HS Football: The Playoff Predictions

For the last 15 years, I have put together predictions of which area schools would be on the road or at home to open the MHSAA Football playoffs.

I'll admit that when it all started during the 2000 season, I was still a bit green on what it took to put the 256 schools that either qualified with six wins (or five for eight-game schedules) into eight different divisions, and then put them in separate regions. Then, five years ago, add an 8-Man division to figure out even more.

Each team in the state gets playoff points, determined by who you beat, what class they are in (A, B, C or D), and how the teams on your schedule perform during the season with their victories. These playoff points can get astronomical! You then have to break down the qualified teams with enrollment to set up the divisions. For the 8-Man ranks, it's the top 32 teams in playoff points, regardless of record.

This year was a task for the 11-Man ranks, as there were only 216 teams that qualified with wins. Subtract that from the 256 teams to set up the eight divisions, you'll have 40 teams that will be either 5-4 or 4-4 that will make the postseason.

In our area, Lakeview, Marshall, Olivet, Homer and Climax-Scotts clinched postseason bids, with Delton just outside at 5-4. Without further ado, here are my predictions for the 11-Man squads...

Lakeview (6-3) - In Division 2, on the road against Jackson. Portage Central will host Mattawan in the other Pre-District.

Marshall (7-2) - In Division 4, on the road at Chelsea. Coldwater would host Vicksburg on the other side.

Olivet (6-3) - In Division 5, on the road at Portland. Lansing Catholic would host Stockbridge in the other bracket.

Homer (7-2) - In Division 7, hosting Concord. Springport will travel to Jackson Vandercook Lake for the other pre-district.

Climax-Scotts (9-0) - In Division 8, hosting Mendon. Colon will travel to Pittsford in the other match-up.

Here are the predictions for the 8-Man ranks...

St. Philip (9-0) - They are the top playoff point-getter in 8-Man. They will host St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran in the opener. Lawrence will host Burr Oak in the other matchup.

Tekonsha (5-4) - They will travel to Morrice to begin the postseason. Waldron will host Webbeville in the other matchup.

Note - These are just predictions. The final determination will be announced Sunday night on Fox Sports Detroit at 7pm.

Follow along if you like, and hopefully I'm somewhat close to who and where our area teams are playing this week!