Division 3
Area Teams to Watch
Bay City John Glenn: John Glenn is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2020 after finishing the season 5-4. Highlights of the Bobcats’ season include wins over Essexville Garber and Swartz Creek. The offense has been a high point for John Glenn, scoring 33.5 ppg and will need to continue their form in the first round when they play undefeated Petoskey. The Bobcats offense is paced by quarterback Garrett Buzzard who has passed for 1,740 yards this season and 15 touchdowns. The John Glenn ground game is led by running back Garrett Hilborn who has rushed for 683 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Cedar Springs: The Red Wings are returning to the playoffs thanks to a 7-2 regular season. Cedar Springs notched impressive wins over Auburn Hills Avondale and Kenowa Hills with their only blemishes being against Lowell and Coopersville. Round one sees the Red Wings in a rematch against Lowell, who they lost 28-14 in week five.
Dewitt: There is perhaps no bigger favorite in this year’s playoffs than Dewitt. The Panthers rolled to a 9-0 record thanks to a historic offense that averaged an eye watering 57.8 ppg. They have been doing it against top opposition too, putting up 69, 55, and 70 points against Haslett, Mason, and West Virginia powerhouse Hurricane respectively. The offense is paced by dynamic senior quarterback Elliott Larner. When Larner drops back to pass he has a familiar target in his brother Abram Larner who has caught 32 passes for 913 yards and 17 scores. A true two-way threat, Larner has passed for 1,604 yards and 28 touchdowns while as a runner he has rushed for 1,341 yards and 19 touchdowns. The Panther’s title run begins against St Johns in the first round.
Lowell: Lowell improved on last year’s performance to finish 7-2 this season to secure their spot in the playoffs. After starting the season 1-2, the Red Arrows rebounded by winning their last six games including wins over Cedar Springs and Kenowa Hills. Lowell’s offense has excelled this year, scoring 39.2 ppg which will make them a tough out this postseason. The Red Arrows will have a rematch against Cedar Springs, who they beat 28-14 in week five, in the first round.
Mason: 2023 D3 runners up Mason are back for another run at Ford Field after finishing 7-2. Losses to DeWitt and Walled Lake Western were offset by wins over Williamston, Haslett, St Johns, and a 43-point shutout of Fenton in the season finale. The Bulldogs are performing at a high level on both sides of the ball, scoring 34.5 ppg while limiting their opponents to 15.8 ppg, making them contenders yet again. The journey to Detroit begins with a first-round match against Jackson.
Mount Pleasant: The Oilers of Mount Pleasant managed to qualify for their 7th straight postseason appearance after finishing the season 5-4. A 1-3 start to the season was overcome as the Oilers managed a 4-2 finish to the season that included wins over Traverse City Central and Linden. Mount Pleasant will face Cadillac in round one.
St Johns: St Johns clinched their first playoff berth since 2020 thanks to a 6-3 regular season record. The Falcons won their first five games, including a 45-21 win over Williamston, before a rough three game losing streak but rebounded with a win over Alpena in their final game. A daunting challenge awaits the Falcons in the first round as they face D3 favorites DeWitt.
Top D3 Contenders: DeWitt (9-0), Walled Lake Western (9-0), St Joseph (8-1), Zeeland West (8-1), Forest Hills Central (7-2)
Preview: DeWitt is a heavy favorite in Division 3 thanks to a historic offense this season, but will face a tough road to Ford Field with defending D3 champions Forest Hills Central and a pair of battle tested teams in St Joseph and Zeeland West sharing the top half of the bracket with the Panthers. The bottom half features undefeated Walled Lake Western as favorites, but they will have to contend with Mason, who the Warriors beat by only three points in week eight, and the always talented Detroit Martin Luther King.
HSSS Division 3 State Final Prediction: DeWitt 35, Walled Lake Western 33