Pigskin Picks: Can Harper Creek shock the state with a win at Ford Field?
BATTLE CREEK - Harper Creek's football team has come close to earning a trip to Detroit over the years.
The mecca of high school football, Detroit is the end goal for every high school football team in the state and has been for decades. Whether it was dreaming of going to the 'Dome when the state finals were at the Pontiac Silverdome, or hoping the playoffs end with a drive to Ford Field, that is the place this state's football players want to get to.
And the Beavers have come close with state semifinal appearances recently in 2017, as well as 2011 and 2012, where one more win would have had Harper Creek in the state finals for the first time in school history.
Well, it isn't the state finals, but Harper Creek is finally getting its shot to play on the big stage in Detroit. The Beavers will play Jackson Lumen Christi at Ford Field in a special high school football showcase game on Saturday.
It's not the ultimate trip to the Motor City, but Harper Creek will take it.
If Harper Creek has any questions about playing at Ford Field, the Beavers need only to ask the guys across the line from them. Lumen Christi has been to Ford Field to play in the state finals six times since 2016.
It is also the first time a Battle Creek city football team has played in Detroit at either the Silverdome or Ford Field since Pennfield went to the state finals in 1991 and Lakeview went in 1983.
So this is a big deal for Battle Creek high school football.
But we knew that.
If you are reading this, what you really want to know is, will the trip be worth it? Can they win? The Beavers are playing one of the best teams in the state.
Should Harper Creek put all of its players on a bus, pack up the band, the cheerleaders and the dance team and head to Ford Field to take on Lumen Christi? Should the fans take the long drive on a Saturday to follow their team? Only to be disappointed in the final score?
Well, firstly, the experience itself is worth it, regardless of the final score.
And secondly, your resident expert is predicting a happy trip home for all mentioned above after the game is over at Ford Field.
Look for Harper Creek to pull of the upset with an inspired effort.
Harper Creek 22, Lumen Christi 20
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Hastings at Pennfield
If that above prediction was a shocker, hold on to your hats. Hastings beat Pennfield 61-7 last season on its way to its third straight playoff appearance. The Panthers have lost five straight to Hastings. The Saxons are in first place in the Interstate 8 Conference and are cruising to a league title. But....the Panthers are looking to shock the local high school football world.
Pennfield 32, Hastings 28
Kalamazoo Central at Lakeview
Not a big shocker, but more happy results for city football fans. Lakeview has won two straight, has momentum and is looking to end the regular season on a high note. Under first-year head coach Brett Vernon, Lakeview has started to turn things around after losing its first six games. The Spartans are playing for a brighter future and that continues this week.
Lakeview 42, Kalamazoo Central 24
Other Games
St. Joseph 32, Battle Creek Central 12
Climax-Scotts 42, Pittsford 40
St. Philip 42, Bangor 38
Last Week: 6-0; Overall: 33-15
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Pigskin Picks: Can Harper Creek shock the state with win at Ford Field?
