Previews and Picks for Week 6 of Branch County High School Football

BRANCH COUNTY – Week six of the 2023 high school football season in Branch County is upon us, with a full slate of games that includes a cross county rivalry battle with a conference title up for grabs.

One team is still very much alive for a potential playoff berth, as Union City comes into week 6 at 4-1. Bronson and Quincy both have work to do to secure a spot in the playoffs, sitting at 2-3, while Tekonsha enters the week at 1-4. Coldwater is still searching for a win heading into the week and could be facing the right opponent at the right time to get it.

So, with that in mind, let us take a look at our Week 6 High School Football Previews and Picks.

Union City (4-1) at Quincy (2-3) - The Daily Reporter Game of the Week

At Quincy High School, Friday 7 p.m.- Quincy’s Homecoming

Preview: Union City has a chance to claim the outright Big 8 conference title for the second straight year with a win Friday night at Quincy, while the Orioles look to keep their playoff hopes alive and play the spoiler on Homecoming.

Union City is coming off a huge 58-16 win over rival Bronson in the Battle for the Shield, a contest that saw the Chargers rush for 433 yards in the win, which included two rushers eclipse 100 yards, and another come within just a few yards.

Quincy comes into the week after a frustrating loss at Columbia Central, a game that was just a one-point affair at the half before turnovers, bad miscues, and some questionable officiating derailed the Orioles. The Quincy passing attack was on fire in the game, as Brennen Allman passed for 349 yards and two scores on the night.

This is a battle of two teams with different offensive philosophies, although each can dip into the other’s wheelhouse well enough.

Union City has thrived all season creating turnovers and using their multi-pronged offensive attack, which has added a new wrinkle with dual-threat quarterback Rick Austin taking snaps in their vaunted Wing-T, to wear opponents down. Mixed with their explosive passing game featuring quarterback Eli Payne and wideouts Austin and Jeremy Zehr, well, Union City is tough to stop.

Quincy has been explosive on offense and can score the ball, however turnovers have been a thorn in their side all season. But with Allman throwing the ball to wideouts Ryan Kempter, Noah Pearson, Joe Gray, Alex Dunn, and Ethan Copas, well anything can happen.

In the end Union City is just too talented and will use their speed to create a few turnovers and grind out the ball enough to keep the vaunted Oriole passing attack off the field. Union City wins and claims their second straight Big 8 crown.

Prediction: Union City 42, Quincy 12 

Coldwater (0-5) at Pennfield (2-3)

At Pennfield High School, Friday, 7 p.m.

Preview: Coldwater is coming off a tough loss on the road, as the Cardinals saw Lincoln Park score two touchdowns over the final three minutes to pull away for the win. Pennfield comes into the week after their biggest win of the season, as the Panthers took down the Marshall Redhawks 37-21.

Coldwater is finally finding their way on both sides of the ball, as senior Zach Coffing has found himself a few weapons in the passing game.

Pennfield, under first year head coach Robbie Hattan, relies on the run game, out rushing Marshall 364-98 in last week’s win.

If Coldwater can take care of the ball, they have a puncher's chance of sneaking away from this rivalry road contest with a win. They need to take care of the ball and keep the big plays at bay on defense.

Coldwater keeps it close but drops another heartbreaker late.

Prediction: Pennfield 28, Coldwater 20 

More: Football: Tekonsha falls to Camden, Bronson loses at Reading

More: Turnovers derail big passing day for Quincy as Orioles fall to Columbia Central

Springport (1-4) at Bronson (2-3)

At Bronson High School, Friday, 7 p.m.- Bronson’s Homecoming

Preview: Bronson is coming off a tough loss versus Union City, a game that saw the Vikings play without their leading rusher in Seth Withington. Withington is back this week, and the Vikings should immediately go back to the big bruising back to reignite that dangerous power run attack. Withington, paired with Collin York, Spencer Losinski, Aidan Whitaker, and Carson Norton, behind that big Viking line, is a tricky thing to stop.

Springport is young and undersized and are facing a very angry Bronson team. This one may get ugly.

Prediction: Bronson 48, Springport 6 

Tekonsha (1-4) at North Adams (0-5)

At North Adams High School, Friday, 7 p.m.

Preview: The young Tekonsha squad finally catches a little break in their schedule after a brutal stretch of games. North Adams has always been a tough out for the Indians but look for Tekonsha to bounce back in week six for win number two.

Prediction: Tekonsha 34, North Adams 12. 

Do you agree with Sports Editor Troy Tennyson’s picks? Disagree? Let him know via email at ttennyson@thedailyreporter.com. Follow The Daily Reporter or Troy on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ttennysonTDR for up to minute stats, scores, news and more regarding Friday Night Lights.  

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Branch County High School Football Week 6 Previews and Picks