By Jim Moyes
Local Sports Journal

I’m glad I’m sequestered down here in the Sunshine State so I don’t have to show my self in shame for some of my misguided picks in week one.  I again see some extremely tough games to find a winner for week 2 but how bout giving the ‘ole’ announcer a second chance.

w Muskegon at Grand Rapids Christian:  When did GR Christian all of a sudden become the Detroit Country Day of West Michigan? Muskegon’s secondary can breathy a sigh of relief as Christian’s 1st team pre-season All American receiver Drake Harris is on the DL. Big Reds make their season record 2-0 on a field that has not been all that kind to the Big Reds in the past.|

l Hesperia @ Big Rapids:  Big Rapids, the birthplace of Pittsburgh Pirate manager Clint Hurdle.  The Pirates are hot and so are the Cardinals (Big Rapids that is).

w Fruitport @ Fremont:  These two teams combined for a scant 7 points in a pair of losses last week. I have to believe Fruitport scored their touchdown against a much tougher Reeths Puffer team. Fruitport wins 7-0.

l East Lansing @ Grand Haven:  No way are the Bucs as bad as the final score last week against an opportunistic Muskegon squad. It’s been a dozen years since East has faced an area team, losing to Fruitport in a semi-final match in 2001. They lose again as the Bucs bounce back.

l Muskegon Catholic @ GR Catholic: I well remember when these two long time rivals battled for the state mythical championship back in 1959. The Crusaders lost that heartbreaker in sub-freezing weather 6-0, but this years Crusaders make Jones, Kresnak and Co. from the olden days proud as they upset GR.

w Ludington @ Grant:  Why didn’t somebody tell me that Ludington has a powerhouse this year?  Grant has the tougher schedule but Ludington has the tougher team.

w North Muskegon @ Hart:  Can you believe that at one time back in the early 1950’s there was talk about dropping these two teams from the WMC because they were so dominant.  Maybe the Norsemen in 2013 become dominant once again against the once mighty Pirates.

l Reeths Puffer @ Hudsonville:  Don’t look now but the Rockets have won three straight games over the past two years. Can they make it four straight for the first time in the new millennium? The Rockets are much improved but I like Hudsonville at home, but an upset wouldn’t shock the ‘ole’ announcer.

w Oakridge @ Montague:  The winner of this game will have a leg up on winning the WMC crown, although Shelby and North Muskegon might have something to say. Montague has the best press box in the WMC but, for this year, Oakridge has the best team.

l Mason Co Central @ Ravenna:  Never in a million years would I have believed Ravenna would give up 52 points to Kent City. The Bulldogs have to be fighting mad. The Bulldogs are 25-1 against Scottville over the years. I like those odds.

w Newaygo @ Chippewa Hills:  Newaygo wins this game for one of my favorite all time Newaygo greats, 80 year old Bill Mattson, still recovering from a nasty bicycle spill early this summer.

l Whitehall @ Shelby: Will former Whitehall quarterback Nate McLouth club his 100th career homerun this weekend? I like Nate’s chances better than his alma mater against Shelby.

w Mona Shores @ Spring Lake:  Both of these teams have to be feeling good about themselves after impressive opening game victories against proven foes. The Lakers won’t be feeling so good after this talented Shores teams starts the season 2-0.

w Muskegon Heights @ Wyoming Lee:  The Heights win their first game against Wyoming Lee, the alma mater of ‘Stubby’ Overmire, one of my favorite old time Detroit Tigers pitchers from the 1940’s and early 50’s.

w Boyne City @ Kent City:  This year’s group of Kent City Seniors was still in nursery school when the Eagle last beat neighboring Ravenna. If this game would be played on the ski slopes then I would pick Boyne. Kent City keeps rolling!