PORT HURON — There are still hours until the 2024 MHSAA football season kicks off, so here’s something to keep everyone entertained until then.
Welcome to the first edition of the Times Herald’s weekly picks for 2024.
The format is pretty simple: every week I predict the winners of some games in the Blue Water Area.
We will also keep an eye on my record throughout the season, no matter how embarrassing it may be.
Here are my tips for week 1:
Almont in Marysville, Thursday, 7 p.m.
Record 2023: Almont (12-2), Marysville (8-3)
Last meeting: Almont 39, Marysville 0 — August 25, 2023
All five games listed in this column are replays of last year’s season openers. Three of those games, including this one, were also Week 1 matchups in 2022.
Almont is coming off one of the best seasons in program history. The Raiders posted a 12-2 record in 2023 and made it to the Division 6 state finals. They were downright dominant, outscoring their opponents 507-230. Starting quarterback Chase Davedowski and lead halfback Chase Battani return for a strong offense.
Still, Marysville isn’t a bad team. Yes, the Vikings suffered that brutal 39-point loss to Almont last season. But they hung on to the finish line, going 8-2, the team’s best record since 2016.
Everyone knows Marysville’s two-way playmaker Ben LaValley, who always finds a way to perform. The Vikings also have one of the best offensive linemen in the region in Troy Caza. As most coaches will tell you, games are often won – and lost – in the trenches.
I don’t expect this to be as big a win as last year, but it’s hard to doubt an Almont team that only produced five starters in 2023.
The selection: Almont
Grosse Pointe South at Port Huron Northern, Friday, 7 p.m.
Record 2023: Grosse Pointe South (9-2), North (7-3)
Last meeting: Grosse Pointe South 38, Northern 3 – August 25, 2023
History is not on the Huskies’ side. Port Huron Northern has lost its last nine games against Grosse Pointe South. The last win was a 41-40 victory on Sept. 1, 2006.
The Blue Devils’ defense was spectacular last season, allowing just 76 points in total (or 6.9 per game), and their offense was no slouch, scoring 313 points for an average of 28.5 points per game.
However, Northern’s offense wasn’t far behind with 23.5 points. And the Huskies only allowed 18.6 points per game – the fewest in the MAC Blue.
This team has a lot of likeable qualities, including the ever-dangerous wide receiver Amir Morelan and 6-foot-4 linebacker Lincoln Watkins, both of whom are entering their junior seasons.
But Grosse Pointe South remains the class of the MAC White.
The selection: Grosse Pointe South
Port Huron at Anchor Bay
Record 2023: Port Huron (7-3), Anchor Bay (2-7)
Last meeting: Anchor Bay 34, Port Huron 12 – August 25, 2023
Port Huron lost its two offensive stars with the graduation of quarterback Amauri Haller and running back Gavin Troy. The duo helped the Red Hawks average 37.8 points per game last season.
Replacing them will be no easy task, but fortunately, Port Huron begins the schedule with a game against an Anchor Bay team that has largely struggled in 2023.
The Tars averaged 21.8 points per game while allowing 22.1 points from their opponents. And that 22-point win over the Red Hawks in Week 1? That game was postponed at halftime due to inclement weather and not played until the next day. Anchor Bay only led 14-12 at halftime.
Port Huron will definitely miss the offensive power of last year, but the chance to start 1-0 is not one to be missed.
The selection: Port Huron
St. Clair in Richmond, Thursday, 7 p.m.
Record 2023: St Clair (2-7), Richmond (5-5)
Last meeting: Richmond 24, St. Clair 6 – August 24, 2023
It will be the third consecutive season these teams will meet in the opening game. Before last year’s 24-6 triumph, Richmond defeated St. Clair 14-0 in 2022.
The Blue Devils have two of the region’s most electrifying players in their ranks: quarterback Anthony Bonnetti and his younger brother Dominic, a halfback and wide receiver. This combination makes Richmond’s offense particularly dangerous.
The Saints are returning two of their own playmakers: quarterback Ben Farkas and tailback Peyton Ellis.
But this game will likely come down to defense, which has been an issue for both teams in 2023. St. Clair allowed 23.4 points per game, while Richmond wasn’t far behind at 24.3.
The selection: Richmond
Armada in Marine City, Friday, 7pm
Record 2023: Armada (5-5), Marine City (9-2)
Last meeting: Armada 40, Marine City 20 — August 25, 2023
These programs also meet for the third consecutive week 1. Marine City has a 17-5 overall record since 2022. However, two of those five losses were against Armada.
First came the Tigers’ 28-27 road win in double overtime in 2022. Then, last year, Armada steamrolled the Mariners 40-20 at home. Those 40 points were the most Marine City has allowed in the entire 2023 season.
In both cases, I predicted the Mariners would win. Since I’m 0-3 down in this duel, I can’t possibly overlook the Tigers again.
Since it is the only game in town on Friday, loud cheering is to be expected at the East China Stadium.
The selection: armada
Contact Brenden Welper at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.
