Division 4 playoff preview
Area Teams to Watch
Big Rapids: The Cardinals of Big Rapids overcame a difficult schedule to finish 8-1 and secured their 5th straight postseason appearance. After losing the season opener against Paw Paw, the Cardinals ran the table with wins over Reed City, Newaygo, and Coopersville among other playoff caliber teams. Big Rapids are a well-balanced team, scoring 33.4 ppg and limiting opponents to 13.5 ppg. The Cardinals will play Ludington in round one of the playoffs.
Freeland: Freeland is back for their 17th straight playoff appearance after finishing 8-1, their sole loss being a one-point heartbreaker to Frankenmuth. Wins against Swan Valley, Bay City Glenn, and Cadillac are highlights of the Falcon’s season. Freeland has dominated opponents, scoring 45 ppg and allowing merely 68 points all season, making them a favorite in D4. The Falcons will play Lake Fenton in the first round.
Haslett: A 6-3 regular season finish has secured a postseason berth for Haslett. The Vikings stumbled out of the gates with a 1-3 finish before winning their last five including victories over Williamston, St Johns, and Parma Western. Haslett’s offense is scoring at a high pace, 34.3 ppg, and will have them playing competitive postseason football. The Vikings have a rematch with Parma Western in round one, who they beat 21-18 in week seven.
Ionia: Ionia is back in the playoffs for back-to-back seasons after finishing 6-3. The Bulldogs have multiple quality wins under their belt with victories against Belding, Lansing Sexton, and St Johns the highlights. A stingy defense that is limiting opponents to 17.7 ppg will assure that Ionia will be a tough out this postseason. They will face Hastings in the first round.
Lansing Sexton: The J-Dubbs are returning to the postseason after a 5-4 regular season finish that featured an impressive 13-9 win over Lansing Catholic in week two. Sexton’s defense has kept them competitive in every game, holding opponents to 14.7 ppg. They will have a tough test in round one as they will have to replay Portland who they lost 33-0 in week seven.
Portland: Portland cruised to another 9-0 record this season for their 10th straight playoff appearance. The Raiders overcame a difficult three game start to the season with wins over Detroit Country Day, Olivet, and Ionia then used that momentum to run the table with further wins against Lansing Catholic and Whitehall. Portland has been holding opponents to just 11 ppg while lighting up the scoreboard on offense, scoring 42 ppg. The Raider’s push for a return to Ford Field will begin with a rematch against Lansing Sexton in round one.
Top D4 Contenders: Hudsonville Unity Christian (9-0), Portland (9-0), Goodrich (8-1), Niles (8-1), Paw Paw (8-1)
Preview: Hudsonville Unity Christian will be favorites in Division 4 after running the table against tough competition that included D3 defending champions Forest Hills Central, Zeeland West, and D5 favorites Pontiac Notre Dame. Their half of the bracket is stacked however with undefeated Portland and a pair of Southwest Michigan teams in Niles and Paw Paw all posing significant obstacles for the Crusaders. The bottom half of the bracket is wide open with the likes of Goodrich, Chelsea, Harper Woods, and Madison Heights Lamphere all looking to book their trip to Ford Field.
HSSS Division 4 State Final Prediction: Hudsonville Unity Christian 30, Goodrich 25