2021 State Championships Overview

The field has been set. The 2021 State Championships at Ford Field are set and ready to go, and here I’ll quickly go over each matchup with a much more in-depth analysis for each matchup coming later this week. <strong>(D1) Rochester Adams vs Belleville</strong> These teams couldn’t be more different. Adams plays old school, keep away ground and pound football while Belleville utilizes a much more spread out offense with their division 1 college talent. Belleville averages 39.5PPG and 11.1PAPG, while Adams averages 31.4PPG and 12.1PAPG. Both have statistically comparable offenses, but the key to this game will undoubtedly be how well the veer offense works against Belleville’s defense. <strong>Players to Watch -</strong> <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11569423">Christian Schomer</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/7806998">Parker Picot</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/9810401">[player_tooltip player_id="164642" first="Alex" last="DeGrieck"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14672901">[player_tooltip player_id="93771" first="Aaron" last="Alexander"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12798261">[player_tooltip player_id="30160" first="Jeremiah" last="Caldwell"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13233592">[player_tooltip player_id="30174" first="Cameron" last="Dyson"]</a> <strong>(D2) De La Salle vs Traverse City Central </strong> Both of these teams have had virtually no resistance getting to the state championship. Traverse City Central has averaged over 50 points per playoff contest while giving up just under 15 points. De La Salle has officially got their swagger back, having just demolished Roseville and Groose Pointe South, two incredibly talented teams. This is a matchup that I am incredibly excited about. <strong>Players to Watch -</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="30131" first="Joshua" last="Burnham"], <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11392903">Carson Bourdo</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11392933">Kadyn Warner</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12865973">[player_tooltip player_id="186875" first="Brady" last="Drogosh"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11580115">[player_tooltip player_id="99351" first="Alton" last="McCullum"], </a><a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11276094">[player_tooltip player_id="30205" first="Will" last="Beesley"]</a> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>(D3) DeWitt vs Detroit Martin Luther King</strong></span> This is the matchup everyone is talking about and for good reason. Two incredibly talented teams will square off on Saturday night, our last state championship contest to be decided. Both teams have been dominating the competition and both teams have power-5 talent. Circle it, star it, do whatever with it. This will be a great game to watch after we all watch our Wolverines beat Ohio State. <strong>Players to Watch -</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="30211" first="Tommy" last="McIntosh"], <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11382237">Nicholas Flegler</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11382226">[player_tooltip player_id="80519" first="Ty" last="Holtz"]</a>, [player_tooltip player_id="30316" first="Dante" last="Moore"], <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13190183">[player_tooltip player_id="30317" first="Johnathan" last="Slack"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13190028">[player_tooltip player_id="30148" first="Lynn" last="Wyche-El"] Jr</a> <strong>(D4) Unity Christian vs Chelsea</strong> Unlike the matchups above, we have a clear favorite in this one. Unity Christian will likely break the state record for points scored in a single season, and they’re coming off a statement 58-8 win over powerhouse Edwardsville. Chelsea is by no means a bad team as they’re 13-0 but they’ve come out on top in some close wins in the regional and semifinal rounds, while Unity Christian has left every team in the dust. Chelsea needs a stellar game plan, while Unity Chrisitan may go down as one of the most dominant Michigan teams in history. <strong>Players to Watch - </strong><a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10020341">Ryan Shinabery</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10050709">Drew Chandler</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13955079">Cam Chandler, </a><a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/4553588">[player_tooltip player_id="159900" first="Carson" last="Gray"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11268638">Nolan Sinkwitts, </a><a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11329239">Russell Sullivan</a> <strong>(D5) Grand Rapids Catholic Central vs Marine City</strong> This is a matchup that is very intriguing to me. Marine City is coming off a win against Portland, who earlier in the season upset DeWitt. Catholic Central on the other hand is a established name in D5 as they’ve won 4 state championships in the past 5 years. Catholic Central has the superior coaching and talent, though Marine City is undefeated and have had very little resistance. I’m excited for this one. <strong>Players to Watch -</strong> <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11204803">[player_tooltip player_id="30137" first="Nolan" last="Ziegler"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11259676">John Passinault</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14434569">Kellen Russell-Dixon</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/8438067">[player_tooltip player_id="30256" first="Charles" last="Tigert"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10215288">Tyler Woznak</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/8447120">Kaden Chapman</a> <strong>(D6) Warren Michigan Collegiate vs Lansing Catholic</strong> The D6 bracket has been pretty competitive, and both of these teams had to win some close games to earn a ticket to Ford Field. Both teams are compatible on offense and defense, talent level, strength of schedule, etc. This matchup looks to be incredibly close and this should be exciting. <strong>Players to Watch - </strong><a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11615808">[player_tooltip player_id="30226" first="Tre" last="Redding"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13180742">Deshaun Parkman</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13798252">Jaylen Snead</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12009943">[player_tooltip player_id="30257" first="Alex" last="Watters"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13126422">Brandon Lewis</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11524848">[player_tooltip player_id="30291" first="Mason" last="Knippen"]</a> <strong>(D7) Lawton vs Pewamo-Westphalia</strong> The two semifinal matchups lived up to the hype both being 1-score games, and the survivors of those two play for a state title. This is history for Lawton as they’ve won their first district championship, regional championship, and now they’re on their way to Ford field for the 1st state championship against an established Pewamo-Westphalia team. I’ve got nothing more to say other than this one is going to be great, and expect to see a detailed preview very soon. <strong>Players to Watch -</strong> <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14440012">Aiden O’Brien</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12564807">Jake Rueff</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14440019">Jace Riggs</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11409910">[player_tooltip player_id="30220" first="Tanner" last="Wirth"]</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11646650">Joshua VanAlstine, </a><a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13167705">Troy Wertman</a> <strong>(D8) Beal City vs Hudson</strong> D8 has been equally as competitive as D7 and we’ve got a great one on tap here. This could be a battle of the defenses as both squads are playing phenomenally on that end. This has all the makings of an instant classic and I can’t wait to watch! <strong>Players to Watch - </strong><a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12905018">Matt Oswald</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12968364">Cade Block</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11420358">Hunter Miles</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14491948">Payton Rogers</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13384379">Logan Sallows</a>, <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13430354">Easten Strodtman</a>