Whittemore-Prescott banking on its running game to keep Saginaw MLS in check in Division 7 title clash

WHITTEMORE, MI – Whittemore-Prescott plans to give Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary a full introduction to Travis MacDonald.

At the same time, they don’t want to get too familiar with the MLS offense.

“Our gameplan is simple: Run the ball – that’s what we do,” W-P coach Kyle Tobin said. “We want to keep it away from them because, when they have it, they’re dangerous.”

Two potent attacks go head-to-head at 7 p.m. Friday when No. 5 Whittemore-Prescott (10-0) hosts No. 9 Michigan Lutheran Seminary (9-1) in the Division 7 high school football district championship game.

W-P's Travis MacDonald (MLive.com file)

This contest could down to which side can impose its will. And Whittemore-Prescott’s will is Travis MacDonald’s way.

MacDonald has piled up 2,003 yards and 27 touchdowns rushing on the season, going over 200 yards four games in a row. The Cardinals have leaned on the 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior heavily throughout their undefeated campaign.

“I came in here planning on running out of the shotgun,” said Tobin, in his first season back at the helm after an 11-year hiatus. “(Assistant coach) Sam Harrison told me ‘We’ve got an absolute stallion here. Let’s find five or six ways to get him the ball and let him go.’ And Travis MacDonald has been outstanding all year long.”

W-P is hoping that its running game is a go so it can help put the stops on the MLS offense. MLS has posted 37.8 points per game while rattling off seven straight wins since its lone loss to Division 6 state champion Ithaca.

MLS showed its strong running game a week ago as Owen Heyn got loose for 189 yards and four touchdowns, sparking the team to a come-from-behind 27-14 win over Manton.

But the passing game is this team’s forte. Quarterback Nate Lindloff has passed for 1,299 yards and 20 scores on the season. Casey Williams and Andrew Schroeder provide a pair of good-hands weapons at wideout.

MLS is making its 16^th playoff appearance and is attempting to reach the third week of postseason play for the first time since its 1986 state championship.

Whittemore-Prescott, which shows the 2000 state title on its resume, is making its 19^th playoff run in the past 21 seasons. The program hasn't claimed a district crown since 2004.

Lee Thompson covers local sports for The Bay City Times and MLive.com. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter: @LeeTsports