Playoff Matchups.

Written Sunday October 25th at 7:42 PM

Here are the playoff matchups for the first round.

CLAWSON at Clinton: The Trojans were thought to have a home game but instead have to go west to Clinton to take on the Red Wolves. Clinton has had a ton of high scoring games but so has Clawson. This is shaping up to be a very interesting game.

HARPER WOODS vs Warren Fitzgerald: The Pioneers are coming off a tough 24-18 loss to Mason last week and still have problems against teams that want to slow down like Chelsea and Mason did against them. The Spartans are not that type of team. It could also set up Harper Woods vs Detroit Martin Luther King in the district finals next week. This should be an interesting game to see what happens.

WATERFORD MOTT at Chelsea: The Corsairs are into the postseason and have another tough postseason matchup for Coach Tra'Jan Seay. Last season it was Midland Dow this season it's Chelsea. The Bulldogs are well coached under former Lowell Coach Noelle Dean and they run the Wing T offense which slowed Harper Woods down and eventually led them to win 29-20 in week one over the Pioneers. Time possession football has been Chelsea's calling card. Waterford Mott will be tested defensively in this matchup.

FERNDALE vs North Farmington: This should be a very interesting game and see if Coach Donovan Jackson's team has truly arrived. The Eagles made a statement win over Groves winning 22-17 last week but winning a playoff game is the next step. Ferndale should be tested against a former OAA member in North Farmington. The Raiders are well coached under Coach Jon Herstein and has been consistent in the Lakes Valley Conference. This should be a fun matchup and clearly Jackson has this program heading in the right direction at Ferndale.

GROVES at Orchard Lake St. Marys: This is a rematch of a 2024 Division Two State Semifinal matchup in the first round. The Falcons lost 22-17 to Ferndale last week which is likely why they are in this game. The Eaglets have been up and down and are a powerhouse. This will be a tough matchup for Coach Brendan Flaherty and the Falcons that is for sure. 

SEAHOLM at St. Clair Shores Lakeview: This is a very interesting matchup of two teams that run almost similar styles. The Maples run the veer offense while the Huskies run the Wing T offense. There should be a ton of running in this matchup of two teams that love time possession football.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS at CLARKSTON: The Black Hawks are back in the postseason for the first time since the 2017 season (pandemic doesn't count) but they will have a really tough matchup with the Wolves who are starting to click again. Clarkston is deep, athletic, and have the top seed in their region. Bloomfield Hills in the postseason will help into the future especially the younger guys who will get an extra week of practice which clearly Coach Scott Merchant has this program heading in the right direction.

GRAND BLANC vs Hartland: The Bobcats are riding with a lot of confidence ever since coming back from 24-0 down to beat Macomb Dakota 31-24 last week. The Eagles are coming off a 30-23 comeback win over Dearborn Fordson last week. Grand Blanc has a ton of depth and athleticism. Hartland has experience and is huge up front. This should be a very interesting game.

OXFORD vs DAVISON: The Wildcats are coming off a 56-24 loss to Romeo where the defense was exposed in the worst way possible. The Cardinals are coming off a 49-0 win over Lapeer last week. This should be a very interesting matchup in the trenches. Oxford has a lot of experience and Davison is a relativity young team. This should be a fun game between a current vs a future OAA member at Wildcat Stadium.

LAKE ORION at Novi Detroit Catholic Central: The Shamrocks could be the best team in Division One with all the talent they have despite not having their starting quarterback. They have a really good running back who could be Mr. Football. They are coming off a very tough 31-25 overtime loss to Birmingham Brother Rice last week. The Dragons are coming off a tough 42-14 loss to Saline last week and been battling a ton of injuries to key players. Lake Orion will have it tough against Novi Detroit Catholic Central that is for sure.

NORTHVILLE vs Brownstown Woodhaven: The Mustangs are coming off a tough 35-22 loss to Howell last week getting a home game in the postseason which always helps. Northville went to Detroit Cass Tech and was blown out 46-3 in the first-round last season now they are welcoming the team that upset Belleville in Woodhaven last season. Coach Brett Luplow has done a nice job with the Mustangs and it's an interesting matchup to say the least.

STONEY CREEK vs Macomb L'Anse Creuse North: The Cougars are dealing with injuries especially at quarterback. Stoney Creek used the last two weeks to turn things around and they have done that for Coach Rick Powell. They welcome a Lancers team that has really improved under former Sterling Heights Stevenson Coach Justin Newcombe. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North played Rochester and fell in week one while the Cougars beat Rochester in week seven. This should be a very interesting matchup to say the least.

ADAMS vs Utica: The Highlanders have had a strong season which included big time wins including a dramatic 23-22 win over Oak Park last week. Utica is coming off a tough 21-20 loss to Seaholm. It's another veer offense the Chieftains will see but it's the masters of the veer offense Utica will see with Adams.

ROCHESTER vs Macomb Dakota: The Falcons get a home postseason game but a horrible draw which if they get by the Cougars which is a tough matchup then they would play Romeo in the district finals. Macomb Dakota blew a 24-0 lead against Grand Blanc last week. It should be a crazy atmosphere in Rochester, but the challenge is that much tougher.