We got a few teams in the playoffs this year as far as Mid-Michigan HS football is concerned, but it is really off with no Oilers or Aggies to root for, here is what I think all of our teams have in their playoff road ahead.
Sacred Heart– It’s a tough turnaround for this undermanned Irish squad. They lost 35-0 last Friday to Saginaw Nouvel…Their reward, Nouvel again for the first week of the playoffs. It will be very tough for the Irish to get out of districts in their final playoff run in 11 man football.
Breckenridge, St Louis, and Beaverton– It only makes sense to look at these teams together as they are all in the same D7 district…Lets start with Breckenridge…I expect them to take care of Oscoda, (watch out though as their 3 losses are all to playoff teams) as they haven’t lost since week one to Beaverton. St Louis makes its first ever playoff appearance and have an 8-1 Beaverton as their reward. The Beavers will come ready to play after suffering their first loss of the year last week to D5 playoff team Clare. I expect Beaverton to play Breckenridge next Friday after the Huskies win their first ever playoff game vs Oscoda.
Houghton Lake and Harrison– These two teams will match up for the second time this season, earlier in the year Harrison won by 2 points on the road vs the Bobcats. I expect Harrison to have the advantage in this game as their playing style is more suited for the cold weather that is starting to show here in Mid Michigan, on the other hand if this becomes a back and forth game Houghton Lake will have the upper hand..Another interesting wrinkle in this game, Harrison holds the all-time series lead 27-26! The winner of this game will face the winner of Millington and Hemlock.
Ithaca– It looked like Ithaca was poised to face Hemlock just a couple weeks after they blasted the Huskies 55-0, however fate saw things different as Ithaca will now host Byron who will make the trek up from the Flint area, the winner of this game plays the winner of Montrose vs. Laingsburg. If you are a yellowjacket fan it has to be hard not to look forward to a possible powerhouse matchup with Montague as those two teams could play in the regionals.
Clare and Chippewa Hills– This will be the second straight year these two teams will meet in pre-districts. Last year Chip Hills won a close game at home…This year the game is played on the turf at Clare. I expect the pioneers to take advantage of their speed on the outside with Rodenbo and Seersaw. Whoever comes away with a victory in this game will most likely have a tough Reed City team awaiting them. Reed City is 9 and 0 heading to the playoffs and defeated Chip Hills 58-29 early this year.
Alma– Alma’s first playoff game looks easier on paper than it will be. 5 and 4 Flint Powers plays in the Saginaw Valley League against fierce competition…Lapeer, Carman Ainsworth, playoff schools in higher divisions. I would still call Alma the favorite in this game, but if the Panthers don’t get off to a quick start they will find themselves in a battle with a tough team used to playing great competition.
Midland High and Midland Dow– Midland High just defeated Dow 49-21…and that really put things in a playoff bind for the Chargers. They now hit the road to play TC West…the only team this year to beat Midland High. TC West just lost their first game of the year last week, that could be good or bad news for Dow. Midland High will be at home and take on TC Central, Midland High will be big favorites to rematch with the team that handed them their only loss on the year. What a game it could be for a district title Midland High and Midland Dow both win!
Make sure to tune in Saturday as I break down all the action in the My0143 High School Scoreboard Podcast
