Division 8
Area Teams to Watch
Beal City: The Division 8 defending state champion Aggies are back and possibly even stronger this season. Beal City turned in a perfect 9-0 regular-season record this fall. The Aggies were hitting on all cylinders on offense averaging 45.9 ppg. The defense was a brick wall allowing just 3.4 points per game. Beal City opened the season with a 15-2 win against D7 Ravenna and closed the regular season with a 39-8 win at Ithaca. The road to return to Ford Field begins at home against Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart.
Fowler: Fowler is back in the playoffs for a seventh straight season. The Eagles turned in a 6-3 record this season with the losses coming against the likes of undefeated teams like Pewamo-Westphalia along with McBain. Fowler is solid on offense averaging 35.6 points per game. That offense was hitting on all cylinders in a 48-28 win against D7 Ithaca. Fowler kicks off the playoffs with a difficult road trip to 6-3 New Lothrop.
Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart: The Irish are back in the playoffs in their first year back playing 11-man football after several years of 8-man football. The Irish finished the season with a 5-4 record and clinched a playoff berth with a thrilling 31-28 win against Lake City in week nine. Sacred Heart features a solid offense that is putting up 24.4 points per game. The Irish finished the season strong winning three out of their last four games. There was no luck of the Irish come selection Sunday as Sacred Heart must travel to Beal City to take on the defending state champs.
New Lothrop: The Hornets saw their long string of playoff appearances snapped last season but are back this year to begin a new streak. A young and improving team, the Hornets averaged 30.9 points per game on offense led by talented quarterback Karson Agnew. New Lothrop went 6-3 this season with losses coming against Durand, Montrose and Ovid-Elsie who all made the playoffs in Division 6.
Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary: Michigan Lutheran will make their fourth straight trip to the playoffs after finishing the regular season 6-3. The Cardinals have faced a rugged schedule with close losses against Ithaca, 42-40 in overtime, Valley Lutheran by 10 points and Nouvel 27-14. MLS also owns a 30-14 win over 6-3 D7 Cass City. MLS has a high-powered offense putting up 37.7 ppg. with quarterback Andrew Miller throwing for close to 800 yards and nine touchdowns. MLS opens the playoffs at Saginaw Nouel in what should be a close struggle.
Saginaw Nouvel: Nouvel posted a 7-2 record in the regular season. The Panthers have a high-octane offense putting up 35.3 points per game. Quarterback Ian Ziegelmann has passed for over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns while running back Owen Vance has rushed for over 900 yards and scored 16 touchdowns. Nouvel is strong on defense allowing just 11.9 point per game. A rematch with MLS kicks off the opening-round of the playoffs.
Top D8 Contenders: Hudson (9-0), Harbor Beach (9-0), Beal City (9-0), Springport (9-0), Melvindale Academy of Business and Tech (9-0), Madison Heights Madison (8-1), Maple City Glen Lake (7-1), Fowler (6-3).
Preview: Division 8 is home to some powerhouses this season with some blockbuster games possible in the playoffs. A regional final between Beal City and Harbor Beach is must see. Harbor Beach has an impressive win against defending D7 champ Millington to its credit while Beal City went to Ithaca and claimed a big win against the traditional D7 power. Hudson is loaded and has been putting up some huge numbers but may have to navigate past some unbeaten teams in the other side of the bracket.
HSSS Division 8 State Final Prediction: Harbor Beach 30, Hudson 28
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