Play-off Predictions

Boy, oh boy! It's finally play-off time on the Michigan Gridiron. There are already a plethora of intriguing match-ups involving Mid-Michigan teams, and I can't help myself; here are my predictions for this Friday's games including teams in the area, as well as my predictions for the state champions in each division.

DIVISION 1:

Predicted Champion - Rockford Rams

Holt - 28
Battle Creek Central - 7
The Rams should roll in their first round game, but a match-up against also-undefeated Rockford appears likely to occur in the second.

Everett - 21
South Lyon - 7
Similar to Holt, Everett is heavily favored in the first round and should provide an exciting match-up against the winner of the Howell/Detroit C.C. game.

DIVISION 2:

Predicted Champion - Muskegan Big Reds

Heritage - 20
Bay City Central - 14
The Hawks dropped their regular season game to BCC, but showed a lot of improvement in their week 9 romp of Flint Southwestern.

Arthur Hill - 30
Midland - 22
Two of the four Saginaw Valley Co-Champions meet in the play-offs for the first time this season. Arthur Hill has shown a tendency to overcome favored opponents.

Davison - 21
Oxford - 8
Oxford has an 8-1 record and homefield advantage, but the Cardinals' huge edge with strength of schedule will reveal itself with a big victory over the Flint Metro League Co-Champions.

Flushing - 21
Lapeer West - 20
Another exciting match-up between the FML and Big 9. I forsee a close game, with Flushing's close-game experience giving them the edge.

Farmington Hills Harrison - 28
Okemos - 14
The Chieftains' successful season might end at the hands of the battle-tested Hawks.

DIVISION 3:

Predicted Champion - Orchard Lake St. Mary Eaglets

Sault Ste Marie - 20
John Glenn - 7
Glenn came through with a big victory over Garber to make the play-offs, but their losses raise questions as to whether they can compete with a top-tier D4 team like the Blue Devils.

Mt. Pleasant - 35
Gaylord - 21
I have a feeling that the Oilers will find a second life in the play-offs. Tyler Mills' performance last week showed that the Mt. Pleasant passing game should get back into its early-season form.

Sexton- 14
Harper Creek - 13
The outcome of the battle between the two 6-3 teams is in the air; I'm going to let my hometown biases decide this one.

Adrian - 21
Fowlerville - 14
This game could go either way, as neither squad has been able to hang with the top tier teams in their respective areas.

East Lansing - 35
Linden - 14
All 3 of East Lansing's losses have come from extremely tough teams; Linden lost its last two games, and appears to be on a freefall.

DeWitt - 40
Haslett - 20
DeWitt beat Haslett 41-18 in week 7.

DIVISION 4:

Predicted Champion - Zeeland West Dux

Bullock Creek- 26
Ogemaw Heights - 20
Both teams are very physical, but the Hawks have appeared to be declining as the season advances while the Lancers have been gaining steam.

Alma - 35
Lansing Catholic - 14
Alma is battle-tested and undefeated. I expect them to reach round 2.

Belding - 21
Williamston - 14
Williamston was routed by Chesaning in week 9, which raises doubts about the Hornets' competitiveness.

Powers - 28
Yale - 10
Powers is 6-3 with victories over Detroit Country Day and a number of class A schools. Yale is 8-1, but only beat Caro (1-8) by 4 points.

DIVISION 5:

Predicted Champion - Menominee Maroons

Standish-Sterling - 40
Gladwin - 14
The Flying G's barely scraped together a play-off berth in the Jack Pine Conference, while Standish-Sterling is 8-1 with a convincing victory over TVC-East champion Frankenmuth.

Tawas - 21
Garber - 14
This one could go either way, but I think Tawas will have to defend their regular-season victory over Standish in round 2.

Muskegan Oakridge - 28
Central Montcalm - 14
The 7-2 Hornets might struggle to overcome a very tough draw.

Portland - 16
Allendale - 10
I think Portland will get their shot to knock off undefeated Grand Rapids West Catholic in the district championship.

Frankenmuth - 21
Chesaning - 14
Chesaning pulled off an upset to make it to the dance, but Frankenmuth is capable of keeping the Indians from getting 2 in a row.

Montrose - 28
Millington - 20
One of the best first-round games in the state will be between two 8-1 squads in Millington. The Rams have been rolling since their week 2 loss to Lake Fenton, and I'm not sure the Cardinals have the firepower to match them.

Almont - 21
Lake Fenton - 8
Lake Fenton went 8-1, but received a horrendous draw against undefeated Almont; they'll need to play better than they have over the last few weeks.

DIVISION 6:

Predicted Champion - Kalamazoo Christian Comets

Clare - 18
Laingsburg - 14
Clare is 8-1, but has come very close to the edge in a couple games. The Wolfpack should make it close, but the Pioneers are the team with more close-game experience.

Ithaca - 32
Sanford-Meridian - 14
Ithaca's spread offense and physical defense might prove too much for the 6-3 Mustangs.

St. Charles - 30
Marlette - 14
St. Charles is heavily favored, but has shown a tendency to allow less-talented teams to stay in the game with them.

Reese - 21
Nouvel C.C. - 20
Both teams are extremely good and could find themselves on Ford Field in 4 weeks. In a week of great match-ups, this is the most exciting in the area.

Hamady - 40
Beecher - 21
The Hawks have a very high-powered offense and are favored in this battle of turnaround programs.

Harper Woods - 40
Byron - 14
Byron struggled whenever they faced a quality opponent in the regular season, and Harper Woods is 9-0.

DIVISION 7:

Predicted Champion - Muskegan Catholic Central Crusaders

Pewamo-Westphalia - 24
Fife Lake Forest Area - 14
The Pirates' only loss came to undefeated Fulton.

Harbor Beach - 35
Whittemore-Prescott - 14
Harbor Beach is undefeated and rolling through their schedule.

Merrill - 35
Lake City - 34
Both teams have played quality teams and lost, but are prepared to make a play-off run; hometown bias rears its head once again.

Ubly - 20
Unionville-Sebawaing - 14
The Patriots won 19-14 in week 1, but it's always difficult to beat a team twice in the same season.

DIVISION 8:

Predicted Champion - Fulton Pirates

Webberville - 28
New Lothrop - 18
The Hornets might make the game surprisingly close, but I don't see them upsetting undefeated Webberville.

Fulton - 35
Fowler - 14
Fulton won this match-up in the regular season, and they are my (admittedly underdog) pick to win the state championship in Division 8.

For more Mid and West Michigan play-off coverage, check out http://www.sportsxtrahs.com/ . There are brackets, scoreboards, and other things related to the Michigan football play-offs.