Division 5
Area Teams to Watch
Clare: Clare turned in a 6-3 record to secure their 10th straight playoff appearance. The Pioneers opened the season with three straight wins before dropping a pair of league struggles against Gladwin and Ogema Heights. Clare is putting up 36.4 points per game on offense. The Pioneers face a tough challenge in week one of the playoffs as they travel to Swan Valley to take on the 8-1 Vikings.
Frankenmuth: Since the 2000 season Frankenmuth has reached the final four each year with appearances in the state title game two out of the last three years. The Eagles have another team capable of a deep playoff run this season. The Eagles turned in an 8-1 record this season with the lone loss coming in week one against defending state champion Goodrich by a 17-14 score. Frankenmuth has a high-powered offense this season led by quarterback Lleyton Hoard passed for over 1,000 yards and rushed for over 600 more while accounting for 19 combined touchdowns. The Eagles are averaging 45.7 points per game while the defense is allowing just 11.6 points against. The Eagle’s 15th straight postseason begins with a visit from 5-4 Yale on Friday.
Gladwin: 2022 state champions Gladwin are returning for their sixth straight postseason after turning in a 5-4 mark during the regular season. It was an up-and-down season for the Flying G’s who dropped their first three games before rallying with a five-game winning streak and then bowing to Goodrich in week nine. Gladwin averages 33 points per game and can score points in bunches. The Flying G’s could rack up some frequent flyer miles if they had a plane as they make the trip to the southwestern U.P. to face Kingsford in round one.
Howard City Tri-County: Tri-County capped the regular season with a 5-4 record and is making its sixth straight playoff appearance. The Vikings opened the season winning three straight games including a big 24-15 win against Ovid-Elsie in the opener. Tri-County had to navigate a rough schedule that included conference losses against Big Rapids and Reed City who are a combined 15-3 and a pair of losses to Kent City and Ludington who both finished 9-0. Tri-County boasts a strong offense that is putting up 30.8 points per game. Tri-County opens the playoffs by traveling to 5-4 Whitehall.
Saginaw Swan Valley: Swan Valley is in the playoffs for the 14th straight season after turning in an 8-1 regular season record. The Vikings long loss this season was a 21-14 struggle in week two against an 8-1 Frankenmuth team. Swan Valley rebounded from that loss to post impressive wins against Freeland (31-7) and Bay City John Glenn (28-7). Quarterback Keller Bedford has passed for over 1,100 yards through the first eight weeks of the season and pilots an offense that is putting up 40.1 points per game. Senior standout Jamison Pelt is a big-play receiver with over 600 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches through the first eight weeks. Pelt is also an impact player on defense for a squad allowing just 13.6 ppg. The Vikings host Clare in the first round and with a win play the winner of Howard City Tri-County and Whitehall.
Top D5 Contenders: Grand Rapids Catholic Central (9-0), Ann Arbor Richard (9-0), Frankenmuth (8-1), Grand Rapids West Catholic (8-1), Monroe Jefferson (8-1), Swan Valley (8-1), Pontiac Notre Dame (7-2).
Preview: Swan Valley is primed to make a run to the state semifinals in the top half of the bracket where a matchup with Grand Rapids Catholic Central or G.R. West Catholic could await. In the bottom of the bracket Frankenmuth and defending state champion Pontiac Notre Dame are on a collision course in the regionals for a rematch of last year’s state title game. Ann Arbor Richard, Montroe Jefferson and Michigan Center (8-1) are wildcards on the bottom of the bracket.
HSSS Division 5 State Final Prediction: Grand Rapids Catholic Central 28, Pontiac Notre Dame 26,
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