Napoleon's Javen Tumey-Patterson (5) reacts to a sack during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Napoleon's Holden Van Poppel (8) celebrates a touchdown during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Jordan Gretzner, left, and Javen Tumey-Patterson are crowned Homecoming king and queen during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Napoleon's Trenton Jester (3) makes a catch during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Napoleon's Javen Tumey-Patterson (5) and Manchester's Jacob Bunn (20) go for the ball during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Napoleon's Grant Bradley (7) runs the ball during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Manchester's Kannon Duffing (10) is sacked during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Napoleon's Grant Bradley (7) is flipped during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Napoleon's Javen Tumey-Patterson (5) observes the national anthem during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming court at halftime of the football game in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Napoleon's Bart Laretz (22) celebrates a defensive stop during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Napoleon takes the field during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Napoleon's Bart Laretz (22) celebrates a touchdown during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Napoleon's Grant Bradley (7) runs the ball during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Manchester fans cheer during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Napoleon head coach Derek Shell watches during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming court at halftime of the football game in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Napoleon fans during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Napoleon's Holden VanPoppel (8) runs the ball during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Javen Tumey-Patterson is crowned Homecoming king during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Napoleon's Grant Bradley (7) throws the ball during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming court at halftime of the football game in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Napoleon's Bart Laretz (22) celebrates a touchdown during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming court at halftime of the football game in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming parade as it comes down East Street in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
The Napoleon band plays during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Napoleon's Grant Bradley (7) throws the ball during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Manchester takes the field during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming court at halftime of the football game in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming court at halftime of the football game in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Napoleon's Logan Lockwood (2) and Manchester's Jared Bunn (5) battle for the ball during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Manchester's Jaxon McGuigan (7) tries to recover a fumble during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Manchester's Jaxon McGuigan (7) makes a catch during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming court at halftime of the football game in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Manchester's Kannon Duffing (10) reacts to being sacked during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Napoleon's Trenton Jester (3) tackles a Manchester runner during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Napoleon fans cheer during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Napoleon's Grant Bradley (7) throws the ball during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Napoleon's Bart Laretz (22) is brought down by the Manchester defense during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Napoleon's Bart Laretz (22) runs the ball during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Napoleon head coach Derek Shell talks to his players during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Manchester's Gunner Carson (1) runs the ball during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Manchester's Kannon Duffing (10) throws the ball during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Napoleon's Trenton Jester (3) celebrates a catch during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Manchester's Gunner Carson (1) runs the ball during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Napoleon's Bart Laretz (22) runs the ball during a high school football game at the Napoleon High School athletic complex on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Manchester, 20-18.
Scenes from the Napoleon High School homecoming court at halftime of the football game in Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
JACKSON – That’s more like it.
After a sub-par performance in Week 2, the Jackson-area high school football predictions got back to business and brought home a 12-3 mark. We’re still sitting in the C-minus territory though, so we need to do some extra studying and bring those grades up.
This week’s slate of games will be exponentially more difficult than the first three weeks of the season with marquee matchups like Addison vs. Michigan Center on the schedule and toss-up games like Hanover-Horton vs. Grass and Parma Western vs. Hastings in the mix as well.
Let’s do some film study, pour over the analytics and give out our best prognostications for who will come away with pivotal wins in Week 4 of the Michigan high school football season.
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Last Week: 11-3 (73 percent)
Season: 32-12 (73 percent)
Best pick: Blissfield 28, Brooklyn Columbia Central 13. I figured Columbia Central would be competitive against the Royals and things played out pretty much exactly how I expected them to.
Worst pick: Springport 38, Homer 20. The Trojans bounced back in a big way last week after a pair of difficult games to open the season. Bad call by me.
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FEATURED GAMES
Michigan Center celebrates a safety during a high school football game at Homer High School on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. The game was the season opener for both schools.
Addison (3-0) vs Michigan Center (3-0), 7 p.m.
What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? We’re about to find out Friday night, as the Cardinals look to extend their shutout streak to four games against an Addison squad that averages 48 points and 350 yards rushing per game so far this season. Regardless of the outcome, I expect both Michigan Center and Addison to be prime candidates to make long playoff runs in November. For now, I’ll take the team that’s playing lights out on defense and might have the most explosive player on the field in this matchup in senior tailback Kaydin Hiland.
PREDICTION: Michigan Center 22, Addison 16
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Hanover-Horton celebrates a good play during a Division 7 first round playoff high school football game at Hanover-Horton High School on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. Lumen Christi won the game over Hanover-Horton, 36-29.
Grass Lake (1-2) vs Hanover-Horton (1-2), 7 p.m.
The Warriors and the Comets couldn’t have asked for a more difficult opening stretch to their 2021 seasons but have a chance to turn things around this week. Hanover-Horton was impressive in their season-opening win over Morenci (49-6), while Grass Lake appears to be finding its groove after 55-6 decision over East Jackson last week. I expect the Comets to have the upper hand on the defensive side of the ball and make enough stops to secure a hard-fought win in Cascades Conference action.
PREDICTION: Hanover-Horton 35, Grass Lake 21
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Parma Western's Dalton Heavy (21) runs the ball during a football game at Parma Western High School, in Parma, on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021.
Parma Western (2-1) vs Hastings (3-0), 7 p.m.
The Panthers put together a strong effort against Harper Creek in the first half of last week’s Interstate Eight matchup but were blanked in the second half in a 50-22 loss. Can the team bounce back from that letdown in time to take on an undefeated Hastings squad that just beat Marshall by 20 points? I expect four-quarters of effort from the Panthers but I’m not sure it’ll be enough to overcome a talented Saxons team that is clicking on all cylinders right now.
PREDICTION: Hastings 34, Parma Western 26
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Hillsdale's Logan Wagler (11) calls a play during a high school football game at Columbia Central High School on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020.
Hudson (3-0) vs Hillsdale (1-2), 7 p.m.
Few teams in the state have put together a stronger start to the season than the Hudson Tigers, who have defeated powerhouse programs such as Ithaca (59-14) and Clinton (36-28), as well as an Erie Mason squad (22-0) that went 7-2 in 2020. The Hornets got back on track last week with a 42-14 win over Onsted, but the Tigers present a much steeper challenge. I expect Hillsdale to shorten the game with its power rushing attack, but Hudson is already looking like the team to beat in the Lenawee County Athletic Association this season.
PREDICTION: Hudson 32, Hillsdale 8
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Leslie High School football head coach Greg Pscodna works with players during practice at the school on Monday morning, Aug. 12, 2019. It was the first day that high school football teams could practice throughout the state. Leslie opens their season on August 29 against Dansville. J. Scott Park | MLive.com
Olivet (2-1) vs Leslie (1-2), 7 p.m.
The Eagles have outscored their last two opponents by a combined score of 109-8 after dropping their season-opener to Charlotte (49-40). They’ll be looking to continue to build momentum toward a Greater Lansing Athletic Conference title, as they take on a Leslie program that hasn’t beaten the Eagles since 2007. I expect the Blackhawks to show plenty of fight in this one with Olivet pulling away late for another GLAC win.
PREDICTION: Olivet 45, Leslie 26
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Jackson's Jaden Brown (23) runs the ball during a high school football game in Withington Stadium at Jackson High School on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020. Jackson won the game over Northwest.
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