Division 1 Preseason Predictions
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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!
Division 1
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.
Region Winners (Semifinals)
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 – Drake Irwin Drake Irwin 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Rockford | 2024 State MI
LB/RB – Ryan Ahern
T – Alex McPhee Alex McPhee 6'5" | 295 lbs | OL Rockford | 2024 State MI
TE/DE – Lucas Bassham Lucas Bassham 6'2" | 200 lbs | DL Rockford | 2024 State MI
DT – Zane Panchula Zane Panchula 6'5" | 290 lbs | DL Rockford | 2025 State MI
S – Isaac Poot Isaac Poot 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB Rockford | 2025 State MI
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 – Carter Herriman Carter Herriman 6'1" | 205 lbs | LB Davison | 2024 State MI
RB – AJ Hill AJ Hill 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Davison | 2025 State MI
DE – Tyler Dosh Tyler Dosh 6'0" | 225 lbs | DL Davison | 2024 State MI
S – Ricky Diazgranados Ricky Diazgranados 6'1" | 165 lbs | DB Davison | 2024 State MI
T – Ben Nichols Ben Nichols 6'6" | 325 lbs | OL Davison | 2026 State MI
QB – Jaxson Dosh Jaxson Dosh 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Davison | 2026 State MI *
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 – Bryce Underwood Bryce Underwood 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Belleville | 2025 State MI
RB – Colbey Reed Colbey Reed 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Belleville | 2024 State MI
LB – Jeremiah Beasley Jeremiah Beasley 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Belleville | 2024 State MI
DB – Renzo Jennings Renzo Jennings 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Belleville | 2024 State MI
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 – Corey Sadler Corey Sadler 5'10" | 170 lbs | ATH Cass Tech | 2026 State MI Jr
OL – Khalief Canty Khalief Canty 6'5" | 305 lbs | OL Cass Tech | 2026 State MI Jr
DE – John Baker John Baker 6'4" | 200 lbs | ATH Cass Tech | 2025 MI IV
ATH – Cashus Shivers Cashus Shivers 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH Cass Tech | 2025 State MI
(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 Jayden Terry Jayden Terry 5'8" | 175 lbs | RB Grandville | 2026 State MI and Cash Ruff Cash Ruff 6'4" | 205 lbs | ATH Grandville | 2024 State MI . Seriously- I believe Grandville could make a State Championship run this season IF a few less-notable players step up.
Star Players
QB/ATH – Cash Ruff Cash Ruff 6'4" | 205 lbs | ATH Grandville | 2024 State MI
RB – Jayden Terry Jayden Terry 5'8" | 175 lbs | RB Grandville | 2026 State MI
LB – Reid Graverson Reid Graverson 5'8" | 180 lbs | LB Grandville | 2025 State MI
Division 1 Tier-List Ranking
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