We have reached the semifinals, which means we are down to the final four teams in each Division. We will break down both games from Division One through Five and two other games of note. All games this week will be on Saturday, November 18, at 1 pm at Neutral sites. Our staff, Josh Abeare, Jason Kirby, and Natalia Terlikyj, will make our picks along with our special guest picker Bobby Marten.
Bobby Marten just finished his second year as the head coach of the Southgate Anderson Titans.
Last week, Josh finished with a 13-5 Record, Jason had a 12-6 week, Nat finished with a 10-8 record, and Coach Danosky had a 12-6 week. That brings the season totals to Josh at 60-22, Jason at 49-33, Nat at 52-30, and our guest pickers at 58-24.
Division 1
Davison (12-0) vs Belleville (12-0) @Novi High School
Last week, Belleville met up with fellow KLAA league mate Northville for a second time this season, and it was all Belleville as they won it 49-7. For Davison, they had the tough task of meeting up with Rockford. However, Davison was able to go ahead early and not look back as they won 28-14.
In the only undefeated matchup this week, it will be a first-time matchup for these two. Belleville is looking to make it three in a row, and with an offense scoring 48.6 points a game and a defense giving up a touchdown a game, it is a good bet to see them back at Ford Field. If you thought the offense of Belleville was something to marvel at, the offense of Davison is just as powerful, averaging 45.5 points a game. However, their defense has given up points to high-powered teams like Belleville this season.
Josh: Belleville
Jason: Belleville
Nat: Belleville
Coach Marten: Belleville
Southfield Arts & Technology (11-1) vs West Bloomfield (10-2) @ Troy High School
Last week, Southfield A&T is coming off a 10-point victory over Chippewa Valley 31-22, and West Bloomfield edged out Clarkston 21-20.
These two met in week eight, a game West Bloomfield won 31-20. The nine-game series favors West Bloomfield 6-3. Will the high-powered offense of Southfield be too much and give Southfield their first shot at a state title, or will West Bloomfield take a third rematch this playoff to make it to their second final in four years?
Josh: Southfield A&T
Jason: Southfield A&T
Nat: Southfield A&T
Coach Marten: West Bloomfield
Division 2
East Lansing (10-2) vs Muskegon (10-2) @ Greenville High School
Last week, Muskegon ran threw Saginaw Heritage 42-14. East Lansing shocked the state by taking down Byron Center 42-20.
This will only be the second matchup between the two schools. Muskegon won the first. Muskegon is looking to earn their way to a ninth state title game since 2012, while East Lansing is looking for their first since 2000.
Josh: Muskegon
Jason: Muskegon
Nat: Muskegon
Coach Marten: Muskegon
Waterford Mott (10-2) vs Warren De La Salle Collegiate (10-2) @ Troy Athens High School
Last week, both teams won relatively easily as Mott rolled Carlson 40-19, and De La Salle took care of Roseville 34-14.
This will be the first time both teams have met. De La Salle is looking to punch their ticket to a sixth title since 2017 and their fourth in the last four years. Mott is in the middle of their best season and is looking for their first-ever State Title appearance.
Josh: De La Salle
Jason: De La Salle
Nat: De La Salle
Coach Marten: De La Salle
Division 3
Zeeland West (9-3) vs Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (11-1) @ Holland West Ottawa
Last week, Forest Hills Central beat Gaylord 33-7, and Zeeland West beat Parma Western 42-7.
This will be the third time these two teams have met, with the last meeting coming in 2012. While the series is tied at one game each, Forest Hills Central came out on top in 2012.
Josh: Forest Hills Central
Jason: Forest Hills Central
Nat: Forest Hills Central
Coach Marten: Zeeland West
Detroit Martin Luther King (7-5) vs Mason (12-0) @ Chelsea High School
Last week, it took overtime for both Detroit King and Mason to come out on top. King edged out Rouge 20-19, and Mason squeaked by Walled Lake Western 44-41.
It’s becoming an annual tradition as this is the third straight year that King and Mason have met in the Semifinals. The last two meetings have gone the way of King as they have won 46-7 and 52-17.
Josh: Mason
Jason: King
Nat: Mason
Coach Marten: King
Division 4
Grand Rapids South Christian (9-3) vs Portland (12-0) @ Forest Hills Eastern
Last week, South Christian beat Big Rapids 55-35, and Portland edged out Niles 21-14.
This will be the first time that these two teams have ever met. The Sailors of South Christian are looking for their second straight title. Portland is looking for their first state title appearance since the 2018 season.
Josh: South Christian
Jason: South Christian
Nat: Portland
Coach Marten: South Christian
Goodrich (11-1) vs Harper Woods (9-3) @ Livonia Franklin High School
Last week, Harper Woods ran through Airport 46-19. At the same time, Goodrich beat Haslett 24-17.
This is the first time these two schools have ever met. Not only is it the first time they’ve met, but this is Harper Woods’s first time they are going for a State Title appearance. Goodrich is looking for their second trip in as many years to the finals.
Josh: Harper Woods
Jason: Harper Woods
Nat: Goodrich
Coach Marten: Harper Woods
Division 5
Frankenmuth (11-1) vs Grand Rapids Catholic Central (11-1) @ Ithaca High School
Frankenmuth beat Kingsford last week 35-13, and Grand Rapids Catholic Central just edged out Grand Rapids West Catholic 30-28.
These two have met thrice, with Catholic Central winning all three previous meetings. The last time these two were in the 2021 semifinal, a game that Catholic Central won 35-0.
Josh: GR Catholic Central
Jason: Frankenmuth
Nat: GR Catholic Central
Coach Marten: GR Catholic Central
Flat Rock (9-3) vs Corunna (12-0) @Lincoln Consolidated Schools (Stadium)
Last week, Flat Rock beat Detroit Southeastern 56-26. Corunna also ran it up as they beat Macomb Lutheran North 56-18.
This will be the first time Corunna and Flat Rock have ever met. Flat Rock is looking for their second state title appearance. Their last one came in 1976 when they won it all. Corunna has never made it to a state final game.
Josh: The Fighting Tony Brinson’s (Flat Rock)
Jason: Flat Rock
Nat: Corunna
Coach Marten: The Fighting Tony Brinson’s (Flat Rock)
Division 7
Millington (12-0) vs Jackson Lumen Christi (11-1) @ John Glenn High School
Last week, Lumen Christi edged out Clinton 21-14, and Millington won 35-15 over Montrose.
These two have met one other time. That matchup came in the 2016 semifinals, and it was a game that Lumen Christi won by a final of 27-7.
Josh: Lumen Christi
Jason: Lumen Christi
Nat: Millington
Coach Marten: Lumen Christi
Division 8
Riverview Gabriel Richard (8-4) vs Ottawa Lake Whiteford (12-0) @ Adrian College
Last week, Gabriel Richard beat Clarkston Everest Collegiate 31-28. Ottawa Lake Whiteford was able to stay undefeated by winning 54-6 over White Pigeon.
These two teams have met once before. That meeting was last year in the district final game. Whiteford beat Gabriel Richard in that game by a final of 56-19.
Josh: Whiteford
Jason: Whiteford
Nat: Whiteford
Coach Marten: Whiteford