Playoff Thoughts: Division 1-3

Written Sunday October 21st, at 10:21 PM

Division One: 

I was surprised that Clarkston and Lake Orion were split up into two different regions. Lake Orion going east while Clarkston going north and then west. Both teams should have three home games but I feel that both teams will have tough paths if they want to meet at Ford Field. The Dragons might have to deal with Sterling Heights Stevenson, Utica Eisenhower, Macomb Dakota, and Detroit Cass Tech as possible threats. The Wolves might have to deal with Grand Blanc, Novi Detroit Catholic Central, Rockford, and Livonia Churchill that threaten them.

The toughest district has to be Region 4, District 1. The Dragons meet the Titans in one semifinal while the Eagles and Marauders meet in the other semifinal. Sterling Heights Stevenson has lost two in a row to two good teams Utica Eisenhower and Warren Mott while Warren Mott beat Sterling Heights Stevenson at Runnel Field. This will be an interesting district to see.

Team's that could be upset alert: Clarkston and Lake Orion. The Wolves have a big offensive line and a good running back but they could see Grand Blanc and if they win that Rockford in the regional finals and then Novi Detroit Catholic Central. The other side the Dragons if they win over Sterling Heights Stevenson could see Utica Eisenhower, Macomb Dakota, and Detroit Cass Tech. Thankfully until the state semifinals, all of those teams go to both Lake Orion and Clarkston respectably.

This is a wide open division, I can see either Clarkston, Rockford, Novi Detroit Catholic Central, Livonia Churchill, Lake Orion, Utica Eisenhower, Macomb Dakota, Sterling Heights Stevenson, or Detroit Cass Tech winning this thing this season.

Division Two:

The toughest district here is Region 1, District 2. Muskegon plays a dangerous Grand Rapids Kenona Hills team and Lowell plays Grand Rapids Northview. Lowell and Muskegon could play each other in the district finals and the winner will play Midland on the road.

Team on upset alert: Detroit Martin Luther King: The Crusaders do play Southfield this week and could be in for a battle in the district finals if they win. They would likely play Greg Carter and Oak Park and if they win that then they will play either Taylor Truman, Brownstown Woodhaven, or Wyandotte Roosevelt in the regional and then Brother Rice but beware of the Blue Jays, they beat you at Wayne State and they very well could do it again.

This is an interesting division to say the least. Brother Rice and Muskegon appear to be the favorite in this division and could meet in the District Finals but don't count out Farmington Hills Harrison or Detroit Martin Luther King, they are dark-horses.

Division Three:

I was surprised on what the matchups were given out, some where not geographically located right especially with Sault Sainte Marie going to St. Johns and Owosso going to Cadillac  Also sending Lansing Waverly to Linden doesn't add up or Caledonia going east to Swartz Creek. It doesn't make sense.

I didn't think Hamilton deserved to get in at 5-4 and where was teams like Goodrich and Byron Center??? I thought they had better chances getting into the playoffs then Hamilton did. Edwardsburg doesn't deserve a home game in my opinion because their playoff points are so low that if you put them north to Zeeland then they would be in trouble.

Team on upset alert: Dewitt  Dewitt should be very careful of Lapeer West. The Panthers played in the Flint Metro League and could give Dewitt everything they can handle. If Dewitt looks ahead to Linden then they are an trouble. The danger is very real for them.

I think there are two matches to watch once regional play comes into effect. The first region is region two there is a possible match-up between Zeeland East and Battle Creek Lakeshore, both teams are undefeated and that could be a great match-up to see. Another match-up would be in the state semifinals could be Orchard Lake St. Marys and Milan, that is a dangerous match-up for Milan and they very well lose that game. I think Division Three is the Eaglets to lose.