Division 3
Area Teams to Watch
Bay City Western: Western brings a 4-5 record into the playoffs with the losses coming against Midland and Midland Dow, both Traverse City schools and Mt. Pleasant. The Warriors opened the season with an impressive 34-0 win against Holly. Western possesses a solid offense that is putting up 27 points per game. Western opens the playoffs with a rematch against Mt. Pleasant. The first game between the two league rivals saw Mt. Pleasant claim a 28-17 win, which was one of Mt. Pleasant’s closest games of the season.
Cedar Springs: The Red Hawks are in a district with two other River Cities Alliance league powerhouses in Kenowa Hills and Coopersville along with East Grand Rapids. Cedar’s lone lass this season was a 49-35 defeat against Kenowa Hills and the Red Hawks would definitely like another shot at Kenowa. Cedar can score points in bunches as it is averaging 42.2 points per game. Cedar Springs opens the playoffs at East Grand Rapids in what should be an entertaining contest between traditional powers.
Dewitt: Dewitt was a big favorite to win it all last season before falling to eventual state champion Zeeland West in the semifinals. This year, in what looked like a rebuilding year, the Panthers have not missed a beat and have rolled to a 9-0 record thanks to another high-powered offs. While the Panthers averaged an eye popping 57.8 ppg last season, this year’s edition has put up an impressive 49.7 ppg. Quarterback Trav Moore, a Central Michigan recruit, is one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the state having passed for over 600 yards and 10 touchdowns while running for 1,203 yards and 17 scores. Sophomore running back Channing Ridley has rushed for 787 yards and 11 scores. DeWitt is not just offense either as the defense has been solid all season, allowing 9.9 points per game. Only two teams, Mason and Galloway Westland (Ohio) have managed to reach double digits on the Panthers who play a total-team style of defense. DeWitt opens postseason play hosting Owosso and would face the winner of Linden/Mason with a win against Owosso.
Lowell: Lowell turned in a 7-2 regular season record for a second straight season. Playing in the rugged River Cities Alliance, Lowell’s two losses have come against league rivals Cedar Springs (35-28) and Kenowa Hills (49-35). Lowell also opened the season with an impressive 40-7 win at long-time rival East Grand Rapids who finished the season with a 7-2 mark. The Red Arrows are putting up 37.7 points per game on offense an allowing 19.1 points on defense. Lowell opens the playoff hosting 6-3 Coldwater with a win against the Cardinals securing a berth in the district finals against the winner of Middleville/Hastings.
Mason: In what shaped up to be a rebuilding year, Mason navigated a stacked schedule to post a 5-4 record. The Bulldogs put up 26.3 points per game this season while the defense allowed 18.6 points per game. Mason dropped a pair of tough struggles against DeWitt (44-37) and Haslett (21-14). The Bulldogs closed out the season with another impressive showing in a 21-17 loss against Division 4 superpower Harper Woods, one of the most talented teams in the state regardless of class. Mason is led on offense by quarterback Gerrit Koot and running back Troy Peters. Mason opens the playoffs hosting 6-3 Linden with the winner to face the winner of DeWitt/Owosso.
Mount Pleasant: The Oilers of Mount Pleasant have been one of the premier teams in Division 3 this season. The Oilers blend a potent offense that is putting up 35.1 points per game with a stingy defense that is allowing 12.9 points per game. The Oilers ran the table in the Saginaw Valley North and took care of business outside the conference. Mt. Pleasant opens the playoff hosting 4-5 Bay City Western. A win against Western would move the Oilers on to the district finals against the winner of Marquette and 9-0 Gaylord.
Owosso: Not counting the covid year when everyone made the playoffs, Owosso is in the postseason for the first time since 2012. While the Trojans turned in a winning 5-4 record last year, they missed the playoffs. This season, the Trojans went 6-3 and have generated plenty of football excitement in Owosso. Quarterback Liam Patrick is a talented runner and passer who has thrown for over 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns through week eight while rushing for nearly 700 yards and 10 scores. The offensive line is anchored by Eastern Michigan recruit Carter Miculka (6-6, 270). Wide receiver Braden Reed is a big-time playmaker with 755 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns while Evan Hunter is another standout at receiver and a ball hawk with four interceptions through eight games on defense. A daunting challenge awaits Owosso in the first round as they face undefeated DeWitt on the road.
Top D3 Contenders: DeWitt (9-0), Mt. Pleasant (9-0), Gaylord (9-0), Niles (9-0), Adrian (8-1), Kenowa Hills (8-1), Cedar Springs (8-1), Detroit King (5-4).
Preview: DeWitt was a big favorite to win Division 3 last season but came up just short in the semifinals. This year the Panthers may be flying under a radar a bit but are capable of coming away this the trophy. Playing in the bottom half of the bracket, a semifinal matchup with Detroit Martin Luther King is a potential major hurdle. In the top half of the bracket, Mt. Pleasant and Gaylord are both 9-0 and in the same district. Kenowa Hills and Cedar Springs are a pair of 8-1 teams in the same district. Niles is 9-0 and has a potential matchup with Lowell looming in the regional. Division 3 is overall pretty wide open and even and should be entertaining to watch unfold. How about a Rob Zimmerman finals deluxe, DeWitt vs his old team, Cedar Springs?
HSSS Division 3 State Final Prediction: DeWitt 35, Cedar Springs 30
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