ALMONT — The Almont football team will aim to continue their postseason path this Friday when they travel to Frankenmuth for a Division 5 district semifinal clash. That battle is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Frankenmuth, the Tri-Valley East champions, heads in to the game fresh off a 55-12 win against Bridgeport at home.
Before that, Frankenmuth prevailed in six out of six games. That run included a 41-3 victory at Freeland; a 35-6 road triumph against Swan Valley; a 31-7 road win over Essexville-Garber; a 36-0 victory against Alma at home; a 41-6 triumph over visiting Birch Run; and a 42-6 win against Bridgeport at home.
Almont, the fourth-place team in the BWAC, enters the confrontation coming off a 28-0 win against Ovid-Elsie at home.
Prior to that, Almont went 2-2. That stretch featured a 33-0 victory over Algonac at home; a 28-0 loss to visiting North Branch; a 28-25 overtime triumph against Richmond at home; and a 28-14 road setback to Imlay City.
Almont Coach James Leusby knows that his team’s next assignment should be a tough one.
“We will need to play our best game of the year to beat the number one seed in our district,” Leusby said. “Frankenmuth is big and well-coached,” he noted.
“I don’t see us overpowering them. Technique will play a key role in the outcome of the game.”
Leusby says he is leaning toward Brock Conger (quarterback), Michael Lulgjuraj (runningback), Mason Smith (runningback), Emilio Lord (runningback), Morgan Miodowski (center), Eli Bankston (guard), Shane Vandenbossche (guard), Haden LaCavera (tackle) and Scott Pape (tight end) as his likely offensive starters.
Defensively, Nolan Panduren (line), Elijah Moussiaux (line), Joseph Ferqueron (line), Brandon Hunsaker (line), Trenton Kruse (defensive back), Landon Kruse (defensive back), Bunch (defensive back), Bryce Ferman (linebacker), Tyler Filinger (linebacker) and Lord (linebacker) are listed as possible starters.
Who fills in the other starting spot remains to be seen.
The winner of Friday’s game will square off versus the survivor of a contest between Richmond and Corunna for district honors the following Friday or Saturday.
Kevin Kissane has been covering high school sports for the Tri-City Times since 1985. When not standing on a field or court with his camera and notepad, he enjoys golf, travel and family. Kevin is a 1980 graduate of Capac High School, and is also a grad of St. Clair Community College and earned a degree in journalism from Central Michigan University.
