Lake Linden-Forest Park: Clash of the Titans
By Mike Bedard
Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 3:11 p.m.
Last week of the regular season already! Can't wait for playoffs next week but boy do we have some good games to close out the season with Thursday through Saturday. It's on the sixth day of the week where my attention will be along with many in the Upper Peninsula football community. That's when Forest Park will travel from Crystal Falls to Lake Linden to take on the undefeated Lakes Saturday afternoon.
I've seen Lake Linden twice this year at home when they played their only tight game this year in a 22-14 win over Hurley. The Lakes offensive line is big and they love to just run over smaller teams with running backs like Dan Goldsworthy and Brandon Sunblad. Coach Andy Crouch changes the tempo with back Travis Ambuehl who has the speed to break a run for a touchdown, or beat you by sneaking out of the backfield on play action, which he did several times against Hancock when I was in attendance. Throw in a defense that's given up ONLY 28 points all season with six of their eight wins by shutout and you can see that Bill Santilli's Trojans have their hands full. I haven't seen Forest Park this year in person but I bet they'll hand off to a guy by the name of Josh Siler a time or two. With the way Forest Park runs it's offense, Siler can hit a home run from any part of the field. The CF-FP defense is pretty stout too, giving up only 56 points this year, 28 in their only loss at Hurley. This game will come down to the simplest of football strategy...who can run the ball and who can stop the run. If this game were in Crystal Falls I think the Trojans could possibly pull it out. I think Lake Linden has too many weapons on offense and they have the better defense, plus their at home. I like the Lakes 30-16.
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND: (Last Week: 8-0) (Season: 37-6)
Negaunee at Westwood: The Miner's have not been playing their best football at all in recent weeks and the Patriots need a win to ake playoffs. Westwood 22-14
Norway at Iron Mountain: Mountaineer's are rolling at this point. I.M. 34-16.
Escanaba at Kingsford: Big game for U.P. football rankings. #1 at. #2. I think Esky wins 28-14.
Pickford at North Dickinson: Nordics big. 48-0.
Stephenson at North Central: I like Stephenson 42-14.
Cedarville at Bark River Harris: I think the broncos score a minor up set, 14-8.
