Week 7 Rapid-Fire Rundown

Week 7 had a lot of extremely crucial games when it comes to the playoffs. The postseason is right around the corner, and every game mater a LOT for these bubble teams.   Here, I'll share my quick thoughts on 30 of the biggest games of the week.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Big North</h2>   (7-0) Petoskey defeated (5-2) Marquette, 28-23   An extremely underrated game and one of the biggest "up north" matchups of the year. Petoskey has had some good momentum for a few years now, and I truly hope to see them make a deep playoff run sometime in the next couple of years! [player_tooltip player_id='586189' first='Haden' last='Janes'], [player_tooltip player_id='586188' first='Seth' last='Marek'], and [player_tooltip player_id='899583' first='Korbin' last='Sulitis'] are great seniors leading this Petoskey program to success.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Capital Area</h2>   #9 East Lansing defeated #12 Lansing Everett, 39-26   From what I saw, Everett led for much of this game. Truly a phenomenal season Everett is having, and big props for getting close to defeating one of the best in D2. I'm always impressed by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='603746' first='Mason' last='Chadwell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='603752' first='Kharon' last='Turnley'] for Everett.   As for East Lansing, this is a solid win against a hot opponent. I'm not sure if Jace was healthy for this game, but either way, Everett is no pushover. I'm excited to see how far this team can go this postseason.   Okemos defeated Coldwater, 21-14   Okemos wins their second of the season! Love the momentum this program is building.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Catholic League</h2>   (3-4) Detroit Country Day defeated (1-6) UofD Jesuit, 16-9   A decent measuring stick game for both teams.   Toledo Central Catholic defeated (4-3) St. Mary's, 7-6   St. Mary's isn't going anywhere in my Division 2 Rankings. They're currently ranked #2 and will stay there. I genuinely think they're a step above Groves, and this backs up my opinion.   (4-2) De La Salle defeated (2-5) Brother Rice, 42-21   An expected win for De La Salle. Guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1217538' first='Jacob' last='Tur'] secure the defensive front, while Pheonix Glassnor and many others are consistent players on offense.   On the other hand, Brother Rice is quickly picking up steam. I'm impressed they were able to put 21 on De La Salle! Freshmen receivers Tyler Trussel and [player_tooltip player_id='977483' first='Jerrimiah' last='Cross'] are looking as good as advertised.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Downriver</h2>   (5-2) Trenton defeated (6-1) Allen Park, 13-6   This Trenton defense looks amazing! They've just beat Carlson and Allen Park in back-to-back games, which is a very impressive feat. This mixes up the playoff picture significantly, and I'm extremely curious to see how far Trenton can go this postseason.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jack Pine</h2>   (4-3) Standish-Sterling defeated (6-1) Ogemaw Heights, 27-25   This was a super surprising outcome! Was it an off night for Ogemaw Heights, or a sign of significant improvement for Standish-Sterling? No matter the case, this practically secures a playoff spot for Standish-Sterling.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">KLAA</h2>   (3-4) Dearborn defeated (3-4) Livonia Stevenson, 45-34   I'm not sure what to make of either team. Both seem like solid D1 teams, though they'll probably run into Belleville in the first or second round of the postseason.   (5-2) Fordson defeated (3-4) Westland Glenn, 42-26   Wait, Fordson is 5-2? Plus, their two losses are against a very good Dakota team in addition to Livonia Franklin. Fordson is on the up and up, and I really hope to see the Tractors compete for State Championships in the next couple of years.   Glenn, on the other hand, has had a very tough schedule. I had honestly hoped they'd come closer to a W. Still, they're a solid D1 team who may sneak into the playoffs!   (7-0) Howell defeated (5-2) Novi, 35-21   Okay, okay. It's probably time for me to rank Howell higher. This team is in the midst of a special season, and I cannot wait to see how far they go in the postseason.   Let's not count out Novi for the rest of this season. This is an improved team with some good young talent. Novi should still make the postseason.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lakes Valley</h2>   (7-0) Walled Lake Western defeated (5-2) Milford, 35-0   If you don't have WLW ranked #1 in Division 3, you aren't paying attention. I mean, wow. Milford is a GOOD football team. To shut them out is extremely impressive, and I'd bet I'll see WLW at Ford Field.   (5-2) Lakeland defeated (3-4) South Lyon, 28-21   This was a great measuring stick game for both programs. Honestly, Lakeland slightly underperformed, while South Lyon slightly overperformed. These are two teams that are deserving of a postseason bid, but I don't see either team making a big run.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">MAC Red</h2>   (3-4) Chippewa Valley defeated (3-4) Anchor Bay, 24-21   Look at Chip Valley picking up some steam! This team is obviously playing with a ton more confidence. A few weeks ago, it didn't look like they'd make the postseason. Now, they have a great shot.   Anchor Bay on the other hand has been a very inconsistent team. They live and die by their offense, and if they don't score 30+, they'll probably take an L.   (3-4) Romeo defeated (3-4) SH Stevenson, 28-21   A classic great MAC Red Matchup. Not too much else to say here. Both programs could make noise in the playoffs, if they make it in.   (6-1) IKE defeated (6-1) Dakota, 21-14   A few explosive plays for IKE made all the difference. I thought Dakota was the more physical team, but IKE had the better athletes, and those athletes broke free a couple of times. [player_tooltip player_id='247687' first='Conner' last='Temple'] had an incredible game. On the other side, [player_tooltip player_id='1157440' first='Elijah' last='Goins'] impressed me.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">OAA</h2>   Blue   #24 (D2) North Farmington defeated #14 (D2) Seaholm, 24-23   What a game! If I hadn't been busy on Thursday, I would have highly considered attending this game. These looked like two very evenly matched teams. It's no surprise that Seaholm was able to put up some points, but I'm impressed by North Farmington's offensive performance. This puts the OAA Blue into much tighter contention!   Seaholm QB [player_tooltip player_id='1298714' first='Patrick' last='Hughes'] had a solid game with two touchdown passes, while [player_tooltip player_id='1529728' first='Wesley' last='Billings'] hit a FG from 40-yards out.   On the NF side, Duke Blanch secured the game-winning interception, and QB [player_tooltip player_id='1148721' first='Terrance' last='James'] had a MONSTER game. Great athlete who I need to look at more closely.   Red   #9 (D1) Oxford defeated #8 (D1) West Bloomfield, 38-14   This solidifies my opinion of both teams. West Bloomfield, without a doubt, is the more talented team, but Oxford is, without a doubt, the better-coached team. Look out for Oxford this postseason! This is truly a State Championship sleeper.   Lake Orion defeated Clarkston, 20-13   How the heck am I going to rank the OAA Red? The parity of this league is crazy.   Gold   Avondale defeated Berkley, 49-7   Avondale will win the Gold, and I'd argue they deserve a promotion to the Blue. On the other hand, Berkley has not looked decent in a long time.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ottawa-Kent/RCA</h2>   Black   (7-0) GR Northview defeated (5-2) GR Catholic Central, 12-3   I'd bet that Northview blitzed the heck out of CC. That's how you beat this team. Blitz, blitz, blitz. I still don't know how good Northview is, and we'll see in the postseason. As for GRCC, I think they'll run into a brick wall (West Catholic) and have an early playoff exit.   Gold   (7-0) Unity Christian defeated (4-3) South Christian, 50-21   UC looks like they could be on a state-championship path. Truly amazing run they're on! South Christian is still a very good team but lacks the star power they had last season.   (6-1) Byron Center defeated (3-4) Forest Hills Northern, 51-24   Another very strong win for Byron Center. A very dangerous team heading into the postseason, and the bracket may be very favorable for them. The Bulldogs may have one of the easier paths to Ford Field!   Northern falls again, and all of their losses have been against great opponents. They should win against Northview and Union to head to the postseason.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Red</h2>   (6-1) Hudsonville defeated (3-4) Grandville, 35-16   Another great win for Hudsonville and a ton of momentum heading into the postseason. This team could realistically make it to Ford Field!   Grandville showed some flashes, but the defense undoubtedly looks worse than in years past.   (3-4) Jenison defeated (4-3) Caledonia, 33-20   GREAT win for Jenison. Seriously when this team is ON, you can't count them out.   Caledonia doesn't look amazing this season. Still a good team, just needs to retool.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">White</h2>   (5-2) West Catholic defeated (5-2) Forest Hills Eastern, 24-23   An incredible game that I would have been at if not for a can't-miss game on the East Side. Both teams could make state championship runs. West Catholic very likely wins the OK White!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">River Cities</h2>   (4-3) Kenowa Hills defeated (5-2) Coopersville, 43-41   An amazing win for Kenowa Hills. [player_tooltip player_id='572246' first='Grayson' last='Fellows'] looks great, and all of Kenowa Hills looks far, far improved from last season.   Coopersville is going to be OK. They're still a very solid playoff team.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Saginaw Valley</h2>   (6-1) Midland defeated (4-3) Saginaw Heritage, 28-13   This is now five straight wins for Midland. Even better, it came against a strong Saginaw Heritage team. Midland will undoubtedly face their toughest fight in the postseason, and I'm really looking forward to whoever that matchup is against!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">SEC</h2>   (4-3) Temperance Bedford defeated (2-5) Ann Arbor Huron, 31-20   Great win for Bedford. This gives them a much better shot at making the postseason! Huron looks like they've taken a step back this season. Hopefully next season will be a return to form.   (5-2) AA Pioneer defeated (1-6) AA Skyline, 33-30   A solid win for Pioneer, but I just can't rank them with their awful strength of schedule.

Week 7 had a lot of extremely crucial games when it comes to the playoffs. The postseason is right around the corner, and every game mater a LOT for these bubble teams.