This has been a funny football season. Maybe with volleyball during the week instead of girls basketball, maybe the moon is full, but it seems like one week a team is a favorite to make a long playoff run, then they lose one they shouldn't and the world turns on them, only to be back on the bandwagon again after another important victory.This is the story of USA, who knocked off Cass City 34-14. As I said in the area's best high school pre-game show, the Thumb Tailgate Show on 102.1 WLEW, this series has not really been as good as the hype would indicate. This is the 13th staright win in the series for the Patriots, who once again won by over 20.
For USA, Brandon Bitzer was electric as he was 17-for-24 passing for 305 yards with three passing TDs and a one yard rushing score.
If Bitz was the MVP, Heath Schmidt was the unsing hero. Schmidt had six receptions for 93 yards, had a pair of INTs and came in for a play at QB when Bitz had a cramp and completed his only pass attempt for 32 yards.
Lance VanHoost also had a solid effort with 101 rushing yards and 93 receiving yards, while Ryan Zimmer had two catches for 75 yards, including a catch that he ran for over 70 yards.
What makes thi win even more impressive is that USA did this with only 14 healthy players... well that isn't exactly true. One of the three healthy players on the bench, was in and out of the game with breathing trouble due to asmatha (Travis Blunt).
The Pats were also without Tim Holland, Carl Bednarski, Erik Kuhl and Shane Schmidt. I think the fifth injured player was Ryan Willard, but I am unsure.
The list of injuries troubling the Pats include an ACL injury, a separated shoulder and one player who has a problem with a heart valve. Coach Gary VanSumeren said the team will only dress 14 for the rest of the season.
The good news for the Pats is with games remaining against BV and Pinconning, USA can expect two more wins giving them 5. I think the Reese game is a loss, putting them at 5-3.
The win they need will have to come next week against Bad Axe, where for the second straight week the Pats will be in a must-win situation.
2 comments:
What is it with the Bitzer boys and having big games against Cass City? Jordan had a huge one two years ago and now his brother Brandon has one too.
I have viewed the travis blunt player from the sidelines for a number of years. During the cass city game he played through a broken finger and a dislocated finger. Although his asthma got the best of him this game, he still made an amazing effort and was a big contributer in the game.
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