Going into the season, it appears there are two story lines (at least from afar): Northwest's lack of seniors and a schedule that is considerably weaker than in years' past.
The shortage of senior talent may hurt the team in the first few games but could bode well for the future as younger players gain more experience.
The softer schedule (thanks to a switch to the Capital Area Activities Conference's Gold Division, from the Red) could also help boost their confidence and build toward a much stronger team in 2012.
Only three teams on the Mounties' 2011 schedule had winning records a year ago: Mason (9-2), Leslie (6-4) and Cheboygan (5-4).
And notably absent are teams that went 9-0, 8-1 and 7-2 in the 2010 regular season: Lansing Catholic, Lansing Sexton and St. Johns, respectively.
But the group of younger players won't get to ease into their varsity careers. They kick off Friday at the premier venue in the county: Withington Stadium, against Jackson High.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Massey ranks Northwest No. 366 pre-season; predicts Jackson High win
Massey Ratings has Northwest selected No. 366 in the state pre-season, one slot behind Gull Lake and one in front of Union City.
Three teams on the Mounties' schedule are rated below Northwest: Western (478), Charlotte (481) and Eaton Rapids (541).
The highest-ranked team on the schedule is Mason at No. 32. (See the list here).
Friday's season-opening opponent, Jackson High, is ranked No. 267. The computer predicts the Vikings will win 28-14.
Three teams on the Mounties' schedule are rated below Northwest: Western (478), Charlotte (481) and Eaton Rapids (541).
The highest-ranked team on the schedule is Mason at No. 32. (See the list here).
Friday's season-opening opponent, Jackson High, is ranked No. 267. The computer predicts the Vikings will win 28-14.
Season opener vs. Jackson High will be broadcast live
Friday's season opener between Northwest and Jackson High will be broadcast on ESPN Radio 1450, the sports arm of WKHM.
It is the only Northwest game the station plans to broadcast this season. (See the schedule here).
The Mounties and Vikings will square off at Withington Stadium on Friday night.
Jackson High went 3-6 last year, including a 35-20 over Northwest. (See the Jackson Citizen Patriot's preview of J-High here).
It is the only Northwest game the station plans to broadcast this season. (See the schedule here).
The Mounties and Vikings will square off at Withington Stadium on Friday night.
Jackson High went 3-6 last year, including a 35-20 over Northwest. (See the Jackson Citizen Patriot's preview of J-High here).
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
VIDEO: Northwest football coach Eddie Cobb discusses the 2011 team
The Jackson Citizen Patriot (mlive.com/jackson) has published its 2011 football preview, which includes a video clip of coach Eddie Cobb discussing the team.
"I think they're desire right now is really good," Cobb says on the clip, "but the technique and all of the other things, we'll have to see about that."
"I think they're desire right now is really good," Cobb says on the clip, "but the technique and all of the other things, we'll have to see about that."
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Western Panthers to join Jackson Northwest in Capital Area Activities Conference
I'm admittedly a bit slow on the draw here but for those who haven't seen it, Western has been approved to join Northwest in the Capital Area Activities Conference, according to the Jackson Citizen Patriot.
Read the Cit-Pat story here.
According to the story, the Panthers become a member of the league in 2012-13.
For Northwest, the move is a bit of a twist since in 2010 the Mounties were looking to join Western in the Southern Michigan Activities Association. (read that Cit-Pat story here).
Either way, the long time rivals and bordering school districts will once again be in the same conference.
Read the Cit-Pat story here.
According to the story, the Panthers become a member of the league in 2012-13.
For Northwest, the move is a bit of a twist since in 2010 the Mounties were looking to join Western in the Southern Michigan Activities Association. (read that Cit-Pat story here).
Either way, the long time rivals and bordering school districts will once again be in the same conference.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Jackson Northwest fooball 2011 season results
Here are scores for the 2011 season.
W, 36-35 (OT) -- Aug. 26: Jackson High (A)
L, 8-55 -- Sept. 1: Columbia Central (A)
L, 0-45 -- Sept. 9: Mason (A)
L, 0-41 -- Sept. 17: Cheboygan (H)
L, 6-14 -- Sept. 23: Eaton Rapids (H)
L, 0-53 -- Sept. 30: Lansing Waverly (H)
L, 6-62 -- Oct. 7: Charlotte (A)
L, 7-40 -- Oct. 14: Leslie (A)
L, 14-49 -- Oct. 21: Western (H)
W, 36-35 (OT) -- Aug. 26: Jackson High (A)
L, 8-55 -- Sept. 1: Columbia Central (A)
L, 0-45 -- Sept. 9: Mason (A)
L, 0-41 -- Sept. 17: Cheboygan (H)
L, 6-14 -- Sept. 23: Eaton Rapids (H)
L, 0-53 -- Sept. 30: Lansing Waverly (H)
L, 6-62 -- Oct. 7: Charlotte (A)
L, 7-40 -- Oct. 14: Leslie (A)
L, 14-49 -- Oct. 21: Western (H)
Mounties to face old rivals in CAAC realignment
A realignment of the Capital Area Activities Conference will put Jackson Northwest in the CAAC Gold division, according to a story in the Jackson Citizen Patriot (www.mlive.com/jackson)
The Mounties will no longer be in the same division as St. Johns, Owosso and Lansing Sexton.
Instead, Northwest will group with Mason, Lansing Waverly, Eaton Rapids, Charlotte and Lumen Christi.
The Titans, however, will continue to play football in a different conference.
Next to Western, Eaton Rapids is the team the Mounties have faced the most over the years (24 times, with the Greyhounds holding a 14-10 advantage).
Northwest has played Charlotte 16 times, winning just two of those match-ups.
The Cit-Pat also reports that the Mounties are seeking admission to the Southern Michigan Activities Association, which the paper first reported about in January 2010.
The SMAA, according to MLive's High School Sports site, includes for football: Western, Columbia Central, Leslie, Albion, Hillsdale and Stockbridge.
However, Northwest is unlikely to gain entry into the SMAA for 2011-12, the Cit-Pat reports, without a second school also joining the conference.
The Mounties will no longer be in the same division as St. Johns, Owosso and Lansing Sexton.
Instead, Northwest will group with Mason, Lansing Waverly, Eaton Rapids, Charlotte and Lumen Christi.
The Titans, however, will continue to play football in a different conference.
Next to Western, Eaton Rapids is the team the Mounties have faced the most over the years (24 times, with the Greyhounds holding a 14-10 advantage).
Northwest has played Charlotte 16 times, winning just two of those match-ups.
The Cit-Pat also reports that the Mounties are seeking admission to the Southern Michigan Activities Association, which the paper first reported about in January 2010.
The SMAA, according to MLive's High School Sports site, includes for football: Western, Columbia Central, Leslie, Albion, Hillsdale and Stockbridge.
However, Northwest is unlikely to gain entry into the SMAA for 2011-12, the Cit-Pat reports, without a second school also joining the conference.
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