Area High School Football Teams Prep for Playoffs This Week

After nine weeks of High School Football across Michigan, 11 area squads will continue their seasons this week with the beginning of the Michigan High School Athletic Association's playoffs.

Of the 11 teams that are in the postseason, three of them are playing in 8-Man with the remaining teams in 11-Man. In the 11-Man ranks, teams automatically enter the postseason when they win six games if they played a nine-game schedule (or five wins with an eight-game or less schedule).

There are 256 teams that play among the eight divisions of 11-Man. There were 212 teams that automatically qualified, meaning teams that finished 5-4 or 4-4 on the season acquiring enough playoff points through the season are given a chance to make the playoffs. These points are based on a formula between class (based on enrollment), wins against those opponents and bonus points for opponents wins against other teams. The 256 qualifiers are split in divisions by enrollment, then split into four regions with two districts of four teams each. Home teams within the district are determined by the higher playoff points, with the top seed playing the fourth seed and the second seed hosting the third seed.

Playoff points are used for 8-Man football exclusively. This is the second year that this level will play with two divisions. Only the top 16 teams in each division make the postseason. They are split into four regions of four teams each.

Without further ado, here are the teams involved in the 2018 MHSAA playoffs involving the Battle Creek area. The schedule will be updated as we receive game times.

* - signifies top seed in district/ region based on playoff points

Division 3 - Region 2 - District 2
Battle Creek Central (6-3) at Middleville Thornapple Kellogg (7-2) - Friday 7pm (WBCK - 6:35pm)
Winner takes on Mattawan (5-4) or Parma Western (8-1)* - Friday 7pm

Division 5 - Region 3 - District 1
Lansing Catholic (8-1) at Olivet (8-1) - Friday 7pm
Winner takes on Ovid-Elsie (6-3) or Portland (9-0) - Friday 7pm

Division 6 - Region 2 - District 2
Niles Brandywine (7-2) at Delton (6-3) - Friday 7pm
Winner takes on Constantine (6-3) or Schoolcraft (7-2)* - Friday 7pm

Division 6 - Region 4 - District 2
Quincy (6-3) at Brooklyn Columbia Central (8-1)* - Friday 7pm
Winner takes on Blissfield (5-4) or Hillsdale (8-1) - Friday 7pm

Division 7 - Region 3 - District 1
Maple Valley (5-4) at Cassopolis (9-0)*  - Friday 7pm
Union City (6-3) at Centreville (8-1) - Friday 7pm

Division 8 - Region 3 - District 1
Climax-Scotts (4-4) at Decatur (5-4) - Friday 7pm
Winner takes on Holton (5-4) or Martin (6-3)* - Friday 7pm

Division 8 - Region 3 - District 2
Three Oaks River Valley (5-4) at Athens (5-3) - Friday 7pm
Winner takes on Mendon (5-4) or White Pigeon (7-2)* - Friday 7pm

8-Man Football - Division 1 - Region 4
St. Philip (6-3) at Bellevue (8-1) - Friday 7pm
Winner takes on Camden-Frontier (5-4) or Colon (8-1)* - Friday 7pm

8-Man Football - Division 2 - Region 4
Tekonsha (5-4) at New Haven Merritt Academy (6-3)* - Saturday 1pm
Winner takes on Peck (5-4) or Portland St. Patrick (5-4) - Saturday 5pm

For a complete look at all the teams that qualified, check it out here!