Scouting Report: Harper Creek vs. BCC highlights holiday weekend in high school football
BATTLE CREEK - Scouting reports for all the key high school football games in the Battle Creek readership area for Week 2:
Harper Creek (1-0) at Battle Creek Central (0-1), 7 p.m. Friday
Scouting Report for Battle Creek Central: It was a rough start of the season for Battle Creek Central, falling behind big early, and eventually losing, to Byron Center on the road, 55-14. However, BCC lost its opener to Byron Center last year as well, but bounced back to beat Harper Creek in Week 2 and started a seven-game winning streak. The Bearcats still have four-year starting quarterback Devoine Newton on their side and that gives BCC an advantage in most matchups. Newton set the school record in passing yardage a year ago and is hoping for more this year. The BCC signal caller showed his versatility in the win over the Beavers a year ago when he scored three times on the ground on QB keepers. The Bearcats should be quick to put last week's lost behind them as they get ready for their first game on their new 'Blue Turf' field.
Great Gridder for BCC: Kalifornia Bey had a nice start on defense, despite the loss to Byron Center, with five tackles. Bey also had seven tackles in a win over Harper Creek last year.
Scouting Report for Harper Creek: Harper Creek must still be on a high after a walk-off win over city rival Lakeview in Week 1. The Beavers have to manage their emotions, playing a city rival two weeks in a row. Humbling them a bit will be a reminder of being shut out by BCC last season at the start of a 3-6 season. BCC's defense held Harper Creek to 88 yards of total offense in the loss a year ago. Beaver running back Bronson Carpenter led the charge with 59 yards rushing on 17 carries. He would battle injuries much of the season following that game. Carpenter showed how much he can impact a contest when healthy, scoring three times in a win over Lakeview in the season opener last week.
Great Gridder for Harper Creek: Jesus Macedo led the game-winning drive from his quarterback spot in the dramatic victory over Lakeview in Week 1. Macedo hit Luke Jackson with no time remaining for the winning score.
MORE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL:
2023 Football: City/Area High School Football Schedules
Here's the 'Game of the Week' for every week of the 2023 high school football season
Enquirer's Top 8 (or 9) high school football players for 2023
Lakeview (0-1) at Grand Ledge (1-0), 7 p.m. Thursday
Scouting Report: After going from a ground-oriented offense the last few years, Lakeview showed it can throw the ball in Week 1. Spartan quarterback Jake Kucharczyk had his best game as a passer with 224 yards and four touchdowns. Receiver Davis Barr looks like he is going to be a problem all year for opposing defenses as the track star caught six passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns. The Spartans were opportunistic last week as well, scoring twice on short fields after miscues by Harper Creek. Beyond that, Lakeview struggled to sustain drives. This will be the first meeting ever between Lakeview and Grand Ledge. The Comets are coming off of a 37-30 win over Holland West Ottawa. Like for Lakeview, Grand Ledge saw its game decided in the final minute. The Comets scored with 20 seconds remaining to take the lead.
Great Gridder: Zach Kucharczyk had a punt block and a scoop and score on the same play to give the Spartans a lead late, despite a loss to Harper Creek.
Pennfield (1-0) at Williamston (0-1), 7 p.m. Thursday
Scouting Report: These two teams share some recent history as they met in the playoffs during the 2020 COVID-shortened season. On that night, Williamston ended Pennfield season with a 28-12 victory. From that game until the start of this season, Pennfield was 3-15. However, the Panthers enjoyed some success in their season opener in a dominating performance over Lakewood Lake Odessa. Winning 34-13, Pennfield head coach Robbie Hattan was successful in his debut and seemingly has the program heading in a positive direction. Williamston had a crazy opening weekend. The Hornets drove two hours to play Zeeland East in Game 1 last Thursday, only to have that game postponed after several hours of waiting for the storms to clear. Williamston then drove up again Friday and led 28-27 with 1:21 left in the fourth quarter before Zeeland East scored the game-winning touchdown.
Great Gridder: Kaidan Guthrie had nearly 150 all-purpose yards for the Panthers in its one-sided win.
Camden-Frontier (0-1) at St. Philip (1-0), 6:30 p.m. Wednesday (late)
Scouting Report: Originally scheduled for Thursday, St. Philip has pushed this game up to Wednesday due to a lack of officials. St. Philip and Camden-Frontier were both members of the SCAA when they each were still playing 11-player football. Camden-Frontier was winless in back-to-back seasons in 2014-15, driving the decision to go to 8-player football. Since then, the two programs have met four times with Camden-Frontier winning all four meetings. Camden-Frontier lost its opener to a Bellevue team that was winless a year ago. St. Philip has won five straight games, dating back to last season, scoring 50-plus points in each, including a 60-6 win over Tekonsha in its opener.
Great Gridder: Tiger quarterback Colt Myers had three rushing touchdowns and two scores through the air.
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Scouting Report: Harper vs. BCC highlights Week 2 in prep football
