FOOTBALL PRIMER: A look at Week 2 matchups
STURGIS — The Sturgis football team last started 2-0 during the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
They opened with wins over Three Rivers and Allegan, but then sputtered to a 3-4 finish.
This year's Trojan group is looking to have a better record. They went on the road last week and beat Coldwater 34-12 behind a big offensive line and a defense that caused four turnovers. The 1-0 start is great, coach Chance Stewart said, but the Trojans quickly moved their thoughts to their Week 2 opponent in Kalamazoo Central.
It's an interesting opponent, for sure. The Maroon Giants did not play last week in a rivalry contest against Loy Norrix. The game was originally scheduled to take place on Thursday, but was attempted to be moved to Saturday. Ultimately, the plug was pulled and the game did not occur.
Because of this, Sturgis does not have game film on Kalamazoo Central. They've seen the Maroon Giants take the field in scrimmages, but game film is always different. Stewart said the Trojans are excited to play in front of the home crowd — and acknowledged the SHS faithful was very solid last week at Coldwater.
Sturgis will run the football. The offensive line helped pave the way for Dalton Tisdel to score three touchdowns in the win over the Cardinals. Taner Patrick was solid at quarterback and spread the ball around to six different receivers. He only threw for 85 yards in the game, including a 30-yard TD to Brock Fergison, but he did not throw an interception and was solid leading the team.
The Trojans could also get a big boost in playoff bonus points with a win over Kalamazoo Central. The Maroon Giants are Division 1, SHS is Division 3. With a win at home on Thursday night, the Trojans would have a very solid start to the season.
Colon at Mendon
Colon and Mendon had opposite starts to their seasons last week. Mendon went on the road and whacked Bangor, led by Jack McCaw and his touchdown parade. The Hornets are aiming for a return trip to the state finals at the Superior Dome, a place Colon has visited as well.
The Magi dropped a 62-6 defeat at home to Martin last week. The Clippers are the defending state champions and appear to once again have a strong squad. The turnover battle and running the football will be key to this game here. Mendon loves running the football and will look to do it consistently once again.
Bronson at Petersburg Summerfield
Bronson won the season-opener over Prairie Heights, getting six combined touchdowns from Seth Withington and Carson Norton. The Vikings travel over to play Petersburg Summerfield here this week, the Bulldogs beat Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes last week in a 14-7 game.
The Viking defense will play a big role in this one here. They've surrendered better than 300 points each of the last two seasons to opponents, this year the Vikes are looking to play with improved intensity on that side of the football. If the defense plays well here on the road, Bronson could be looking at its second consecutive 2-0 start.
Galesburg-Augusta at White Pigeon
White Pigeon replaced quite a bit from last year's squad. It did not seem to matter last week as the Chiefs went on the road and beat up on Reading, 36-14. Caleb Lane rumbled for three touchdowns in the game and White Pigeon stayed true to itself, running the football nearly the entire game.
The Chiefs did attempt three passes, however. Two of those were intercepted, which goes back to Shawn Strawser's mantra of throwing the ball is a bad thing.
Galesburg-Augusta lost 14-6 at Decatur last weekend. They're going to get a steady dose of the Chiefs ground game here.
Schoolcraft at Centreville
Centreville had a tough second half in an 18-16 loss at Union City on Saturday. It was a game between two expected playoff teams and now Centreville has to turn its attention to Schoolcraft, a program looking to get back to its ways from previous years.
The Eagles beat Comstock 31-0 last week. Centreville is better than Comstock and will come into the game wounded off the close loss at Union City. The Bulldogs will look to avoid going 0-2 to start the season.
Adrian at Three Rivers
Three Rivers battled weather last week and made a couple of trips to Charlotte. The eventual outcome was a 52-22 defeat to the Orioles.
Now the Cats welcome in Adrian, a team which beat Ann Arbor Pioneer 36-30 last week. The Maples are expected to be much improved than in previous years.
Constantine at Benton Harbor
Following a lengthy bus trip over to Detroit Southeastern last week, Constantine gets on the bus once again this week. The Falcons are headed to the west side of the state now, taking on Benton Harbor.
The Falcons beat the Division 5 Jungaleers last week. Benton Harbor is also a Division 5 team. Picking up a win here over the Tigers would certainly go a long way for Shawn Griffith's team in regards to playoff points.
Benton Harbor lost last week, a 51-20 defeat to Lawton, a team Constantine travels to take on next week.
Marcellus at Maple Valley
Marcellus whipped up on Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian last week, 58-8. The Wildcats had plenty of impressive performances by individuals, led by Dawson Lehew's performance with 278 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
Marcellus hasn't opened the season at 2-0 since 2019. Maple Valley beat Mesick last week, 38-14.
Climax-Scotts at Burr Oak
Burr Oak is still battling numbers and youth. The Bobcats will still take the field this week, a home contest against Climax-Scotts.
The Panthers beat Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian 26-14 last week and are looking to have a big regular season. Burr Oak will have aspirations of derailing the Panthers' success, but it will take a total team effort.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: FOOTBALL PRIMER: A look at Week 2 matchups
