Region One – District One

Traverse City Central Trojans (6-3) at Midland Chemics (8-1): Trojans 42-Chemics 31

Despite Midland being the one seed in district one, TC Central has been battle tested throughout the season at a higher level than the Chemics have. Look for the Trojans to pull off a week one upset in Midland.

Midland Dow Chargers (7-2) at Traverse City West Titans (8-1): Titans 27-Chargers 21

TC West suffered an enormous loss week nine but is too good to bet against in week one of the playoffs. The Titans will have a bounce-back week, and move past the Chargers in a one-score game.

District Two

Mattawan Wildcats (7-2) at Forest Hills Central Rangers (9-0): Rangers 42-Wildcats 7

FHC is primed and ready to go. Their momentum hasn’t stopped since week one of the year, and they will demolish the Wildcats this week.

Portage Central Mustangs (7-2) at Muskegon Mona Shores Sailors (8-1): Sailors 38-Mustangs 10

Muskegon is too overpowering for the Mustangs to handle. It will be a close game from the get-go, but Mona will slowly increase their lead as the game rolls on, finishing with an offensive explosion for a win.

Region Two – District One

Flint Carman-Ainsworth Cavaliers (5-4) at Fenton Tigers (8-1): Tigers 35-Cavaliers 3

Fenton has put up major point totals against everyone they’ve played so far this season, while the Cavaliers have struggled mightily against worthy opponents. This matchup with be a quick blowout, with Fenton putting in their subs by the third quarter.

Lowell Red Arrows (6-3) at Flushing (7-2): Red Arrows 17-Flushing 16

Lowell has struggled and is down from years past. This does not, however, take away the fact that they are going to the playoffs for the 19th consecutive season and have one of the best playoff names in the state. Despite Flushing putting together a sound season, Lowell is too much for this team Friday night.

District Two

Livonia Franklin Patriots (7-2) at Walled Lake Western Warriors (8-1): Warriors 30-Patriots 24

Livonia Franklin has shown a lot of growth through the season and will show some big playmaking ability against a top-tier opponent in Walled Lake Western. The Warriors, however, are coming off a second-place finish in the state, falling short to Martin Luther King in the state finals last season. I think it’s a tight game, but one that the Warriors will come out on top.

Livonia Churchill Chargers (7-2) at Pinckney Pirates (8-1): Chargers 21-Pirates 20

Another close upset is coming, this time coming from the Chargers of Livonia Churchill. Neither of these teams have been contested to the maximum level possible, so it is a game of adjustments for both teams Friday night. I think the Chargers will be able to barely edge out the Pirates, and pull off an upset in this week’s first round.