By Staff
Don't let the fact that Paw Paw is 9-0 this season and was 10-2 last year worry you too much about Friday night's Division 4 playoff game.
The Chieftains have been tested throughout this season and will do just fine against the Redskins.
Paw Paw has an outstanding team and one look at last year's record lets you know that this team is not a fluke.
But Paw Paw has not played the same type of competition that the Chieftains have.
The Redskins' best opponent was Battle Creek Pennfield, who was 6-3 and qualified for the playoffs as well.
Paw Paw slipped past Pennfield 24-21.
Dowagiac has faced some solid competition in Lakeshore, Marshall, Sturgis and Niles.
Even Coldwater is better than most of the teams that Paw Paw faced this season.
In fact, if you didn't follow the teams that Dowagiac played after we beat them, Coldwater ended up with a 4-5 overall record - including a win over Sturgis.
Playing on the road it not a factor either on Friday night.
The Chieftains have travelled to Marshall and Sturgis and Portage Central and Benton Harbor - all tough places to play no matter how good their team is.
Dowagiac did not give its best performance on Friday night, but I would rather have the Chieftains play poorly against St. Joseph than this week against Paw Paw.
In doing a little research, I do not believe Dowagiac has ever lost to Paw Paw.
The Chieftains and Redskins have met three times since 1950 with Dowagiac taking home wins each time.
What makes this game even more interesting is that Paw Paw will join Dowagiac next season in the Wolverine Conference.
The Redskins and Chieftains will play in week No. 9 according to Dowagiac Athletic Director Greg Younger.
In looking at teams we could possibly form a rivalry with in the Wolverine, Paw Paw was one of two that jumped out at me.
Three Rivers, which we had quite a heated rilvary with in the 1960s, was the other team.
The weather looks like it is going to be nearly perfect, so I expect a big crowd Friday night.
There is no reason why we cannot have as many fans as they have.
So put on your orange and black shirts, sweaters, hats and coats and head on down I-94 to Paw Paw and cheer the Chieftains to victory.
It's time to get this party started and I cannot think of a better way to move into the Wolverine Conference than with a win over the Redskins.