High school football predictions: Picking winners for Week 5 games

I was a little late getting to Monroe’s football game Thursday night.

As I stepped out of the car, the crowd cheered.

I heard the voice of public address announcer Russell Columbus echoing through the parking lot.

“That makes it Monroe 22, Ann Arbor Skyline 0.”

I checked my watch.

I was only 15 minutes late. That was enough time for the Trojans to pile up 22 points.

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What a great omen for my Week 4 predictions. I picked Monroe to win, but I wasn’t all that confident with my selection.

I needed something positive. After a miserable 7-5 week of picking winners in Monroe County Region football games, I was considering tossing my crystal ball into the recycling bin.

Now, I think I will keep it.

The old thing performed much better this week, helping me to a rare undefeated week.

That 12-0 record pushed my season mark to 35-10. My winning percentage rose 81 points to .778.

I would love to have another week like that. Let’s see what happens in Week 5.

Southgate Anderson (3-1) at Gibraltar Carlson (3-1): These teams have one common opponent. Carlson trounced Taylor 57-12 two weeks. Southgate blanked the same team 25-0 last week, but logging another shutout will be a tall task. They are averaging 53 points a game the past three games at … CARLSON.

Monroe (3-1) at Saline (4-0): My wife and daughter accompanied me to my mother’s house last week to do some mowing and gardening. My daughter accidentally stuck a ladder into a hornet’s nest (it might actually have been wasp nest, but hornets work better here). She and my mom got stung. Hornets can be dangerous, especially hornets from … SALINE.

Bedford (1-3) at Ann Arbor Pioneer (1-3): These two teams have faced the same nightmare the past two weeks with back-to-back losses to Southeastern Conference heavyweights Dexter and Saline. Neither scored a point in either of those games, but they didn’t give up quite as many points at … BEDFORD.

Adrian Madison (1-3) at Dundee (2-2): Ethan Layton deserves a lot of credit for helping to keep Dundee afloat. Things could have gone south for the Vikings when quarterback Ryan Zanger went down with an injury. Instead, it’s time to climb over .500 at … DUNDEE.

Ida (1-3) at Hillsdale (1-3): After playing Whiteford, Clinton and Hudson the past three weeks, it’s time for Ida to start winning. It won’t be easy for the banged-up Blue Streaks who have to make a long trip to Hillsdale, but I’ll go with … IDA.

Summerfield (4-0) at Erie Mason (1-3): This might be the toughest pick of the week. The records don’t show it, but these two teams are pretty evenly matched. I am going out on a limb to pick … MASON.

Sand Creek (1-3) at Whiteford (4-0): The defending Division 8 state champions are ready to begin the defense of their Tri-County Conference title. The pre-league schedule provided a good test for … WHITEFORD.

New Boston Huron (1-3) at Jefferson (0-4): Both teams really need a win. Jefferson has taken a beating from Huron League heavyweights Riverview and Flat Rock the past two weeks. Riverview overpowered Huron last week. I’ll give the nod to … HURON.

Grosse Ile (1-3) at Airport (3-1): The talents of Airport quarterback Cooper Nye are jaw dropping. Just watch the video of him hurdling an SMCC tackler last week. But most opposing coaches say the player they really fear is Jack Mills. Look for Mills to have a big game Friday for … AIRPORT.

SMCC (1-3) at Milan (3-1): Both teams are shy on experience, leading to some headaches for the coaches. One experienced player on the field Friday will be William Gaskell V. He is a senior who has been doing it all this season for … MILAN.

Flat Rock (4-0) at Riverview (3-1): It’s showdown time in the Huron League. Riverview knows it needs a win in its first home game of the season to have any shot at defending its league title. The Pirates will be ready, but I think this is the year for … FLAT ROCK.

Readers can contact Niles by e-mail at nkruger@monroenews.com or by telephone at 240-5782. Follow him on Twitter @NilesKruger.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: High school football predictions: Rare undefeated week lifts spirits