2025 State Championships: Sunday Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ford Field is going to be rocking on Sunday Night. We've got incredible championship matchups all day, and several storylines to follow. Throughout Sunday, Divisions 7, 3, 5, and 1 will crown a champion. Here's everything you need to know about Sunday's slate! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Please use code <strong>BlackFriday2025</strong> for 50% off a Prep Redzone subscription! 2027 Rankings drop next week! </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 7</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Menominee vs. Schoolcraft</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Sunday, 9:30 AM</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the most excited I've ever been for a D7 state championship. Two excellent programs, and two programs that we aren't super used to seeing at Ford Field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The journey has been a little different for Schoolcraft and Menominee. For Schoolcraft, they've hammered teams in the postseason, most recently beating a red-hot Clinton team by 29 points. Their toughest matchup was in the regional final, where they edged Hanover-Horton by 8 points. Offensively, this is one of the most balanced teams in D7, as they mix in the pass quite a bit with star QB [player_tooltip player_id='1157442' first='Jack' last='DeVries']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Menominee pulled off a semifinal upset to earn its ticket to Ford Field. Pewamo-Westphalia was the heavy favorite going into the postseason, but Menominee proved to be the better team. Apart from the PH game, Menominee has been crushing teams. Though, I wonder if they're ready for Schoolcraft's passing game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Score Prediction</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Menominee: 42</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schoolcraft: 35</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 3</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Mt. Pleasant vs. DeWitt</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Sunday, 12:30 PM</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No easy path to Ford Field for either team. D3 was considered a pretty wide-open division, and it turns out that the top two programs in terms of playoff points got the job done. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeWitt has been blowing teams out all season. They dropped 70 on Fenton, and just beat a red-hot De La Salle team by three touchdowns. ATH [player_tooltip player_id='563430' first='Traverse' last='Moore'] is playing out of his mind, and he's stepping up in a major way at QB. Other major contributions from [player_tooltip player_id='567870' first='Jacob' last='Schorfhaar'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1576938' first='Jadon' last='Bender'] have pushed them over the edge. Mt. Pleasant has won their games off the back of their defense, but I frankly don't think they've seen an offense like DeWitt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mount Pleasant has cruised through the D3 bracket. Zero one-score games all season. MP is a pretty dang balanced team. A strong LB core led by William Garcia. This defense can fly around, especially against good rushing offenses. They dealt with Lowell's run-heavy scheme last weekend. On paper, they've got an uphill battle against DeWitt. Play a disciplined game, and MP has a shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Score Prediction</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mt. Pleasant: 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeWitt: 42</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 5</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Notre Dame Prep vs. West Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Sunday, 4:00 PM</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another instance of the bracket getting it right. These are, without a doubt, the best two teams in D5. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are a few fun storylines here. Notre Dame Prep is the defending champion, and this is only ND Prep's second championship appearance. On the other side, West Catholic makes its 10th all-time appearance. They're looking to improve to an impressive 8-2 all-time in the state championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A few key players in this one. We've got a great QB battle with [player_tooltip player_id='1225740' first='Grady' last='Augustyn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1529404' first='Sam' last='Stowe']. Specifically for ND Prep, RB Ben Liparoto has broken out this year, while DB [player_tooltip player_id='568100' first='Brody' last='Sink'] has looked as impressive as ever. I'm very impressed with how ND Prep has responded this season- no championship hangover for them! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is one of the most difficult games to predict. Both programs have been playing dominant postseason football. I lean ND Prep, but also, I know way more about them than I do West Catholic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Score Prediction</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ND Prep: 28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Catholic: 24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 1</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Sunday, 7:00 PM</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Detroit Catholic Central vs. Cass Tech </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've had some good Division 1 state championships over the years, but most don't hold a candle to this game. This will absolutely be the most talent I've ever seen on the field in a single game. Both programs have about a dozen future Division 1 college football players, which is absolutely unheard of. These two programs have proven to be elite. I don't think anyone is going to argue that these are the top two teams in the state (I don't think it's close). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Detroit Catholic Central has rolled through its extremely difficult schedule. Zero one-score games all season. Their closest game came against Toledo Central Catholic (27-14). They've also destroyed teams like St. Mary's (29-14) and East Kentwood (46-6). DCC is on an incredible run. [player_tooltip player_id='1148715' first='Samson' last='Gash'] is making a case for Mr. Football, [player_tooltip player_id='566981' first='Jack' last='Janda'] has been balling out at DT, and many, many others have stepped up this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cass Tech is a historic powerhouse and the defending Division 1 state champion. They began the season with a hard-fought comeback win against Toledo Central Catholic, and they've been rolling ever since. They've beaten King twice, and they're city champions once again. Plus, they blew out both Rochester Adams and Saline in the postseason. Of course, they have some supreme talent, such as Mr. Football candidate [player_tooltip player_id='212358' first='Corey' last='Sadler'], QB [player_tooltip player_id='1111167' first='Donald' last='Tabron II'], and OT [player_tooltip player_id='557747' first='Khalief' last='Canty']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gloves up. This is a heavyweight matchup for the ages. I'd expect everyone reading this to be at Ford Field on Sunday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Score Prediction</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DCC: 31</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cass Tech: 24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->