Division 4 Semifinal Preview

This is an underrated Semifinal slate. Honestly, I don't have a strong favorite for either game. All four of these teams have been excellent down the stretch, and all but one team has been to a State Championship within the past three years. This is a very experienced, very well-coached group of teams. I'm excited to share previews for both games, all four teams, and eight prospects.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">GR South Christian vs. Niles </h2>   Saturday, 1:00PM @ Three Rivers - I'll be there scouting the game!   South Christian and Niles are playing great football right now, and they both just won tough regions. South Christian, in particular, pulled off a massive upset against Unity Christian on their way to an improbable Semifinal appearance.   Niles is 11-1, with their only loss being to St. Joseph during Week 1. Having just won against a then-undefeated Portland team, Niles is coming into this weekend with a ton of confidence.   South Christian has something that Niles doesn't: playoff experience. Most of this team and coaching staff has played/coached in two State Championship games, which is massively, massively valuable. That said, I expect South Christian to continue their improbable run, beating Niles and making it to Ford Field, but I expect it to be a 1-score game.   Road to the Semifinals   District Semifinals   South Christian 35 Holland Christian 7   Niles 42 Paw Paw 14   District Finals   South Christian 35 Unity Christian 28   Niles 21 Edwardsburg 0   Regional Finals   South Christian 28 Whitehall 21   Niles 37 Portland 34   Top Players    <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Sparkplug</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>One of the best off-schedule playmakers in Michigan</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Developing passer; great on the run</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Great pocket presence, breaks out of would-be sacks</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Excellent conditioning. Can play every down, all 4 quarters, and not slow down. </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Will be the #1 difference between a SC W or L</li> </ul>     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Easily breaks arm tackles</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Very physical</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Explosive off the line of scrimmage </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Good lead blocker</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Aggressive defender</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Fun highlights to watch; will be key in defeating SC</li> </ul>     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Lengthy; elite overall size</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Has improved a tremendous amount since last season</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Good getoff</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Huge tackle radius</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Great offseason work; paying off now</li> </ul>     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Incredibly physical on tape</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Several pancakes every game</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Sets the tone </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Someone I'm extremely excited to scout</li> </ul>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Goodrich vs. Harper Woods</h2>   Saturday, 1:00PM @ Stoney Creek   Two teams that are always in the State Championship conversation- this should be fun!   After a week 1 loss to Frankenmuth, Goodrich has won 11 straight. Better yet, they've won those 11 games by an average score of 46-9. Against what is an average schedule, Goodrich has been stellar.   Harper Woods, on the other hand, has struggled at times this season but has been stellar lately. Granted, Harper Woods' "struggles" have come against Detroit Catholic Central, Groves, and Oxford, two of which are in the D1/D2 Semifinals. This program's talent is unmatched by any in Division 4, and if Harper Woods can play up to their potential, they will win against Goodrich. That said, I do predict a Harper Woods Win.   Road to the Semifinals   District Semifinals   Goodrich 49 Brandon 7   Harper Woods 46 Redford Union 6   District Finals   Goodrich 27 Freeland 21   Harper Woods 40 Divine Child 21   Regional Finals   Goodrich 42 Haslett 13   Harper Woods 48 Lutheran North 3   Top Players    <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Arguably the best player in Division 4</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>All-around excellent athlete</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Consistently good route running</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Excellent speed-in-space player & good vision</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>A few spectacular catches</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Very good DB; will have a ton of opportunities to make plays against Harper Woods</li> </ul>     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>One of the best QBs in Michigan; likely future D1 player</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Consistent mechanics</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Excellent deep accuracy</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Developing IQ; can read a defense</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Great pocket passer</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Elite group of weapons</li> </ul>     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>In the midst of his breakout season</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Physical</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Can play in the backfield or at WR</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Overall very explosive and athletic</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Could be a Division 2 target this coming offseason</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>I hope to scout Jakoby either next week at Ford Field or sometime during the offseason! </li> </ul>     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Key in stopping a high-scoring & physical Goodrich offense</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Great downhill LB; pretty decisive</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Very well-built</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Strong</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Physical</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Should limit Goodrich run game</li> </ul>

This is an underrated Semifinal slate. Honestly, I don't have a strong favorite for either game. All four of these teams have been excellent down the stretch, and all but one team has been to a State Championship within the past three years. This is a very experienced, very well-coached group of teams. I'm excited to share previews for both games, all four teams, and eight prospects.