Written Sunday October 26th at 6:25 PM
Will have more on these matchups on the podcast.
HARPER WOODS vs Macomb Lutheran North: The Pioneers are hoping to put last week's 21-17 win over Mason behind them. Harper Woods has two monster road wins at Clarkston and Saline but they will have everyone coming to Beaconsfield Street until the State Semifinals. The Pioneers should have no issue with anyone in their district (Center Line or Harper Woods Chandler Park) but they could if or when Dearborn Divine Child comes to Harper Woods. This set up bodes well for the Pioneers.
WATERFORD MOTT at Midland Dow: This was a matchup that I thought of earlier in the week with the Corsairs then I thought, this is a great matchup for Waterford Mott despite having to go to Midland Community Stadium. The Chargers have not played the schedule that Waterford Mott with their only loss coming to Mount Pleasant. This should be a very interesting matchup for Coach Tra'Jan Seay and the Corsairs. Travel is key for Seay, the earlier north the better especially with traffic on Interstate 75 and US-10. Whoever wins this matchup will get either East Lansing or Lakeland in the district finals which if it's Waterford Mott, it's a great matchup for them.
NORTH FARMINGTON vs Orchard Lake St. Marys: This is a rematch of a 42-7 Eaglets blowout at Ron Holland Field last season. The Eaglets have been strong but so has been the Raiders. North Farmington does have some experience which helps but this is a very tough matchup for the Raiders seeing Orchard Lake St. Marys. Whoever wins will see either Walled Lake Western or Birmingham Brother Rice. This is going to be a tough matchup for the Raiders.
GROVES vs Warren Mott: This was a likely possibility with the Falcons seeing the Marauders in the first round. Groves has really performed well despite losing a ton of experience. Whoever wins this game will see Seaholm or Warren Cousino in the district finals. This is a great matchup for the Falcons having two home games in Beverly Hills. They would not have home field if they have to play Grosse Pointe South.
SEAHOLM at Warren Cousino: This was a likely matchup and a great draw for the Maples. Warren Cousino has not played a team that runs the veer like Seaholm which this game really interesting despite it being in Warren. Whoever wins this game will see Groves or Warren Mott in the district finals. This is a great matchup as mentioned for Seaholm.
WEST BLOOMFIELD vs Brighton: The Lakers have a very interesting matchup with the Bulldogs. Brighton is very physical. If West Bloomfield can get by Brighton then they would be looking at Novi Detroit Catholic Central in a rematch of a 41-14 Shamrocks win in the district finals over the Lakers last season. This will not be an easy matchup though for West Bloomfield.
ADAMS vs ROCHESTER: The Falcons had things rough in the middle of the season and they needed to win against Monroe which they did to get into the postseason. Rochester will have a rematch with arch rival Adams which makes this very interesting. The Highlanders won 31-3 in week two and has beaten the Falcons 29 straight times (last Rochester win was 1996.) This should be a very interesting matchup with the winner seeing Stoney Creek or Utica Eisenhower in the district finals.
STONEY CREEK vs Utica Eisenhower: These are two schools that are separated by five miles. The Eagles will be taking the short trip to Stoney Creek to play the Cougars. This is not the same Utica Eisenhower program as in the past. Stoney Creek has been on an upward trajectory. Getting a home game is huge for the Cougars when experts had them being sent to Romeo or Adams but this is a much better matchup for Stoney Creek seeing a rival to the east and sending them west. This should be a fun matchup with the winner getting Adams or Rochester in the district finals.
FARMINGTON vs Dearborn Fordson: The Falcons are in Division One and got a home game out of it playing the Tractors of Dearborn Fordson. This is a good matchup for Coach Jason Albrecht and Farmington with Dearborn Fordson having to travel and has a new coaching staff. Whoever wins this matchup will have Detroit Cass Tech or Northville in the district finals.
OXFORD at Grand Blanc: The Wildcats will get a chance to get some revenge when they head back into Genesee County and play Grand Blanc. The Bobcats beat Oxford 29-7 in the district finals last season. The Wildcats will have to contend with a lethal Grand Blanc offense that can give anyone problems. The winner will play Clarkston or Davison in the district finals. This will be a very tough matchup for Oxford.
CLARKSTON vs Davison: These are two teams that are no strangers to one another. The Wolves have won four of the last five meetings with three of them being in the postseason. The Cardinals have a stout offense and the defense has been solid under former Waterford Mott coach Chris Fahr but Clarkston is a different animal, having played a tougher schedule than Davison. The Wolves have home field which helps which they could have Grand Blanc, Oxford, or Novi Detroit Catholic Central having to come to Clarkston. Home field and having the most postseason points helps the Wolves but can they get it done is the question. The Wolves need to be careful of the Cardinals because Grand Blanc could loom in the district finals pending if they don't get beat by Oxford and down the road Novi Detroit Catholic Central is there as well.
