Climax-Scotts Remains in MHSAA Playoff Football This Week
In the Battle Creek area, just one team remains in Michigan High School Athletic Association's football postseason. It's the former 11-Man powerhouse that is playing 8-Man football for the first time this season.
The Climax-Scotts Panthers have adjusted quite well to having three less players on the field. They enter this week's 8-Man Division 2 State Semifinals this weekend on the road as they take on the Portland St. Patrick Shamrocks.
The Panthers are 9-2 on the season and finished second in the A Division of the Southern Michigan 8-Man League at 3-1. Their lone loss in conference came to the Colon Magi, who are in a state semifinal contest in Division 1 themselves this weekend hosting the defending D1 champion Morrice Orioles Saturday afternoon (1pm). Climax-Scotts other defeat came in Week 9 to the Martin Clippers, who were eliminated by Colon last week. C-S is coming off a 34-22 victory at home over the Onekama Portagers, last year's state runner-up in 8-Man D2.
The Shamrocks are just two years removed from their first state final appearance in 8-Man, coming 20 years after their last appearance in the finals as an 11-Man squad. St. Pat's has become a regular fixture in the 8-Man playoffs in nine seasons, making it every year. It's their fourth 8-Man State Semifinal and their third straight. Last season, they were eliminated by Onekama. Portland is looking for their first undefeated season since their lone football state title in 1992.
Like the marquee shows above, the semifinal is Saturday afternoon at 1pm at Portland High School. The winner advances to the 8-Man State Finals on Saturday, November 16th at the Superior Dome in Marquette against the Pickford Panthers (11-1), last season's D1 runner-up. Pickford defeated the Hillman Tigers (10-2) 40-8 on Friday night.
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