By BUTCH HARMON
The pinnacle of high school team wrestling is reached this weekend in Battle Creek with the team state finals at Kellogg Arena. Sports Scene breaks down each division and gives its take on what to expect this weekend beginning with Division 1.
QUARTERFINALS
Friday, 5:30 p.m.
#1 Detroit Catholic Central (22-3) vs #8 Roseville (13-15)
The Shamrocks are loaded and have been dominant so far in the state tournament. Look for that dominance to continue in the quarterfinals. While Roseville has some solid wrestlers like Kirk Wawrzyniak at 140 and Doug Zundel at 112, they have no where near the firepower that Catholic possesses.
Prediction: Catholic Central 56, Roseville 7
#4 Temperance Bedford (20-3) vs #5 Hartland (29-3)
Look for this matchup of four and five seeds to be as close as expected. With Brandon Sunday, Bryan Smith and Logan Rimmer a combined 127-7 in the three upper weights, and Mitch Rogaliner at 112, the Kicking Mules will score some major points. Hartland has a total of eight wrestlers with 40-plus wins this season. That depth will prove to be the difference.
Prediction: Hartland 29, Temperance-Bedford 25
#3 Davison (19-4) vs #6 Oxford (18-5)
Davison defeated Oxford earlier this season and the Cardinals have been getting stronger as the season has moved on. The question is have they peaked? Oxford has also been on an upswing and is more experienced. This match should go back and forth and with six wrestlers with 40-plus wins to their credit led by undefeated Prescott Line at 215, look for Oxford to pull it out at the end.
Prediction: Oxford 33, Davison 25
#2 Brighton (39-0) vs #7 Grand Haven (21-7)
Brighton is perfect in duals this season and while it hasn’t faced the competition that Catholic Central and Davison have faced, the Bulldogs are still solid. Grand Haven cleared the Rockford hurdle in the regional and is very strong up top and at 103 pounds. Depth will be key and with eight state qualifiers who have won 39 or more matches, Brighton’s depth will be difference.
Prediction: Brighton 42, Grand Haven 25
SEMIFINALS
Saturday, 11:45 a.m.
Detroit Catholic Central vs. Hartland
Hartland matches up well with Catholic Central, but not well enough. The Eagles should be able to pick up five wins and another couple wins in swing matches could give them a chance. That will be too tall an order as Catholic’s depth and ability to score bonus points will make the difference.
Prediction: Catholic Central 37, Hartland 20.
Brighton vs. Oxford
This semifinal will be a thriller that goes down to the final match. Brighton has eight state qualifiers and all eight are positioned to win. The Bulldogs need at least seven wins from those eight and a perfect eight-for-eight would nail a win down. Oxford is very strong in the weight classes where Brighton has no state qualifiers. If Oxford wins a couple of matches where Brighton has state qualifiers at the match swings Oxford’s way.
Prediction: Brighton 32, Oxford 28 .
FINALS
Saturday, 4:00 p.m.
Detroit Catholic Central vs. Brighton
Will there be an undefeated Division 1 state champion? Not if Catholic Central has anything to say about it. This matchup has the potential to be real close. Brighton has some good matchups but not enough. The Cougars are battle-hardened by a rugged regular season schedule. If this was Division 2, the Shamrocks would be coming home empty handed, but this is Division 1 and that schedule will pay big dividends as the Cougars raise the Division 1 trophy.
Prediction: Catholic Central 36, Brighton 25.