Scouting Report: State-ranked Harper Creek hosts rival Marshall in key Interstate 8 clash
BATTLE CREEK - Scouting reports for all the key high school football games in the Battle Creek readership area for Week 4:
Stevensville-Lakeshore (2-1) at Battle Creek Central (0-3), 7 p.m. Friday
Scouting Report: After getting rolled by state-power Zeeland West in the opener, Stevensville-Lakeshore has won two straight, including a 33-26 victory over Mattawan to open Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference play last week. After going to the playoffs in 23 of the last 24 seasons, the Lancers had a down season in 2022 and went 3-6. That record included a 42-35 loss to Battle Creek Central. The Lancers are led by senior quarterback Zachary Ort, who runs a spread offense and will put pressure on the BCC back seven. Led by four-year starting quarterback Devoine Newton, the Bearcats are looking to bounce back on offense after getting shutout last week in a loss to Portage Northern. BCC has only beaten the Lancers once in the last 10 meetings.
Great Gridder: Ashton Burbank had one of the few bright spots for BCC last week, grabbing an interception.
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St. Joseph (2-1) at Lakeview (0-3), 7 p.m. Friday
Scouting Report: St. Joseph has only played twice this season, splitting those games. A second win for the Bears came by way of forfeit in a non-game originally scheduled against Henry Ford. St. Joseph is coming off a 39-20 win over Kalamazoo Central. The Bears are the defending champs in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference and were 9-2 a year ago, including a 35-14 win over Lakeview. However, St. Joseph suffered significant graduation losses from the starting lineup and was inexperienced coming into the season. The Bears won last week despite having five turnovers. Lakeview is still looking for its first win as the Spartans are 1-9 in their last 10 outings, dating back to last year. The Spartan offense remains solid, averaging 26 points per game. It is Hall of Fame Night for Lakeview.
Great Gridder: Davis Barr caught two touchdown passes in the loss to Portage Central, including a 77-yard reception in the second half.
Marshall (1-2) at Harper Creek (3-0), 7 p.m. Friday
Scouting Report: Harper Creek is ranked No. 8 in Division 3 in the first Associated Press poll of the season. Marshall (1-2) jumped out 28-0 at halftime and earned its first win of the season to open I-8 play at home with a victory over winless Coldwater (0-3) last week. Marshall has quality athletes at the skill positions, led by first-year starter at running back in Jack Minor and receiver Elliott Dodds. Distributing the ball on offense is experienced quarterback Austin Miller, who threw for 244 yards last week. Harper Creek's young defense will be challenged by Marshall's spread formations and short passing game. These rivals are 4-4 in the last eight meetings. Harper Creek's 3-0 start has come behind the strong play of an experienced offensive line that includes three-year starters Zach Kitchen and Ricky Johnson. Harper Creek has played Marshall more than any other team in the last six decades as the Redhawks own a 35-31 advantage in the rivalry. It is Hall of Fame Night for Harper Creek.
Great Gridder: Chase Nichols had three touchdowns for the Beavers in a 55-10 win over Jackson Northwest.
Jackson Northwest (1-2) at Pennfield (1-2), 7 p.m. Friday
Scouting Report: Jackson Northwest is a pass-first team, led by quarterback Gabriel Christner, who put it up 22 times in a loss to Harper Creek last week. The Mounties had their first winning season last year since 2013 and were hoping to build on that 5-4 mark heading into 2023. One of those wins last year came in a 34-22 victory over Pennfield. Northwest is 2-2 against Pennfield in the last four meetings. The Panthers have played a challenging schedule in recent weeks, with losses to Interstate 8 Conference contender Parma Western and state power Williamston. Pennfield's offense struggled in those two games, scoring only one touchdown in each. The Panthers offense could get going this week as Northwest is giving up nearly 35 points a game. Pennfield's running game continues to click with Kaiden Guthrie going over 100 yards once again last week in the loss to Parma Western. Friday is Salute to Service Night at Pennfield.
Great Gridder: Isaiah Adams had 10 tackles from his defensive back position in the loss to Parma Western.
St. Philip (1-2) at Bellevue (2-1), 7 p.m. Friday
Scouting Report: Bellevue has been the surprise team of the area so far as the Broncos have rebounded from an 0-9 season a year ago to open 2023 at 2-1. Bellevue won its first two games before being humbled in Week 3 in a 44-6 loss to Mendon. Bellevue has already matched or bettered its win total from each of the last three seasons and is seeking its first winning campaign since 2019. Bellevue has a balanced offensive attack with running quarterback Seth Keson and halfback Caleb Dahlem. Bellevue lost to St. Philip, 50-8, in Week 9 a year ago, but is 4-1 against the Tigers in the last five meetings. The Tigers lost in a shootout last week to Colon, 58-48. Quarterback Colt Myers had six touchdown passes and threw for 292 yards.
Great Gridder: Nate Rapelje had two touchdown catches and 142 yards receiving for St. Philip in last week's loss to Colon.
Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter: @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Scouting Report: Rivals Harper Creek, Marshall meet in key I-8 clash
