Region Three – District One

Temperance Bedford Mules (6-3) at Wyandotte Roosevelt Bears (9-0): Bears 31-Mules 21

Wyandotte was taken out of the playoffs last season by Temperance Bedford and has since put together their first 9-0 season since 2013. Temperance is coming off a couple of tough losses to Lincoln and Belleville in weeks eight and nine respectively. I think the Bears will come back swinging this season and will avenge their early exit from last seasons playoffs.

Brownstown Woodhaven Warriors (7-2) at Ypsilanti Lincoln Railsplitters (7-2): Railsplitters 21-Warriors 20

This is arguably the game of the week as far as evenly matched teams in division two. Both of these teams are riding seven-game winning streaks and have captured quality wins towards the end of the season. Home field advantage is going to play a huge factor for the Railsplitters if they want to skate by the Warriors Friday night.

District Two

Dearborn Edsel Ford Thunderbirds (6-3) at Detroit Martin Luther King Crusaders (8-1): Crusaders 41-Thunderbirds 14

With Martin Luther King returning to the playoffs for the 21st time in 23 years, it’s hard to bet against them. It’s also important to add that they’ve won the last two division two football titles, beating Lowell on a hail mary in 2015, and shutting out Walled Lake Western in 2016. The offensive firepower will be too potent for the Thunderbirds to stop, and it will be a blowout in favor of the Crusaders.

Grosse Pointe North Norsemen (6-2) at Detroit East English Bulldogs (8-1): Bulldogs 28-Norsemen 7

The Bulldogs only loss of the season came in week nine to Martin Luther King and was a closer game than people expected. Grosse Pointe took two consecutive losses back in weeks three and four, but haven’t seen the most outstanding competition since, taking five wins to finish the year. East English saw the best talent in the state and is ready to make an impact in week one of the playoffs.

Region Four – District One

Royal Oak Ravens (6-3) at Oak Park Knights (7-2): Knights 24-Ravens 21

Royal Oak had a rollercoaster ride of a season, suffering unnecessary losses in a couple weeks of the year, making them a tough team to pick to make a run. Oak Park will be contested, but eventually come out with a win and move on to the next round.

Birmingham Brother Rice Warriors (6-3) at Birmingham Groves Falcons (7-2): Warriors 35-Falcons 34

Last season, the Falcons broke a 53-year streak of not beating the Brother Rice Warriors. The feat was outstanding but will be short lived. This year, the Warriors will rise again, and beat the Falcons in a shootout at Groves. Brother Rice has only lost to top-tier teams this season and is primed for the playoffs to start. The perennial reputation will be upheld, and the Warriors will come out with a win.

District Two

Roseville Panthers (6-3) at Port Huron Northern Huskies (8-1): Panthers 31-Huskies 21

There is an upset coming in Port Huron Friday night, courtesy of the Roseville Panthers. Port Huron is going to the playoffs for only the second time in 17 years. Roseville has played a much tougher schedule and will pull off a major upset at the home of the Huskies.

Warren DeLaSalle Pilots (7-2) at Ferndale Eagles (8-1): Pilots 38-Ferndale 0

Despite the home field advantage for the Eagles, I’m looking for a major blowout from the Pilots on Friday. Since losing to Lowell week one, the Pilots are 7-1 and have been in postseason form with big wins over Brother Rice, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and Detroit Catholic Central twice. Ferndale isn’t ready for the Pilots, and won’t ever be. Look for a throttling Friday night.