Here is a glance at all our teams vying for district titles!
Alma– They squeaked by Flint Powers last week 20-14. I knew Powers would be tough in D4 as the play some big schools through the regular season. Alma was able to do enough to move on to a district title game for the second year in a row. Last year at home Alma fell to Escanaba 31-13 at home. Things won’t be any easier this year in a rematch vs Escanaba as the Panthers will have to travel north if they want to bring home their first district title since 2011! It’s always hard telling how good those UP teams are, Escanaba does have a question mark loss to 3 and 6 Petoskey, while Alma’s 2 losses are to teams still playing in Carrolton and Saginaw Swan Valley (who play each other in the D5 playoffs).
Clare– The pioneers avenged last years playoff loss to Chip Hills in a big way 47-7 this past Friday at home. Clare will now have to hit the road to play Reed City. Interesting fact about this game is who these two teams have lost too. Clare’s only loss is to top ranked D6 team Ithaca, while Reed City’s only loss is to second ranked D6 school Montague. Both of those losses came in the first week of the season. Through September and October these teams mostly rolled through their opponents, with both teams scoring 40-50 points most Friday nights. Expect a shootout in Reed City Friday night. Whichever team hits 40 first may be the favorite in this one!
Houghton Lake– Houghton Lake was victorious Friday beating Harrison 20-14. Houghton Lake will have to win another road playoff game to win their first district title! They will take on a really good 9 and 1 Millington team, whose only loss this year is to undefeated Frankenmuth. Houghton Lake will have their work cut out for them, but if they can turn it into an up and down game Houghton Lake could take advantage.
Ithaca– The jackets won big Friday night over Byron 43-0, they will host Laingsburg who comes into this game at 8 and 2, those two losses are to teams still playing in the MHSAA playoffs, but it is hard not to consider Ithaca a heavy favorite coming into this game. What a game it will be if Ithaca wins, awaiting them will be either Kent City or second ranked Montague who square off in Montague in a game of unbeatens.
Breckenridge vs St Louis– Oh boy, these two towns have to be geared up for this game! This will be the 63rd time these two teams have played each other, and this will be the first time ever in the playoffs. Both teams are fresh off their first ever playoff victories for their schools with St Louis making their first ever playoff appearance! Also, these two teams battled the final week of the regular season with Breckenridge winning 12-7. Throw on one more wrinkle that these two schools are only 7 miles apart; this will obviously be the biggest football game in school history for both teams!
