Division One Predictions (District Semifinals)

Written Sunday October 21st, at 10:25 PM

REGION 1: DISTRICT 1:

TRAVERSE CITY WEST AT ROCKFORD: The Rams have been a team, in search of an identity. They had two losses to Lowell and Muskegon earlier in the season but the Rams had a nice win over Holland West Ottawa. It should be an interesting match up for the Titans, especially with the younger Bullouch brother playing in this game. Got to go with Rockford, the travel down US-131 could be tough going for Traverse City West. PICK: ROCKFORD 38, TRAVERSE CITY WEST 17.

GRAND LEDGE AT HOLLAND WEST OTTAWA: The Panthers since losing to Rockford have been on a row since. The Comets eliminated Lansing Holt from the playoffs but going west to Holland will not be an easy one for Grand Ledge. PICK: HOLLAND WEST OTTAWA 24, GRAND LEGDE 14.

REGION 1, DISTRICT 2:

DAVISON AT CLARKSTON: This was probably the biggest shocker as Clarkston and Lake Orion were separated from each other and could meet in the state finals if both get there. The Wolves are rolling right now winning at Lake Orion and Oak Park. Clarkston probability got the best draw it could get with the Genesee County schools in this district. The Cardinals traveling to Clarkston means Davison is going home. PICK: CLARKSTON 49, DAVISON 7.

GRAND BLANC AT FLINT CARMAN AINSWORTH: This is a week one rematch where the Cavaliers went on the road and beat the Bobcats 27-12. Grand Blanc won at Plymouth 34-6 last week to get into the playoffs. Flint Carman Ainsworth features a good running back but I can see upset here and revenge for Grand Blanc in a shootout. PICK: GRAND BLANC 41, FLINT CARMAN AINSWORTH 28.

REGION 2, DISTRICT 1:

NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL AT HARTLAND: This is a horrible match up for the Eagles even though they have home field but this is the Shamrocks and they feature a power running game. This game is Novi Detroit Catholic Central’s game to lose against a good Hartland team. PICK: NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL 21, HARTLAND 17.

HOWELL AT WALLED LAKE NORTHERN: Congrats Knights on making the playoffs for the first time in school history. The Highlanders had to beat Jackson Lutheran Christian on a late field goal but there will be too much offense in favor of Walled Lake Northern. PICK: WALLED LAKE NORTHERN 49, HOWELL 35.

REGION 2, DISTRICT 2:

LIVONIA STEVENSON AT LIVONIA CHURCHILL: This is a rematch of last week's 49-10 blowout by the Chargers over the Spartans. This game is going to get ugly once again in a rout for Churchill. PICK: LIVONIA CHURCHILL 42, LIVONIA STEVENSON 7.

PLYMOUTH CANTON AT PLYMOUTH: The battle of Plymouth is interesting yet again. The last time these two met Plymouth beat Canton 28-21 two weeks ago. I can see the Chiefs moving on to the next round. I’m not sure where the mindset of the Wildcats is after getting destroyed last week at home by Grand Blanc. PICK: PLYMOUTH CANTON 31, PLYMOUTH 26.

REGION 3, DISTRICT 1:

TEMPERANCE BEDFORD AT SALINE: The Hornets are in the playoffs yet again under a first year coach. The Mules are also back in the postseason after a hiatus but the edge is with the folks from Washtenaw County. PICK: SALINE 34, TEMPERANCE BEDFORD 7.

ANN ARBOR PIONEER AT MONROE: The Pioneers got their head coach back for this game and it’s suspended player as well after the fight at Ann Arbor Huron two weeks ago. The Trojans won over Dearborn Fordson last week 8-6 . The edge goes with Monroe because of the home field advantage but it will be close. PICK: MONROE 24, ANN ARBOR PIONEER 21.

REGION 3, DISTRICT 2:

DEARBORN AT DEARBORN FORDSON: The battle of Dearborn resumes in this heated rivalry. The Tractors blew out the Pioneers earlier in the season in Dearborn and could do so again but this will be much closer but Fordson will pull this one out in the battle of Dearborn. PICK: DEARBORN FORDSON 35, DEARBORN 21.

DETROIT CASS TECH AT GROSSE POINTE SOUTH: The Technicians were blown out by Martin Luther King in the Detroit Public School League Semifinals two weeks ago. They did win last week but they get a trip to Grosse Pointe to meet the Blue Devils. Detroit Cass Tech will roll on to the district finals. PICK: DETROIT CASS TECH 34, GROSSE POINTE SOUTH 10.

REGION 4, DISTRICT 1:

STERLING HEIGHTS STEVENSON AT LAKE ORION: The Titans are 2-2 (Wins over Romeo, and Chippewa Valley. Losses to Eisenhower and Warren Mott) since beating Romeo to make the playoffs. The Dragons bounced back since losing to Clarkston with a win at Farmington. This is the second time these two teams have seen each other in the playoffs. The last time they met it was the 49 yard field goal by Jeff Heath in the regional final at Runkel Field. This will be a shootout in my opinion but the Dragons will pull through in a tight one over the Titans. PICK: LAKE ORION 34, STERLING HEIGHTS STEVENSON 24.

WARREN MOTT AT UTICA EISENHOWER: This will be a battle of big lines and good running backs. The Marauders beat Sterling Heights Stevenson at Runkel Field in overtime last week. The Eagles are also battle tested and the game is at Sweinhart Field. The edge in this game goes to Eisenhower but it close with a late field goal. PICK: UTICA EISENHOWER 23, WARREN MOTT 21.

REGION 4, DISTRICT 2:

CHIPPEWA VALLEY AT MACOMB DAKOTA: Two weeks ago the Cougars and Big Reds met with Dakota winning 18-13 at Chippewa Valley. This will yet again be a low scoring game and the same result will occur in Macomb. PICK: MACOMB DAKOTA 21, CHIPPEWA VALLEY 16.

ROMEO AT MACOMB L’ANSE CREUSE NORTH: The Bulldogs somehow got in at 5-4 with a win over New Baltimore Anchor Bay but one of those wins came against the Crusaders (28-21). For L'Anse Creuse North this is the first time in the playoffs. They guaranteed seven wins and a home game, they got it. Romeo has played a tougher schedule and will move on to the district finals and it will be by the same score. PICK: ROMEO 28, MACOMB L’ANSE CREUSE NORTH 21.