Games of the Week to be covered on TTS will also be decided come Tuesday afternoon.
Week 8 finalized post season playoff spots in the Thumb Tailgater Sports coverage of high school football in the BWAC, TVE, GTC & NCTL leagues. And as we enter the last regular season games in Week 9, teams who have made it are now looking for more playoff points and at least a couple home games.
Teams who have made the playoffs in our area coverage:
Blue Water Area Conference
Almont Raiders - The BWAC was the most competitive leagues in our coverage area this year. It was so fierce that the BWAC title ended being a three way tie with Almont, Capac and Croswell-Lexington. In 2008 it was a four way tie! Almont is currently at 7-1, with the best record thus far in the BWAC and best since 2007 (10-1). The Raiders got a "wake up head check" earlier in the season though with a 24-19 loss by their BWAC rival Capac Chiefs. That helped as the Raiders knocked off the heavily favored Croswell-Lexington Pioneers 27-26, in overtime in Week 6. Almont also ends the season strong on the road against the Class B Onsted Wildcats (7-1). This is by far the most competitive game for Week 9 in our coverage area.
Capac Chiefs - Getting to the playoffs was the main goal for Capac and it didn't start well with an opening season loss to Fowlerville. But the Chiefs fought hard and earned that sixth win against the dangerous Yale Bulldogs 28-13 enabling the Chiefs back into the playoffs for the second straight year. That win also got Capac a share of the BWAC title. The Chiefs beat Almont in Week 2 , but got spanked by Cros-Lex the following week 41-20. They will end the regular season against Class B Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (3-4).
Croswell-Lexington Pioneers - The Pioneers were heavily favored to win the BWAC title outright. Someone forgot to tell that to Almont & Capac. Croswell-Lexington took on some stiff competition not only in the BWAC but also with an opening week loss 19-18, to Class B Dearborn Divine Child (7-1). Cros-Lex also suffered their second loss to Almont in overtime 27-26. But give credit here to the coaches and team for wanting to go for the two point conversion and the win. But it was to be denied due to the great goal line stand by the Almont Raiders. Croswell-Lexington is in the playoffs again for the third straight year and should quite potent. They end the regular season against Class B Lake Fenton (3-4).
Greater Thumb Conference
Ubly Bearcats - They won outright the Greater Thumb East title for the third year in a row, and made the post season for the 10th straight season since 2001. Ubly is also on a regular season winning streak that started back in 2007, which stands at 31 games, and could be at 32 if they defeat North Huron this coming Friday. This is a different young Ubly team with a small number of returning veteran players from the 2008 state final team and last years semi-final team. But boy...do they look dominant, and could at least make it through the second round!
Sandusky Redskins - They could be undefeated themselves at this point, but their first two games of the season where they held good strong leads against Ubly & Cass City took that away. Since then, the Redskins went on a six game win streak and got themselves into the playoffs for the second straight year. Sandusky ends their regular season hosting the winless Bad Axe Hatchets.
Reese Rockets - Reese made the playoffs with a win in Week 6, but then were shocked with a Week 8 loss to Class D school, Bay City All Saints who also helped Vassar gain a share of the title with the Rockets. The cracks began to show as the GTW teams begun to chip away at the Rockets dominance early in the year, and culminated with the All Saints finally tearing the wall down. Rockets have a tough landing at the end of the season hosting Class B Ovid-Elsie (5-3), who need to win for the post season.
Vassar Vulcans - The "Gods Of Fire" were doused in Week 1 with a loss to Caro, and again in against Reese in Week 4. But since then the Vulcans tore it up and hammered their way into the post season and also a share of the Greater Thumb West title, with thankful help from the Bay City All Saints. Will Vassar be sending cupcakes at another sports pundit this year to? The Vulcans will be looking to score major playoff points against the Class B Frankenmuth Eagles (4-4), to end the season.
Bay City All Saints Cougars - The GTW proved once again that it is the "Wild West" of the Thumb. Bay City All Saints pulled off the big upset against Reese in Week 8 with a 28-14 victory and helped Vassar get that title share. This Class D size school suffered from early losses to Unionville-Sebewaing and Vassar in Weeks 2 & 3. But the Cougars started to improve and got stronger, clawing their way to a playoff spot earning bonus points agains Class C size teams. All Saints end the season against Class D Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary Cardinals (5-3) who need a must win for the post season.
North Central Thumb League
Deckerville Eagles - The Eagles returned to the North Central Thumb League and had no problem rolling through the season. They won games by a large margin and triumphantly walked away with the NCTL title and also in that same Week 6 earned that playoff spot early! It was a good thing as the nightmare has begun! Back to back losses to Marlette & Ubly has some pundits scratching their thinking caps as the Eagles enter Week 9 against a competitive Class C Lincoln Alcona (4-4) team who seeks revenge for last years loss to Deckerville. However - this is their sixth straight playoff appearance, and have been to the postseason 15 times in the past 17 years. Still pretty remarkable!
Tri-Valley East
Millington Cardinals - Millington won the TVE title outright and not share it for the first time since 1998. It was a battle to get that title with their league opponents. However, with last years top running back leading the way again in the backfield for the Cardinals they looked poised to make another run in the post season. But they do have a tough season ending game against a hungry Class B (5-3) Otisville-Lakeville Falcons team who needs to win to get into the playoffs. The Cardinals need to win if they want to open with home game. Millington's lone loss of the season so far came in Week 4 against Montrose, 19-14.
Birch Run Panthers - Birch Run pounced on every team and ripped their way into the playoffs. This is a happy year for them as they have not been to the post season since 2006, and were one win away from the state finals in 2005. With only one loss thus far by a touchdown to rival Millington, the Panthers look to make some noise in their return. Birch Run would like to claim the Panther name as they end their regular season the tough (4-4) Class B Mount Morris Panthers.
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