Bay City Western at Traverse City West
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: Bay City Western (2-5); TC West (4-3)
LAST MEETING: The Titans defeated BC Western, 8-7, in Week 3 last season
SERIES: Western and West are tied at 1-1
RADIO: FM-106.3
BACKGROUND: Now firmly back in the hunt for a playoff spot after breaking a three-game losing streak, Traverse City West comes into Week 8 riding a wave of momentum. The Titans handled Mount Pleasant, 30-13, last week — the same Oilers who beat BC Western, 24-3, in Week 6. If West can take care of business at home, the Titans should carry that confidence into Week 9’s Patriot Game against rival Traverse City Central.
Benzie Central at Traverse City St. Francis
WHEN: Saturday, 1 p.m.
RECORDS: Benzie Central (2-5); St. Francis (5-2)
LAST MEETING: St. Francis defeated Benzie, 49-12 in Week 3 of 2022
SERIES: The Gladiators have not lost to the Huskies, leading 42-0 all-time
RADIO: FM-92.3
STREAM: youtube.com/@NextLevelBroadcasting
BACKGROUND: Benzie Central will have its hands full heading into Thirlby Field to take on a St. Francis team hungry to get back in the win column after losing to Jackson Lumen Christi by four touchdowns. Benzie has dropped three in a row, allowing 145 points in that stretch. In their three wins before last week’s loss, the Glads scored 144 points.
Traverse City Central at Bay City Central
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: TC Central (3-4); BC Central (2-5)
LAST MEETING: The Trojans doubled up the Wolves, 56-28, in Week 7 last season
SERIES: TC Central leads 4-3
RADIO: FM-104.5
STREAM: www.nfhsnetwork.com
BACKGROUND: The last four weeks have been loss, win, loss, win for the Trojans, so TC Central will hope to break that pattern with a second straight victory. Another win would also get the Trojans’ playoff hopes a little healthier and give them a nice push as they head into Week 9 against crosstown rival Traverse City West in the Patriot Game.
East Jordan at Frankfort
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: East Jordan (5-2); Frankfort (6-1)
LAST MEETING: East Jordan won a 38-36 thriller in Week 8 last season
SERIES: The Red Devils and Panthers are tied 4-4
STREAM: www.nfhsnetwork.com
BACKGROUND: The Panthers are winners of five consecutive, and the Red Devils have gotten their groove back with two wins in a row after losing two straight. These two teams put together an instant classic last season, and they seemed poised to do it again. Clean play and key defensive stops will be what lifts one team over the other.
Oscoda at Boyne City
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: Oscoda (5-2); Boyne City (5-2)
LAST MEETING: The Ramblers def. the Owls, 28-0, in Week 8 last season
SERIES: Boyne City leads 2-0
STREAM: www.boyne.k12.mi.us/District/Portal/rsn-live
BACKGROUND: After an 0-2 start, Oscoda has rattled off five straight wins that included back-to-back shutouts in Weeks 4 and 5. Boyne City has won three in a row, so one team’s streak will come to an end. The Ramblers have allowed just 25 points in those wins, and they’ll have to lean on their defense to cool off the Owls.