Recapping the Division 1 District Finals + Regional Preview

The MHSAA Division 1 District Finals were played last night and we saw a good mix of great games and blowouts. As a result, we have 4 incredible regional finals matchups that should all be amazing. Let’s recap the District finals and quickly preview each Regional Final matchup.  District Finals Results #1 Rockford defeats #26 Grandville 38-7 This is a statement win for the Rams as the past 2 matchups between these squads went into multiple overtimes. Zak Ahern Zak Ahern 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Rockford | 2022 State MI played out of his mind last night throwing 2 TD’s with 229 rushing yards and 3 rushing TD’s. #4 Grand Blanc defeats #17 Howell 49-28 Grand Blanc is on a historic run already having won more games (11) in a single season in their 102-year history. Elijah Jackson-Anderson Elijah Jackson-Anderson 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Grand Blanc | 2022 State MI had a great day with over 150 all-purpose yards. #5 Rochester Adams defeats #21 Oxford 42-7 Either Oxford was still riding the high of their upset win against Clarkson, or Rochester Adams is just that good. I’ll go with the ladder here. Adams displayed an unstoppable offense with a smothering defense, and this game was over at halftime. Adams is the team to beat in the playoffs and they’ve got a headline matchup next week. Parker Picot was as exceptional as usual. #7 West Bloomfield defeats #9 Catholic Central 35-21 West Bloomfield won a very competitive matchup against the winners of the catholic league. Michigan State commit Dillon Tatum Dillon Tatum 5'11" | 180 lbs | ATH West Bloomfield | 2022 State MI proved to be too much for the shamrocks as he rushed for 3TD’s and 180 yards. DT Michael Beydoun proved to standout for the shamrocks as he jumped on a fumble, plus a tipped pass INT. #20 Dakota defeats #2 Romeo 35-20 Here’s our one big upset as Dakota gets their revenge, knocking out one of the state championship favorites. This game was incredibly close through half 1, but Dakota pulled away towards the end of the game, impressively putting up 35 on Romeo’s defense. Keyone Nixon Keyone Nixon 5'10" | 170 lbs | DB Macomb Dakota | 2022 State MI played a major role in limiting the Romeo offense, especially late in the game. #11 Sterling Heights Stevenson defeats #18 Chippewa Valley 38-35 This was by far the D1 game of the week. Both teams exploded on offense, with a late field goal ultimately deciding the outcome. Jordan Ramsey Jordan Ramsey 5'9" | 185 lbs | RB Stephenson | 2022 State MI played excellent for Stevenson totaling over 170 rushing yards with at least 2TD’s. #6 Belleville defeats #24 Canton 41-0 A total beatdown. This game was over at the end of the 1st quarter and Canton never stood a chance. Arkansas commit Myles Rowser Myles Rowser 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Belleville | 2022 State MI played excellently. #12 Fordson defeats #16 Woodhaven 34-14 This was the game of the week according to many media outlets, but the Tractors ended up running the Warriors into the dirt. Fordson is legit with a bounty of D1/D2 talent. QB Alex Osman Alex Osman 6'0" | 195 lbs | QB Fordson | 2022 MI balled out in the big win. Regional Preview #4 Grand Blanc @ #1 Rockford I’ve had the opportunity to see both of these teams play this season, and this is a game that’s truly hard to pick. Both teams have very similar offensive and defensive production, as Rockford averages 39.8PPG and 14.8PAPG while Grand Blanc averages 36.7PPG and 14.2PAPG. Players to watch - Elijah Jackson-Anderson Elijah Jackson-Anderson 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Grand Blanc | 2022 State MI , Cross Dobbs Cross Dobbs 6'3" | 205 lbs | LB Grand Blanc | 2022 MI , Dylan Hertzberg, Zak Ahern Zak Ahern 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Rockford | 2022 State MI , Kade Kostus Kade Kostus 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Rockford | 2022 State MI , Alex McLean #7 West Bloomfield @ #5 Rochester Adams These teams met in week 1 in what was at the time a huge upset victory for Adams. The roles are flipped now, as West Bloomfield travels to Adams as my slight underdog. Adams is having their best season since 2007 and they have a great shot at going all the way this season. As for West Bloomfield, they’re obviously an established giant in Michigan High School Football and they look to earn yet another semifinal appearance. Players to watch - Parker Picot, Joey Shallow, Griffin Henke, Dillon Tatum Dillon Tatum 5'11" | 180 lbs | ATH West Bloomfield | 2022 State MI , Kyle Johnson Kyle Johnson 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB West Bloomfield | 2022 MI , Amir Herring Amir Herring 6'3" | 255 lbs | OL West Bloomfield | 2023 State MI #20 Dakota @ #11 Sterling Heights Stevenson These two Macomb-Red teams met in week 5 and it saw Stevenson come away with a 31-16 victory. Here’s a very intriguing matchup as Dakota is red hot right now, while Stevenson is riding high and steady. It should be interesting to see who comes out with the win here. Players to watch - Aiden Dale, Keyone Nixon Keyone Nixon 5'10" | 170 lbs | DB Macomb Dakota | 2022 State MI , Michael Pittiglio Michael Pittiglio 6'5" | 235 lbs | DL Macomb Dakota | 2023 MI , Biagio Madonna Biagio Madonna 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Stephenson | 2022 MI , Jordan Kwiatkowski Jordan Kwiatkowski 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB Stephenson | 2022 State MI , Donavin Patrick #12 Fordson @ #6 Belleville Here’s a game with immense amounts of Power-5 talent. These teams met in week 5 where Belleville came away with the 21-19 victory. These are two incredible programs with incredible coaching staffs who both desperately want an elusive state title. The star power will come out, and I’m really looking forward to seeing Arkansas S Myles Rowser Myles Rowser 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Belleville | 2022 State MI face off against Michigan State commit Antonio Gates Jr Antonio Gates Jr 6'3" | 185 lbs | WR Fordson | 2022 State MI . Players to watch - Antonio Gates Jr Antonio Gates Jr 6'3" | 185 lbs | WR Fordson | 2022 State MI . , Kamarii Landers, Alex Osman Alex Osman 6'0" | 195 lbs | QB Fordson | 2022 MI , Myles Rowser Myles Rowser 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Belleville | 2022 State MI , Jeremiah Caldwell Jeremiah Caldwell 6'3" | 175 lbs | ATH Belleville | 2022 State MI , Aaron Alexander Aaron Alexander 6'1" | 205 lbs | ATH Belleville | 2022 State MI