Division 1 District Final Rundown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The excitement of the Division 1 bracket continues to build. At the regional final stage, we really don't have many surprises. Honestly, this is exactly how a plurality of people drew it up. Still, let's talk about how we got here. Today, I'll give a brief rundown on all eight District Finals matchups from today and yesterday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region 1</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>District 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Hudsonville 42 | 31 Rockford</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since 2024, Hudsonville is 9-0 against Rockford, East Kentwood, and Grandville. They're the current kings of the OK-Red, and there shouldn't be any dispute. Rockford struck first in this one, as [player_tooltip player_id='1148719' first='Luke' last='Ahern'] once again carried the Rams offense. The Rams remained competitive until the fourth quarter, then a pick-6 turned the tide in Hudsonville's favor significantly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hudsonville QB [player_tooltip player_id='1576478' first='Brady' last='Van Laecke'] is truly hitting his stride. Developing into an incredible dual-threat high school QB. Excellent while improvising outside of the pocket, and has the speed to hit the explosive play at any time. Additionally, this is an extremely well-coached, well-rounded team. They don't have the mega superstars that a team like Cass Tech has, but they make up for it by simply being an extremely disciplined team all-around. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>District 2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">East Kentwood 49 | 41 Howell</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What. A. Game. This one lived up to expectations. At the end of the day, East Kentwood was able to ride a huge 2nd quarter to victory. It's a gigantic win for East Kentwood and head coach Tyrone Spencer, as this program seems to be 100% BACK. Next week, EK will travel to Hudsonville in what should be another barn-burner. Keep in mind that Hudsonville needed a Hail Mary to beat EK earlier this season! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howell proved to be an extremely good team again this season. Big-time contributions from some young players, and a group of seniors who still felt bitter about the regional loss to Hudsonville last season. Next season, Howell should be the favorite to win the new-look KLAA. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region 2</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>District 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Detroit CC 45 | 8 Brighton</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'll start with Detroit CC. This result was the expectation. For the entire season, this team has either been #1 or #2 in our Media Poll Rankings. This may be the most talented roster in the state, and absolutely nobody has been able to hang with them. Though they have their biggest test yet next week against Clarkston. Extremely exciting matchup that I'll preview in the coming days. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I strongly feel that Brighton successfully reached their 2025 ceiling. This was a talented but young 2025 squad that proved they could compete with the top of the KLAA. Then, in the postseason, that young talent showed out in their upset win at West Bloomfield. This season may have come to an end, but I love the returning talent they have for next season. [player_tooltip player_id='1195232' first='Jaeden' last='Byrd'], [player_tooltip player_id='1678599' first='Dominic' last='Nauss'], Dom D'Agnosta, and Anthony Storey are a few out of many exciting returners. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>District 2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Clarkston 44 | 22 Grand Blanc</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What an absolute statement from Clarkston. Offensively, I'm not surprised whatsoever- this is a good offense, and the Grand Blanc defense had shown a few cracks over the season. But to hold Grand Blanc to just 22 points? That's extremely impressive. Clarkston and Hudsonville mirror one another in a lot of ways. Clarkston is extremely well-rounded, with excellent coaching and a sound scheme. Can't wait to see what Clarkston is able to accomplish against Detroit CC. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's sad to watch Grand Blanc's run end like this. What a truly special team, especially from an offensive standpoint. QB [player_tooltip player_id='909904' first='Jake' last='Morrow'] will go down as one of the best QBs in Grand Blanc history. Next season, Grand Blanc should still be an extremely good team. A new, very impressive QB is set to start, and I know they have a host of young weapons waiting for their time to shine. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region 3</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>District 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Saline 57 | 17 Woodhaven</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saline has done it. For the first time in a long time, they've advanced to the Regional Finals. It wasn't the glorious win against Belleville that many expected, but it was still a quality win against a fierce underdog. Now, [player_tooltip player_id='568192' first='Tommy' last='Carr'] and company will host Cass Tech next weekend. What a game that will be! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woodhaven's season comes to an end. Similarly to Brighton, I beleive this 2025 Woodhaven team reached their ceiling. A ton of super promising performances from a number of Juniors and Sophomores. I'm hopeful that the 2026 version of Woodhaven can take yet another step forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>District 2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Cass Tech 48 | Fordson 8</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cass Tech met its own expectations. I really don't have any fancy analysis for this one. This is a star-studded team with perhaps the highest ceiling in Michigan. Next week at Saline is going to be a movie. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fordson is another team that I think reached its 2025 ceiling. A roster with a lot of promise, but untimately couldn't keep up with the powerhouse that is Cass Tech. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region 4</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>District 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Rochester Adams 43 | 18 Stoney Creek</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When Adams is clicking, they are able to beat anyone. Earlier this season, they scraped out an OT win against Stoney Creek. This time around, they left zero doubt. A few explosive plays helped propel Adams to through the finish line, and they're now officially the Champions of Rochester. City Champs is cool and all, but now, they've got their eyes set on Ford Field. Next week, they'll take on Romeo, a team they beat 39-7 during week 1. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stoney Creek took a jump this season. Some really impressive performances from this team, and it's obvious they're heading in the right direction. Next season, they'll be prime contenders in the OAA White. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>District 2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Romeo 56 | 0 Dakota</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Romeo left zero doubt. Man, is Romeo playing great football right now! Having watched Romeo twice in-person this season, I can confidently say that this is an extremely physical, well-rounded team. Romeo is usually led by their defense, and I think that unit has improved significantly throughout the season. Offensively, they've been on a hot streak as well. Man, oh man. Romeo is a tough out, and they've got a legit shot at Ford Field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dakota did not have the season that many of us in the media expected. Heading into this season, there were unfairly high expectations for this team. After all, they were one touchdown away from eliminating Cass Tech last season. This season, they had many more holes in their roster than usual. The exodus of talent in the class of 2025 absolutely hurt them, and they'll now look to regroup for 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->