Butch Harmon
Sports Scene
High school football’s second season hits full flight this November, and area football teams are beginning the playoff run to Ford Field. Let’s take a look into the always-hazy crystal ball to see what can be expected in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.
DIVISION 1
Rockford entered the playoffs ranked No. 1 in the state, and if history tells us anything, the Rams will be a tough out. Rockford’s main obstacle to a spot in the state semifinals will be conference rival Grand Haven. If the Rams make it to the semifinals, a possible matchup with No. 2-ranked Detroit Catholic Central looms. The winner of that game should be favored in the D1 title game.
DIVISION 2
Last year’s D2 state final was a classic between Lowell and Farmington Harrison. The two teams are on a collision course once again this season, with the Red Arrows ranked No. 2 in the state and Harrison ranked No. 1.
DIVISION 3
Is this the year Mt. Pleasant makes a deep playoff run? Maybe, but to get to Ford Field, the top-ranked Oilers will have to navigate past potential stumbling blocks in DeWitt and Grand Rapids Christian or East Grand Rapids in the state semifinal round.
DIVISION 4
Look for unbeaten Zeeland West to make a charge out of the west side of the state and fill one state final spot, with top-ranked Marine City or talented Detroit Crockett providing the opposition, in what should be a dandy state title game.
DIVISION 5
Lansing Catholic Central enter the playoffs ranked No. 1 in the state. The Cougars are poised to make a deep run, but they may have to deal with Portland in a rematch in the district finals, and a matchup with Grand Rapids West Catholic looms in the state semifinals. Undefeated Millington is a team to beat on the other side of the bracket, but keep an eye out for Lumen Christi and Powers Catholic, who have been tested by big schools all season.
DIVISION 6
Undefeated state champion Ithaca has by far the toughest road to Ford Field in the state. If it gets past Byron in the district opener, it will likely face undefeated and second-ranked Montrose in round two. In the regional championship game, a potential showdown with fourth-ranked Oakridge looms. Things will get even tougher at the state semifinal level, where third-ranked Iron Mountain is a distinct possibility or perhaps sixth-ranked Shelby. Make it to Ford Field, and fifth-ranked Grass Lake could be waiting.
DIVISION 7
Undefeated and top-ranked Nouvel iCatholic Central is on a mission and may not be stopped. Nouvel should have clear sailing on the district level, and their toughest test on the way to Ford Field may come in the state semifinals against a St. Francis team it beat 48-12 in week two. Look for Nouvel to meet either defending state champion Hudson or Detroit Loyola in the title game.
DIVISION 8
Need evidence that seeding the state tournament would be a good idea? Consider region 3, district 1, where No. 2-ranked Muskegon Catholic Central plays No. 5-ranked Saugatuck, with the winner meeting No. 1-ranked Mendon. Whoever survives that gauntlet will likely play No.-3 ranked New Lothrop in the state semifinals and will head to Ford Field as the heavy favorite to win the state title.