Last week we saw some upsets and some phenomenal games, including a triple-overtime thriller for DeWitt and Mount Pleasant. In the playoffs, here’s how we stack up in the picks after 16-3 weeks from the guys and a 14-5 week from our guest picker Taylor High School Head Coach Michael Pitts. Joining the guys this week is Allen Park O-Line coach Roger Siders.
Jason: 34-8
Josh: 34-8
Michael Pitts: 14-5
Division 1
Grand Ledge (9-2) at Caledonia (10-1)
After a close game versus Holt on Friday, Grand Ledge will look to bounce back and show everyone what they can do with a 30-point-per-game offensive output. For Caledonia, they score 40 points a game on average while only allowing 14 a game. This will be the first meeting between the two schools. Could this be a Dog Fight, or will Caledonia take over this matchup? We will find out Saturday, November 12, at 1 pm.
Jason: Grand Ledge
Josh: Caledonia
Roger: Caledonia
Rochester Adams (10-1) at Clarkston (9-2)
Adams is back in the regionals for a second straight year. After making it to the Finals a year ago, we are now looking at a team who sees an opportunity and will look to make it back, as they have had almost an identical season to this point. On the other hand, Clarkston is back in a Regional for the first time since 2018, when they made it all the way to a State Finals appearance. Adams’ only loss this season came during week 3 when Clarkston handed them a 45-35 loss. Can Adams avenge their lone loss this season, or will Clarkston make it 2-0 on the season? Find out Friday, November 11 at 7:30 pm.
Jason: Adams
Josh: Adams
Roger: Clarkston
Detroit Catholic Central (8-2) at Belleville (11-0)
Two of the state’s biggest powerhouses get together for the first time in school history. The biggest question mark in this one isn’t how Belleville is going to do without head coach Jermain Crowell, which they are 2-0 without him; it’s how they will fare without starting quarterback Bryce Underwood. Belleville had a scary moment in last week’s win as Underwood went out late in the game with a head injury that could force him out of this week’s matchup. After a touchdown victory over Dearborn in the first round of the playoffs, Catholic Central bounced back and dominated in the District final a week ago behind Senior Running Back Evan Haeger, who ran for 125 yards and three touchdowns. Can Evan Haeger lead CC to another big win? Will Bryce Underwood be able to play in the biggest game for Belleville to this point? Find out who takes this one on Saturday, November 12, at 1 pm.
Jason: Belleville
Josh: Belleville
Roger: Belleville
Detroit Cass Tech (7-3) at Macomb Dakota (11-0)
Cass Tech will head north to Macomb as they have a date with the Dakota Cougars. Cass Tech has already matched up with two top 10 teams in the state in the early go of the playoffs, but that won’t stop them as they eye a State Title. Cass has averaged 40 points per game this season, but this will be the toughest test yet, as Dakota has only allowed 78 points all season. That means they are only letting opposing teams score a touchdown per game. Will Cass be able to score on a stingy defense, or will Dakota stand up to the test? Find out on November 11 at 7 pm.
Jason: Dakota
Josh: Cass Tech
Roger: Cass Tech
Division 2
Midland (10-1) at Dexter (11-0)
Dexter is two wins away from its first state title in school history. Standing in their way next, though, is Midland. This will also be a first for both teams. If you’ve been following this season with us, you already know the story with Dexter. Midland is primed to upset the dreams of an undefeated season for Dexter. After a 2-7 finish last year, Midland is back to where they expect to be; since 1990, Midland has only missed the playoffs eight times and has made it to the regionals or, better, 11 times. Will the expertise of Midland be enough to quell the fire and star power of Dexter? Find out on November 11 at 7 pm.
Jason: Decter
Josh: Dexter
Roger: Dexter
Birmingham Groves (8-3) at Livonia Franklin (10-1)
Franklin is back in the regionals for the second straight year, and they will look for a rematch of last year’s semi-final game. Franklin has been better than last year, scoring 100+ more points to this point and allowing opponents to score 100 fewer points than last year. On the other hand, Groves is looking for a bit of the 2018 magic as they knocked Franklin out of the regionals in 2018 before ultimately falling short in the semi-finals to De La Salle. This one will kick off at 7 pm on November 11.
Jason: Franklin
Josh: Franklin
Roger: Franklin
Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse (7-4) at Warren De La Salle Collegiate (10-1)
It might be hard to believe, but De La Salle is on pace for a better offensive season than a year ago. Looking to stop them short is L’Anse Creuse, who is looking to find a way to slow the roll of Brady Drogosh and company. If L’Anse Creuse wants to move on, they will need to find a way to outshoot one of if not the best offenses in the state. Wayne State is the backdrop for this one. A 7 pm kickoff on November 11. Who you got?
Jason: De La Salle
Josh: De La Salle
Roger: De La Salle
Division 3
DeWitt (8-3) at Linden (7-4)
DeWitt is still going strong and has Bryce Kurncz to thank for the huge offensive numbers this playoff, as he’s scored 11 touchdowns in the first two games for the Panthers. Linden is coming in after holding opponents to 21 combined points in the first two rounds of the playoffs. They will need to find a way to slow Kurncz if they hope to have a shot. The good thing is Linden is hosting this one which is set for a 7 pm kickoff on November 11.
Jason: DeWitt
Josh: DeWitt
Roger: DeWitt
Mason (11-0) at Trenton (10-1)- Game of the Week
This should be a defensive battle, as Trenton will host Mason. Mason comes in, holding opponents to 10.5 points per game, while Trenton is holding them to 11.5 per game. This could either be a low-scoring thriller, or they could both explode, and we could be in for a shoot-out as Trenton is averaging 25 points per game, but Mason is scoring 44 points, so could we see a second straight semi-finals appearance for this Mason team? Only time will tell; kickoff is set for 7 pm on November 11.
Jason: Mason
Josh: Mason
Roger: Mason
Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (5-5) at Detroit Martin Luther King (7-3)
This is a heavy-weight matchup between two teams with the most history. Brother Rice enters their second straight regional game, but this time they are looking to make it to their first semi-final since 2013 when they beat King 43-20 en route to a second straight state title. King is looking to make it to back-to-back state title games and come away with a second straight title before some of their top players head off to college. Kickoff is set for 6:30 pm on November 11.
Jason: MLK
Josh: MLK
Roger: MLK
Division 4
Orchard Lake St Mary’s (5-5) at Goodrich (10-1)
The team that shouldn’t be here but is. We have Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, who entered the playoffs at 3-5 and now finds themselves two wins away from the state title game. Goodrich has been able to score and play defense with the best of them. Is the schedule that OLSM played too tough and setting them up for a run to the finals? Can Goodrich’s strong defense stifle the upstart offense of OLSM? Kickoff is 7 pm on November 11.
Jason: Orchard Lake St. Mary
Josh: Orchard Lake St. Mary
Roger: Orchard Lake St. Mary
Dearborn Divine Child (9-2) at Riverview (11-0)
In a rematch of a week one game, one team’s season will come to an end. In that week one game, the final was 34-28 in favor of Riverview. In that week one game, Divine Child came out flat, but they saw a strong second-half performance that made it close. Over the last two years, Riverview has a 2-0 record versus Divine Child. It’s hard to beat a team twice in a season. Can Divine Child take revenge, or will Riverview be able to make it three in a row? Find out on November 11 at 7 pm.
Jason: Divine Child
Josh: Divine Child
Roger: Riverview
Division 5
Detroit Country Day (7-3) at Flat Rock (8-3)
Flat Rock’s magical season continues as they find themselves in their first regional since they won the 1976 state title. Country Day is looking to burst Flat Rock’s bubble as they just moved to division 5. Two years ago, Country Day won the division 4 state title. This will be an offensive battle as both teams give up close to 24 points a game on defense. The Flat Rock offense averages ten more points per game than Country Day. Will this Flat Rock Cinderella story keep on dancing, or will the clock strike midnight with a Country Day victory? Kickoff is set for November 11 at 7 pm.
Jason: Country Day
Josh: Flat Rock
Roger: Country Day