Bill Khan and Anthony Odoardi predict the winners of this Friday’s high school football games in Livingston County.
Bill Khan (19-5): This may be one of the least-anticipated editions of the Brighton-Howell rivalry. Brighton is holding up its end of the bargain, still in contention for a division title and state playoff berth, Howell is 0-5 for the first time since 2002. Strange things can happen in rivalry games, but I expect Brighton to take care of business like it did in a 49-21 victory in its other rivalry game against Hartland. Prediction: Brighton 42, Howell 7
Anthony Odoardi (19-5): Brighton just beat undefeated Livonia Stevenson with its backup quarterback. Howell was just shut out for the second time in five weeks and are now sitting at 0-5. Although recent history suggests these two like to play close games, Brighton defeated a better Howell team by 21 points last year. Not much more analysis to give here. Prediction: Brighton 35, Howell 6
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BK: This is a winnable game for Hartland, which can start thinking about a possible state playoff berth if it knocks off Novi. That should provide an extra dose of motivation for the Eagles, who may be starting their late-season push earlier this season. Prediction: Hartland 17, Novi 14
AO: Are the Eagles back? They looked it last week. We’ll find out for sure when they head to Novi on Friday night. Novi (1-4) is having a bad season, but the Wildcats have also had one of the toughest schedules in the state so far, with their losses coming to teams that are a combined 15-5. Hartland is also 9-24 all-time against the Wildcats. All that said, I’ll take Novi in the minor upset. Prediction: Novi 28, Hartland 24
BK: Other than Dexter, there is no such thing as a free pass in the SEC White. How Pinckney is able to handle success could play a factor. The Pirates are 4-1 for only the second time in the last 18 seasons, sometimes showing the ability to score at will. Overconfidence is the only thing that could hold back Pinckney against a team that is good enough to take advantage of a down game by the Pirates. Prediction: Pinckney 31, Tecumseh 21
AO: Pinckney is rolling, but this is a sneaky difficult matchup. Tecumseh struggles to score, but boasts a stingy defense, something the Pirates haven’t encountered since Week 3. This has the makings of a defensive battle early on before Pinckney makes second-half adjustments and pulls away. Prediction: Pinckney 24, Tecumseh 14
BK: Lansing Catholic can put up big numbers. Fowlerville’s defense has been susceptible to allowing big numbers. That’s not a recipe for success for the Gladiators against a team that has beaten them the last three seasons. Prediction: Lansing Catholic 42, Fowlerville 14
AO: Barring some sort of miracle, I can’t see Fowlerville emerging with the victory in this game. The Cougars have beaten the Gladiators in their last four meetings, outscoring them 148-30. And although the Glads showed some grit in squeaking out an overtime victory against Eaton Rapids last week, it didn’t instill enough confidence to pick what would be a crazy upset. Prediction: Lansing Catholic 34, Fowlerville 14
