Preseason Division 2 Team Tier List

One final tier list! Today, we're taking a quick look at several playoff-likely teams and placing them in tiers regarding state championship odds.   Rankings based on the 2025 Preseason Media Poll.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">S Tier - State Championship Favorite</h2>   #3 Orchard Lake St. Mary's   OLSM got better as the 2024 season went on. Early losses to DCC and DLS were disappointing, but they still proved they could hang with the established powerhouses. Then, they beat an excellent Groves team, then convincingly beat Byron Center to claim their state title. Considering their returning talent and grueling strength of schedule, it's hard to think St. Mary's won't return to Ford Field this season.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Tier - State Championship Hopefuls</h2>   #12 Mona Shores   The Sailors are an extremely interesting team. On one hand, they stood neck-and-neck with Byron Center as the 2nd-best team in Division 2. With Byron Center losing a ton of talent and likely taking a small step back, you'd assume Mona Shores will reclaim that #1 spot on the "west side" of the bracket. [player_tooltip player_id='402064' first='Tomarion' last='Steward'] should take another step forward- Mona Shores' run game could be electric. The pass game will likely be strong as well with a transfer QB. As for the defense, losing [player_tooltip player_id='568145' first='George' last='Duggins'] for the season is a major blow. Still, I like their pieces. If I had to pick a state championship matchup, it would be Mona Shores vs. OLSM.   #17 Groves   The Falcons have been very good in the 2020s. Last season was a legendary one. Knocking De La Salle out of the postseason, then being a play away from beating OLSM. I wouldn't argue with you if you said Groves was the #2 team in D2 last season. Groves does lose a significant amount of talent due to graduation. Avery Gash was the #1 offensive lineman in Michigan. Noah Sanders was electric. I could go on and on. I'm expecting players like Levelle Shannon and [player_tooltip player_id='1615802' first='Jeremiah' last='Whitley'] to take major steps forward. They'll likely need to get through OLSM, but at their peak, Groves absolutely has a shot a Ford Field.   #20 Dexter   A common theme in D2- an elite program with a ton of talent lost due to graduation. Northwestern RB Ronny Johnson and Wisconsin OT Cameron Clark headline the key losses. Still, they've got [player_tooltip player_id='1113047' first='Holden' last='Niemi'], [player_tooltip player_id='566881' first='Nathan' last='Gersh'], and a host of good role players. Dexter could get into a favorable region come playoff time, and I could see them making an appearance at Ford Field this season.   #21 Byron Center   Man, was Byron Center's 2024 season a special one. Landon Tungate and Isaac Lee led this team all the way to Ford Field, pulling off a few upsets along the way. Now, it's a new age at Byron Center. Easton Wychers steps in at QB, and a lot of people seem extremely optimistic about his potential. Plus, they've still got [player_tooltip player_id='1573500' first='Cameron' last='Payne'] at RB. Byron Center will be a great team, and I'm excited to see if they'll be able to repeat the success of last season.   #30 Muskegon   2024 was a very uncharacteristic year for the Big Reds. Really, it was one to forget. Muskegon always faces a grueling schedule, but last season, they didn't win a single tough test. I'd imagine Muskegon gets back to doing what they do best. Much more ground-and-pound, more veer, and getting back to their state championship ways. Theres a very good reason why Muskegon is the only non-playoff team ranked in our media poll- they're a powerhouse.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">B Tier - State Championship Dark Horses</h2>   #33 Groose Pointe South   Without the brick wall that has been De La Salle, Grosse Pointe South has a phenomenal opportunity to make a deep run. Because DLS kept getting in the way, Grosse Pointe South has flown under the radar. This is a phenomenal program that knows how to score points. Another meeting with Roseville in the postseason seems inevitable. I feel strongly that either GPS or Roseville will make it to the Regional Finals or semifinals, depending on where OLSM is placed in the bracket.   #35 Roseville   Copy and paste the Grosse Pointe South segment. Similar programs, same league, and same 2025 opportunity. Typically, Roseville has a few more college prospects than most teams in Division 2. Let's see if prospects like [player_tooltip player_id='1298771' first='Bryant' last='Snowden'] can allow this team to soar past the District Finals and into the state championship conversation.   #36 Carlson   One of the best running backs in the midwest, [player_tooltip player_id='563425' first='Izaiah' last='Wright'], leads the charge for Carlson. As long as he's healthy, Carlson has a chance to be competitive against anyone. Last season, Carlson had a solid postseason showing, beating the brakes off of Livonia Franklin before losing to OLSM, 27-3. Yes, the entire team likely needs to take a step up in order for them to go toe-to-toe with OLSM. I feel they can do it.   #37 East Lansing   Ranked #37 in this year's preseason poll, there's an expectation that East Lansing will take a step back following their grand talent loss. The Class of 2025 was great for East Lansing, but now it's time for the younger guys to take a step up. At their best, this team could absolutely pull off a few upsets. Really, a few upsets may be all they'll need to make a state title.   #28 Walled Lake Western   WLW will be a great team once again in 2025. A good amount of talent, and they should easily win the Lakes Valley Conference again. That said, the quality of the Lakes Valley has declined over the past couple of years, hurting all teams in the league. Realignment will be welcome. Until then, I fear that Walled Lake Western's strength of schedule will hurt them when the postseason comes around.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">C Tier - Deep Playoff Run Candidate </h2>   (UR) Portage Central   A few super promising young players. Ball control offense. Great at stopping the run on defense. Our first team outside the Top 50, and I've got a feeling Portage Central will be ranked for most of the season.   (UR) Brother Rice   One of the most exciting young teams in the state. Most beleive that the Brother Rice rebound is inevitable. The question is how much improvement will this team see in 2025? The schedule is absolutely grueling. If Brother Rice is able to slide into the playoffs, they'll be a big threat. I'm expecting vast improvement throughout this season.   (UR) Seaholm   Seaholm is a streaky program. A couple of phenomenal playoff runs since 2019, but also a few notable down years. Right now, they're on the upswing. Though I don't know if I like this team's ceiling as much as the 2019 or 2023 squads. My easy favorite to win the OAA Blue, and a threat to Groves early in the postseason.   #49 Grand Rapids Northview   I trust that Northview's breakout 2024 season was no fluke. Transfer QB [player_tooltip player_id='1173539' first='Braylon' last='Jefferson'] should raise this team's ceiling. I know they've got some offensive weapons. Week 1 against West Catholic should be a phenomenal test. Let's see if Northview is able to play their best ball in the postseason and upset a team like Mona Shores, Muskegon, or Byron Center.

One final tier list! Today, we're taking a quick look at several playoff-likely teams and placing them in tiers regarding state championship odds.