We have reached the Regional Final round of the Football Playoffs, and there is a fantastic slate of games this week. We have a game that could be a precursor to who could win the Division 1 State Championship, and we have a hard-hitting battle between the Downriver League Champions and one of the best that the Catholic League has to offer.
Carlson vs Orchard Lake St Mary’s
The Carlson Marauders will welcome the Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Eaglets for the two schools’ first matchup. Will the best the Downriver League has to offer be enough to take down one of the premiere Catholic League teams?
The Carlson Marauders enter only their second Regional Final game in school history. After a season that saw many firsts for them a year ago, they are hoping to add another to the list this year. They are led by Quarterback Joe Krolak and Running Back Izaiah Wright. In the win over Franklin last week, Krolak completed six of his nine passing attempts for 136 yards and a touchdown. He also threw an interception in the win. As he’s done all season, Krolak also used his legs in the victory as he rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Also showing that his early season injury is behind him now is Izaiah Wright. In the win on Friday, Wright had 30 carries for 117 yards and two touchdowns. If the Marauders can keep up the tempo, they could find their way to the school’s first semifinal appearance.
The Eaglets of Orchard Lake St. Mary’s are back in the Regional final for the first time since the 2022 season and are looking to make it to their first semifinal game since the 2016 season when they went on to win the state title. Looking to get them to that point will be an offense led by Quarterback Axel Newell and Tight End Jayden Savoury. Savoury had one catch for 55 yards and a touchdown in the game last week. Newell has put together a great season, and in the playoff game last week, it was no different as he threw for 120 yards and a touchdown on 13 of 15 passing. He also added a rushing score in the game. While Savoury and Newell have been the big names for the Eaglets, Running Back Darrin Jones has made a name for himself, and the win last week was no different. Jones rushed for 68 yards and scored a touchdown on six carries.
Bear: OSLM
Nat: OSLM
Kirby: OSLM
Belleville at Detroit Catholic Central- Game of the Week
Our game of the week takes us to The Elm on the campus of Detroit Catholic Central High School for a matchup that could have been the state title game this season. This will be only the second time the two schools have met, with the last one coming in the regional game in 2022, a game Belleville won 33-10.
For the Belleville Tigers, the story of their team is the talent they have built. While they have players like Adrian Walker, Elijah Walker, and Ray-mond Smith, the one player that gets the majority of the spotlight is Bryce Underwood. In the District Final win over Saline a week ago, Underwood completed 12 of his 20 passing attempts for 268 yards and three touchdowns, as well as throwing two picks in the game. Underwood also took off and used his legs when needed, carrying the ball five times for 62 yards and a score.
The Shamrocks of Detroit Catholic Central enter this game looking to make their first semifinal game since 2017. Looking to lead them back and pull off the upset over Belleville starts with the play of swiss-army knife player Jayden Pydyn. In the win last week, Pydyn rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns. He also pulled in one reception for 25 yards. Samson Gash also made an impact on the win over West Bloomfield. While Pydyn has been the big name, Gash has been making a name for himself, and in the game last week, he pulled in six receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown, and he also had a six-yard rush that went for a score. If Gash and Pydyn can keep up what they’ve been doing, along with Skyler Hunter keeping his role as a game manager, the Shamrocks could pull off one of the year’s biggest upsets.
Bear: Detroit CC
Nat: Detroit CC
Kirby: Belleville