Michigan high school football: Picks for Week 1's biggest games
With all due respect to Bobby Darin: Look out, old Son Of Swami is back.
Yes, the very old All-Knowing One is back for his 54th season of high school football and follies.
When SOS last conversed with his faithful readers, he was readying himself and Mrs. SOS for Bruce Springsteen’s concert at Little Caesars Arena.
The concert was, in a word, magnificent.
SOS also liked the fact that his seats were next to Hall of Fame Farmington Hills Mercy basketball coach Larry Baker and his wife, Barb, and son, Chris.
Not to be outdone, SOS ran into the infamous Reid sisters — Kelly and Katie — from Lake City’s infamous Town Pump Saloon. SOS hadn’t seen them in about 30 years and they still don’t look to be 40.
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It has been almost a tradition of sorts for SOS and Mrs. SOS to attend a Goo Goo Dolls concert right before the start of football season.
SOS had his chance last week, with the added incentive that O.A.R. — another SOS favorite — was on the same bill.
But last weekend SOS was in Highland Park (Illinois, that is), north of Chicago, returning grandsons Beckett, 9, and Kellan, 6, who had spent the week in Allen Park.
To be frank, SOS has no idea how he and Mrs. SOS survived being double-teamed by the pair. To say they are active is a grand understatement. Every hug ends in a headlock, and the two nearly shut down the Hands-On Museum in Ann Arbor.
Last Saturday, SOS caught Kenny Loggins in concert at Ravinia (think Pine Knob, but smaller), a stone’s throw from the estate of Daughter of SOS and Runner Dude.
On Sunday, SOS and the gang attended the Chicago Symphony’s performance of the Tchaikovsky Spectacular, which included cannons.
SOS was a bit disappointed because it listed Kevin Murphy as the pianist, but it wasn’t the athletic director at Livonia Clarenceville. The concert was sponsored by the Negaunee Foundation, but SOS couldn’t find Paul Jacobson.
The good thing was, half of the audience was so old, it made SOS feel like a kid. One woman took a tumble right in front of SOS on his way to his seat. Being the humanitarian he is, SOS heroically pulled her to her feet.
When he got her up he asked: “Can SOS interest you in mouth-to-mouth resuscitation?”
The woman thanked SOS, but declined. Another SOS rejection.
With things now back to normal, SOS is here with this week’s top games.Saline at Brighton, Thursday, 7 p.m.: Grant Hetherton finally gets his opportunity to start at QB for Brighton; all he has to do is match up against Notre Dame-bound CJ Carr, the No. 1 player in the state. Hetherton should be able to hold his own, but he may not want to throw in the direction of James Rush. The Brighton secondary will be inexperienced, which means Carr and TE Dylan Mesman (Louisville) may have big games in the opener. Saline Solution 35, Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 21.
Belleville vs. River Rouge at Wayne State, Friday, 7 p.m.: The Tigers' drive for a third consecutive D-1 title begins against a talented Panthers team. Nick Marsh (Michigan State) is one of the top receivers in the Midwest, and McKale McDowell had his moments last season as a sophomore QB. But who’s kidding who here? Belleville has junior QB Bryce Underwood, who's sensational, and Jeremiah Beasley (U-M) as a standout at RB and LB. Belle Tire 37, Rouge River 19.
Warren De La Salle vs. Davison at Flint Atwood, Thursday, 7 p.m.: Two-time defending D-2 champ De La Salle will be challenged by an improved Davison team looking to be a factor in D-1 again. AJ Hill Jr. will be a threat for the cardinals catching the ball or running with it. The defense will be strong with linebacker Carter Herriman (Miami of Ohio) starting for the fourth year and DEs Tyler Dosh and Jackson Clarke starting for the third season. La Salle lost a ton of talent, but the Pilots will contend again. Sophomore WR Damion King is going to be special, and WR Phoenix Glassnor will be another threat. Rhett Rosier is going to run for a bundle of yards. De La Slappy 24, Davis’ Son 22.
Rockford at Muskegon, Friday, 7 p.m.: This is a matchup of the two best programs on the state’s west side — or anywhere else in the state for that matter. Muskegon has played in five of the past seven D-3 championship games. Thirteen starters return and Jakob Price and Destin Piggee each ran for over 1,000 yards last season. Rockford is on the rise again, shooting for its fourth straight unbeaten regular season. Look for Ryan Ahern to run for over 1,000 yards this fall. Muskie’s Gone 21, Rockford Files 20.
Cass Tech vs. Southfield A&T at Wayne State, Saturday, 1 p.m.: Both teams are pretty loaded, but especially A&T, which returns seven starters on offense and nine on defense. Entering his fourth year as starting QB is Isaiah Marshall (Kansas), who has a pair of fine receivers in Tashi Braceful (Toledo) and Jawon Jarrett (Marshall). Sophomore Corey Sadler takes over at QB for Cass, but will also play in the slot and at RB. Cashus Shivers will star at receiver and in the secondary. Momma Cass 44, AT&T 39.
Mick McCabe (err, Son of Swami) is a former longtime columnist for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at mick.mccabe11@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @mickmccabe1. Order his book, “Mick McCabe’s Golden Yearbook: 50 Great Years of Michigan’s Best High School Players, Teams & Memories,” now at McCabe.PictorialBook.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan high school football: Picks for Week 1's biggest games
