Pallone’s 2023 State Championship Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's kickoff week, which means time for predictions! This is such as fun week of eager anticipation and low-stakes predictions. Here, I'll be predicting the State Championship winners from Divisions 1-5. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 1 - Belleville</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's right. I have Belleville completing the 3-peat in Michigan's most difficult division. There are a few other teams that can compete, but still, no team is close to the talent at Belleville. [player_tooltip player_id='247690' first='Bryce' last='Underwood'] is heading into his 3rd season as the Tigers signal caller, and he's propelled himself to the #1 ranked prospect in the entire country. Front 7 pieces, such as [player_tooltip player_id='187999' first='Jeremiah' last='Beasley'], Nathaniel Johnson, Lamar Fairfax, and [player_tooltip player_id='247683' first='Cailin' last='Scott'] will dominate nearly every team in Michigan. Other skill players like [player_tooltip player_id='251363' first='Kevin' last='Simes'], [player_tooltip player_id='188011' first='Renzo' last='Jennings'], and [player_tooltip player_id='251370' first='Colbey' last='Reed'] round out the best roster in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 2 - De La Salle</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>De La Salle is still the best Division 2 team on paper. Even without several 2023 graduates, De La Salle will be the favorite to win the catholic league and once again sweep the Division 2 playoffs. Muskegon is my definite #2 team in Division 2, and we're lucky enough to see Muskegon and DLS face off on September 1st. Caledonia is also in the state championship conversation after a Cinderella run to the Division 1 finals last season. A Caledonia-Muskegon playoff matchup is actually quite probable. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pivoting back to De La Salle, they've got all the momentum and talent to build a true dynasty. They still have amazing talent up and down the roster, and even though this is a Division 2 team, the DLS football program may be the largest in Michigan. I feel that DLS should roll to the state finals, and they'll face a tough matchup in the actual State Title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 3 - Mason</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the most wide open division. I feel that Mason's leadership, talent, and overall experience give them an edge against just about any team in D3. Specifically, you have QB [player_tooltip player_id='589851' first='Cason' last='Carswell'], RB [player_tooltip player_id='254032' first='AJ' last='Martel'], and LB/TE [player_tooltip player_id='1124466' first='Kaleb' last='Parrish'] leading this team. The best players on Mason are the needle-movers, though I also know they have phenomenal role players and a team chemistry that is unmatched. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As for the rest of D3, I could easily see Detroit MLK, Forest Hills Central, DeWitt, River Rouge, or Zeeland West winning the State Championship. This is truly the most wide-open division in all of Michigan, and it's going to be extremely fun to watch it play out! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 4 - Goodrich</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is another pretty wide-open division, though I have Goodrich earning a state title. This is a team that lives and dies with their physicality, and that's exactly how they pulled off upsets on the way to last year's title game. Better yet, they have a good amount of returners alongside great Varsity newcomers such as [player_tooltip player_id='568050' first='Jakoby' last='Lagat']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other teams I can see winning the title are Whitehall, South Christian, Unity Christian, Portland, and Harper Woods. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 5 - GR Catholic Central</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is still Catholic Central's championship to lose. This team shockingly lost to Gladwin in last year's playoffs, and the Flying G's blazed their own trail to a State Championship victory. This season, Catholic Central is more experienced, has one of the best offenses in Michigan regardless of division, and a great defense. The QB/RB Duo of [player_tooltip player_id='188030' first='Connor' last='Wolf'] and [player_tooltip player_id='533709' first='Kellen' last='Russell-Dixon'] may be the best duo in all of Michigan. New weapons at receiver further complement this unit, and the offensive line is amazing as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The #1 challenger of Catholic Central will be West Catholic, who look like a re-emerging dynasty. West Catholic and Catholic Central are destined to face off early on in the postseason, and that should be a legendary game to watch. I'll have to say, Gladwin, Frankenmuth, and Corunna are other teams that I could see hoisting the championship trophy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->