What we learned from Week 2 of the high school football season

Some of the stats were striking. But all of the final scores were ugly.

Every high school football game in the Blue Water Area this week was decided by double digits. The average margin of victory was 34.5 points, as most contests were decided by halftime.

Here's what we learned from Week 2.

Teams are separating themselves in the BWAC

We're getting a clearer picture of the pecking order in the BWAC. Four teams remain unbeaten after two games — Almont, Armada, Croswell-Lexington and North Branch. Those four outscored their opponents 207-32 in Week 2.

It's a little early to definitively tell which team is the best in the conference. But Armada and Cros-Lex did the most to make their case with victories in league play.

The Pioneers were especially impressive in their 61-7 rout of Richmond. Running back Gabriel Groppi led the way with 252 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. Quarterback Gavin Espinoza went 10-for-20 passing for 218 yards and four touchdowns (to four different receivers) against two interceptions. It was his second career start.

Meanwhile, The Tigers dismantled Yale, 42-18, at home. Quarterback Lucas Pratt finished 6-for-6 passing for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Vinny Fodale ran for 87 yards and three scores on six carries. Kyle Coenen added 111 yards and one touchdown on the ground. Wideout Zack Dykes totaled four receptions for 72 yards and one score.

These two teams will collide in Week 3 when Cros-Lex hosts Armada on Friday. A win for either side would not only be a huge statement, but could also prove significant in determining a BWAC championship down the road.

The MAC bounces back

All five MAC teams in the area took care of business this week. But four of them showed resolve and responded after losses in Week 1. Marine City, Marysville, Port Huron and St. Clair all avoided an 0-2 start and improved to 1-1.

The Mariners flexed their muscles in a 56-14 road victory over Clawson. Running back Zach Tetler rushed for for 169 yards and four touchdowns on 11 carries. Backup quarterback Lyncoln Osterland got the start and went 7-for-9 passing for 102 yards and two touchdowns.

Marysville rolled Hazel Park, 53-12, behind Carter Saccucci's 210 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Linebacker Tyler Simpson (12 tackles, one safety) was one of three Vikings to record seven or more tackles.

After being shutout in its opener, Port Huron had no trouble finding the end zone in a 55-24 win over Eastpointe. St. Clair defeated Warren Lincoln, 28-6, on a night when Logan Ellis ran for 161 yards and two touchdowns.

It's also worth mentioning that Port Huron Northern improved to 2-0. The Huskies once again destroyed an opponent at home, as they beat Warren Fitzgerald 41-6.

Brendan Haisenleder is a force to be reckoned with

Some running backs beat you with speed. Others rely on brute force to do the job. Haisenleder is a master of both.

The Cardinal Mooney senior solidified himself as one of the area's best players with a sensational performance Friday. He ran for 392 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries in the Cardinals' 43-32 loss to Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary. After two games this season, he's totaled 688 yards and seven touchdowns.

Mooney coach Joe Quesnelle called him a "thoroughbred running back." And it's not hard to see why.

Haisenleder's strength makes him a nightmare to contain. Multiple defenders are often needed to bring him down. He applies stiff arms and the equivalent of a body check to any opponent in front of him, making open-field tackles extremely difficult. Lutheran Seminary resorted to gain tackling Haisenleder whenever it could.

But sometimes, he doesn't have to use all that power. Haisenleder is flat-out fast. He gets to the edge quickly and has enough agility to change direction on a dime. The senior is destined for a special season if this continues.

Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.