Petoskey looking to start fast at Marquette, East Jordan visits Harbor in league rivalry
PETOSKEY — Just when things were getting comfortable at home, the Petoskey football team will get back to the road in Week 7.
After two straight home games – part of just four home games for the 2023 season – the Northmen will cross the Mackinac Bridge and keep heading north to Marquette for a Big North Conference game this week.
Right in the thick of the playoff race and meeting a team in the very same position – with both teams also in the conference race if Gaylord was to slip up – Petoskey head coach Jim Webb knows how big Friday night will be.
“They’re playing for basically conference too, as far as position and they’re playing for the playoffs too,” he said. “They’re on the bubble and still in the mix. They’re in a similar boat to us. It’s kind of a dangerous team up there on their home field.”
Because of that, Webb is looking for his Petoskey (4-2, 3-1) team to strike fast and come off the bus ready to roll against Marquette (3-2, 3-1).
“Without out a doubt, that would be huge if we can get up on them a bit and take some of their confidence, enthusiasm and crowd out of the game,” said Webb. “It’s easier said than done.”
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Speaking of huge, that’s what the Northmen will be up against when they line up with Marquette. From 6-foot-5, 300-pound Dasan Smith – a Central Michigan University commit – along the line, to 6-foot-6, 200-pound wideout Jacob MacPhee.
“They’ve got some humungous players,” said Webb. “We went and watched when they played Gaylord. They’ve got a couple that are huge and one of them heading to Central. Obviously there’s some talent there and they’re playing better.”
To keep some of that talent off the field, Petoskey has put more work into their own running game and its paid off with some solid games from CJ Hibbler and Brendan Swiss of late.
Hibbler has totaled 249 yards and three touchdowns over the last two games, while Swiss has added 151 tough yards and a three scores.
“If you can get the running game going, it does open up some of those other things, including big plays,” said Webb. “Because we have been running the ball effectively, we’ve been able to come off it and be effective passing when need be.”
Having a two-back system with Swiss emerging has been big for the offense as well.
“He likes his role,” said Webb on Swiss. “He’s 1000 miles an hour ever time he’s in there, whether he’s got the ball or not and that’s what you need back there. He’s a good compliment to CJ or any of the other guys that are back there. He’s been very, very consistent.”
Coming off a 26-13 win over Marquette a year ago, a win Friday night for the Northmen would go a long way in solidifying a playoff berth within Division 3, something they didn’t get after that Week 9 meeting last season.
Expect a close one. Before a year ago, four straight in the matchup were decided by five points or less.
East Jordan at Harbor Springs
HARBOR SPRINGS — Years ago, the script for this one would have been flipped.
Now, the hope is for Harbor to just be able to field a team.
Last week the Rams (0-6, 0-4) needed to cancel the junior varsity contest and pull players up due to injuries and sickness in Week 5.
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Since falling to Charlevoix in Week 4, it’s been business as usual for East Jordan (5-1, 3-0) and they now find themselves right in the thick of the Legacy Division race of the NMFC.
A win over Harbor Springs would set up a conference championship game the following week against Frankfort (6-0, 4-0).
It’s Homecoming night at Ottawa Stadium Friday night, though it’s not likely to bring much magic for the Rams. The hope is they’ll just be able to hang around close early.
Boyne City at Cheboygan
CHEBOYGAN — While the Ramblers (2-4, 1-2) couldn’t snap a four-game skid a week ago, the best news in a while came when Joey McHugh returned to the field for Boyne City.
The senior leader of both sides of the ball, McHugh helped put a spark back into the Ramblers, who nearly pulled off a win over Benzie Central, before falling late, 31-24.
This week they’ll get a Cheboygan (0-6) team in a non-conference game that’s on an even bigger rough patch. Cheboygan has failed to score more than a touchdown in each of the last five weeks, with a 21-219 points differential stretch.
Boyne City’s offense started returning to form last week and this one could be the perfect opportunity to end the final three on a solid stretch and potentially grab a playoff spot.
Mancelona at Charlevoix
CHARLEVOIX — A game away from clinching an undefeated Leaders Division title, Charlevoix will have to wait a week to do it, as they get Mancelona (2-4) at home Friday in a non-conference game.
The Rayders (5-1, 4-0) haven’t blinked since their season-opening overtime loss and have been one of the hottest teams around, leaning heavily on a backfield that’s starting to get going behind Henry Herzog, Landon Swanson, Logan Wadkins and quarterback Brady Jess as well.
Much of that is credit to a veteran offensive line that’s just been overpowering opponents.
It’ll be much of the same in this one Friday night at Kipke Field, Charlevoix’s fifth home game of the year – with still one more to go.
Contact Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DrewKochanny, and Instagram, @drewkochanny
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Both Petoskey, East Jordan football take on league foes Friday on the road
