Division 1 Semifinal Preview: Davison vs Rockford
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The MHSAA Playoffs are winding down with only one game separating 32 teams from the State Finals at Ford Field. In Division 1, Rockford and Davison will square off to face the winner of West Bloomfield and Belleville. Both Rockford…
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Continue ReadingThe MHSAA Playoffs are winding down with only one game separating 32 teams from the State Finals at Ford Field. In Division 1, Rockford and Davison will square off to face the winner of West Bloomfield and Belleville. Both Rockford and Davison have had perfect seasons thus far and have made it to the semifinals with relative ease. Below I’ll get into each team’s top prospects, keys to the game, and my prediction.
Playoff Road
Rockford: (8-0 OK Red) Pre-District: Defeated West Ottawa 41-7, District Semi: Defeated Hudsonville 42-7, District Final: Defeated Grandville 34-28 3OT, Regional Final: Defeated Saline 40-17.
Davison: (10-0 SVL Blue) Pre-District: Defeated Lapeer 47-6, District Semi: Defeated Rochester Adams via Forfeit, District Final: Defeated Grand Blanc 48-19, Regional Final: Defeated Detroit Catholic Central 20-7.
Top Prospects
Zak Ahern Zak Ahern 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Rockford | 2022 State MI , QB, Rockford
Jayden Kolekamp, OL, Rockford
Alex Karas Alex Karas 5'9" | 210 lbs | Defensive Line Rockford | 2021 MI , DL, Rockford
Ben Tadych, LB, Rockford
Luke McClean, DB, Rockford
Harry Unger, DL, Davison
Will Watkins, DL, Davison
Dion Brown Jr. Dion Brown Jr. 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Davison | 2021 State MI , QB, Davison
Yousef Dukuly Yousef Dukuly 6'5" | 260 lbs | OL Davison | 2021 State MI , OL, Davison
Harrison Unger Harrison Unger 6'2" | 235 lbs | DL Davison | 2021 State MI , LB, Davison
Keys To The Game
A feeling of uncertainty surrounded the Davison football program last week as Dion Brown made his debut at starting quarterback in place of Brendan Sullivan Brendan Sullivan 6'4" | 190 lbs | QB Davison | 2021 State MI , who enrolled early at Northwestern and opted out of the MHSAA playoffs. Led by Dion and a stellar performance from its defense which surrendered only 113 total yards against Detroit Catholic Central, the Cardinals come into this semifinal matchup as the favorite to make it back to Ford Field.
Rockford’s Zak Ahern Zak Ahern 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Rockford | 2022 State MI has been incredible all season, making defenses look silly trying to stop the senior quarterback’s rushing attack. However, this Davison defensive line is different than any unit the Rams offense has faced this season, led by seniors Harrison Unger Harrison Unger 6'2" | 235 lbs | DL Davison | 2021 State MI and William Watkins William Watkins 6'2" | 240 lbs | DL Davison | 2021 MI . In a matchup of two undefeated teams that have found their success on the backs of its defense, the team who will advance to Ford Field will have to find ways to score in nontraditional ways.
Prediction: Davison 19, Rockford 14