Division 1 Preseason Predictions

Get 30% off your subscription by using Pallone30 in the coupon code area!   Welcome to my first iteration of Division preseason breakdowns! As the season approaches, I'll be publishing many preview-based articles discussing each division. These articles will dive into general division previews, preseason breakout candidates, preseason all-state teams, and more!   This is more of a unique article to this site, as I'm focusing on team previews and who I feel has the best chance to make the Final 4. Look out for in-depth player-based articles tomorrow!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 1</h2>   Preseason Breakdown   Michigan's Division 1 is undergoing a lot of changes this coming season. With a loaded 2023 senior class, teams like Finalist Caledonia moving to D2, and more than a few prominent transfers, much of this division is wide open. That being said, I firmly believe there to be two teams who come into this season as heavy championship favorites, with many other great teams also in the mix. If the bracket is structured the same as last season, I also think that Regions 3 and 4 will have significantly more real contenders than Regions 1 and 2.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region Winners (Semifinals)</h2>   Region 1 - Rockford   I predict Rockford will win Region 1, though I would not be surprised if another OK-Red team took their place. Looking at the Rams, they come into this season with many question marks. A new QB, new receivers, and a ton of other graduating 2023 talent can be worrisome, though they've proved year after year that this is a program that reloads and never rebuilds. The Rams schedule is extremely tough, with early-season tests against Mona Shores, Caledonia, and West Ottawa, with other extremely tough matchups with East Kentwood and rival Grandville later in the season. There is a chance they hit a few bumps in the road early in the season, but with their stellar coaching staff alongside a ton of promising talent, I expect them to peak late.   Star Players   QB - [player_tooltip player_id='1122536' first='Drake' last='Irwin']   LB/RB - Ryan Ahern   T - [player_tooltip player_id='618833' first='Alex' last='McPhee']   TE/DE - [player_tooltip player_id='253242' first='Lucas' last='Bassham']   DT - [player_tooltip player_id='899577' first='Zane' last='Panchula']   S - [player_tooltip player_id='602426' first='Isaac' last='Poot']   Region 2 - Davison   Region 2 is a real doozy. If this region remains the same as last year, we'll have the majority of the OAA and Saginaw South D1 teams. Considering that pool of teams, I see a ton of contenders with no major standouts. If I had to pick, I'd go with Davison.   Heading into this season, I see a ton of returning talent that will bode well for Davison. They have a ton of returners on defense, including a few potential D1 players. Offensively, they return one of the best running backs in the state, with a few incredible young pieces at OL, WR, and QB. I feel that Davison is a great pick for Region 2, considering the returning talent alongside well-known varsity newcomers. They'll still have to prove themselves against the best of the OAA Red, though on paper, they are better than all of last year's Region 2 teams.   Star Players   ILB - [player_tooltip player_id='80934' first='Carter' last='Herriman']   RB - [player_tooltip player_id='602282' first='AJ' last='Hill']   DE - [player_tooltip player_id='80935' first='Tyler' last='Dosh']   S - [player_tooltip player_id='665564' first='Ricky' last='Diazgranados']   T - [player_tooltip player_id='212356' first='Ben' last='Nichols']   QB - [player_tooltip player_id='119260' first='Jaxson' last='Dosh']*   Region 3 - Belleville   Surprise, surprise! All jokes aside, Belleville comes into this season as the favorites to win yet another State Championship- even after their crazy offseason full of coaching changes and a huge graduating class, they still have the #1 player in the nation with other D1 talent. I fully expect Belleville to dominate the KLAA once again, with multiple prime matchups in the postseason. The bottom-half of the bracket last year was an absolute gauntlet, but the only team to come out was Belleville, and I'd frankly be shocked if anyone not named Cass Tech beats them.   Star Players   QB - [player_tooltip player_id='247690' first='Bryce' last='Underwood']   RB - [player_tooltip player_id='251370' first='Colbey' last='Reed']   LB - [player_tooltip player_id='187999' first='Jeremiah' last='Beasley']   DB - [player_tooltip player_id='188011' first='Renzo' last='Jennings']   DT - Lamar Fairfax Jr   (Etc)   Region 4 - Cass Tech   Cass Tech is truly on par with Belleville this season, and my gut says the Technicians have a slight edge over Belleville. Although Cass has some transfers, positions to replace, etc, I truly believe they are better than Belleville when it comes to current coaching. When it comes down to tight games late in the postseason, coaching can be the difference maker. Cass comes into this season, like any season, with many Division 1 prospects, perhaps the best defense in Michigan, with an offense that's bound to explode. I expect this team to go far and finally return to the state championship.   Star Players   ATH - [player_tooltip player_id='212358' first='Corey' last='Sadler'] Jr   OL - [player_tooltip player_id='557747' first='Khalief' last='Canty'] Jr   DE - [player_tooltip player_id='437914' first='John' last='Baker'] IV   ATH - [player_tooltip player_id='284285' first='Cashus' last='Shivers']   (Etc)   Most Underrated Team - Grandville   The Grandville Bulldogs have an amazing opportunity to achieve greatness this season. They've been an under the radar team in the OK-Red- with teams like Caledonia and Rockford dominating this league in the recent past. With Cal moving to D2 and Rockford replacing some key players, Grandville is in a prime position to take the OK-Red and finally move far in the postseason with a ton of great talent. The bulldog defense is always swarming, while their offense looks incredibly dangerous with [player_tooltip player_id='206418' first='Jayden' last='Terry'] and [player_tooltip player_id='875978' first='Cash' last='Ruff']. Seriously- I believe Grandville could make a State Championship run this season IF a few less-notable players step up.   Star Players   QB/ATH - [player_tooltip player_id='875978' first='Cash' last='Ruff']   RB - [player_tooltip player_id='206418' first='Jayden' last='Terry']   LB - [player_tooltip player_id='602455' first='Reid' last='Graverson']   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 1 Tier-List Ranking</h2>   Teams ranked from tiers 1-6 (no particular order in tiers)   Tier 1 - Championship Favorites   Belleville, Cass Tech   Tier 2 - Championship Contenders   Rockford, Grandville, Davison, Clarkston, Saline, West Bloomfield, DET Catholic Central, Southfield A&T, Dakota, Chippewa Valley, Romeo   Tier 3 - Dark Horse Contenders   East Kentwood, Brighton, Lake Orion, Rochester Adams, AA Huron   Tier 4 - Solid Playoff Teams   Dearborn, Lapeer, Anchor Bay, Northville, Stoney Creek, Holt   Tier 5 - Fringe Playoffs   Bloomfield Hills, Canton, Novi, Woodhaven, Fordson, Howell, Hudsonville, Livonia Stevenson, L'Anse Creuse North, Rochester, Troy, Troy Athens, GR Union   Tier 6 - Outside Playoffs   AA Pioneer, AA Skyline, Edsel Ford, DET Western, Fraser, Grand Haven, Jenison, KZoo Central, KZoo Norrix, Monroe, Oxford, Plymouth, Salem, John Glenn, Walled Lake Northern, Taylor, Utica   High Ceiling Low Floor (Unsure where to rank)   Grand Blanc, SH Stevenson, Grand Ledge, Lakeview

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