Border battle: Montrose vs. New Lothrop has all the makings of a classic

FLINT -- The football players at Montrose don’t need any reminders when it comes to who is up next on their football schedule.

It’s that team to the southwest, their long-time rival that resides just across the Genesee County border in Shiawassee County.

But just in case, the Rams get a reminder every time they head toward the locker room exit to take the field. There on the wall is a sign that reads “Beat New Lothrop” with a clock above it counting down the hours, minutes and seconds until kickoff Friday night.

Less than nine miles away in New Lothrop, there aren’t any signs on the marquees downtown -- largely because the village is so tiny there aren’t many marquees to speak of -- but that doesn’t mean everybody isn’t talking about what’s on tap.

A visit to the New Lothrop elementary school Wednesday was proof of that.

When one employee told a colleague that an acquaintance didn't know who the Hornets were playing this week, the response was "How can he not know who they're playing?" followed by a rather incredulous look.

Yes, it’s New Lothrop-Montrose week and the stakes might be higher than ever.

Both teams are 3-0, both have state championship aspirations and first place in the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference -- as well as perhaps the league championship -- will be up for grabs beginning at 7 p.m. at Montrose.

Nobody knows more about the rivalry -- from both vantage points -- than New Lothrop coach Clint Galvas.

He's a 2000 graduate of Montrose, helped the Rams win the 1998 Class CC state championship while playing for current Montrose coach Dennis Reinhart, and Galvas led New Lothrop to last year's Division 7 state title.

“We try to always treat each game as the same thing but it’s not really just another game for us,” Galvas said Wednesday. "It’s that rivalry week, just like Ohio State-Michigan isn’t just another game for those guys. Its kind of the same feel here. It’s our cross-town neighbor, our rival.

"I’m not saying there’s bad blood but our kids know their kids, their kids know us. Their coaching staff knows us. Obviously, I’m from Montrose. Our defensive coordinator went to Montrose. I played for Reinhart, I coached with Reinhart. It’s a fun atmosphere. It’s going to be an awesome atmosphere.

"It's going to be a great game, one we both really want to win. Obviously, both coming in undefeated, it's pretty special. They're a great team and we think we're a pretty darn good team, too. These are the games you want to play. I love coaching the games like this. We're looking forward to it."

Perhaps not as much as Montrose, however.

The Rams took it on the chin from New Lothrop a year ago, losing 52-12 in Week 4. That was their worst loss since a 41-0 setback in 2015 to -- you guessed it -- New Lothrop.

After last year’s loss, the Rams had what Reinhart called a “come to Jesus meeting,” where everyone -- coaches and players alike -- were free to speak their minds and clear the air without repercussions.

What followed was eight straight victories and a berth in the Division 6 semifinals before Montrose finally lost to Jackson Lumen Christi, which went on to win its third straight state tile.

“it was really everybody getting things off their chest and how we needed to fix practice and fix how we’re going to come together as a team, fix our team chemistry,” said senior lineman Griffin Barnette, whose cousin Austin plays for New Lothrop.

"Fixing the little things and playing as a team the whole game. Last year, we kind of drifted apart when we were losing bad. But this year is going to be a whole different story. They’ve got a good squad and we’ve got a good squad.

“It’s really our whole community coming together because the other team is 10 miles away so it’s really community vs. community.”

Notice Barnette referred to "the other team" without mentioning the words New Lothrop?

Although New Lothrop and Montrose are two of the smallest schools in the Flint area in terms of enrollment -- Montrose has 374 students compared to 307 for New Lothrop, according to the MHSAA website -- they have one of the fiercest rivalries anywhere in Michigan.

They're also have two of the most successful athletic programs in the Flint area.

Both have won two state football tiles, New Lothrop has won a Michigan-record 15 state wrestling championships while Montrose has captured nine, and the schools combined to win 13 state wrestling titles in 14 years from 1975-88.

New Lothrop has also made the football playoffs 19 straight seasons -- that's a Flint-area record -- while Montrose has reached the postseason for nine consecutive years and 25 of the past 29.

So yeah, they've got a bit of a rivalry.

While some of his teammates are caught up in the hype, New Lothrop quarterback Avery is trying to stay on an even keel.

“You gotta focus on what 's best for the team and can’t really let them get in your head,” said Moore, a Grand Valley recruit who was first-team All-State last year. "I hope the best for Montrose. I hope they win states in their division.

“The key is we have to have the line play really well. If the line plays really well, then we have a good shot at winning this game handily. But it should be a good game. They’re a solid team, they have good skilled players, a good line.

"It just depends on how we decide to play.”

Moore's offensive weapons include Julius Garza, Jake Graves and Will Muron. All three are a threat to run or catch the ball.

Like New Lothrop, Montrose has a dynamic quarterback in junior Bobby Skinner.

Last week, he threw four TD passes to set the school record for touchdown competitions in a career with 44. He’s also a threat to run -- and score -- on every offensive play.

Skinner's top offensive weapons include wide receiver Joe Wilber and running backs Antio Harrison and Jack Kalakay, who are also among the leaders on defense.

Naturally, there’s been a buzz in both communities all season in anticipation of this week’s game.

"You go uptown, you go the grocery store, you go anywhere and everyone is asking, 'Hey, you guys ready for the game? How are you guys going to do?'" Galvas said. "They're always talking about this game.

“It’s one of those games everybody has marked on their calendar. It’s been hyped up a lot and now the only thing left to do is go play the game and settle it on the field.”

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