The playoffs are back, and so are our picks. We are picking an outstanding 23 games over five divisions this week.
Division 1
Brighton vs Grand Ledge
Brighton is coming off a great regular season that saw them go 8-1 and fall just short of a KLAA title as they lost to Belleville 42-3. Grand Ledge is coming into the playoffs at 7-2 and the winners of the Capital Area Activities Conference-Blue. Brighton will host this one at 7 pm on October 28.
Jason: Grand Ledge
Josh: Brighton
Clarkston vs Lapeer
Coming off a 7-2 regular season that saw Clarkston drop a game to both Davison and West Bloomfield. Those are respectful losses, as both teams have been powerhouses for the last few years, with West Bloomfield looking to challenge Belleville for the state title. Lapeer is also coming off a 7-2 year where they saw losses to both Davison and this same Clarkston team in week eight of the football season when they lost 48-13. It’s tough to beat a team twice in the same season, but is a week enough time to fix what was wrong with Lapeer? Back-to-back losses to end a season isn’t the best for team morale, but a win here could flip the script. Clarkston will host the rematch on Friday, October 28, at 7 pm.
Jason: Clarkston
Josh: Clarkston
Rochester Adams vs Lake Orion
The runner-up from last year, Rochester Adams, looks to start their trip back to Ford Field as they take on Lake Orion. Rochester Adams still has the very talented Picot brothers. Parker is still under center, and Tait at linebacker is a great mix for this squad. Lake Orion found their way into the playoffs at 4-5, which could be dangerous as they were one of the last teams to make the playoffs in Division one. Could we see an early-round upset with this matchup? Kickoff is set for 7 pm from Rochester Adams High School Friday, October 28.
Jason: Rochester Adams
Josh: Rochester Adams
Belleville vs Woodhaven
The defending Champs Belleville Tigers open their state title defense vs Woodhaven, and we have a lot going on in this one. First, for Belleville, following a story from legendary reporter Mick McCabe, Belleville is being looked at for violating MHSAA rules, including the state’s undue influence(anti-recruiting) rule. Woodhaven is looking to bounce back following a loss to Carlson, which kicked them out of a share of the Downriver League title. Will Woodhaven’s Devin Henry and Dom Davis bounce back and show everyone why they claim they have the best backfield in the state, or will they wish for a running clock before halftime? Will the Sophomore phenom Bryce Underwood show why he is ranked as the number 1 Quarterback in his class? We will see as Belleville hosts Woodhaven Friday, October 28, at 6 pm.
Jason: Belleville
Josh: Belleville
Saline vs Ann Arbor Huron
Saline and Ann Arbor Huron are two schools separated by 9 miles and are conference rivals. In week two, Saline and Huron played a close game that Saline won 35-24. It was all Saline in the first half as they led it 28-10 before Huron came back in the second half and made it a four-point game with 10 minutes to play. A sack and a forced fumble by linebacker Sullivan Mills that Tate Bezeau recovered scored late to give them an 11-point victory. Will Ann Arbor Huron take their revenge this week, or will Saline assert their dominance? Find out Friday, October 28th at 7 pm.
Jason: Saline
Josh: Saline
Northville vs Novi
Another rematch of a week eight game as Northville will once again play host to Novi. In week eight, Northville beat Novi 21-10. Can Novi upset Northville? Will Northville keep its magical season alive? Neither team is considered a powerhouse. Kickoff is Friday, October 28, at 7 pm.
Jason: Northville
Josh: Novi
Dearborn vs Detroit CC
Dearborn is back in the playoffs; second-year head coach Alex Grignon has Dearborn playing good football and will look to continue that into the playoffs. In two years at his alma mater, he has racked up a 13-6 record and back-to-back playoff berths for the first time since they made it three years straight from 2010-2012. However, they will have a challenging task as they will play host to a powerhouse in Detroit Catholic Central. Catholic Central is looking for nothing short of making it back to a district final and a berth in their first regional game since 2020 when they lost to the runner-up Division. This will also be a preview of a game next year, as both teams announced that they would play each other in week one next season five hours before matchups came out. Kickoff is Friday, October 28 at 7 pm from Dearborn High School.
Jason: Dearborn
Josh: Dearborn
West Bloomfield vs Cass Tech
One of the best games in the state as number five West Bloomfield will play host to number 11 Detroit Cass Tech. Both teams have a high-scoring offense and good defenses. Leeshaun Mumpfield will lead Cass Tech into West Bloomfield for what could be his final game; for West Bloomfield, they will look to Semaj Morgan to keep their season alive. It’s a battle of top teams; who you got in this showdown, Cass or West Bloomfield? Kickoff is at 7:30 from West Bloomfield on Friday, October 28.
Jason: Cass Tech
Josh: Cass Tech
Southfield A&T vs Troy
A newer school, Southfield A&T, is in the playoffs for just the third time in school history, one of which was in the 2020 season. They are playing Troy, who can’t seem to catch a break when it comes to the playoffs, as in the last three years, they have had to play West Bloomfield in 2020, Chippewa Valley in 2021, and Southfield A&T this postseason. The good news for Troy, and not so good news for Southfield A&T, is Troy has only let up 96 points this year. Southfield A&T is averaging 41 points per game. What will break Troy’s defense or Southfield’s offense? Kickoff is Saturday, October 29 at 1 pm from Southfield A&T.
Jason: Southfield A&T
Josh: Southfield A&T
Division 2
Muskegon Mona Shores vs Traverse City Central
A west side of the state showdown finds its way onto our picks as both Traverse City Central(TCC), and Muskegon Mona Shores have seen their fair share of success over the last decade. This is a rematch of the 2020 Semifinal that saw Mona Shores beat TCC 43-30. After an appearance in the finals last year, TCC fell back to earth a bit as they finished at 5-4. Mona Shores will look to protect its home turf Friday, October 28, at 7 pm.
Jason: TCC
Josh: Mona Shores
Dexter vs Milford
Dexter comes into this one as a heavy favorite over Milford, so much so that many are already looking toward Dexter’s next opponent, one of the South Lyon teams. You know the names from Dexter Cole Cabana, Brennan Parachek, and Micah Davis, who still might be the most underrated player in the state; add in Reeves Taylor and Dexter coach Phil Jacobs getting his 100th career win in the team’s first win over Chelsea it looks like all Dexter right? Maybe not Milford comes into the playoffs with a first-year head coach in Andrew Miscovich, and they will also have Quarterback Ryan Allen who passed for 1,384 yards and nine touchdowns, but he also ran for 818 yards and 16 touchdowns. Can Allen lead his Milford Mavericks to one of the biggest upsets in the state, or will Cabana and Davis continue their dream season? Kickoff is Friday, October 28, at 7 pm from Dexter.
Jason: Dexter
Josh: Dexter
Livonia Franklin vs Crestwood
It’s the first-ever meeting between these schools, which sit 5 miles apart. Crestwood is in the playoffs for the third straight year, and they will look to make it out of the first round this time. For Franklin, this is the seventh consecutive year they have made the playoffs, and they will look to make it back to the regional round this season. Kickoff will be at 7 pm on Friday, October 28, from Livonia Franklin.
Jason: Franklin
Josh: Franklin
De La Salle vs Grosse Pointe South
The defending Division two champs open up their defense of the title as they welcome in Grosse Pointe South. Brady Drogosh is back as De La Salle’s signal caller and will look to add another state title before he heads off to the University of Cincinnati. Grosse Pointe South, another mainstay in the state playoffs, is looking to cause an upset after an early season to Dexter that could give De La Salle the game plan for a big victory. Kickoff is Friday, October 28, at 7 pm from Wayne State.
Jason: De La Salle
Josh: De La Salle
Division 3
DeWitt vs Cadillac
DeWitt is looking to make it to three straight Division three championship games, but they will have to try to make it without Ty Holtz and Tommy McIntosh. That should be fine, though, as they have hybrid athlete Bryce Kurncz to handle duties. Cadillac will look to end DeWitt’s run, as they are no strangers to the playoffs. Cadillac is getting its first taste of Division three as they have been in Division four up until this year, including a run to the final in 2020. Can the Cadillac keep running in division 3, or will the power of DeWitt be too much? Kickoff is October 28 at 7 pm from DeWitt.
Jason: DeWitt
Josh: DeWitt
Carlson vs Huron
A lot of ties in this one, as former New Boston Huron coach Dan Kalbflech will be the one calling the offensive plays for Carlson. Carlson is also coming off back-to-back Downriver League titles and will look to finally make it out of districts, but that could be easier said than done. They will be facing former Allen Park head coach Tom Hoover who knows them fairly well as he owns a 10-2 lifetime record vs Carlson. It will also be a homecoming for former Carlson quarterback Christain Copley as he moved over the summer and was enrolled at Huron. Can the smallest school in Division three hold off the high-powered offense of Carlson?
Jason: Carlson
Josh: Carlson
Trenton vs Southgate
A staple in the playoffs, Trenton has been here every year since 2014. On the other hand, Southgate is making their way back for the first time since 2011, not counting 2020, and will face off in a Downriver League showdown. In their week two matchup, Trenton, led by Ty Norgren, edged out the Chase Barbosa-led Southgate team 28-20. Can Norgren lead Trenton to another victory over Southgate, or will Barbosa and Southgate change their fate and live to play another day? Trenton is hosting this one Friday, October 28, at 7 pm.
Jason: Trenton
Josh: Trenton
Grosse Pointe North vs Allen Park
Allen Park enters this game by backing into the playoffs. On the season, Allen Park saw a 100-point drop in offense from a year ago. They also have given up more points than they did in the regular season a year ago. Grosse Pointe North enters as one of the highest-rated teams in the playoffs. They also play outstanding defense, only letting up 88 points, but could it be a fluke? We will find out Friday, October 28 at 6 pm from Grosse Pointe North.
Jason: Grosse Pointe North
Josh: Grosse Pointe North
MLK vs River Rouge- D1QB Lab Game of the Week
In our game of the week, we head to Detroit as Detroit MLK hosts River Rouge in a rematch from last year. The two schools are separated by 8 miles. Tensions will be high, and the stars will come out in this one. We broke this one down more in-depth yesterday. Kickoff is at 6 pm on Friday, October 28, from Detroit King.
Jason: King
Josh: King
Division 4
Riverview vs Adrian
Dropping out of the toughest Division to what could be the easiest sets a 9-0 Riverview team up for a deep run. Adrian is 5-4 but plays in one of the toughest conferences in the state, and that gives them an advantage coming into the playoffs. The game is on October 28 at 7 pm from Riverview.
Jason: Riverview
Josh: Adrian
Divine Child vs Garden City
A 7-2 Divine Child team is looking to make a run in the playoffs, and playing Garden City round one could help that cause out. Garden City comes in off of a 6-3 record. While Garden City is 6-3, they play in what could be the weakest conference in the state. Can they stand up to the challenge of Divine Child and the strength of the Catholic League? Kickoff is October 28 at 7 pm from Divine Child.
Jason: Divine Child
Josh: Divine Child
Croswell-Lexington vs Orchard Lake St Mary’s
At 3-5, the Eaglets of Orchard Lake St Mary’s made the playoffs. Well, yes, yes, they did. They had the luxury of playing one of the toughest schedules in the state. In four weeks from September 16 to October 7, they played the likes of River Rouge, De La Salle, Brother Rice, and Detroit Catholic Central; then you add in a week one matchup against Rochester Adams that’s five top teams in the state, so you know they won’t back down. Croswell-Lexington opened the season 5-0, with a forfeit mixed in, before faltering down the stretch going 2-2. Scoring an average of 32 points per game sets them up nicely for a first-round win. Has the demanding schedule of Orchard Lake set them up nicely for a win, or will the high-powered offense of Croswell-Lexington be too much? Find out October 28 at 7 pm from Croswell-Lexington High School.
Jason: Orchard Lake St Mary’s
Josh: Orchard Lake St Mary’s
Division 5
Flat Rock vs Dundee
After four losing seasons, Flat Rock has earned a spot in the playoffs and is one of the more surprising teams this season. No one had them at 6-3 and in the playoffs, but here we are. The main reason for their success is the 35.6 points per game. On the other hand, Dundee has four straight seasons of playoff berths under their belt, so they are battle tested when it comes to this moment, although they haven’t won a district in any of the other three times recently. Is Flat Rock back, or is the magical ride going to end vs Dundee? Find out on October 28 at 7 pm as the Flat Rock Rams host the Dundee Vikings.
Jason: Dundee
Josh: Flat Rock
Summit Academy vs Grosse Ile
It’s an every-other-year occurrence that Grosse Ile makes the playoffs dating back to 2012. However, now that they are in division 5, that could be what they needed. Summit Academy has been on a nice stretch the last four years, as they haven’t won less than seven games in that time. Who comes out victorious is anyone’s guess. Will it be the Red Devils, or will it be the Dragons? Find out October 28 at 7 pm from Summit Academy’s Dragon Stadium.
Jason: Grosse Ile
Josh Summit