JACKSON — With six weeks left, the focus is starting to turn to the playoff picture and conference races.
As we enter the stretch run, who is heading in the right direction in Jackson area high school football? Who is ready to not only make the playoffs, but stick around for the postseason? ?
It’s hard to argue whether it’s perfect or not, and the Panthers haven’t stumbled yet. Hastings has a tough game ahead, with the winner taking the inside track for the I-8 title, but things are looking good for the Panthers at the moment. In Week 6’s 21-6 win over Harper Creek, the Panthers’ defense made a series of key plays, with Luke Teachout sacked twice on third down and the Beavers’ final offensive play. Then Ben Parrott made an interception.
The Titans already have the Catholic League AA title under their belt and head into a two-game trip up north starting Saturday with a rematch of last year’s Division 7 state title game at Traverse City St. Francis. The Titans’ defense hasn’t faltered, allowing a total of 19 points on the year, but there needs to be a serious discussion about how dangerous Kader Williams is becoming.
The Pirates have discovered a new offensive threat in Mason Ross over the past two weeks. He had 205 rushing yards in the win over Leslie. The Pirates also appear to have found a new defensive threat in freshman Ashton Warner, who recorded nine tackles in his varsity debut.
The Cardinals have been on a roll since losing to Lumen Christi in Week 1. Navigating the loaded Cascade East isn’t a picnic for anyone, but Michigan Center overcame a major challenge last week with a win over Grass Lake. The next two weeks with Napoleon and Manchester won’t be easy, but the Cardinals have the offense at the moment, scoring 30 or more points in each of their last five games.
The Panthers have pretty much clinched the Cascade West division and can officially clinch the championship with a win against Hanover Horton. Talk of a postseason trip will soon be all over the place. The Panthers currently sit 6th in Division 8 playoff points, but geographically adjacent teams in Division 8 with potential district matchups include currently 1st place Whiteford and currently 2nd place Hudson. It will be done.
It was the Spartans’ second straight win. Springport, which has wins over Reading and Bronson in recent weeks, has scored 88 points in three weeks after suffering shutout losses in the first two weeks of the season. The powerful offensive line of Gavin Leitner and Rylin Hale appears to have turned a corner.
The Flying Dutchmans have had a pretty impressive streak with first Canon Duffing breaking the school record for career touchdown passes and then Blake Sloan breaking the school record for touchdown runs in a game. . The record-setting result saw Manchester score 55 points in each of its past two games, with wins over Leslie and East Jackson.
Manchester’s Gunner Carson (1) celebrates a touchdown during a high school football game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at East Jackson High School. Manchester defeated East Jackson in the game. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
East Jackson’s Homecoming Parade moves down Michigan Avenue in Leoni Township before a high school football game at East Jackson High School on Friday, September 29, 2023. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
Blake Sloan, 5, of Manchester runs the ball during a high school football game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at East Jackson High School. Manchester defeated East Jackson in the game. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
Fans line up at the dome for concessions during a high school football game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at East Jackson High School. Manchester defeated East Jackson in the game. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
East Jackson’s Austin Tingley, 2, runs the ball during a high school football game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at East Jackson High School. Manchester defeated East Jackson in the game. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
Landon Lavigne, 56, of Manchester watches a high school football game at East Jackson High School on Friday, September 29, 2023. Manchester defeated East Jackson in the game. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
East Jackson’s Homecoming Parade moves down Michigan Avenue in Leoni Township before a high school football game at East Jackson High School on Friday, September 29, 2023. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
Blake Sloan, 5, of Manchester runs the ball during a high school football game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at East Jackson High School. Manchester defeated East Jackson in the game. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
East Jackson’s Homecoming Parade moves down Michigan Avenue in Leoni Township before a high school football game at East Jackson High School on Friday, September 29, 2023. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
East Jackson head coach Joe Niehaus speaks with Austin Tingley, 2, before a high school football game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at East Jackson High School. Manchester defeated East Jackson. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
East Jackson’s Homecoming Parade moves down Michigan Avenue in Leoni Township before a high school football game at East Jackson High School on Friday, September 29, 2023. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
Manchester head coach Ben Pack watches a high school football game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at East Jackson High School. Manchester defeated East Jackson. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
Players gather for a coin toss during a high school football game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at East Jackson High School. Manchester defeated East Jackson in the game. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
A hug is exchanged during a high school football game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at East Jackson High School. In the game, Manchester defeated East Jackson. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
East Jackson’s Austin Tingley, 2, throws a ball during a high school football game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at East Jackson High School. Manchester defeated East Jackson in the game. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
Tavin Curry, 10, of East Jackson runs the ball during a high school football game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at East Jackson High School. Manchester defeated East Jackson in the game. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
Kanon Duffing, 10, of Manchester throws a ball during a high school football game on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at East Jackson High School. Manchester defeated East Jackson in the game. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
Lydia Bennett, 20, of Manchester kicks the extra point during a high school football game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at East Jackson High School. Manchester defeated East Jackson in the game. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
Blake Sloan, 5, of Manchester stretches to score a touchdown during a high school football game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at East Jackson High School. Manchester defeated East Jackson in the game. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
Manchester’s Gunner Carson (1) scores a touchdown during a high school football game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at East Jackson High School. Manchester defeated East Jackson in the game. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
The East Jackson band marches onto the field during a high school football game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at East Jackson High School. Manchester defeated East Jackson in the game. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
East Jackson players walk to the sideline during a high school football game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at East Jackson High School. Manchester defeated East Jackson in the game. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
Gunnar Carson (1) of Manchester runs the ball during a high school football game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at East Jackson High School. Manchester defeated East Jackson. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
East Jackson players stand for the national anthem during a high school football game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at East Jackson High School. Manchester defeated East Jackson in the game. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
Blake Sloan, 5, of Manchester runs the ball during a high school football game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at East Jackson High School. Manchester defeated East Jackson in the game. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
East Jackson’s Austin Tingley, 2, throws a ball during a high school football game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at East Jackson High School. Manchester defeated East Jackson in the game. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
Blake Sloan, 5, of Manchester celebrates a touchdown during a high school football game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at East Jackson High School. Manchester defeated East Jackson in the game. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
East Jackson’s Homecoming Parade moves down Michigan Avenue in Leoni Township on Friday, September 29, 2023, before a high school football game at East Jackson High School. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
East Jackson’s Homecoming Parade moves down Michigan Avenue in Leoni Township on Friday, September 29, 2023, before a high school football game at East Jackson High School. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
East Jackson’s Homecoming Parade moves down Michigan Avenue in Leoni Township before a high school football game at East Jackson High School on Friday, September 29, 2023. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
East Jackson’s Homecoming Parade moves down Michigan Avenue in Leoni Township before a high school football game at East Jackson High School on Friday, September 29, 2023. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
East Jackson’s Homecoming Parade moves down Michigan Avenue in Leoni Township on Friday, September 29, 2023, before a high school football game at East Jackson High School. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
East Jackson’s Homecoming Parade moves down Michigan Avenue in Leoni Township on Friday, September 29, 2023, before a high school football game at East Jackson High School. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
East Jackson’s Homecoming Parade moves down Michigan Avenue in Leoni Township on Friday, September 29, 2023, before a high school football game at East Jackson High School. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
East Jackson’s Homecoming Parade moves down Michigan Avenue in Leoni Township on Friday, September 29, 2023, before a high school football game at East Jackson High School. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
East Jackson’s Homecoming Parade moves down Michigan Avenue in Leoni Township on Friday, September 29, 2023, before a high school football game at East Jackson High School. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
East Jackson Homecoming Parade down Michigan Avenue in Leoni Township before a high school football game at East Jackson High School on Friday, September 29, 2023 (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
East Jackson’s Homecoming Parade moves down Michigan Avenue in Leoni Township before a high school football game at East Jackson High School on Friday, September 29, 2023. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
East Jackson’s Homecoming Parade moves down Michigan Avenue in Leoni Township before a high school football game at East Jackson High School on Friday, September 29, 2023. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
1. Lumen Christi
2. Western food
3. Napoleon
4. Michigan Center
5. Addison
6. Jackson
7. Grass Lake
8. Manchester
9. Northwest
10. Jonesville