2018 HS Playoff Pairings All Divisions

[biggunsbob]

Includes 8 man football at the bottom. Highest point total team is the host team for first three weeks of the playoffs. Brackets for each division can be found at the link. Click on the division you are interested and you can see the path they have to Ford Field.

https://www.mhsaa.com/sports/football/pairings

Division 1
R1-D1 Rockford (5-4) 61.333 at Traverse City West (7-2) 89.333
R1-D1 Holland West Ottawa (6-3) 72.778 at Hudsonville (6-3) 74.111

R1-D2 Kalamazoo Central (6-3) 71.444 at Saline (8-1) 102.222
R1-D2 Brighton (7-2) 87.111 at East Kentwood (8-1) 99.444

R2-D1 Grand Blanc (5-4) 60.667 at Lapeer (9-0) 112.889
R2-D1 Davison (7-2) 79.778 at Oxford (7-2) 87.444

R2-D2 Lake Orion (5-4) 63.333 at Clarkston (7-2) 89.444
R2-D2 White Lake Lakeland (6-3) 72.333 at Rochester Adams (6-3) 73.778

R3-D1 Plymouth (6-3) 68.556 at West Bloomfield (7-2) 96.889
R3-D1 Canton (6-3) 73.222 at Detroit Catholic Central (6-3) 82.921

R3-D2 Dearborn (5-4) 57.000 at Belleville (9-0) 119.111
R3-D2 Monroe (6-3) 72.333 at Brownstown Woodhaven (8-1) 98.444

R4-D1 Utica Eisenhower (6-3) 76.000 at Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (9-0) 122.667
R4-D1 Romeo (6-3) 82.222 at Macomb Dakota (7-2) 85.000

R4-D2 Detroit Western International (6-3) 55.111 at Detroit Cass Tech (9-0) 114.444
R4-D2 Grosse Pointe South (8-1) 95.667 at Dearborn Fordson (8-1) 100.444

===============================================
Division 2
R1-D1 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (5-4) 60.111 at Muskegon Mona Shores (8-1) 96.000
R1-D1 Jenison (6-3) 72.333 at Traverse City Central (7-2) 84.000

R1-D2 Okemos (6-3) 68.111 at Jackson (9-0) 104.000
R1-D2 Portage Northern (7-2) 82.333 at Portage Central (7-2) 83.667

R2-D1 Midland Dow (5-4) 55.222 at Flushing (7-2) 88.292
R2-D1 Midland (6-3) 67.667 at Swartz Creek (6-3) 73.444

R2-D2 Dexter (6-3) 63.444 at South Lyon (9-0) 112.000
R2-D2 Walled Lake Western (6-3) 70.444 at Fenton (7-2) 84.111

R3-D1 Ferndale (7-2) 81.889 at Oak Park (8-1) 100.222
R3-D1 Warren Mott (7-2) 84.333 at Warren DeLaSalle (7-2) 92.556

R3-D2 St Clair Shores Lake Shore (6-3) 65.222 at Port Huron Northern (8-1) 96.556
R3-D2 Roseville (6-3) 68.333 at St Clair Shores Lakeview (6-3) 71.000

R4-D1 Birmingham Brother Rice (6-3) 79.444 at Livonia Churchill (7-2) 87.889
R4-D1 Birmingham Groves (7-2) 82.333 at Birmingham Seaholm (7-2) 84.222

R4-D2 Temperance Bedford (5-4) 58.889 at Dearborn Heights Crestwood (8-1) 87.111
R4-D2 Livonia Franklin (5-4) 59.444 at Wyandotte Roosevelt (6-3) 69.778
===============================================

Division 3
R1-D1 Petoskey (5-4) 61.556 at Mt Pleasant (9-0) 104.000
R1-D1 Gaylord (6-3) 64.000 at Cedar Springs (8-1) 95.111

R1-D2 East Grand Rapids (6-3) 72.556 at Muskegon (9-0) 115.556
R1-D2 Grand Rapids Northview (7-2) 76.889 at Grand Rapids Christian (7-2) 87.556

R2-D1 Stevensville Lakeshore (5-4) 58.444 at Zeeland East (8-1) 95.889
R2-D1 St Joseph (5-4) 61.222 at Zeeland West (7-2) 84.111

R2-D2 Mattawan (5-4) 56.778 at Parma Western (8-1) 78.208
R2-D2 Battle Creek Central (6-3) 64.444 at Middleville Thornapple Kellogg (7-2) 75.000

R3-D1 St Johns (5-4) 55.222 at DeWitt (9-0) 115.000
R3-D1 Haslett (8-1) 88.667 at East Lansing (8-1) 98.111

R3-D2 South Lyon East (5-4) 57.778 at Ortonville-Brandon (8-1) 97.556
R3-D2 Auburn Hills Avondale (7-2) 77.667 at Farmington (6-3) 78.556

R4-D1 Garden City (6-3) 63.444 at Warren Woods Tower (8-1) 82.000
R4-D1 River Rouge (8-1) 74.778 at Detroit Martin Luther King (7-2) 81.778

R4-D2 Trenton (6-3) 70.556 at Gibraltar Carlson (8-1) 97.667
R4-D2 Riverview (7-2) 74.444 at Allen Park (7-2) 84.889

===============================================
Division 4
R1-D1 Big Rapids (5-4) 48.000 at Alma (8-1) 82.667
R1-D1 Ludington (7-2) 52.667 at Escanaba (7-2) 80.556

R1-D2 Spring Lake (5-4) 47.556 at Grand Rapids Catholic Central (8-1) 83.444
R1-D2 Allendale (5-4) 53.333 at Whitehall (7-2) 67.222

R2-D1 Otsego (5-4) 49.111 at Holland Christian (6-3) 63.444
R2-D1 Wyoming Godwin Heights (6-3) 57.667 at Grand Rapids South Christian (5-4) 57.667

R2-D2 Plainwell (6-3) 60.111 at Edwardsburg (9-0) 97.778
R2-D2 Paw Paw (7-2) 71.889 at Three Rivers (8-1) 84.444

R3-D1 Goodrich (5-4) 51.889 at Williamston (7-2) 78.667
R3-D1 Lake Odessa Lakewood (7-2) 71.222 at Flint Powers Catholic (6-3) 71.333

R3-D2 Yale (5-4) 51.556 at St Clair (7-2) 70.778
R3-D2 Croswell-Lexington (6-3) 68.444 at North Branch (7-2) 70.778

R4-D1 Center Line (6-3) 58.000 at Detroit Country Day (6-2) 77.984
R4-D1 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood (6-3) 63.444 at Farmington Hills Harrison (6-3) 70.444

R4-D2 Chelsea (6-3) 67.667 at Grosse Ile (9-0) 104.889
R4-D2 Detroit Cody (6-3) 71.333 at Milan (7-2) 75.333

================================================
Division 5
R1-D1 Benzie Central (6-3) 58.000 at Reed City (9-0) 96.889
R1-D1 Clare (8-1) 68.333 at Manistee (9-0) 80.000

R1-D2 Howard City Tri-County (5-4) 50.111 at Saginaw Swan Valley (9-0) 104.889
R1-D2 Remus Chippewa Hills (5-4) 51.444 at Freeland (6-3) 60.778

R2-D1 Grand Rapids West Catholic (5-4) 54.653 at Hudsonville Unity Christian (7-2) 81.444
R2-D1 Belding (7-2) 67.111 at Muskegon Oakridge (8-1) 79.778

R2-D2 Coloma (5-4) 49.000 at Kalamazoo Hackett (9-0) 89.778
R2-D2 Berrien Springs (7-2) 73.000 at Hopkins (8-1) 79.000

R3-D1 Ovid-Elsie (6-3) 60.889 at Portland (9-0) 95.111
R3-D1 Lansing Catholic (8-1) 76.444 at Olivet (8-1) 85.111

R3-D2 Birch Run (5-4) 55.444 at Almont (9-0) 93.333
R3-D2 Richmond (6-3) 65.889 at Frankenmuth (7-2) 73.444

R4-D1 Clawson (6-3) 51.333 at Marine City (7-2) 74.444
R4-D1 Harper Woods (7-2) 63.000 at Macomb Lutheran North (7-2) 68.444

R4-D2 Detroit Osborn (6-3) 58.444 at Detroit Denby (7-2) 72.095
R4-D2 Dearborn Heights Robichaud (6-3) 59.889 at Ida (7-2) 65.556

===============================================
Division 6
R1-D1 Elk Rapids (7-2) 59.667 at Traverse City St Francis (9-0) 98.667
R1-D1 Ishpeming Westwood (7-2) 64.889 at Calumet (9-0) 89.778

R1-D2 Tawas (5-3) 39.778 at Kingsley (8-1) 81.778
R1-D2 Maple City Glen Lake (5-4) 47.222 at Beaverton (7-2) 61.222

R2-D1 Fennville (7-2) 54.667 at Montague (7-2) 70.222
R2-D1 Morley Stanwood (7-2) 55.667 at Newaygo (6-3) 60.778

R2-D2 Constantine (6-3) 55.444 at Schoolcraft (7-2) 72.667
R2-D2 Niles Brandywine (7-2) 56.333 at Delton Kellogg (6-3) 59.778

R3-D1 Millington (6-3) 63.778 at Ithaca (8-1) 72.889
R3-D1 Hemlock (8-1) 67.444 at Montrose (7-2) 69.778

R3-D2 Byron (5-4) 50.889 at Flint Hamady (9-0) 84.444
R3-D2 Ecorse (7-2) 66.667 at Warren Michigan Collegiate (8-1) 79.540

R4-D1 Napoleon (5-4) 40.222 at Jackson Lumen Christi (8-0) 96.444
R4-D1 Michigan Center (8-1) 67.444 at Grass Lake (8-1) 70.222

R4-D2 Quincy (6-3) 54.556 at Brooklyn Columbia Central (8-1) 84.000
R4-D2 Blissfield (5-4) 56.000 at Hillsdale (8-1) 78.111

==========================================
Division 7
R1-D1 Harbor Springs (7-2) 52.333 at Roscommon (8-1) 69.111
R1-D1 Oscoda (8-1) 56.111 at Iron Mountain (7-2) 63.778

R1-D2 North Muskegon (5-4) 39.889 at Lake City (9-0) 84.444
R1-D2 Leroy Pine River (6-3) 49.556 at McBain (7-2) 63.889

R2-D1 Saranac (7-2) 46.778 at Pewamo-Westphalia (9-0) 81.778
R2-D1 Saugatuck (8-1) 72.667 at Kent City (8-1) 73.778

R2-D2 Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (7-2) 58.333 at New Lothrop (8-1) 81.778
R2-D2 Cass City (7-2) 62.667 at Sandusky (8-1) 64.778

R3-D1 Vermontville Maple Valley (5-4) 41.556 at Cassopolis (9-0) 80.889
R3-D1 Union City (6-3) 51.000 at Centreville (8-1) 67.556

R3-D2 Sand Creek (6-3) 49.111 at Monroe St Mary Catholic Central (7-2) 76.984
R3-D2 Clinton (7-2) 60.000 at Springport (7-2) 61.222

R4-D1 Royal Oak Shrine Catholic (5-4) 43.111 at Madison Heights Madison (9-0) 101.333
R4-D1 Detroit Loyola (6-3) 65.847 at Madison Heights Bishop Foley (8-1) 67.667

R4-D2 Allen Park Cabrini (5-4) 39.333 at Detroit Community (8-1) 63.222
R4-D2 Detroit Central (5-4) 39.889 at Riverview Gabriel Richard (5-4) 54.000

===========================================
Division 8
R1-D1 Gwinn (6-3) 46.333 at Ishpeming (9-0) 80.889
R1-D1 Iron River West Iron County (7-2) 55.111 at Rogers City (8-1) 70.111

R1-D2 Frankfort (5-4) 38.111 at Breckenridge (9-0) 74.222
R1-D2 Merrill (6-3) 40.333 at Johannesburg-Lewiston (8-1) 63.667

R2-D1 Saginaw Nouvel (6-3) 52.000 at Harbor Beach (8-1) 74.889
R2-D1 Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (7-2) 54.000 at Ubly (7-2) 58.444

R2-D2 Waterford Our Lady (5-4) 45.778 at Clarkston Everest Collegiate (8-1) 67.889
R2-D2 Flint Beecher (6-3) 49.111 at Carson City-Crystal (8-1) 58.333

R3-D1 Holton (5-4) 38.889 at Martin (6-3) 44.486
R3-D1 Climax-Scotts (4-4) 39.222 at Decatur (5-4) 40.111

R3-D2 Mendon (5-4) 35.667 at White Pigeon (7-2) 56.111
R3-D2 Three Oaks River Valley (5-4) 36.500 at Athens (5-3) 41.597

R4-D1 Dansville (6-3) 47.333 at Sterling Heights Parkway Christian (9-0) 69.667
R4-D1 Detroit Southeastern (6-3) 51.111 at Detroit Public Safety Academy (7-2) 53.556

R4-D2 Pittsford (7-2) 52.222 at Reading (9-0) 88.000
R4-D2 Adrian Lenawee Christian (8-1) 59.597 at Ottawa Lake Whiteford (9-0) 74.667
===============================================

R = Region
All Game Times Local

8-Player Football Division 1
R1 Fife Lake Forest Area (4-5) 30.819 at Pickford (9-0) 68.444
R1 Onaway (5-4) 31.556 at Suttons Bay (8-1) 57.444

R2 Mayville (5-4) 36.556 at AuGres-Sims (9-0) 64.889
R2 Kingston (8-1) 53.111 at Deckerville (7-2) 54.000

R3 Webberville (4-5) 31.889 at Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (9-0) 68.000
R3 Genesee (5-4) 34.000 at Morrice (9-0) 64.000

R4 Camden-Frontier (5-4) 36.381 at Colon (8-1) 63.111
R4 Battle Creek St Philip (6-3) 40.222 at Bellevue (8-1) 57.667

8-Player Football Division 2
R1 Crystal Falls Forest Park (5-4) 32.889 at Powers North Central (8-1) 59.333
R1 Rapid River (6-3) 39.778 at Engadine (8-1) 58.667

R2 Cedarville (5-4) 30.222 at Hillman (8-1) 55.111
R2 Kinde-North Huron (5-4) 35.444 at Posen (7-2) 45.222

R3 Marion (6-3) 35.444 at Onekama (7-2) 50.111
R3 Brethren (6-3) 39.444 at Mt Pleasant Sacred Heart (7-2) 48.778

R4 Tekonsha (5-4) 31.000 at New Haven Merritt Academy (6-3) 38.822
R4 Peck (5-4) 36.222 at Portland St Patrick (5-4) 37.222

 

[biggunsbob]

Grand Rapids predictions from By Steve Kaminski's


1: Who is going to win the battle between two state-ranked teams?
Brighton, ranked ninth in Division 1, will visit fourth-ranked East Kentwood. The Falcons (8-1) are rolling, having won eight straight. Brighton is 7-2, with both of its losses going to undefeated Belleville.

Brighton features talented senior dual-threat quarterback Will Jontz, who has thrown for 626 yards and seven touchdowns. He also has rushed for 1,007 yards and 13 scores.

Can Jontz lead Brighton to victory?

We're taking East Kentwood 31-21.

2: Can Northview win its first playoff game in program history?
The Wildcats are headed to Grand Rapids Christian for a Division 3 game featuring a pair of 7-2 teams, and I love this matchup. The Wildcats feature senior quarterback Kennedy Smith, who has thrown for 1,936 yards and 25 touchdowns this season. He has a talented group of receivers, including returning all-stater Cody Tierney, who has 49 catches for 1,030 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Christian has a rich postseason history and a big-play offense, too, featuring junior quarterback Eason Hardouin and running back Thad Gamble. Did you see Gamble's 99-yard touchdown run earlier this season?

Give me Northview in a toss-up, 30-27.

3: Will the West Catholic dynasty survive?
Did you know that West Catholic has gone 25-0 in playoff games the past five years? Of course you did, considering the Falcons have won five consecutive state championships.

Don't write off the Falcons because they are 5-4. They won the 2013 title after going 5-4 in the regular season. Two of their losses this season were to defending state champions in Jackson Lumen Christi and Catholic Central, with their other two losses going to Lansing Catholic (8-1) and Grand Rapids Christian (7-2).

Unity is 7-2, with both of their losses going to the Zeeland schools. Four of Unity's first five wins came against teams that have qualified for the Division 4 playoffs.

It's a tough call, but we like Unity, 28-27.

4: Can Godwin Heights win its first playoff game?
Godwin Heights is one of the area's hottest teams. The Wolverines started the season 1-3 but have since reeled off six consecutive wins heading into Friday's game at South Christian. Give first-year coach Brandon Kimble a lot of credit for keeping the Wolverines on track.

The Sailors (5-4) had a four-game stretch that featured opponents Unity Christian, East Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Christian and Middleville, and they went 1-3. But the Sailors beat Forest Hills Eastern last week to finish 5-4 and earn an at-large.

This marks the first time these two teams will play in 35 years, and it's close on paper. South Christian has scored 244 and allowed 154. Godwin has scored 236 and given up 155.

The feeling here is that the Sailors stop the Wolverines' streak, 34-23.

5: Will West Ottawa get revenge?
The only incorrect pick I made last week was when I wrote that West Ottawa was going to beat Hudsonville. However, the Eagles won that game, 23-16. The two 6-3 teams will meet again at Hudsonville Friday.

This could be good news for West Ottawa, but I'm taking Hudsonville in the rematch, and here's why: Defense.

The Eagles gave up 48 points to fourth-ranked East Kentwood. Take that away, and the Eagles are giving up 12.5 points a game.

Hudsonville 21, West Ottawa 17


(MLive photo courtesy of Raven Fairfield) Muskegon's Anthony Bradford drives back East Grand Rapids' John Shelton during the Big Reds' comeback victory Friday, Sept. 7, 2018 at Memorial Field in East Grand Rapids, Mich.

PREDICTIONS
Rockford 38, Traverse City West 21
Mona Shores 41, Forest Hills Central 21
Jenison 27, Traverse City Central 14
Cedar Springs 24, Gaylord 7
Muskegon 45, East Grand Rapids 14
Middleville 35, Battle Creek Central 20
Zeeland East 43, Stevensville Lakeshore 20
Zeeland West 36, St. Joseph 13
Catholic Central 42, Spring Lake 17
Whitehall 30, Allendale 24
Holland Christian 36, Otsego 22
Muskegon Oakridge 35, Belding 21
Hopkins 37, Berrien Springs 25
Unity Christian 28, West Catholic 27
Montague 42, Fennville 20
Saugatuck 35, Kent City 28
Tri-unity Christian 48, Webberville 14
=========================================


Muskegon area predictions. some games may overlap.
By Scott Decamp.
LAST WEEK'S PREDICTIONS RECORD, ALONG WITH WORST AND BEST PICKS
Record last week: 13-3 (81.3 percent).
Season record: 133-27 (83.1 percent).
Worst pick: Holton 26, Howard City Tri County 22.
Reality: Howard City Tri County 48, Holton 16.
Best pick: Whitehall 34, Dexter 28.

Reality: Whitehall 23, Dexter 13. (Margin was not as close as predicted, but this was a tough game to predict because of variables, such as travel impact on the Vikings.)

GRAND RAPIDS FOREST HILLS CENTRAL (5-4) at MONA SHORES (9-0)


What: Division 2 first-round game.

Where: Sailor Stadium.
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Series: Forest Hills Central leads, 4-1.

Last meeting: Forest Hills Central won 28-21 last year in Division 2 district finals at FHC.

Winner plays: Winner advances to district finals to face either Jenison (6-3) or Traverse City Central (7-2).

About this game: These teams have one common opponent: Jenison. Forest Hills Central edged the Wildcats, 21-19, in Week 1 at Jenison. Mona Shores won a shootout at Jenison, 49-42, in Week 7. In this case, it seems to do little good comparing how each team fared against the common opponent. FHC played Jenison a long time ago, and teams change a lot through the course of a season. And when Mona Shores beat Jenison, the Sailors were not at full strength. They're as close as they're going to get to full strength now. One intangible in this game: Mona Shores has revenge on its mind, whether the Sailors admit it or not. Last year's loss to the Rangers stung the Sailors badly.

PICK: Mona Shores 34, Forest Hills Central 14

EAST GRAND RAPIDS (6-3) at MUSKEGON (9-0)

What: Division 3 first-round game.

Where: Hackley Stadium.

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

Series: Muskegon leads, 4-0.

Last meeting: Muskegon beat East Grand Rapids, 49-21, in Week 3 this season.

Winner plays: Winner advances to district finals to face either Grand Rapids Northview (7-2) or Grand Rapids Christian (7-2).

About this game: Most coaches do not like playing an opponent twice in one season. Count Muskegon coach Shane Fairfield as one of them. At least the Pioneers should have the Big Reds' attention. EGR had Muskegon down 14 points at two different moments early in their Week 3 matchup at Memorial Field. The Big Reds trailed 14-0 after one quarter and 21-7 midway through the second before they rallied to tie it by halftime. They completely blew it open in the second half, continuing what was a 42-0 scoring run. In this rematch, EGR may hit Muskegon with some big plays, but the Pioneers won't have as many as the Big Reds.

PICK: Muskegon 52, East Grand Rapids 20

ALLENDALE (5-4) at WHITEHALL (7-2)

Whitehall football players pose for a portrait on Wednesday, August 1, 2018, in Muskegon, Michigan. (Mike Krebs | MLive.com)
What: Division 4 first-round game.

Where: Whitehall Vikings Football Field.

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

Series: Whitehall leads, 2-0.

Last meeting: Whitehall beat Allendale, 40-6, in the 1980 season.

Winner plays: Winner advances to district finals to face either Grand Rapids Catholic Central (8-1) or Spring Lake (5-4).

About this game: Whitehall has played in some high-scoring games, although the Vikings' 23-13 victory over Dexter last week is the style they'd probably prefer. Allendale, on the other hand, is perfectly fine engaging in shootouts. The average score of an Allendale game this season is 36.5-31.3. Both of these teams have played tough schedules: Whitehall's losses have come against strong Oakridge (42-14) and Montague (48-7) teams, while Allendale's defeats have come against playoff qualifiers Unity Christian (38-31), Cedar Springs (42-35), Grand Rapids Catholic Central (52-22) and Grand Rapids West Catholic (45-42). The Falcons have played a little tougher schedule, so give them the slight edge here.

PICK: Allendale 36, Whitehall 32

SPRING LAKE (5-4) at GRAND RAPIDS CATHOLIC CENTRAL (8-1)

Spring Lake players run to the line of scrimmage during the game against West Catholic at West Catholic High School in Grand Rapids on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018. (Neil Blake | MLive.com)
What: Division 4 first-round game.

Where: Cougar Stadium.

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

Series: GRCC leads, 4-0.

Last meeting: GRCC beat Spring Lake, 35-12, in Week 7.

Winner plays: Winner advances to district finals to face either Allendale (5-4) or Whitehall (7-2).

About this game: It would be interesting to know this about Spring Lake: Was the Lakers' 5-0 start and 0-4 finish to the regular season completely a product of their schedule or does it have a little to do with losing some mojo when quarterback Caleb Montgomery was sidelined with his ankle injury? It's great that Spring Lake is back in the playoffs after going 0-9 last season and 2-7 the year before. This is just not the draw that the Lakers needed. Grand Rapids Catholic Central has its sights set on winning a third straight state championship, and the Cougars might have the team to get it done.

PICK: Grand Rapids Catholic Central 37, Spring Lake 14

BELDING (7-2) at OAKRIDGE (8-1)

Oakridge players, including Koleman Wall (1), listen to their coaches after a game earlier this season. (Mike Krebs | MLive.com)
What: Division 5 first-round game.

Where: Jack Schugars Field, Russell A. Erickson Stadium.

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

Series: Belding leads, 1-0.

Last meeting: Belding beat Oakridge, 20-7, in first-round playoff matchup in 1985.

Winner plays: Winner advances to district finals to face either Grand Rapids West Catholic (5-4) or Hudsonville Unity Christian (7-2).

About this game: With the exception of Oakridge's tough 25-24 loss to Montague in Week 7, the Eagles have run over everybody. That includes playoff qualifiers Chippewa Hills (55-8), North Muskegon (61-27), Whitehall (42-14) and Berrien Springs (46-12). The Eagles prefer to grind it out on the ground, but they've shown to be able to move the ball through the air, too. Both of Belding's losses have been close ones: Playoff qualifiers Hopkins (37-35) in Week 3 and Godwin Heights (25-21) in Week 7. The Black Knights' most impressive win is probably their 30-6 decision against Kelloggsville in Week 8. Belding is nobody to overlook, but if Oakridge does its thing, the Eagles should be fine.

PICK: Oakridge 41, Belding 20

FENNVILLE (7-2) at MONTAGUE (7-2)

Montague players celebrate their 48-7 victory over Whitehall at Montague on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. (Cory Morse | MLive.com)


What: Division 6 first-round game.

Where: Eldy Townsend Athletic Complex.

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

Series: Montague leads, 8-2.

Last meeting: Montague beat Fennville, 40-21, in the district finals in 2010.

Winner plays: Winner advances to district finals to face either Morley-Stanwood (7-2) or Newaygo (6-3).

About this game: The analysis of this one seems pretty simple: While Fennville has a solid tradition and has had some good teams, the Blackhawks this season have not seen anything on the level of Montague. Meanwhile, the Wildcats have played a very difficult schedule and they're still standing. Their two losses have come on the road against Division 5 unbeatens, third-ranked Reed City (34-13 in Week 1) and second-ranked Portland (27-20 in Week 9). Additionally, they navigated the traditionally strong West Michigan Conference despite their assortment of injuries and won the outright title. This one very well could get out of hand.

PICK: Montague 52, Fennville 13

MORLEY-STANWOOD (7-2) at NEWAYGO (6-3)



Newaygo coach Scott Van Essen has the Lions in the playoffs for the second straight season. (Mike Krebs | MLive.com)
What: Division 6 first-round game.

Where: Newaygo High School.

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

Series: Newaygo leads, 31-17-1.

Last meeting: Newaygo beat Morley-Stanwood, 41-13, in 2013.

Winner plays: Winner advances to district finals to face either Montague (7-2) or Fennville (7-2).

About this game: These longtime conference foes are being reunited in the first round of the playoffs. They competed against each other in the former Newaygo County Athletic Association for years before eventually both moving to the Central State Activities Association. They both compete in the CSAA now, but in different divisions: Newaygo is in the Gold, Morley-Stanwood is in the Silver. The reason Newaygo is hosting this game with one more loss and one fewer win than Morley-Stanwood is because the Lions' strength of schedule is tougher. This is the second straight year that the Lions are hosting a first-round playoff game. Last year, they lost to Grant in the first round, 28-13. For the Mohawks, this is their fifth straight season in the playoffs.

PICK: Newaygo 24, Morley-Stanwood 18

SAUGATUCK (8-1) at KENT CITY (8-1)

Saugatuck's Brad Dunn (3), shown against Pewamo-Westphalia in the Division 7 state finals last year, will be the focal point of Kent City's defense Friday night. (J. Scott Park | MLive file photo)
What: Division 7 first-round game.

Where: Ward Memorial Field.

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

Series: Kent City leads, 3-0.

Last meeting: Kent City beat Saugatuck, 20-10, during the 2012 season.

Winner plays: Winner advances to district finals to face either Pewamo-Westphalia (9-0) or Saranac (7-2).

About this game: There are so many positives surrounding this Kent City program now: Third straight home playoff opener, 17-1 record in the last two regular seasons, the Eagles' off-the-field involvement with veterans, etc. And, oh yeah, their game this Friday is going to be on live TV (Fox Sports Detroit Plus). How cool is that?! On the downside, Kent City could not have received a tougher district draw. If the Eagles do get past Saugatuck -- no easy task -- then their reward will almost certainly be a road trip to face two-time defending state champion Pewamo-Westphalia. Kent City does have a brief history with Saugatuck, as the Eagles and Indians used to be OK Silver Conference foes (2000-02). This will be Kent City's toughest game to date this season.

PICK: Saugatuck 36, Kent City 30

NORTH MUSKEGON (5-4) at LAKE CITY (9-0)

North Muskegon football players pose for a portrait on Wednesday, August 1, 2018, in Muskegon, Michigan. (Mike Krebs | MLive.com)


What: Division 7 first-round game.

Where: Lake City Athletic Complex.

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

Series: This is the teams' first-ever meeting.

Winner plays: Winner advances to district finals to face either Leroy Pine River (6-3) or McBain (7-2).

About this game: Looking purely at the teams' won-lost records, this one might seem like a big mismatch, right? Well, you'd probably be mistaken. While Lake City is on quite the run as a program -- two straight unbeaten regular seasons, plus a run to the state semifinals last year -- the Trojans have not faced an opponent quite like North Muskegon. The Norsemen's collection of skill players is more dynamic than any the Trojans have seen, at least this season. North Muskegon has faced some adversity this season, be it the Norse's injuries or otherwise, but they are certainly a battle-tested group. Their four losses have come against tough West Michigan Conference opponents. Call this an upset special, or whatever you'd like, but I'm going with the Norsemen here.

PICK: North Muskegon 28, Lake City 21

HOLTON (5-4) at MARTIN (6-3)

Holton football players, from left, Colby Younts, Derek Pouch, Drew Trygstad, Aaron Herron and Garrett Lulofs are pictured in Hackley Park in downtown Muskegon on Monday, July 30, 2018. (Cory Morse | MLive.com)
What: Division 8 first-round game.

Where: Martin High School.

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

Series: Holton leads, 1-0.

Last meeting: Holton defeated Martin, 21-8, in Week 2 last season.

Winner plays: Winner advances to district finals to face either Climax-Scotts (4-4) or Decatur (5-4).

About this game: These teams have a couple of similarities: They're both making their programs' first playoff appearances since 2007, and their programs' peaks throughout the years seem to somewhat mirror each other. In last year's matchup, Holton trailed 8-0 early, but the Red Devils tied it before halftime and took control in the second half. Could we see a repeat of that this Friday? It's possible, considering coach Jack Nummerdor has bemoaned that the Red Devils haven't always come out of the gate emotionally ready. In the playoffs, you can't expect to overcome slow starts. In this matchup, Holton should have enough to get the job done.

PICK: Holton 26, Martin 20

 

[biggunsbob]

Detroit News playoff prediction show.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/s...eard-dave-goricki-playoff-preview/1745000002/

 

[biggunsbob]

Mike Mccabe
detroit free press breakdown of the playoffs.

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...ool-football-playoffs-predictions/1721834002/

 

[biggunsbob]

Playoff Brackets.

https://www.mlive.com/expo/sports/erry-2018/10/9c07b1a197375/see-who-your-school-is-playing.html