Predicting the St. Johns game

Except for that win-loss thing, my prediction of a 27-22 Mountie victory over Jackson High last week wasn't too far off.

So now, in another shameless attempt to lure comments and prompt a conversation about Mountie football, I'll make another prediction.

Here goes.

Let there be no doubt the Mounties have an uphill climb this week.

They are fairly evenly matched with St. Johns although on a neutral field I'd give the Redwings a 3-4 point advantage on account of their win over Lansing Sexton.

Give them another couple of points for being at home and a few more for basically playing a tune-up game last week while Northwest was battling Jackson High. With those factors in mind, the Massey Ratings prediction of a 35-23 St. Johns win doesn't seem too outlandish.

But computers don't factor in the human element.

This is a team that was talking about Ford Field after the first game of the season.

Now, if they want to make the playoffs, they must win their final two games.

I think one of two things will happen this week.

Either the Mounties will come out unfocused, flat and hungover from the Jackson High game and lose by two or three touchdowns, or they will play with the same grit, spirit and high level of intensity they showed last week while eliminating the mistakes and grind out a tough win.

They'll have to play their best game of the season to beat St. Johns.

I say they do it.

Prediction: Northwest 30, St. Johns 28.

Please share your prediction in the comment section below.