Division 5
Area Teams to Watch
Belding: The Black Knights finished another impressive 8-1 season to make it five straight postseason appearances. After stumbling against Ionia in the season opener, the Black Knights rolled off eight wins, including victories over Holland, Fruitport, and Hopkins. With an offense that is averaging 45.8 ppg and a defense that is allowing only 11.6 ppg, Running back Codey Manley is a key element of the offense as he has rushed for 1,101 yards and scored 16 touchdowns this season. Belding should be considered a serious title contender this year. They will begin their title run against Swan Valley in round one.
Clare: Clare finished off another impressive season with a 7-2 record to secure their 9th straight playoff appearance. The Pioneers posted wins over Gladwin and Standish-Sterling this season. Clare features an electric offense that is scoring 39.7 ppg and is well complemented by a defense that has limited teams to 19.8 ppg. A rematch against Ogemaw Heights, to which the Pioneers lost 41-34 in week five, awaits in round one.
Corunna: 2023 Division 5 runners up Corunna are back for another shot at a championship after a 7-2 regular season. The Cavaliers cruised through their first five games, including wins over Ortonville Brandon and Lake Fenton, before losing to Goodrich in week six. They rebounded against Clio and Linden, but finished the season with a loss to Armada. The journey back to Ford Field begins against Flint Hamady in the first round.
Flint Hamady: The Hawks have qualified for their 3rd straight postseason after finishing the regular season 5-3. Hamady started the season hot, going 5-1 before losing their final two games of the season to Ypsilanti and Lake Fenton. The offense has been the highlight for the Hawks, scoring 33.2 ppg and they will need to keep it up as they face last year’s D5 runner up Corunna.
Frankenmuth: Frankenmuth finished another dominant regular season unbeaten and will now be looking to return to Ford Field as one of the favorites in D5. The Eagles started the season with an impressive 22-point shutout of Goodrich and never let up; continuing to rack up wins against the likes of Swan Valley, Freeland, and Gladwin. They are dominating on both sides of the ball, scoring 37.4 ppg while giving up only 87 points all season. The Eagle’s 14th straight postseason begins against Howard City Tri-County.
Gladwin: 2022 state champions Gladwin are returning for their 5th straight postseason after a 6-3 regular season. After a 2-2 start the Flying G’s were able to post a four-game winning streak before losing to Frankenmuth in the season finale. The team is playing complementary football thanks to an offense that is scoring 34.1 ppg to go along with a defense that is limiting opponents to 18.5 ppg. Gladwin’s quest to return to Ford Field begins against Kingsford in round one.
Howard City Tri-County: Tri-County finished with a 5-4 record to make it to their 5th straight playoff appearance. A strong 4-1 start to the season, including a 40-22 win over Kent City in week five, was enough despite stumbling in the later half of the season. The Viking’s offense is scoring 34.1 ppg and will be needed as they face Frankenmuth in the first round.
Saginaw Swan Valley: Swan Valley will be in the playoffs for the 13th straight season after a 6-3 regular season finish. The Vikings stumbled early, losing their first three games, before finishing the season on a six-game win streak including a win over Bay City John Glenn. Look for Swan Valley’s offense, which is scoring 35.6 ppg, to keep them competitive in the postseason. The Vikings like to air it out on offense as quarterback Colton Klein has passed for 2,197 yards and 25 touchdowns this season. Swan Valley also has a big-time receiving threat in Jamison Pelt who has hauled in a whopping 53 passes for 1,222 yards and 20 touchdowns. The Vikings will play Belding in the first round.
Williamston: Despite a 3-6 record, Williamston has qualified for their 9th straight postseason thanks to a tough strength of schedule. The Hornets notched wins over Fowlerville and Lansing Eastern to go along with a shutout of Detroit Country Day. Williamston will face title favorites Pontiac Notre Dame in round one.
Top D5 Contenders: Frankenmuth (9-0), Kingsford (9-0), Armada (8-1), Pontiac Notre Dame (7-1), Corunna (7-2)
Preview: Undefeated Frankenmuth is the favorite to come out of the top half of the D5 bracket, but the Eagles will have competition from the likes of West Catholic, Belding, and undefeated Kingsford. Corunna’s return to Ford Field will prove to be a significant challenge as they share District 1 with Pontiac Notre Dame who impressed this season with wins over Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Reed City, and Jackson Lumen Christi. Armada is another team who could make a title run in the bottom half of the bracket.
HSSS Division 5 State Final Prediction: Frankenmuth 28, Pontiac Notre Dame 26
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