Game of the Week Preview: Week 6 sees Reading collide with Jonesville

JONESVILLE — One last time. With the Comet varsity sports programs transitioning to a new conference in 2023, 2022's sports seasons represent the final games many of their big 8 rivals will have an opportunity to earn a league win over Jonesville.

There's been plenty of mixed feelings from both the Comet community about the move and from their Big 8 counterparts. With the additional departure of Homer, the conference has brought in newcomers like Maple Valley to fill in the voids.

Related: Week 6 predictions and notes for Hillsdale County Football

The Comets have struggled to repeat their 2021 success on the football field. Head coach Frank Keller and the reigning Big 8 and Crossover Champions started the season 0-3, but the Comet offense led by Coach Keller's son, quarterback Cowen Keller, has found life in the middle of the season. The Comets have put together two back-to-back dominating victories. With momentum, they welcome in their second biggest challenge of the season so far. Jonesville hosts longtime rival Reading High School for a week six showdown that has plenty of implications for both teams.

The Rangers stumbled in week four against the Union City Chargers, but Reading remains one of the most respected teams in Division 8 football this season. Despite their week four loss, the Rangers find themselves still amongst the top 10 ranked schools according to the latest coaches' poll. Head coach Rick Bailey and the Rangers look to not only get revenge on the Comets for last season's home loss, but they also look to send off their league rivalry with a victory.

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This game looks to be an emotional, high stakes affair that has major value for whichever team comes out on top. This is Reading against Jonesville, one last time, for the Hillsdale Daily News week 6 Game of the Week.

Jonesville Keys to Victory

It's fair to say that the Comet offense struggled in the early stages of the regular season. However, Jonesville has been able to find consistent rushing totals through each of their first five contests. Senior Dominic Aponte has rushed for 765 yards in just five contests.

The senior is on pace for a 1,400-yard season on the ground. He has been the most dynamic playmaker for this offense so far this season, and the last time Reading faced a strong rushing attack was in week four against Union City. Dominic Aponte should be a key player to watch, and his rushing ability will be something the Comets will need to use early and often. The Comet senior only rushed for 52 yards against the Union City Chargers in their week three loss. If Jonesville wants to earn the final Big 8 victory over Reading, he will need to carve out a sizeable role this Friday night.

With Cowen Keller and receivers Brady Wright and Braeden Trine back on track after two strong weeks, the Comet offense looks to be back to being one of the most dynamic scoring powers in the Big 8 conference. The Comet passing attack will go up against, arguably, the most talented defensive group in the Big 8 and in Division 8 football. The Rangers boast several all-region and all-state athletes on the defensive side of the ball, including defensive back Jacob Hamilton and linebacker Joey Campbell. Seniors Landen Clabaugh and Colton Bassage also add talent and experience to the Ranger secondary.

The last time these two teams met in 2021, Cowen Keller through for 174 yards and four touchdowns. Despite losing his best weapon from that season, 2022 senior Curtis Knapp, the Comets have a variety of pass catchers that should help Keller this Friday night. If Jonesville wants to repeat their 2021 success over the Rangers, Keller and his receivers will have to help out the Comet running game any way they can.

Reading Keys to Victory

The Rangers have more than 10 seniors on this year's squad. That experience has paid dividends and has helped Reading earn their 4-1 overall record this season. The Rangers took a stumble against Union City, largely due to costly mistakes and penalties that suffocated drives in the second half. The Rangers had only 11 offensive plays that second half, something the team didn't have to worry about in week five when they were up 46-0 on Bronson.

Despite their week five rebound victory, the Ranger offense still has room to improve as they face the back half of their 2022 season. In their 2021 matchup with the Comets, quarterback Colton Bassage through for just 83 yards. The Rangers have plenty of red zone opportunities, but their offense was stifled by a strong Comet secondary. The Ranger senior quarterback has improved steadily this season, having his best game yet against the Vikings in week five. If the Rangers want to find a way to walk out of Jonesville with a win, it will have to start with Bassage.

The Ranger defense found ways to get a hold of the football in 2021 against the Comets. Senior Jacob Hamilton had one interception in last fall's matchup, and the senior has continued to be a ball hawk for the Ranger secondary this year. Hamilton, Clabaugh and the rest of the Ranger secondary have helped the defense hold opponents to just 58 total points this season. The Rangers have always been a stout defensive program, but this matchup Friday night may call upon the team to give their best effort yet in order to earn the victory.

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Ranger linebacker Joey Campbell has been a force on the front seven this fall, and there should be no doubts that Campbell will be tasked with stopping Dominic Aponte in this contest. If the senior linebacker can come up with another big game for the Rangers, they should be able to limit the offensive explosiveness of the Comets. However, if the Rangers allow the Comets to make big plays and chew up clock the way the Chargers did in week four, Reading may find themselves playing from behind entering the final quarter of this contest.

The Rangers have been road warriors this season, and that will be a key to victory for them this Friday as they face one of the best home field advantages in the Big 8 conference. If the Rangers can successfully continue to drown out the noise around them, they could find themselves quieting the home crowd heading into halftime.

Notes

Reading currently stands at ninth in the latest playoff points standings for Division 8 football. Jonesville is currently on the outside-looking in at the 32-team field in Division 7. This game will have major implications for both teams. Jonesville should consider this game a must win if they want to enter the playoff conversation. One more loss this season could be keeping them home in November. A loss for the Rangers will push them down the playoff standings considerably, and there's enough games left this season for the Rangers to find themselves dropping out of the playoffs.

Jonesville and Reading have played 70 games in their history as rivals. The Rangers hold an all-time record of 40-29-1 in the matchup. The Ranger and Jonesville rivalry dates back to 1973, at the start of the Big 8 conference. The two teams may meet again in non-conference or crossover matchups, but this will be the final season both teams will be in the same conference, ending a decade's long conference tradition.

Prediction: Reading 28 - Jonesville 24

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This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Game of the Week Preview: Rangers and Comets collide in week 6