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The Raiders will open GTC East play Thursday night by entertaining the Ubly Bearcats, considered by most as the pre-season favorite in the division, despite the loss of one of its top players for most of the season.

Marlette made good use of its veteran, athletic team Friday night in disposing of Kingston, 47-0, in the non-league opener. The Raiders piled up over 300 yards offense, aided by nearly 200 yards in punt returns. The defense also held the Cardinals, usually a power in the NCTL, to 59 total yards.

Ubly, though, will pose much bigger problems for Coach Dennis Lester's Raiders. The Bearcats have a veteran team back that made a run to the Div. 7 semifinals in 2006. And, although, they lost star back Jordan Kaufman for six-to-eight weeks with a broken collarbone, there is still plenty of talent. Ubly also had a tougher opening game, losing to perennial GTC West power USA, 19-14.

What concerns Lester about Ubly? "Overall experience," said the Raider coach, who is in his sixth season. "They bring back a lot of starters. They have a big offensive line. They bring a lot of experience and bring a lot of speed."

Where Marlette has to improve from the win over Kingston is up front, especially in the offensive line.

Our offensive line is just young," said Lester. "We're coming along. We're still make some expected mistakes, but we're getting better."

Ubly's defense will have to contend against a Raider spread offense that might be the most dangerous Lester has had since he installed it a few years back. Senior Austin Comment is a legitimate dual-purpose quarterback. He threw for two TDs and ran for another against Kingston. Seniors David Bliss (WR) and Jon Hayward RB) and junior John Bishop are among' the Raiders other serious weapons.

Defensively, Marlette relies on speed. Lester commented, "We're athletic and fast. We only start one guy over 200 there. We use our speed on defense."

Marlette is hoping to challenge for the East title and make a second-ever playoff appearance (first was two years ago) this fall. A victory over a traditionally strong Bearcat team would escalate those hopes.

"If we could get a win," said Lester, "it would most definitely put us as someone that can contend for the title.

"The kids are ready. They know the importance of the game. We'll play hard and see what happens."

In the win over Kingston, special teams accounted for 166 yards on four punt returns, including Bishop's 74 yard TD return to help give his team a 22-0 lead early in the second quarter. Bishop's 40 yard return set up Comment's four yard TD run late in the first quarter.

Marlette also scored on a fumble recovery in the end zone by senior lineman Andy Warner in the first quarter and then later on Comment's TD aerials of 28 and 34 yards to Hayward. The Raiders closed out the scoring on a six yard burst by Chase Dobbelaere and a six yard run by Jordan Hayward.

Jon Hayward finished with 61 yards rushing and 87 yards receiving.