#1* Hope Meets #4* Alma For A First Place Showdown In The MIAA

The College Football Wrap-Up(c)’s GAME OF THE WEEK!

November 1, 2019

By Tony Dixon, For COLLEGE FOOTBALL WRAP-UP(c)

Ypsilanti, MI —

Hope’s Flying Dutchmen have proven themselves to be determined to claim the 2019 MIAA title and have shown this determination very adeptly on the field. They are currently riding a 6 game winning streak (6 – 1, 4 – 0 MIAA) and are coming off a fine performance, in adverse weather conditions, in their victory over the former #2* team in the state as well as the MIAA, Olivet.

But when you are on top, there is always a new contender, someone that wants that top spot. Enter #4* Alma (5 – 2, 3 – 1 MIAA), the Scots had a 4 game winning streak snapped a couple of weeks ago, but have returned to the right side of the ledger with a victory last week, and look to start a new streak with another win on Saturday.

Week 9 Games of Interest

No small feat, Hope’s senior signal caller, Mason Opple is a dual threat that can carry a team, as he did last week during the cloud burst that was college football Saturday in Michigan. In Hope’s victory over previously unbeaten Olivet, Opple rushed for 217 yards, with a long of 50 yards! He also had 2 rushing TDs. Totals that earned him Player of The Week honors in the MIAA.

Week 9 Games of Interest (1)

The two squads have played a common foe this season, Albion. The Scots defeated the Britons by a 32 – 28 score the first Saturday in October. Hope then piled on, making Albion win number 4, with a 52 – 33 victory over the Britons the following weekend.

Other Games of Interest this weekend:

Week 9 Games of Interest (2)

Ferris State is a national powerhouse, ranked # 2 nationally and the state’s only remaining unbeaten team. Jayru Campbell the former Detroit Cass Tech. grad., is a a monster at QB. Last weekend he bucked the ground game trend and threw for a career high 347 yards and 2 TDs, while leading the team in rushing with 61 yards and 2 TDs. He won Player Of The Week honors in the GLIAC.

FSU (8 – 0, 6 – 1 GLIAC) is currently # 1 in the regional seedings for the D-2 National Championship Playoffs. Not to disparage the rest of the remaining foes this regular season, but other than their clash with Grand Valley State (7 – 1, 5 – 1 GLIAC) in the Anchor Bone Classic, which has been upgraded to a prime time national telecast on ESPN, they probably won’t be threatened until then.

Week 9 Games of Interest (5)

Grand Valley State’s only blemish this season came in another rain soaked game, under the lights, and ESPN cameras, at the hands of Ashland…on a “Hail Mary”…as time expired, 20 – 17 was the final score. Easily the most dramatic finish to a game that I’ve seen this season.

The following games are out of state, but feature the new # 2 in the TPR(c) rankings, and nationally ranked Siena Heights. The Saints have rebounded well from their only loss, a 10 – 7 game at Concordia-AA in early October. They have won 3 straight including a strong (15.5 TPR) performance at Saint Francis (IN).

U-M is also on the road following their stunning performance against former Top Ten foe Notre Dame.

Week 9 Games of Interest (4)

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