Division 2 Regional Finals Preview
The DII District finals have just concluded, cutting the field in half and making way for 4 incredible regional finals matchups. There are many recruits to watch and team storylines to be continued or concluded, so let’s dive deep into…
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Continue ReadingThe DII District finals have just concluded, cutting the field in half and making way for 4 incredible regional finals matchups. There are many recruits to watch and team storylines to be continued or concluded, so let’s dive deep into each matchup.
Regional Finals
#4 Traverse City Central @ #3 Caledonia
I’ll be attending this game as I believe it to be the best West Michigan matchup. Traverse City Central has perhaps the best, most game-changing athlete in the state, Joshua Burnham Joshua Burnham 6'3" | 205 lbs | LB Traverse City Central | 2022 State MI . He’ll be the X-factor as Caledonia comes in scoring 34.6PPG while giving up just 12.8PAPG. Traverse City produces a massive 48.8PPG with 12.8PAPG, though with a slightly worse strength of schedule than Caledonia.
Players to watch – Joshua Burnham Joshua Burnham 6'3" | 205 lbs | LB Traverse City Central | 2022 State MI , Samuel LaLonde, Carson Bourdo, Andrew DeVries Andrew DeVries 6'2" | 270 lbs | OL Zeeland East | 2022 State MI , Mason McKenzie, Owen Graham
#11 Portage Central @ #2 South Lyon
South Lyon has had a sensational season and they come in as the heavy favorites. South Lyon has rolled through their schedule which included lots of good teams, and that has been led by Jr. RB Tommy Donovan. As for Portage Central, they’re led by a very nice running game and rush defense.
Players to watch – Quinn Fracassi Quinn Fracassi 6'1" | 165 lbs | WR South Lyon | 2022 MI , Tommy Donovan, Dawson Skupin Dawson Skupin 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB South Lyon | 2022 MI , Tyler Stolsky Tyler Stolsky 6'3" | 215 lbs | LB Portage Central | 2022 State MI , Josh Sturgeon, Cross Watson Cross Watson 6'5" | 270 lbs | OL Portage Central | 2022 State MI
#25 Livonia Franklin @ #24 Waterford Mott
It’s uncommon that two teams in the bottom half of the playoff rankings advance all the way to the final 8, but that’s exactly what’s happened after each of these teams has 2 close road playoff wins. Mott is headlined by one of the best offensive linemen in the Lakes Conference, CJ Aldred, and one of the best defensive backs, Ashton Tong Ashton Tong 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Waterford Mott | 2022 MI . Livonia Franklin on the other hand comes out of the elite Kensington Lakes conference, where they’ve fared decently against D1 talent. I expect this game to be awfully close.
Players to watch – Ashton Tong Ashton Tong 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Waterford Mott | 2022 MI , CJ Aldred, Kalieb Osborne, Zac Olesuk Zac Olesuk 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Livonia Franklin | 2022 MI , Cordell Mabins Jr, Seth Todd
#27 Roseville @ #1 De La Salle
De La Salle is far and wide considered to be the favorite to win the state championship and for good reason. They’re an all-around great team with little to no weaknesses. Roseville is no joke though, as they have their own unique talent, especially on defense. I expect this to be a close first-half matchup, but I eventually expect De La Salle to run away with this one.
Players to watch – Brady Drogosh Brady Drogosh 6'5" | 205 lbs | QB De La Salle | 2023 State MI , Will Beesley Will Beesley 5'11" | 205 lbs | DB De La Salle | 2022 State MI , Mason Muragin Mason Muragin 6'4" | 245 lbs | DL De La Salle | 2023 State MI , Tyrell Henry Tyrell Henry 6'0" | 160 lbs | ATH Roseville | 2022 State MI , Malachi Clark Malachi Clark 6'2" | 285 lbs | DL Roseville | 2022 State MI , Huston Eubank Huston Eubank 6'2" | 195 lbs | LB Roseville | 2024 State MI