Bay City High School Football Teams on Winning Notes in Stormy Start

Revitalized Western, Garber, Glenn Post Wins; All Saints Shows Potential

August 26, 2007
By: Guest Columnist

Coach Jim Eurick has his Western High Warriors back on a winning track as they prepare to face Midland Dow in Midland on Thursday.

The Warriors looked sharp in defeating the Flint Central Phoenix 35-12 with a 374 yard offensive blitz on Friday, a game delayed for a day because of stormy weather.

John Glenn, Garber and All Saints also took to the field for the first time this year, the Bobcats and the Dukes scoring impressive wins and the Cougars,despite being under-manned with only 15 players, battling Valley Lutheran to a close, hard-fought game before losing 6-0.

Coach Eurick attributed good conditioning to his team's revival against the Phoenix, a team that last year defeated the Warriors in double overtime 28-26.

Western's defense stepped up to shut down Flint's fleet backfield and Dan Alba intercepted a Phoenix pass and scored on a 65-yard return. "The kids worked extra hard to get ready to play on turf," Coach Eurick said.

Western back Justin Gwizdala bulled his way for 134 yards on 16 carries, a sterling 8.3 yards per carry. And Quarterback Matt Grew notched two touchdowns on nine completions in 15 attempts for 190 yards and a 12 yard plus per catch average.

Grew ran nine yards for a score and lofted 16 yard and 29 yard scoring passes to Scott Osentoski. Jacob Boileau banged home five straight points after.

Dow will undoubtedly be riled up after taking a surprising pasting from Flint Southwestern Academy on Thursday. The academy, traditionally a Valley doormat team, reportedly has recruited heavily and has put together a talented group of players.

In other Valley action, Mt. Pleasant's Oilers saturated the Midland Chemics with passes in a 43-23 win at Midland, their first in that venue. Oilers QB William Arnold racked up 310 yards and four TDs completing 10 in 17 attempts. Tyler Mills caught five passes for 188 yards and three of the scores.

Saginaw Heritage beat Saginaw Arthur Hill and Flint Northern topped Flint Northwestern in other contests on Friday's schedule.

Watch this column for Valley statistics in another GRAFF CHEVROLET GRID REPORT and game advance on Thursday.