By Mike Moore Photo by Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports
Staff Writer
Brooklyn — A playoff spot secure, the Columbia Central football team is trying to get a bit greedy now.
And why not?
Come Sunday night we’ll know where the 256 playoff teams fall, but Golden Eagles’ coach Josh Kubiak is fairly certain his guys could be playing at home in the pre-regional round.
If, if they find a way to win Friday night at Hillsdale.
“We’re going to have to match their urgency,” Kubiak said of the Hornets, who are 4-4 and will have a decent shot at making the tournament with five wins. “They are in a spot where they absolutely have to win, so we know they are going to be ready to go.”
The need to win is one thing, but Hillsdale is also seeking some needed revenge.
The Hornets lost to Columbia 29-28 in last year’s finale, officially ending their playoff hopes.
In 2015, Columbia snuck away with a 26-22 victory.
“I think it’s fair to say they want this one,” Kubiak said.
So, his team has to have the same approach it’s had all year, especially on the road.
“It’s another business trip for us, that’s how we have to approach it,” Kubiak said. “Our goal is to host a playoff game.”
After a slow start to the year, Hillsdale’s offense has come to life the past two weeks, scoring 28 against Blissfield and 27 last week against Ida.
At the same time, the Hornets’ defense has surrendered just 28 points in that span.
“Defensively, we have to stop the run,” Kubiak said. “On the offensive side of things, we can’t shoot ourselves in the foot. Last week we had four false starts in a row or something and an interception. If we do things like that, we’re going to be in trouble.”
And if they don’t, the Golden Eagles have a shot to finish the year with at least seven wins for the third fall in a row — and just maybe open Week 10 at home.
“We’re enjoying the run we’re on,” Kubiak boasted. “It’s a unique team where we’ve had guys in and out of the lineup, guys that were suspended, guys that quit, all kinds of turmoil. But we’ve have that next-guy-up approach, and it’s worked.”
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports.
He’s also a Realtor with Real Estate One, specializing with buyers and sellers throughout Michigan, from the Jackson area to metro Detroit. You can reach him at mmoore@realestateone.com or by calling (313) 770-6365 with any inquiries.