State Championship Schedule and Rapid-Fire Rundown
Here’s a quick rundown of all eight state championship games! Friday 10:00 AM – Ubly vs. Whiteford This D8 matchup concludes a long road for both teams. Ubly comes in with the better statistical defense, while Whiteford has been killing…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingHere’s a quick rundown of all eight state championship games!
Friday
10:00 AM – Ubly vs. Whiteford
This D8 matchup concludes a long road for both teams. Ubly comes in with the better statistical defense, while Whiteford has been killing it on offense. In typical D8 fashion, the run game is strong for both teams and this will be a slugfest.
Ubly | Whiteford | |
PPG | 44 | 50.5 |
PAPG | 10.25 | 18.25 |
Strengths | Run game, Defense | Run game, O Line |
1:00 PM – De La Salle vs. Forest Hills Central
De La Salle was the heavy championship favorite heading into this season, and they have not disappointed. On the flip side, FHC was an underdog all year, and they’ve time and time again defied the impossible. It’s notable that FHC faced a much more difficult postseason schedule to arrive at Ford Field. I think that FHC matches up with DLS way better than Traverse City Central did last season, so I imagine this game will be closer.
De La Salle | Forest Hills Central | |
PPG | 43.75 | 26.5 |
PAPG | 7.25 | 15.25 |
Strengths | Big-play ability, elite coaching, experience | Run defense, deep ball defense, Efficiency |
4:30 PM – Negaunee vs. West Catholic
An interesting D6 matchup. On paper, West Catholic is the favorite. They win in the trenches, have an elite RB in Timmy Kloska Timmy Kloska 6'0" | 220 lbs | RB Grand Rapids West Catholic | 2023 State MI , and are overall very well-coached. Negaunee is a bit of a mystery to me since they play in the NW half of the UP. On film, West Catholic simply looks stronger and seems like they’ll win in the trenches, but we’ll see.
Negaunee | West Catholic | |
PPG | 30.75 | 40.5 |
PAPG | 6 | 11.25 |
Strengths | Run game, run defense | Run Game, Overall Defense |
7:30 PM – South Christian vs. Goodrich
A very exiting matchup with two teams of destiny. This is the best South Christian and Goodrich team I can remember, and both teams went through a gauntlet to get to this moment. Goodrich is still a bit of a mystery to me even after their demolishing of St. Mary’s, while I know how gritty South Christian is. This should be a legitimately great game!
South Christian | Goodrich | |
PPG | 32.75 | 35.75 |
PAPG | 17 | 17.25 |
Strengths | Winning close games, Run game, Physicality | Play Action, Run game, Overall D |
Saturday
10:00 AM – St. Francis vs. Lumen Christi
Two teams that have been historically very good, but St. Francis will be the favorite here. Lumen Christi is not far behind, as these two teams met earlier this season, where St. Francis won 42-35.
St. Francis | Lumen Christi | |
PPG | 52.25 | 25.75 |
PAPG | 8.5 | 5 |
Strengths | These boys are huge | Defense |
1:00 PM – Caledonia vs. Belleville
Perhaps the most anticipated game of the weekend. Belleville returns to Ford Field, while Cal is a newer team in the mix, now three years departed from the Wing T. Cal took a grueling road to get here as they were the underdog in two of their four playoff games. Belleville faced some amazing teams and most recently survived overtime over Cass Tech.
Caledonia | Belleville | |
PPG | 31.25 | 40.5 |
PAPG | 13.25 | 20.5 |
Strengths | Improvisation, Defense, Grit | Big plays, Pass game, Overall D |
4:30 PM – Gladwin vs. Frankenmuth
This was not the game anyone expected in the preseason. Gladwin has proved their wings and took down the goliath that is Catholic Central, while Frenkenmuth has looked dominant. I expect this to be a very close game, and I don’t know who I expect to win.
Gladwin | Frankenmuth | |
PPG | 37 | 42.75 |
PAPG | 18.5 | 3.25 |
Strengths | Pass D, physicality | Run Game, overall D |
7:30 PM – Muskegon vs. King
This is the game that many are going to be most excited for. These are two blue-bloods that want it and want it badly. This will be a great opportunity for Muskegon to get scout looks.
Muskegon | King | |
PPG | 45 | 40.25 |
PAPG | 16 | 18 |
Strengths | Improvisation, O Line, Speed | Pass game, Pass Rush, Speed |