By BUTCH HARMON
High school football’s second season is in full swing, and this year’s state playoffs are as exciting and intriguing as ever. Following is a look at how this year’s high school state playoffs are taking shape for area football teams.
DIVISION 1
The Rockford Rams again finished the season ranked among the top 10 teams in the state in Division 1. The Rams tied for a share of the OK Red title and opened the playoffs with an overtime win against Traverse City West. The road gets much tougher in coming weeks, as a rematch with Hudsonville awaits in the district final and a potential rematch with OK Red co-champ East Ketnwood could be in store in the regional final.
Grand Ledge played its best football at the end of the season. The Comets closed out the regular season with impressive wins against East Lansing and Holt to qualify for the playoffs for the sixth time in the past seven years and then shut out Hartland in the first round. They face a loaded East Kentwood team in the district final.
HSSS Finals Prediction: East Kentwood 28, Detroit Cass Tech 20
DIVISION 2
It has been a season to remember for the Midland Dow Chargers. First, the Chargers enjoyed their first 9-0 regular season since 1976, when they won the Class A state title. Dow also scored a school-record 410 points during the regular season. The team is led by dynamic senior quarterback Alec Marty, who passed for over 2,000 yards and threw 28 touchdowns passes during the regular season and do-it-all running back Caleb Richard, who combined for over 1,600 yards rushing and receiving. After defeating Traverse City Central 35-0 in the first round of playoffss, Dow hosts Mona Shores in a battle of explosive offenses for the district title.
Fenton also finished the regular season with a perfect 9-0 record, the first time the Tigers ended the regular season with a 9-0 mark since 1985. Quarterback Ross Ebert led the way for the Tigers, who boast a dazzling air game. Ebert closed out the regular season by passing for over 300 yards in a win against Linden before the Tigers fell to Farmington Hills Harrison in the first round.
Okemos closed out the regular season in a big way with four straight wins to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2011. Senior running back Chris Nelson ran for over 700 yards this season, while junior quarterback Grant Klaver passed for over 800 yards. Okemos fell to Carman-Ainsworth in the first round of the playoffs.
Lansing Everett made the playoffs for the third straight season after turning in a 6-3 regular season record. The Vikings boasted a high-flying offense, led by senior quarterback Lane Porter. Porter passed for over 1,400 yards during the regular season and threw 19 touchdowns passes. Rhett Blackman was his favorite target, as he caught 42 balls for 593 yards and 11 touchdowns heading into the playoffs.
Flushing defeated Everett in the first round of the playoffs to set up a showdown with neighborhood rival Carman-Ainsworth in a battle of suburban Flint powers.
HSSS Finals Prediction: Mona Shores 40, Brother Rice 34
DIVISION 3
Division 3 has a new look this season, as Lowell has dropped down to D3 for the first time since winning the D3 state title in 2004. The Red Arrows turned in a solid 8-1 regular-season mark and began the playoffs with a win in a rematch against East Grand Rapids.
St. Johns also turned in an 8-1 record and, like Lowell, the Redwings did it with a punishing ground game and solid defense. Senior running back Angus Arthur combined with Blake Stewart to give St. Johns a dynamic one-two punch in the running game. Junior quarterback Blake Thelen did a masterful job running the offense while senior tight end Austin Ervin has been a force in his final season of high school football before joining Central Michigan University next season.
Second-year head coach Gus Kapolka has done a masterful job returning Cedar Springs football back to the limelight. The Red Hawks boasted one of the stingiest defenses in West Michigan, as they captured the OK Bronze title. Kaden Myers and Caden Burrows anchored the defense, while sophomore quarterback Colin Alvesteffer turned in a huge season on offense and was also a key defensive back. Senior running backs MavRick Cotton and Zach Wamser led a punishing ground game for the Red Hawks.
Mt. Pleasant turned in a 6-3 regular-season record and qualified for the playoffs for the eighth time in the past nine seasons. Junior wide receiver Kalebb Perry is one of the premier juniors in the state, while fellow junior Hunter Buczkowski provided the Oilers with a power back in the backfield and a light-out hitter at linebacker. The Oilers are the road warriors of the playoffs, having opened in Marquette with a win and traveling to Petoskey for the second round.
DeWitt finished the season ranked second in the state and has its sights set on a return trip to Ford Field. The task has been made even more difficult with the injury to quarterback Jacob Johnson, who was off to an outstanding season. If the Panthers manage to navigate the district, they would have a major potential hurdle looming in the regional finals where a talented St. Mary’s Preparatory team may be waiting. The winner of that game would have the inside track on a berth in the state title game.
Mason finished the regular season strong with five straight wins to reach the playoffs for a second straight season. Quarterback Hunter Holbrook passed for close to 1,000 yards this season to lead the Bulldog offense. The Bulldogs opened the playoffs with a win against Linden to set up a rematch with DeWitt.
HSSS Finals Prediction: Zeeland West 34, DeWitt 30
DIVISION 4
It has been a storybook season for Swan Valley. The Vikings have turned in a second consecutive unbeaten regular season and opened the playoffs with a big win against Goodrich. Senior running back Alex Grace has turned in another monster season, as he has rushed for over 2,200 yards and scored 33 touchdowns through the first round of the playoffs. Another big key for Swan Valley has been its defense, which has allowed just 8.6 ppg. and has allowed only four teams to reach double digits.
Standing in Swan Valley’s path to Ford Field is Lansing Sexton. Sexton defeated Swan Valley 26-21 in last year’s quarterfinal. Sexton has another loaded team, with a 1,000-yard passer in Malik Mack and a 1,000-yard rusher in Ja’von Wray. RayShawn Wilborn is also a big-play receiver for the Big Reds.
Eaton Rapids made the playoffs for the second-straight season after having qualified for the first-time ever last season. The Greyhounds improved their defense this season and were led on offense by quarterback Jared McDaniel, who passed for over 1,600 yards.
Williamston finished the season with a 7-3 record. The Hornets qualified for the playoffs for a third straight season before falling to Lansing Sexton in the first round.
HSSS Finals Prediction: Swan Valley 34, Grand Rapids South Christian 30
DIVISION 5
After going 9-0 during the regular season, Lansing Catholic opened the playoffs in a big way with a 61-0 win against Onsted. With junior quarterback Tony Poljan at the controls and passing for over 2,000 yards this season, the Cougars put up 41.3 points per game. Poljan is also a bruising runner, while junior running back Tony Palmer is dangerous running and receiving.
Lansing Catholic has its sights set on Ford Field but will have to get past either Frankenmuth or Flint Powers in the regional final and a powerful Marine City or Almont squad in the semifinals.
Defending D5 champion Grand Rapids West Catholic is the team to beat on the other side of the bracket.
Freeland turned in a fine season, going 8-1 in the regular season and defeating Central Montcalm in the first round of the playoffs. Jake Jankoska has been Freeland’s big threat running and catching the ball.
Freeland squares off with Clare for the district title. Clare won the Jack Pine Conference this season and qualified for the playoffs for the ninth consecutive season. Sophomore quarterback Travis Vida passed for over 1,600 yards to lead the way for the Pioneers, who defeated Essexville-Garber in the first round of the playoffs.
Essexville-Garber finished the season with a 6-4 record and qualified for the playoffs for the third straight season.
Central Montcalm finished the season with a 5-5 record. The Hornets reached the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Senior Keagan James led the way for Central Montcalm, as he passed for over 700 yards and rushed for over 1,100 yards.
Chippewa Hills tied for the Central State’s Gold Division title with Reed City. The Warriors defeated Lakeview 41-0 to open the playoffs. Quarterback Hunter Conley led a productive offense this season, as he passed for over 1,500 yards. Quentin Gossett led the ground game, while Austin Issette was the top receiver.
Lakeview reeled off eight straight wins and won the Central State’s Silver Divison after an opening-night loss to Tri-County. Nate Shurlow led the Lakeview passing game this season, while running back John Zuluaga-Torres rushed for over 1,000 yards.
HSSS Finals Prediciton: Marine City 30, Grand Rapids West Catholic 27
DIVISION 6
After rolling to four straight state championships, the Ithaca Yellowjackets will put both their state-title streak and consecutive-game winning streak to the test in a loaded Division 6 this fall. After opening the playoffs with a 55-0 win against Bad Axe, the road gets substantially tougher each week. Ithaca must face a rugged Millington team in the district title match, and if the Yellowjackets get past the district, a rugged regional matchup is looming. Beecher has one of its best teams in years and has plenty of speed on both sides of the ball to create matchup problems for Ithaca. Beecher, however, must first get past a pesky Madison team in the district final.
Junior quarterback Jacob Smith has had a big season for the Yellowjackets, as he passed for 1,465 yards and 20 touchdowns during the regular season while adding over 800 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing.
Meridian turned in a solid regular season with a 7-2 record and then opened the playoffs with a win against Morley Stanwood. Quarterback Christian Petre and running back Luis Korpal have given the Mustangs a solid one-two punch all season. If the Mustangs get past Pine River in the district final and past Boyne City in the regional, they could have a potential state semifinal showdown with Ithaca.
Morley Stanwood finished the season with a 6-4 record and placed second to Lakewood in the Central States Activity Association Silver Division.
St. Charles finished the season with a 6-4 record. The Bulldogs returned to the playoffs after a two-year layoff before falling to Millington in the first round.
Carson City-Crystal finished the season with a 7-3 record. The Eagles qualified for the playoffs for a third straight season but were defeated by Ravenna in the first round.
HSSS Finals Prediction: Ithaca 28, St. Mary Catholic Central 21
DIVISION 7
New Lothrop turned in a perfect regular season for the fifth straight year. The 9-0 record was even more impressive considering New Lothrop defeated D6 powers Montrose and Schoolcraft, along with Traverse City St. Francis, in non-conference games. The Hornets boasted a balanced offense this season, led by versatile quarterback Ben Muron. New Lothrop began the playoffs in a big way, but face a tough Dansville team in the district title game. If it can navigate past Loyola in the regional final, it could be headed to Ford Field.
Pewamo-Westphalia turned in a 7-2 regular season record this year. The Pirates boasted a solid ground attack led by Jared Smith. They began the playoffs with a big road win at Union City and hit the road again in the second round at Hudson.
Michigan Lutheran Seminary boasted its most explosive offense since 1995 and finished the regular season with just one loss for the first time since 1994. Defense has been the calling card this season, as the Cardinals have posted four shutouts this year. Bragg Eastin led the Cardinals in tackles, while the offense has been paced by quarterback Nate Lindloff, who has thrown for over 1,200 yards. Lutheran Seminary’s lone loss in the regular season came against Ithaca.
Montabella made it back to the playoffs for the second time in the last four seasons after turning in a 6-3 regular-season record. The Mustangs fell to No. 6-ranked Whittemore-Prescott in the district opener.
HSSS Finals Prediction: New Lothrop 27, Ishpeming 20
DIVISION 8
The Beal City Aggies have their sights set on another trip to Ford Field, and they kicked off the playoffs in a big way with a win over Coleman. Beal City finished the regular season with a 7-2 record, preparing for the playoffs with some tough non-league games against the likes of two-time defending Division 7 state champion Ishpeming and an Elkton-Pigeon-Bayport team that finished the regular season with a perfect 9-0 mark. Chase Rollin and Luke Farrell have led a strong Beal City ground game this season, while Tucker Gross has set the offense in motion at quarterback. A possible semifinal looming against Forest Park or St. Ignace could be all that stands between Beal City and a matchup with powerhouse Muskegon Catholic Central in the Division 8 state final.
Fowler turned in a memorable regular season, going 9-0 and winning the CMAC title. The Eagles opened the playoff with an impressive win against Sacred Heart Academy before facing Muskegon Catholic Central in the district final. Senior running back Austin Cook ran for 1,500 yards and scored 24 touchdowns during the regular season to power the Fowler offense.
Fulton came on strong down the stretch during the regular season to earn a playoff berth. It closed the regular season with four straight wins to earn a berth in the playoffs before falling to No. 1-ranked Muskegon Catholic Central. Running backs Randy Johnston and Coty Carpenter paced the offense along with quarterback Jake Litwiller and receivers Greg Jones and Talon Hyde.
Coleman turned in a banner regular season. Led by senior quarterback Adam Stremlow, the Comets finished with a 7-2 regular-season record. Stremlow passed for 2,328 yards and had three 300-yard passing performances during the regular season and tossed 28 touchdown passes. Senior running back/linebacker Mitch Franklin totaled 124 tackles this season and totaled over 1,000 receiving yards. Senor receiver Josh Pepin totaled over 600 receiving yards and caught 10 touchdowns, while Ryan Yeager totaled over 100 tackles.
Sacred Heart Academy finished the season strong and earned a trip to the playoffs before falling to Fowler.
HSSS Finals Prediction: Muskegon Catholic Central 33, Beal City 19