Possible Postseason Matchup Outcomes.

Written Sunday October 23rd at 12:00 PM

Happy selection Sunday to everyone. The teams are officially set for the postseason but not the matchups that comes later tonight on Bally Sports Detroit at 6 PM. The MHSAA has been very unpredictable when it comes to district matchups so I tried with the help of Snooze2you's playoff map and my projections to try to see the possible outcomes come later tonight. I will analyze the matchups on the blog and the podcast this week.

Here are the possible outcomes and the teams.

Adams: The Highlanders are looking like they could be in line to get back to Ford Field if things go right. They could very likely see Lake Orion in the first round. The Dragons and Highlanders have had some battles and it was tight in the first half before Adams pulled away late in their regular season matchup at Lake Orion. It’s a dangerous matchup if it’s Lake Orion but who knows if the MHSAA were to take Lake Orion north and have them play Davison but it’s not likely. On the other side it could be either Stoney Creek, Rochester, or possibly Romeo and if it’s the Bulldogs that could be a very tricky matchup for Coach Tony Patritto if they were to meet.

West Bloomfield: The Lakers are in a very similar spot to last season when it comes to the postseason. They will likely see Novi in the first round and be in a district with Novi Detroit Catholic Central and Northville. I don’t see them being in a district with Troy even though the MHSAA could do that. Either way pending if West Bloomfield were to get Novi and then Novi Detroit Catholic Central or Northville it is very possible they could get to a regional that gets them north or south. Either way Coach Tyrice Grice’s program is in a great spot come postseason time.

Clarkston: The Wolves are riding red hot right now. Clarkston could likely have a rematch with Lapeer but this time it would be at Clarkston. The Lightning have lost seven straight to the Wolves and two straight which started against Clarkston. The tradeoff would be playing at Davison in the district finals pending if the Cardinals get by likely being Grand Blanc. Davison beat Clarkston in week one after the Cardinals torched the Wolves defense in Ann Arbor. I don’t see the MHSAA sending Clarkston south or east, it would be a shock if they do that but the likely district for the Wolves will be a district that has Davison, Lapeer, and Grand Blanc. WNEM, WJRT, and WEYI Sports reporters better get used to Coach Justin Pintar’s team.

Lake Orion: The Dragons were the last team to make the Division One postseason field after playing a really difficult schedule which all five of their losses came to postseason teams. They will most likely see Adams in the first round which is a very tough matchup. The MHSAA could send Coach Chris Bell’s team to Davison but it seems very unlikely. Lake Orion is playing with nothing to lose and everything to gain in the postseason.

Stoney Creek: The Cougars have two possibilities in the postseason. Snooze2you has Stoney Creek hosting Rochester which would be a great matchup for the Cougars but I feel the most likely outcome would be sending Coach Nick Merlo’s team to Dan Barnabo Field to play Romeo which would be a very difficult matchup for the Cougars because of the playoff points. Either way it’s a tough path for Stoney Creek going forward.

Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors are back in the postseason and they could do some damage. Most of the experts have Southfield Arts and Tech having a rematch with Detroit Cass Tech in the first round. The Warriors beat the Technicians 56-54 in week one but there was some controversy because the game was played at Lawrence Tech but fan issues caused the game to be moved to Southfield but with no fans. If this were the matchup then it could be the very same possibility. There were others but it didn’t add up. The most likely outcome could be that Southfield Arts and Tech plays Detroit Cass Tech but it’s possible a Macomb County team like Chippewa Valley comes south but not likely either way the Warriors will be at home for round one.

Rochester: The Falcons got into the postseason with a 38-21 win over Detroit Renaissance last week. It is the first time since 2010 not counting the COVID era that Rochester has made the postseason. The big problem for Coach Eric Vernon has been their city rivals Adams and Stoney Creek which they have really struggled against. According to Snooze2you he has the Falcons playing Stoney Creek which would be an interesting matchup but I’m seeing from a playoff point perspective is Rochester traveling to Macomb Dakota to play the Cougars which would be a much tougher matchup. The Falcons will have it tough either way in the postseason whether they stay close or go east.

Groves: The Falcons needed a win over their arch rivals to get into the postseason and got it with a 14-7 win over Seaholm last week. There are a few options for Groves to see where the MHSAA puts them for the postseason. They could have a rematch with Seaholm again which is very possible. Others say they could play Warren Mott which I don’t think is likely. As a sleeper, it could be Farmington which could be a very interesting matchup. Either way there are options to see where Coach Brendan Flaherty’s team go this postseason.

Seaholm: The Maples have been really struggling in the last two weeks but they are in the postseason. It depends whom they could see but it will likely be in front of the Maple Forest. Some of the experts are projecting Ferndale which would be a very interesting matchup but there are others that see a rematch with arch rival Groves. Either way it’s a tough matchup for Seaholm but if Coach Jim DeWald’s team can find that magic that got them their unbeaten record prior to playing Farmington then the Maples could be in for a long postseason run.

Farmington: The Falcons really blew their chance at getting a home game with a 35-28 loss to Utica last week. The experts have Coach Jason Albright’s team either heading to Waterford or to Temperance. If they head to Temperance it’s a tough matchup especially with the travel from I-275 to I-75 in Monroe County or the MHSAA could be very nice to Farmington and send them north to Waterford to play Waterford Mott. The Corsairs are solid and have a very good quarterback. Groves could be a possible sleeper if the MHSAA sends them that way. Either way it’s a tough matchup for the Falcons whether they go south or north.

Troy: The Colts are a very interesting team to see where they go this postseason. They had a home game with Chippewa Valley but was embarrassed by the Big Reds last season. Troy has several options where the MHSAA could send them. The most likely outcome could be is that they head south to Dearborn to play the Pioneers. Other possibilities included to send them west to play West Bloomfield or even east to deal with Macomb County although it’s not likely. Likely Coach Chris Fraiser’s team could head to Dearborn which is a very interesting matchup but in a district with Southfield Arts and Tech and Detroit Cass Tech yikes.

Ferndale: The Eagles were the last team in Division Two after their 54-21 win over St. Clair Shores Lake Shore on Friday night. Ferndale has several places where they could go into the postseason. According to Snooze2you’s postseason map he has them going to Seaholm to play the Maples. I see them heading to Livonia to play Livonia Franklin. Either way it’s a very tough matchup for Coach Eric Royal and his program but there is a reason why the Eagles have played a really difficult non league schedule which included Grand Rapids West Catholic and for that reason.

Avondale: The Yellow Jackets are in the postseason for the second straight year in Division Three but it is looking to be a tough task. Looking at their possible postseason opponents, they will likely be at Dick Bye Field facing Birmingham Brother Rice. If they were to get by the Warriors then they would play Walled Lake Western in the district finals, either way it will be a tough matchup for sure if that happens but Birmingham Brother Rice will be a very tough challenge like they were last season for Coach Corey Bell and Avondale.