Division 2 Semifinal Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm more excited about these Division 2 Semifinals than I've ever been for any semifinals, period. All four of these teams have proven themselves this season. All four have won games they weren't supposed to win, and all four are fighting tooth and nail to win a State Championship. This article will preview both matchups, all four teams, and eight total prospects. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">East Lansing vs. Byron Center</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Saturday, 1:00PM @ Greenville</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams were expected to earn at least one playoff win, but neither was the #1 favorite to advance to the semis in their respective regions. That said, both teams had to go into hostile territory as an underdog and get a W. For East Lansing, that came in the District Finals against Dexter. East Lansing showed a ton of grit, earning a last-second TD and then 2-pt conversion to beat the Dreadnaughts 50-49. On the other side, Byron Center earned their revenge against Mona Shores in the District Finals, winning 30-23. That said, I give Byron Center the upper hand. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Road to the Semifinals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">District Semifinals</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Byron Center 38 Northview 17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Lansing 43 Milford 22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">District Finals</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Byron Center 30 Mona Shores 23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Lansing 50 Dexter 49</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><em>Regional Finals</em></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Byron Center 52 Portage Central 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Lansing 49 Saginaw Heritage 27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Top Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["602273"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673bc140f3c8a"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of the most underrated players in Michigan</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Fringe D1 prospect </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Elite route-runner</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Great "spectacular catch" ability </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Excellent all-around DB</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Insanely hard worker; ALWAYS working </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["587870"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673bc140f3d17"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The best Running Back in Michigan</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Elite size, power, athletesism</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Don't let him get to the second level</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Almost a lock to have an 20+ yard TD every game</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Needs to have a great game against a swarming defense</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["899559"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673bc140f3d82"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Dramatic improvements year after year</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Excellent off-schedule playmaker; ever-improving pocket presence &amp; pocket elusiveness </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Great rusher</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Straight-up knows how to win games. Puts the team on his back</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Clutch gene + leader. Fringe D2 prospect</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1290504"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673bc140f3df5"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has improved so, so much down the stretch </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Big confidence-boosting game against Dexter</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Advertised all-around improvements; little in-season tape</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Key in making sure the East Lansing offense isn't one-dimensional</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Well-repped</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Groves vs. St. Mary's</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Saturday, 1:00pm @ West Bloomfield</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the best Division 2 Semifinal Matchup I've seen in a long, long time. Groves has undoubtedly had a more difficult playoff road, but St. Mary's had the better regular season strength of schedule. Still, both teams have played nothing but home games, and they've been favored (in my opinion) in every playoff matchup. I slightly favor Groves because of their win over De La Salle, but it's close.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> <strong>Road to the Semifinals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">District Semifinals</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Groves 49 Ferndale 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Mary's 42 North Farmington 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">District Finals</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Groves 36 Seaholm 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Mary's 51 Farmington 0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><em>Regional Finals</em></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Groves 21 De La Salle 19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Mary's 27 Carlson 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Top Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["899621"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673bc140f3e61"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Elite "spectacular catch" ability</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Excellent athlete</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Rangy DB and deep threat receiver </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Vocal leader</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Super high upside at Grand Valley State; could be an early contributor </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["899556"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673bc140f3ec3"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lightning, Sonic, whatever you want to call it. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Elite RAC ability</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Excellent body control</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sleeper Mr. Football candidate (IMO)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Key in attacking an athletic Groves defense</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Should be a phenomenal player at Michigan State</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["913877"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673bc140f3f22"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sparkplug</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Brings insane energy through all four quarters</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Vocal leader; seems like a great locker room guy</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Is 6'0" but plays like he's 6'6" </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will give Groves some early momentum </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284008"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673bc140f3f83"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Key in limiting Groves explosive plays</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Rangy ball-hawk of a safety </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Able to provide run support; will likely need to make a few run stops on Saturday</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Could come down with a game-changing INT- I bet Groves will challenge Camari at least once </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Could be the difference in this game! </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->