Division 1 Playoff Picture heading into Week 7
As crazy as it sounds, it’s almost time for the postseason in Michigan High School Football. With that, Division 1 is always among the most competitive divisions, and I don’t think there’s much doubt that it’s the most talented. This…
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Continue ReadingAs crazy as it sounds, it’s almost time for the postseason in Michigan High School Football. With that, Division 1 is always among the most competitive divisions, and I don’t think there’s much doubt that it’s the most talented. This article will outline whos likely IN and who’s on the fringes heading into week 7.
Current Standings, Based on Playoff Points(10/6/22)
- Brighton
- Caledonia (tie)
- Rockford (tie)
- Dakota
- Belleville
- Lapeer
- Chippewa Valley
- Saline
- West Bloomfield
- Southfield A&T
- Rochester Adams
- Utica Eisenhower
- Davison
- Clarkston
- Grandville
- Northville
- DET Catholic Central
- Romeo
- Grand Ledge
- Novi
- Hartland
- Dearborn
Last 10 in
23. Troy – 51.5
Final 3 games: Royal Oak, Athens, Fraser
Honestly, Troy plays in an average conference that they should be dominating as a Division 1 program. They WILL squeak into the playoffs with a weak backend of their schedule, but Whiteside and co will have to play worlds better than they are now in order to win playoff games.
24. Huron – 51.2
Final 3 games: Skyline, Linclon, Holt
On paper, Huron should win at least two out of three of their remaining games, which will be enough for the playoffs. This is a playoff-worthy team with a close loss against Dexter and a competitive game against Saline.
25. Holt – 47.1
Final 3 games: Everett, East Lansing, Huron
Now this is interesting. This is a Holt team that has won the games they’ve been supposed to win but flopped against their best opponents. On paper, Everett should be a W, while East Lansing and Huron will be especially difficult. The most likely scenario is a W against Everett tomorrow, a loss against East Lansing, then a playoff-deciding matchup against Huron.
26. Woodhaven – 47.0
Final 3 games: Roosevelt, Anderson, Carlson
Woodhaven should win their matchup against Roosevelt, while Anderson and Carlson are two evenly-talented programs with winning records. Honestly, I could see Woodhaven winning all three of these games, and I could also see them losing all three. If they win 2/3, they should be good, but if they lose to both Anderson and Carlson, they’ll be in trouble.
27. Grand Blanc – 46.3
Final 3 games: Arthur Hill, Davison, Romeo
This is not the same Grand Blanc team as last year, though this team has shown some flashes. Unfortunately, I don’t see the Bobcats defeating Davison (#13) or Romeo (#18), who are both playoff locks. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the Bobcats won’t make the postseason, as the current Playoff Point format awards teams for playing strong competition. The #32 team last season squeezed into the playoffs with 53.667 points, so I expect Grand Blanc to either barely make it or barely miss it.
28. East Kentwood – 45.5
Final 3 games: West Ottawa, Hudsonville, Grandville
If EK makes the playoffs, it will be earned. If they don’t make the playoffs, they didn’t earn it. This is a historically great team that plays in one of Michigan’s most demanding leagues, and their final 3 games include two other playoff hopefuls, as well as the current #15 team, Grandville. If EK can win against West Ottawa and Hudsonville, they’re golden, and they’ve earned it. The fun thing about East Kentwood is that I can see them going 3-0, 0-3, 1-2, or 2-1 in these final 3 games.
29. Lake Orion – 45.2
Final 3 games: Clarkston, North Farmington, Saline
Lake Orion has an extremely interesting road ahead. I’ll just say it- Clarkston will probably be a loss. But then they head to North Farmington, who’s one of the most inconsistent programs in the state, but when they’re good, they’re really good. Then you have Saline. Although Saline is an undefeated program with a wealth of talent, I can definitely see LO beating them. Let me explain. Lake Orion plays in the OAA Red, which in my opinion, is the toughest league in the state. The Southeastern Red isn’t easy, but it’s without a doubt that Saline has played an easier schedule than Lake Orion. I could see Lake Orion upsetting Saline, giving them a playoff spot.
30. Livonia Stevenson – 43.2
Final 3 games: Belleville, Churchill, TBA
Stevenson is not going to come close to defeating the defending D1 state champion. Sorry. Churchill should be a W, and if they win during week 9, they should squeak in.
31. West Ottawa – 42.2
Final 3 games: East Kentwood, Caledonia, Jenison
I’m impressed by this young program, and I think this week against East Kentwood will make or break their playoff odds. I may attend their matchup against EK. We’ll see.
32. Grand Rapids Union – 41.5
Final 3 games: Holland (FFW), Zeeland East, Zeeland West
I have not been shy about this; I love GR Union, and I hope they make the postseason for the first time in over 20 years. Holland is a foreign W, while Zeeland East should be close, while Zeeland West will be an extremely tough game. The overwhelming most likely outcome of their season will be 5-4, with a loss win against East and a loss against West to close out the season. This will probably get them into the playoffs, but you just don’t know until everything plays out. (Two 5-4 teams were out of the playoffs last year)
First 10 out
Howell – 41.0
With their remaining games being against Novi and Brighton, Howell has slim chances of making the postseason.
Cass Tech – 40.6
How shocking would Cass Tech missing the playoffs be? It would surely stir up some controversy. If they make the playoffs, they’re an automatic championship contender. This should be interesting to see play out, but I think they’ll make it.
Troy Athens – 40.5
With remaining matchups against Pontiac, Troy, and Utica Ford, Athens has a great opportunity to go 3-0 or 2-1 and make the postseason, which I think they probably will. Could they win against one of the best teams in D1 during round 1 of the playoffs? No.
Anchor Bay – 40.2
Final three games are against Stevenson, Roseville, and Stoney Creek. Like East Kentwood, I believe Anchor Bay will either earn a ticket in or deservingly sit out the playoffs. They’ve played fierce competition and have come close against great teams like Utica Eisenhower, but this is a talented team that will really have to make a playoff push. Can they do it? I think so.
Stoney Creek – 40.2
Final three games include Adams, Rochester, and Anchor bay. Geesh. Adams is a very likely loss, while Rochester and Anchor bay will be close games. I expect Stoney Creek to win one or two out of three of their remaining games.
Rochester – 39.3
Groves, Stoney Creek, and DET Renaissance. I can truly see Rochester going 0-3 or 3-0 here. It’s not ideal that they only have 39.3 playoff points when they likely need 15 more points to get in. It’s going to be an incredibly close finish for Rochester.
Hudsonville – 38.8
Oh, Hudsonville. This was an extremely vocal and confident team at the beginning of the season, and I saw a ton of publications receive hear for “underrating” this program. In reality, they’ve performed exactly how I thought they would, and hey, they still have a shot at the postseason. They face Rockford tomorrow, which probably won’t go well, but they can for sure secure wins against East Kentwood and Grand Haven if they play well. I’m no statistics expert, and I’m having trouble finding a playoff points calculator, so all I can tell you is that they will surely be one of the last 5 in or the first 5 out when it’s all said and done.
John Glenn – 37.2
Tomorrow’s matchup against Dearborn will probably make or break their season.
Jenison – 36.2
The Wildcats are set to play Grandville, Rockford, and West Ottawa to close out the season. Sorry, but Jenison will not make the playoffs this season.
Sterling Heights Stevenson – 33.2
It’s crazy that a 1-5 team is still in playoff contention, but Stevenson has what might be the most difficult schedule in Michigan. Anchor Bay is a winnable game, and Fraser is a likely win. Even then, they’ll be facing Rochester Adams during their final week.