Irish, Braves, Rats Have Goals Alive

Irish, Braves, Rats Have Goals Alive

BY DAVE RIGAN

News Sports Writer

Unbeaten St. Thomas High (7-0) is driving for the state Class D championship.

Ypsilanti High (6-1) is shooting for the state Class A title and the outright South Central Conference championship.

And Huron High (5-2) is bidding for a share of SCC crown.

So you can see it's another big weekend of high school football coming up on the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti scene.

Right now, St. Thomas is no better than runner-up just to get into the state playoffs but if the Irish win their next two games, they just might be on their way.

Ypsilanti (6-1 overall and 4-0 in the SEC) already has clinched a share of the conference championship and the Braves have a good shot at the state playoffs.

Huron High (5-2 overall and 2-1 in the SEC) would keep its hopes of a SEC title tie alive if it can defeat Ypsilanti on Ypsilanti's Shadford Field at 7:30 p.m., Friday.

Huron will play Pioneer High (1-6 and 1-2) in the season's finale at Hollway Field on Friday. Nov. 12, while Ypsilanti plays a non-league game at Belleville to wrap up its regular season on the 12th.

This Friday. Pioneer will be at home against Jackson High (0-3 and 3-4).

St. Thomas, challenging Marcellus (near Kalamazoo) for the Region 1 play-off berth, will be at home against Sand Creek (3-4) at 7:30 p.m., Saturday. at Hollway Field.

If Ypsilanti wins Friday, it will be the outright champion with a 5-0 conference record. If Huron wins it will battle involving Ypsilanti, Huron and Adrian.

The Irish offense has been highly productive all season and led the way again in last week’s 43-3 win over Whiteford. The defense has also done its share, too, defensive end Dave Morehouse did a great job getting into the opponents' backfield and sacking the quarterback.

As usual, quarterback John Wright and backs George Creswell and Blaise DiDonato led the way offensively. Wright completed four of five passes and the two runners both topped the 100-yard mark for the first time this season.

Ypsilanti doesn't have much time to rest on its laurels after beating Pioneer. 21-6. Huron has been impressive all year.

The River Rats were not overly impressive in their 24-0 whitewash of Jackson Parkside. The usually potent offense netted a total of 159 yards.

Coach Tom Fagan was excited nevertheless over the fact that his team is still in contention. “We have our destiny in our own hands. We will go after them,” he said.

Pioneer now has to fight a battle of waning confidence after suffering six losses in seven games. The loss to Ypsilanti was the most decisive of the season.

The one new element for Pioneer was the play of sophomore quarterback Jim Smith, who played his first full game at the helm in the absence of injured Phil Kroeger. He demonstrated a strong throwing arm and connected on three passes for 74 yards.

High School Players In The Spotlight

PAUL WEBER

BOBBY JONES

MIKE PEE

GEORGE CRESWELL

BLAISE DIDONATO

Among the leading football players at the local high schools these days are Paul Weber of Huron High who helped produce a safety and blocked a punt against Jackson Parkside. Bobby Jones of Pioneer High, one of the hardest hitters on the field.

Mike Pee of Pioneer who plays both defensive halfback and wingback, and George Creswell and Blaise DiDonato of St. Thomas High who each rushed for more than 100 yards last
weekend when the Irish won their seventh straight game and added enough points to give them a 249-21 lead over their opponents.