Division 1 Playoff Preview + Predictions

The Division 1 field is as wide open as I've ever seen. I have a ton of thoughts about every Round 1 Matchup, and I'd like to share those thoughts here.   Here is my official D1 Playoff Preview, plus predictions of every Round 1 matchup!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">REGION 1</h2>   District 1   #5 Hudsonville vs. #24 East Kentwood   My Pick: Hudsonville   These two teams met this season, and Hudsonville came out on top 35-6. In fact, I was at that game. The game was close for about a quarter. After that, Hudsonville established its will on defense and earned a few explosive plays on offense. I think [player_tooltip player_id='247638' first='Ethan' last='Carter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1291326' first='Connor' last='Brintnall'] are the best linebacker duo in the state. On top of that, guys like [player_tooltip player_id='824330' first='Carson' last='Dykstra'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1290565' first='Griffin' last='Baker'] have taken a big step up.   East Kentwood has a path to victory, but they'll probably have to turn this game into a track meet. The main issue I saw with EK last time around was the trenches. Against a good defensive line, the offensive line doesn't do well. So, QB [player_tooltip player_id='570285' first='Kayd' last='Coffman'] and WR [player_tooltip player_id='1244363' first='Ahman' last='Edmonds'] need to be on point. Defensively, they need to stop the explosive plays.   #12 Rockford vs. #16 Grandville   My Pick: Rockford   Rockford has won eight straight against Grandville, and I don't see the tides turning now. Rockford has a boatload of talent, and they've played well since their middle-of-the-season skid. In fact, I probably would've ranked them higher if it weren't for the loss to Jenison. I think the gameplan against Grandville is clear, but in order to make a State Championship run, Rockford needs high-level play from guys like [player_tooltip player_id='913846' first='Brayden' last='Daniels'] and [player_tooltip player_id='602430' first='Kade' last='Friesen'].   Like I say every year, there's a path for Grandville to make the State Championship. To do that, they NEED to win the close games, which they've been historically bad at. The entire team needs to play at a high level. [player_tooltip player_id='899574' first='Ethan' last='Newville'] should make plays on both sides of the ball, while [player_tooltip player_id='206418' first='Jayden' last='Terry'] has to break a few runs. Everything from the blocking, tackling, and coaching needs to be on-point. There's a shot and I'd love to see it- but I'm still going to take Rockford.   District 2   #2 Howell vs. #30 Kalamazoo Central   My Pick: #2 Howell   I slept on Howell like the media sleeps on Jared Goff. Their win against Belleville was nothing short of spectacular. What a win, what a team, and I don't see anyone having as much confidence as Howell. [player_tooltip player_id='247645' first='Bobby' last='Kanka'] is an absolute bully, [player_tooltip player_id='899487' first='Justin' last='Jones'] is a highly underrated player, and the team as a whole is playing so, so well. Book Howell's ticket to the Regional Finals.   #20 Brighton vs. #29 Grand Ledge   My Pick: #20 Brighton   I am confident in Brighton here. Both teams have their fair share of losses, but Brighton undoubtedly has the better resume. Brighton has won against #21 Northville and lost by a field goal to #26 Novi. On the other hand, Grand Ledge has lost by 3+ scores to every playoff team they've faced. I see [player_tooltip player_id='1298663' first='Lawrence' last='Wells'] having a great day against Grand Ledge.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">REGION 2</h2>   District 1   #14 Grand Blanc vs. #28 Lapeer   My Pick: #14 Grand Blanc   These two teams met this season, and Grand Blanc took a solid 35-21 win. Just like last time, this should be a high-scoring game.   Grand Blanc is coming into the playoffs with some confidence. They just upset Davison, but they just got upset vs. #13 Romeo. If the Romeo game said anything about this team, it's that Grand Blanc struggles against a great defense. Lucky for them, they won't face one this week, and I'd actually be rooting for a Davison rematch if I were them.   #15 Davison vs. #10 Oxford   My Pick: #15 Davison   I believe that Davison matches up well with Oxford, and I think they'll come away with the Round 1 Win.   Davison is pretty well-tested at this point. Their only two losses have been against #3 (D2) De La Salle and #14 Grand Blanc. Plus, in all games except one (Week 1), they've scored at least 35 points. Granted, I think the defense needs a lot of work, but they can go just about anywhere and score at will. I think Oxford is great against the run, but I don't think they'll go great against a well-coached passing offense. For Davison, [player_tooltip player_id='119260' first='Jaxson' last='Dosh'] will need to play mistake-free football. On top of that, defensive players such as [player_tooltip player_id='1312088' first='Warren' last='Cain'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1312103' first='Jayden' last='Lockhart'] need to find a way to stop the run consistently.   Oxford has the better strength of schedule, and they've proven they can win against a wide variety of teams with different strengths and weaknesses. However, against an elite speed-in-space / passing offense (IKE), they lost 33-16, and against an elite run offense (Dakota), they lost 28-0. When they play a team that's elite in one area, they don't tend to do well. In order to do well this weekend, defenders like [player_tooltip player_id='1529556' first='Dean' last='Rice'] need to have a day defending the run and pass. On top of that, RB [player_tooltip player_id='602107' first='Luke' last='Johnson'] and K [player_tooltip player_id='899642' first='Drew' last='Cady'] will play critical roles in this game. On top of that, Oxford has a truly amazing home-field advantage, and it's a huge disadvantage to travel to Davison.   District 2   #18 Rochester Adams vs. #22 Stoney Creek   My Pick: #22 Stoney Creek   I had to pick at a few upsets, right?   A few weeks ago, Adams barely escaped Stoney Creek, winning 21-13. Low-scoring games are normal for Adams, and winning them is commonplace. However, I can't explain other than a gut feeling that Stoney Creek will pull off the upset.   Zero turnovers and Adams will likely win. [player_tooltip player_id='1113055' first='Rowan' last='Kawa'] needs to pancake some dudes, while Matteo Humbert needs to find some explosive runs.   Stoney Creek needs to find balance, and generally improve on everything they already did well last time around.   #11 Lake Orion vs. #4 Clarkston   My Pick: #4 Clarkston   Either of these teams could realistically make it to Ford Field. I think whoever wins this game will make it to the semifinals at the very least.   To add even more excitement, Lake Orion won their in-season matchup 20-13.   The stakes couldn't be higher. Clarkston needs excellent games out of Griffin and [player_tooltip player_id='1148720' first='Lukas' last='Boman']. They both need to play a very physical game. [player_tooltip player_id='566988' first='Zack' last='Radlick'] also needs to move people and open up lanes for the run game. I am extremely impressed by Clarkston's dominant win over #6 IKE, they have a ton of momentum heading into the postseason, and maybe most importantly- they have a great playoff track record.   Lake Orion has a chance to redeem last season. In 2023, Lake Orion was this year's Howell. They had a dominant undefeated regular season, but they were cut short by a Clarkston in the second round. Even though they already won against Clarkston, I guarantee there's still plenty of extra motivation to take down the Wolves.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">REGION 3</h2>   District 1   #3 Belleville vs. #32 Ann Arbor Pioneer   My Pick: #3 Belleville   What can I say? Belleville has the most talented roster in Michigan, while Pioneer is only in the playoffs because they got a ton of playoff points from the Saline situation. I frankly see Belleville dominating this game.   #21 Northville vs. #9 Saline   My Pick: #9 Saline   We don't really know how good Saline is. They had to forfeit their first three games, while the rest of their schedule outside Lake Orion was a cakewalk. Still, I 100% trust [player_tooltip player_id='568192' first='Tommy' last='Carr'] and co. to put up a ton of points against Northville. On top of that, they have the defensive talent to make it a game against anyone. Saline has state-championship potential, but I honestly can't say the same about Northville this season.   District 2   #1 Detroit Catholic Central vs. #27 Livonia Stevenson   My Pick: Catholic Central   Detroit Catholic Central comes into the postseason as my D1-ranked team. I honestly don't think they're the most balanced or talented team, but they've been consistently out-coaching teams. They've won against De La Salle, Harper Woods, St. Mary's, Toledo Central Catholic, King, and others. [player_tooltip player_id='1148715' first='Samson' last='Gash'] may win Mr. Football, while Detroit Catholic Central has a fantastic shot to get to the State Championship.   #26 Novi vs. #17 West Bloomfield   My Pick: #17 West Bloomfield   This is a battle of two highly inconsistent teams.   I have West Bloomfield winning, but they need to play far better than they have been in order to make a run. They beat #11 Lake Orion, but lost to #18 Adams, #10 Oxford, and #1 (D2) Groves. This team has struggled to find consistency, but guys like [player_tooltip player_id='247643' first='Beau' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1148696' first='Travis' last='Robertson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='913876' first='Obi' last='Duru'] should easily out-talent Novi.   It's been a solid year for Novi, but I think their run comes to an end here. They've lost three straight after starting the season 5-1, and they've really struggled against playoff teams. I think West Bloomfield is a step up from most of the teams they've faced.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">REGION 4</h2>   District 1   #8 Cass Tech vs. #19 Sterling Heights Stevenson   My Pick: #8 Cass Tech   This has a chance to be a phenomenal game! It just depends on what version we get of each team.   Cass Tech seems to have improved a lot throughout the year. After early-season losses to #12 Rockford and Detroit King, Cass Tech has now won five straight, including a 30-14 revenge game versus King. An insane amount of talent, a big winning streak, and a ton of seniors highly motivated to get to Ford Field.   Stevenson can definitely win this game- they just have to play great football. I'm especially looking forward to seeing how QB Andrew Knight fares. They've been competitive against #6 IKE, #7 Dakota, and #13 Romeo. This'll be the hottest and most talented team they've faced all season, but I say they're due for a big win. Let's see if Stevenson can pull off the upset!   #23 Fordson vs. #25 Dearborn   My Pick: #23 Fordson   This game is a coin flip. One of the best rivalries in Michigan! I personally have Fordson winning, mainly because of the in-season outcome in addition to general history. Not much goes into my pick, and I simply have a gut feeling for Fordson!   District 2   #7 Dakota vs. #31 Utica   My Pick : Dakota   Two weeks ago, Dakota beat Utica 35-0. That should be all you need to know.   Well, I will give you a little more reasoning. Dakota is an incredibly physical team, and they easily dominate the trenches against lesser teams. Their only loss has been against #6 IKE, and they just beat #10 Oxford 28-0. I would be absolutely blown away if Utica pulls off this upset.   #6 IKE vs. #13 Romeo   My Pick: IKE   Anyone can beat anyone in the MAC Red, but IKE has undoubtedly been a step ahead of every team they've faced this season (minus #4 Clarkston).   [player_tooltip player_id='1113032' first='Bryce' last='Hurley'], [player_tooltip player_id='566878' first='Braylon' last='Burnside'], and [player_tooltip player_id='247687' first='Conner' last='Temple'] make up an elite group of offensive weapons. I don't love their O or D line, but they easily win in other ways. On top of that, IKE beat Romeo 28-7 earlier this season. It would be fun if Romeo won, but they'll need to play stellar defense while earning a few explosive plays on offense.

The Division 1 field is as wide open as I've ever seen. I have a ton of thoughts about every Round 1 Matchup, and I'd like to share those thoughts here.