By Lisa Paine
VIEW Sports Editor

GENESEE COUNTY — With a league title each in their trophy cases, the Grand Blanc (10-0 Big Nine) and Goodrich (10-0 GAC) boys’ soccer programs are focusing on district hardware that is up for grabs starting next Monday (Oct. 15).
With Goodrich falling in round one last season, and Grand Blanc falling just short in the semifinals, both squads are hoping to impress and continue their postseason play. However, some staunch state-ranked teams have the same goal and look to shut out both. Below is a district preview for each of our area teams.

No. 14-1 Lake Orion
This loaded district includes perennial favorite Clarkston that has a scoring leader in Oliver Kupe. Host Lake Orion cannot be discounted either, and both have been touted as the favorites at the top of the brackets and hold honorable mention nods in the latest Coaches Association rankings.
However, after capturing another Big Nine title, Grand Blanc certainly could be a spoiler after defeating Flint Kearsely, 8-2, Monday and Davison, 1-0, last Monday to clinch the title.
Highland-Milford, Holly and Waterford Kettering round out this district, but Grand Blanc coach Greg Kehler is not letting his team rest on its laurels.
“Nobody can be overlooked, but with Lake Orion hosting, they will be a tough opponent, if they beat Waterford Kettering,” Kehler noted. “Clarkston has a great team and scorer in Oliver Kupe, so they look to be the favorite at the top of the bracket. We have prepared our team with the best non-conference schedule we could this year, and we’ve played very competitively in these matches.”
Hosting the regional gives the Cats added incentive to take the district title, so they can continue postseason play in front of a home crowd.
“We are also hosting the regionals this year, so a district championship would bring us back to our home field, which would be nice,” Kehler added.
Last season, Grand Blanc shut out host Flushing, 5-0, to move on in the district. Big Nine foe Davison edged the Cats 1-0 in the district semifinals, ending their run for a regional title.
Grand Blanc and Clarkston both earned byes on their sides of the brackets, with Grand Blanc slated to face Lake Orion or Waterford Kettering next Thursday at 7 p.m. at Lake Orion. Clarkston gets either Milford or Holly at 5:30 p.m. The finals are set for Saturday, Oct. 20, at 1 p.m.

Martians eye district crown
The Goodrich boys’ soccer team clinched its third straight Genesee Area Conference title with a resounding 5-0 win over Durand last Thursday. At No. 10 in Div. 3, the Martians hope to carry that momentum forward into district action next Monday in the No. 39-3 Durand district.
Durand obviously is of little concern in the district that includes Chesaning, Flint Powers Catholic, Linden-Lake Fenton, Montrose, Ovid-Elsie and Perry.
“I am excited for upcoming games,” said coach Evan Huizenga. “We won last night against Durand 5-0 and we have one more conference game. That should set us up nicely for the district playoffs.”
Keeping Goodrich on its toes heading into next week were Lapeer East, a team that won the school’s first-ever boys’ soccer league title in 23 seasons. A 1-0 win Monday led to a clash with Montrose to decide the GAC title outright. Goodrich easily won, 7-1, for the title.
Last season, Goodrich was ousted in the No. 38-3 Armada district by No. 6-ranked Macomb Lutheran North, 2-1.
This season, Montrose could draw first blood when they face off against Goodrich Monday, Oct. 15, at Goodrich at 4:30 p.m.
Up next for Goodrich would be Durand or Perry Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Durand, and if they continue forward, a berth in the district finals awaits them Saturday, Oct. 20, at 2 p.m. at Durand.
“I think that our team is stronger from top to bottom this season and I think that the chemistry of the team is at a higher level than it has been in the past. With a few new additions to the soccer team this year, it has added a different mix of personalities which has created a positive chemistry throughout,” Huizenga added. “Our district is not easy, but I think that every team in the district is looking at Flint Powers and using them to see how each measures up. Powers is currently rated No. 1 in Division 3, but I think if you take a step back and look at our team as a whole, we are so solid that other teams will have a hard time matching up with our depth.”
Soccer results from this past week are in GB Round Up this week, B-4.

More Tips