Way too early 2022 State Championship picks for Divisions 1-5
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Prep Redzone isn’t so much in the business of hot takes and predictions, but every once in a while I just can’t help myself. The offseason has already felt like an eternity, so why not look ahead to 2022 even…
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Continue ReadingPrep Redzone isn’t so much in the business of hot takes and predictions, but every once in a while I just can’t help myself. The offseason has already felt like an eternity, so why not look ahead to 2022 even before the schedules/divisions are released? Here are my picks for the 2022 State Championships.
D1: Belleville wins a classic against West Bloomfield
The Belleville Tigers turned a corner this past season, finally bringing talent and teamwork together as a cohesive unit. As Head Coach Jermain Caldwell said, Belleville turned a corner this year, and the biggest difference was the team cohesiveness. In other words, it wasn’t a ton of elite athletes wanting to take over a game, but a group of elite athletes acting together as a team. I see them squeaking out of the ultra-talented Region 4 and facing a similarly talented West Bloomfield squad.
As for West Bloomfield, they’re the one team that I see improving out of the quarterfinalists in Regions 1 and 2. In 2021 they were a young team with a new coach and faced some adversity, though they were still moments away from yet another semifinal appearance. Overall, I see Adams, Rockford, and Grand Blanc taking a step back in 2022, leaving West Bloomfield with the advantage.
D2: De La Salle repeats, taking down Mona Shores
I flat out don’t see anybody in Division 2 defeating De La Salle this upcoming season. In 2021, De La Salle went 13-0, sweeping the Catholic league and dominating the playoffs. They did all of this with a team that is returning most of its top talent heading into 2022. I fully credit Head Coach Dan Rohn for the quick return to form for the Pilots, as he won championships with West Catholic, but is continuing his legacy at De La Salle.
I expect Mona Shores to return to their usual selves in 2022. This past season was a bit of a hiccup though they still placed 2nd in the OK-Green, having only lost to Muskegon, Detroit MLK, and Caledonia. Mona Shores brings back a ton of talent with top-class coaching. Still, I expect them to fall short against a special De La Salle team.
D3: Muskegon stuns Detroit MLK
Muskegon is another team that had a “down year” in 2021, having fallen short in the District Finals against Cedar Springs. This coming season, Muskegon returns plenty of talent with an elite-looking offensive line, the #1 RB in the state, a new QB that is going to turn heads, and an elite defense. Looking at Regions 1 and 2, Muskegon is a team I see taking a leap, while I expect DeWitt to regress, with most other teams being unproven.
Detroit MLK is an elite squad. With names like Dante Moore Dante Moore 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Detroit King | 2023 State MI and Johnathan Slack Johnathan Slack 6'3" | 260 lbs | OL Detroit King | 2023 State MI , you know they’re going to be excellent yet again. They were one of those teams that were insanely balanced on both sides of the ball and didn’t have a weakness. They’re able to pass it with their 5-star QB, run it with their elite offensive line, and stop the run and pass on D. They’re the defending state champions and will likely be favored to repeat, but this will be difficult for King with the star power in Regions 3 and 4, with an amazing team waiting for them in the Championship.
D4: Edwardsburg outlasts Freeland
This is admittedly my least confident pick, but I am confident that Edwardsburg will be quite good once again in 2022. Last year, they ran into a historic Unity Christian team full of amazing seniors. Though Edwardsburg will be returning more starters than both Unity Christian and Chelsea, the 2021 finalists. They should have an elite rushing attack with a great-looking offensive line and a stud running back, Brett Allen. Although, I see Regions 1 and 2 being extremely competitive. There are many teams that I could see having cinderella stories, and Unity Christian will always be a big threat.
Freeland surprised a lot of people in 2021, and in 2022 they’ll prove that they are legit. They retain a good amount of talent, including standout ’25 athlete Brayden Petre Brayden Petre 5'9" | 150 lbs | ATH Freeland | 2025 MI . As well as some key defensive pieces. Freeland very nearly snuck into the playoffs after a heartbreaking loss to Chelsea, though I think Freeland can reach the promised land in 2022. Though like Regions 1 and 2, Regions 3 and 4 are going to be very competitive.
D5: Catholic Central 4-peats in a rematch against Marine City
Even with the departure of Nolan Ziegler Nolan Ziegler 6'4" | 205 lbs | DB Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2022 State MI , John Passinault, and others, I still believe Catholic Central will win their 4th-straight State Title. QB Connor Wolf Connor Wolf 6'3" | 180 lbs | QB Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2024 State MI is going to be handed the keys to the offense in what is an incredibly anticipated season for the potential D1 prospect. Also, like every year, someone will step up and stand out mightily for Catholic Central. Just look at their record and the way they dominated the playoffs. Their closest playoff game was decided by 19 points.
I expect Marine City to improve heading into 2022, and they could compete until the bitter end against Catholic Central. Looking back at the 2021 championship, Marine City trailed by just 3 points with 0:19 to go in the 3rd quarter. Then suddenly, Nolan Ziegler Nolan Ziegler 6'4" | 205 lbs | DB Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2022 State MI happened.