Division One, District Projections

Written Tuesday October 30th, at 10:20 PM

REGION 1 DISTRICT 1:

HOLLAND WEST OTTAWA AT ROCKFORD: This is a rematch of a 24-14 Rams victory over the Panthers in Rockford. Rockford blew out Traverse City West 38-7. Holland West Ottawa survived Grand Ledge 21-14 at home. This will be a good match up once again in a battle of Ottawa-Kent Conference Red rivals. Rockford will win this game being at home. PICK: ROCKFORD 31, HOLLAND WEST OTTAWA 21.

REGION 1, DISTRICT 2:

GRAND BLANC AT CLARKSTON: Dear Grand Blanc, we know you won a wild game over Flint Carman Ainsworth 30-26 in Flint but we knocked off Davison 41-0 last week. Two seasons ago you went into our place and crushed us 38-14. We haven't forgotten that. We the Wolves will end your season this week. Now we know you blew out Plymouth 34-6 on the road but then again we have a big line and running game and that clearly outplays an underachieving team all season. Sincerely, Clarkston. PICK: CLARKSTON 28, GRAND BLANC 24.

REGION 2, DISTRICT 1:

NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL AT WALLED LAKE NORTHERN: The Knights won their first ever playoff game last week over Howell 41-27 but this is a whole different animal in the Shamrocks who beat Hartland 21-15 in Hartland last week. The Knights can score but the Shamrocks can play defense and will advance to the regional finals. PICK: NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL 28, WALLED LAKE NORTHERN 21.

REGION 2, DISTRICT 2:

PLYMOUTH AT LIVONIA CHURCHILL: This is a rematch of a game won by the Chargers 35-31 over the Wildcats. Plymouth rebounded by winning last week over arch rival Canton 40-28. Livonia Churchill beat arch rival Livonia Stevenson 49-35. This will be a very good game in the Kensington Lakes Athletic Association Central Division. I have a feeling that Plymouth will get this win and shut down the Chargers star running game. PICK: PLYMOUTH 35, LIVONIA CHURCHILL 32.

REGION 3, DISTRICT 1:

ANN ARBOR PIONEER AT SALINE: This is another rematch of a low scoring game won by the Pioneers 7-6 in Saline. The Hornets have not forgiven that loss and want to avenge it in this Southeastern Conference rematch. I think Saline will win in this match up of Washtenaw County rivals. PICK: SALINE 10, ANN ARBOR PIONEER 7.

REGION 3, DISTRICT 2:

DEARBORN AT DETROIT CASS TECH: (Saturday 1 PM): The Technicians blew out the Blue Devils of Grosse Pointe South in Grosse Pointe 49-3. The Pioneers upset Dearborn Fordson 24-14 at Fordson no less. Too much balance will get the Detroit Public School League West division Champions, Detroit Cass Tech through the regional finals likely on the road to either Ann Arbor or Saline. PICK: DETROIT CASS TECH 35, DEARBORN 14.

REGION 4, DISTRICT 1:

UTICA EISENHOWER AT LAKE ORION: This game is a tossup. Both teams had shutouts over their respective opponents last week. The Eagles over Warren Mott 28-0 while the Dragons over Sterling Heights Stevenson 35-0. Time possession will be key in this match up as both teams like to run the ball and have good defenses. I think Lake Orion has a bit too much speed for Utica Eisenhower to handle but this game will come down to the final play. PICK: LAKE ORION 20, UTICA EISENHOWER 13.

REGION 4, DISTRICT 2:

MACOMB L’ANSE CREUSE NORTH AT MACOMB DAKOTA: The Crusaders finished third in the MAC White stunned Romeo 35-21 last week. The Bulldogs are in the MAC Red while fellow MAC Red member Cougars beat Chippewa Valley 17-7. Macomb Dakota has the experience in the playoffs but L’Anse Creuse North has nothing to lose being a huge underdog. I have a strange feeling that this game has upset in the making with the Crusaders shocking the Cougars. PICK: L’ANSE CREUSE NORTH 17, MACOMB DAKOTA 14.