Lee T makes Bay City area soccer predictions without Pick Pal by his side

Lee T’s predictions have now become a one-man show.

Well, I guess they always have been.

But until now, I’ve always had my prediction buddy by my side when I’ve written my high school football predictions column. In the month since my dog ​​Molly died, things have been a little different. And they’re different now, too.

I don’t mean to be depressing, like the end of every dog ​​movie ever made, but I keep asking myself: Is this really what people without dogs do?

When you eat ice cream, do you just rinse the bowl?

When you cut the rind off a ham, do you just throw it in the trash?

If a squirrel prances onto your patio, do you just live with it in silence?

I know I’m going to gain a lot of weight. Not only will Molly no longer walk me every night, but the last two bites of every meal she’s had for 14 years – I called it that to pay my Molly tax – will now end up in my belly.

As for my predictions, we had a ritual. We would drive to the Rebel Food Store to get an ice cold Coke and then we would get to work. I would mostly research games while she was sleeping, laying on her back, or licking peanut butter out of her Kong.

But when I got stuck, I scratched her ears and looked into her big old puppy eyes for inspiration.

I will adapt, as I learned the other day when I walked across my back lawn without even looking where I was stepping. And I always have my cat, Kasey, with me.

But she’s no help. She’s a cat.

It won’t be the same, but I’ll get through it – with my Molly in my heart forever. And now let’s start picking!

Join in and share your Spotlight Games tips on my Facebook page. Anyone who beats me will be entered into an unofficial end-of-year prize draw to win an unofficial prize.

SPOTLIGHT GAMES

ALL SAINTS in DECKERVILLE

All Saints fields a strong eight-man roster this season. But because their league is so… let’s not call it challenging, the Cougars won’t get any playoff-ready testing for the next seven weeks. That makes this matchup with returning semifinalist Deckerville crucial. The Cougars – with players like Jack Wetters, Bo Williams and Dorian McNary – have the athletes to take on anyone, so this should be a blast. Win or lose, All Saints will need to take key information from the matchup – and retain it for two months – to be playoff-ready. Deckerville 24, All Saints 21

BAY CITY CENTRAL in FLUSHING

Central picked up its only win of last season in the season opener against Flushing, and the Wolves would love a repeat of Week 1. But while Central lost the next eight games, Flushing made progress, winning three of its final five games and carrying some momentum into the offseason. And with 20 seniors returning with playing experience, the Raiders appear ready to take the next step. Central, meanwhile, is on Step 1, so to speak, of what will hopefully be a positive journey. Expect the Wolves to get better as time goes on. Flushing 28, Central 19

BAY CITY WESTERN at HOLLY

After the graduates’ many losses, this feels almost like a fresh start for Western. And now it’s time to find out if the new team can pick up where the old one left off. Everyone is excited to see how the new offense works after coach Chris Willertz moved away from his no-holds-barred, power-packed approach to football, and Holly should be a good gauge. Holly was 2-3 last year after a 72-28 loss to Flushing, which left some wondering what the heck is going on with the Bronchos? But they’ve reeled off four straight wins and earned a playoff spot. The stage is set for a big start. Western 24, Holly 20

BOYNE CITY at STANDISH STERLING

Last season went awry for Standish-Sterling, and it started in Week 1. Boyne City’s 12-7 loss was a low blow that the Panthers never fully recovered from, while going 4-5 and missing the playoffs. But it most likely underscored the importance of being ready from the start for the Standish players returning this season, and they seem determined to get better. They’ll get a chance to show they mean business right away. Standish-Sterling 22, Boyne City 14

ESSEXVILLE GARBER at HEMLOCK

It’s the first game of the Dave Matthews coaching era at Garber, and the Dukes would like to celebrate. They’ve started the season 1-0 for eight straight years, and have a chance to do so again with a new commitment to the running game. Hemlock quarterback Chad Brown was one of the heroes of Midland Berryhill’s run to the American Legion World Series title game that extended into the football season, so the Dukes will have to deal with his talent, but perhaps not at full strength. Garber 22, Hemlock 18

FLINT CARMAN-AINSWORTH at GLADWIN

It’s rare that a team from the Jack Pine Conference faces a team from the Saginaw Valley League, but the Flying G’s are always up for a challenge. The three-time defending JPC champions will test their mettle against Carman-Ainsworth, a school with more than twice as many students. But there’s a good chance that Gladwin, having survived the rigors of JPC-D1 this year, will be little rattled by its Week 1 clash. Gladwin 28, Carman-Ainsworth 12

HARBOR BEACH in CASS CITY

Leaving aside state champion Ubly, Harbor Beach may have been the best team in Division 8 a year ago. And word is the Pirates are even better this time around. That’s the kind of challenge Cass City has faced as one of the region’s top programs — and is always happy to take on. Coach Scott Cuthrell always has his Red Hawks ready to fight, and this should be a neck-and-neck contest in Week 1. Harbor Beach 28, Cass City 22

JOHN GLENN at ORTONVILLE BRANDON

John Glenn has the athleticism, speed and weapons to score quickly and often once his offense gets up to speed. But with a young team and a new offense, it will likely take a few weeks for the Bobcats to get fully up to speed. Brandon is a tough ask, as evidenced by last year’s 51-12 win over Glenn in Week 1. But the Bobcats desperately need positive signs that better things are ahead. Brandon 38, Glenn 20

OGEMAW HEIGHTS vs UBLY

Ogemaw Heights had no opponent in Week 1, but still secured SVSU’s Wickes Stadium in the hopes that something would come up. And — voilà! — the Falcons will now face the defending Division 8 state champions. When Bad Axe canceled its season, Ubly needed an opponent and agreed to play the much bigger Falcons on a big stage. After beating Gladwin last season, the Falcons have a chance to beat a defending state champion two years in a row. Ogemaw 30, Ubly 20

TAWAS at PINCONNING

When Tawas beat Pinconning 14-7 in the season opener last year, it was the Braves’ last bright spot of the year. They finished the season 1-8 and had to endure a coaching change. Now they hope to return to better times with the rematch. But this time they’ll likely face a different Pinconning team. These Spartans are a spirited bunch, hungry for a breakthrough season and at least a little upset about last year’s meeting. Pinconning 27, Tawas 14

More predictions

Au Gres 42, Alcona 40

Beaverton 32, Evart 22

Clare 35, Grayling 18

Harrison 28, Leroy Pine River 20

Kingston 50, Akron-Fairgrove 12

Millington 30, Reese 12

Mio 48, Hillman 12

Oscoda 18, Roscommon 12

Saginaw MLS 30, Unionville-Sebewaing 20

Schoolcraft 30, Laker 28

Whittemore-Prescott 42, Onekama 36

BAY COUNTY FOOTBALL OVERVIEWS

Bay City Central

Bay City Western

John Glenn

Essexville Garber

Pinboard

Bay City All Saints Day

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