A team other than CMU will host a game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Mount Pleasant High School is looking to stay undefeated as it begins its playoff run against the North Branch Broncos.
The Oilers finished the regular season with a 9-0 record and are No. 3 in the state in Division 3.

“It has been a fun year and the team has had a great season,” said parent Michelle Duke. “The team has done so well this year. Everyone on the team has gotten to play all season long.”

Club boosters will sell gold towels and hats at the stadium and at Mount Pleasant High School in an attempt to create a “gold-out” at the stadium. Duke said the team is calling it “The Gold Rush.”

This will be the second time North Branch has made the playoffs and the 10th for Mount Pleasant. The Oilers outscored opponents 347-83.

Jon McCann leads the Oilers rushing attack with 948 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. He also is the leading tackler on defense, registering 95 tackles.

“Jon has had a tremendous season — he is averaging 8.5 yards per carry and he also plays Will (weak side linebacker) for us as well,” said coach Jason McIntyre. “He always steps up for us in big games, and it is going to be fun to play at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.”

North Branch will bring an option-based offense. Quarterback Doug Griffin has led the Broncos this season, rushing for 837 yards and passing for more than 500 yards.

Running back Dennis Natzke has also rushed for more than 500 yards.

“We will feel them out and then see where we are at and try and take advantage of them,” McIntyre said. “Besides McCann, we do not have a lot of stand-out players, but we do have a lot of skill at other positions that we can go to if they shut one of our looks on offense down.”

E-mail the author: John Evans