Week 5. Of course, none of the 23 readers who shared their picks on my Facebook page topped perfection.
But everybody should try again this week as I don’t see a repeat performance. I’m rarely at my best while writhing.
Now, let’s get picking!
LEE T’S RECORD
Spotlight Games (Week 5): 10-0 (1.000)
Spotlight Games (Season): 37-13 (.740)
Overall (Week 5): 18-0 (1.000)
Overall (Season): 77-20 (.794)
SPOTLIGHT GAMES
BAY CITY CENTRAL (1-4) at SAGINAW UNITED (0-5)
In its past 12 games outside the Saginaw Valley League North, Central sports a 6-6 record, and the opportunity is ripe for another victory. It won’t come easy as the two squads dueled down to the wire in Central’s 7-6 victory a year ago. If the Wolves can put a few points on the board, they can capture a much-needed win. Bay City Central 20, Saginaw United 14
BEAVERTON (2-3) at ST. LOUIS (2-3)
If much-improved St. Louis can get past the Beavers, it will have a shot to get in on the JPC-2 title. Beaverton is playing for seeding and pride, and I suspect they’re due for big win. The Beavers feature one of the league’s top baseball players in Landon Love and top basketball players in Ian Roberts. Watch them go to work on the gridiron in Week 6. Beaverton 42, St. Louis 38
CPS (0-5) at ALL SAINTS (3-2)
All Saints gets back to the business of winning the Big Thumb Conference Red. The two-time reigning champ has rattled off 17 straight league victories and now takes on a program that is riding a 15-game losing streak. All Saints is coming off a tough 30-24 loss to No. 3 Onekama, showing for the second time this season that it can compete with the best. They don’t get a chance to show that this week. All Saints 77, Carsonville-Port Sanilac 8
FREELAND (4-1) at ESSEXVILLE GARBER (2-3)
It has been tough sledding for the Dukes the past three weeks and the downhill track isn’t expected to ease up in Week 6. Freeland is the No. 9-ranked team in the state and has hopes for a Tri-Valley Conference Red championship. Garber is 0-8 all-time against Freeland. Freeland 48, Garber 6
GLADWIN (2-3) at SHEPHERD (4-1)
After an 0-3 start, Gladwin has looked sharp the past two weeks. Now it has a chance to prove the turnaround is for real. Shepherd has been the breakout team of the JPC-1 this season and is coming off a motivational victory that kept it within sight of first place. My suspicion is that Gladwin had to endure a learning curve and is beyond those early twists and turns. Gladwin 28, Shepherd 24
HARRISON (4-1) at PINCONNING (1-4)
This is a matchup of two teams trending in opposite directions. Defending JPC-2 champion Harrison has its ground-and-pound game motoring right now and poses a significant challenge for Pinconning. The Spartans were on the cusp of being a playoff team this year but have hit a costly funk. Harrison 35, Pinconning 14
JOHN GLENN (4-1) at FRANKENMUTH (4-1)
John Glenn is an on-the-rise team, but it hasn’t arrived just yet. The Bobcats are hungry for the statement win that would make everyone take notice. This would certainly qualify. No. 3-ranked Frankenmuth has won 69 straight league games and 13 straight league titles. Are the Bobcats ready to tangle with the big boys? Frankenmuth 28, John Glenn 17
MOUNT PLEASANT (5-0) at BAY CITY WESTERN (3-2)
No. 3-ranked Mount Pleasant poses a mighty challenge for the Warriors. The Oilers are powering toward the Saginaw Valley League North title behind QB Xavier Creguer, who has completed an eye-popping 75 percent of his throws. Western got its offense rolling last week against Carman-Ainworth and it would be an encouraging sign if they can muster some points this week. Mount Pleasant 42, Bay City Western 17
STANDISH-STERLING (0-5) at CLARE (3-2)
Out of the blue, neither of these rock-solid programs are where they want to be at this point of the season. Standish-Sterling knew it was in for a rebuild but never envisioned an 0-5 start. Clare was not at the top of its game the past two weeks and paid the price in the rugged JPC-1. This is a vital showdown for both squads, but not in the way they intended. Clare 35, Standish-Sterling 12
UBLY (3-2) at REESE (3-2)
Ubly isn’t quite the powerhouse it has been for the past decade, but the Bearcats seem to be rounding into form of late. Since giving Millington a scare in Week 1, Reese has won three of four and is playing good football. But, looking at the schedules, this just might be a must-win game for both teams in their playoff bids. Expect a doozy. Ubly 16, Reese 14
MORE PREDICTIONS
Au Gres 48, Brimley 34
Caseville 38, Akron-Fairgrove 34
Cass City 30, Caro 8
Frankfort 32, Tawas 8
Laker 20, Sandusky 8
Mio 56, Whittemore-Prescott 32
Ogemaw Heights 36, Midland Bullock Creek 14
Oscoda 36, Johannesburg-Lewiston 12
Unionville-Sebewaing 22, Vassar 14
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