Week 6: Eagles on the verge

A Week 6 preview, plus my picks for the week.

DECKERVILLE — Deckerville has plenty to play for Friday night on Homecoming.

Not only can the undefeated Eagles keep their perfect record intact, they can clinch the outright North Central Thumb League championship, as well as secure their sixth consecutive playoff berth.

Look out, Memphis.

“Playing on Homecoming and all the rest will give us some motivation for sure,” said Deckerville coach Bill Brown. “The kids have worked their tails off. We keep telling them, ‘If you’re going to be the last one standing, you have to get better week to week.’ The better teams are going to do that. We have to do that.”

The Eagles have breezed through the first five weeks, outscoring opponents 236-68, capped by a 52-32 victory over Saginaw Buena Vista last Friday.

Deckerville led 32-6 at the half against the Knights. Rick Wilfong had a night to remember. Deckerville’s senior tailback, who was filling in as the No. 1 ball carrier in place of fellow senior Cody Ross, who didn’t play because of a foot injury, rushed 31 times for 162 yards and five touchdowns. He also grabbed a 47-yard TD reception.

Overall, the Eagles rushed for 379 yards and had 25 first downs.

Deckerville’s offense has averaged 47.2 points through five games, helping the Eagles break out to big leads in most of their games. 

“I really like the way we have played in the first half of games,” Brown said. “We have come out with some intensity and have been physical.

“But our focus in the second half is something that we have to work on. It’s lacked at times.”

Saginaw BV scored three times in the second half, including a pair of touchdown passes. Overall, the Knights threw for 280 yards.

“Their quarterback was as good as anyone we will probably see this year,” Brown said. “And they had a couple of quick wide receivers.”

Memphis comes in at 1-4 overall, dropping a 56-12 decision to Vassar last week. The Yellowjackets’ lone win came in Week 2 over Marine City Cardinal Mooney (35-6).

The Eagles and Yellowjackets had a two-game non-league series back in 2005-2006. Deckerville picked up 60-15 and 52-26 victories in those games.

“We’re not taking anything for granted,” Brown said. “We know a win for them would make their season. We have to come out early, play physical, and take control.”

The Eagles, in their first year in the NCTL after several in the Greater Thumb Conference, have used their GTC-type physicality to overpower league opponents so far this season. 

“You might have a little more room to make some mistakes in the NCTL, but our (league) schedule is out of our control,” Brown said. “We just have to take care of business no matter who we are playing.”

Deckerville is just one of six Class D teams which remain unbeaten, though its 49.600 playoff points total is the lowest of the six. 

But don’t fret, Deckerville fans. The Eagles have a chance to rack up major playoff points in the coming weeks, starting Friday against Class C Memphis.

They close out the season with games against 2-3 Marlette, 5-0 Ubly and 4-1 Lincoln Alcona. All are Class C schools and — with victories — will be worth major playoff points.

“We know we have some important games coming up,” Brown said.

Deckerville’s Cody Ross runs for yardage earlier in the season against North Huron. Ross is battling a foot injury and his status for Friday’s game with Memphis is questionable.

MY PICKS THIS WEEK...
Bad Axe at Ubly - Not much needs to be said about this game.
SCORE: Ubly 50, Bad Axe 0

EPBP at Reese - At 1-4, the Lakers are one of my biggest disappointments this season.
SCORE: Reese 32, EPBP 18

Cass City at BCAS – This is a definite trap game for the Red Hawks. They need this one badly.
SCORE: Cass City 30, BCAS 26

USA at Vassar – USA is playing with so much confidence.
SCORE: USA 26, Vassar 21

Brown City at Sandusky – I think the Redskins are a better team.
SCORE: Sandusky 23, Brown City 16

Harbor Beach at Marlette – The fourth straight game I might get wrong. There are some tough ones this week. I like the Pirates, though, to rebound from their loss to Ubly.
SCORE: Harbor Beach 30, Marlette 21

Memphis at Deckerville – The Eagles go to 6-0 with no problem.
SCORE: Deckerville 49, Memphis 12

Peck at Kingston – I am going with Kingston, but I am not very confident in the pick.
SCORE: Kingston 18, Peck 12

North Huron at Mio – I think the trip to the north will be too much for the Warriors.
SCORE: Mio 32, North Huron 22

Wisconsin at Michigan State – Could this week get any tougher? I hate going against MSU at home, but I have to.
SCORE: Wisconsin 28, MSU 20

Michigan at Indiana – This isn't going to be easy for the Wolverines.
SCORE: Michigan 35, Indiana 23

Ball State at CMU – The Chips played Northwestern very tough last week.
SCORE: CMU 40, Ball State 20

Stanford at Oregon – This one is another tough one. I like what Harbaugh's done at Stanford.
SCORE: Stanford 35, Oregon 34

Florida at Alabama – This isn't the same Florida team from years past.
SCORE: Alabama 24, Florida 13

Lions at Packers – Poor Lions. The Packers are ticked after losing to the Bears on Monday night.
SCORE: Packers 32, Lions 17

Who else thinks this is the toughest week this season?