Region Three – District One

Ypsilanti Railsplitters (8-2) at Wyandotte Roosevelt Bears (10-0): Bears 28-Railsplitters 24

This matchup is going to be a close one for a couple reasons. The Railsplitters have won their last eight games, while the Bears have won their last ten. The difference is the schedule. Roosevelt has faced some top-tier talent this year and knocked off an incredibly sound Temperance Bedford team this past week. Ypsilanti faced two playoff teams weeks one and two and failed to find themselves in the win column. I don’t think the Railsplitters can rise to the Bears level, so Roosevelt will find themselves into the regional after Friday.

District Two

Detroit East English Bulldogs (9-1) at Detroit Martin Luther King Crusaders (9-1): Crusaders 35-Bulldogs 10

The fact that East English has only had a football program for six years is impressive. The fact that they have been to the playoffs five out of six of those years is even more impressive. The one thing that is holding them back is the team that’s on the other sideline this week. The Bulldogs have posted a program record of 46-19 over the past six years, but eight of those losses have come from the Crusaders of Martin Luther King. Despite yet another playoff appearance from the Bulldogs, the history books won’t lie in this matchup and yield the ninth win in a row for the Crusaders against this East English team.

Region Four – District One

Birmingham Brother Rice Warriors (7-3) at Oak Park Knights (8-2): Warriors 31-Knights 14

The Warriors of Brother Rice took a down year after longtime head coach Al Fracassa left. They’ve since regained their dominance and have put together a sound year against great talent in the Catholic League this season. Oak Park has gotten knocked out in either the pre-district or the district final in the past five seasons and won’t break that streak this year. Brother Rice has massive momentum after beating rival Birmingham Groves last week and proved playing on the road doesn’t phase them. Look for a second consecutive upset from the Warriors this week.

District Two

Warren DeLaSalle Pilots (8-2) at Port Huron Northern Huskies (9-1): Pilots 42-Huskies 10

With DeLaSalle winning enormously over Ferndale last week, it just proves they are an incredible force to be reckoned with in division two. In their past three games, the Pilots have averaged just over 33 points a game, while their defense has only given up a mere seven. This is a major issue for the Huskies, as their offense has only produced just over 14 points a game in their last three outings. The lockdown defense, combined with the big play ability of their offense will give DeLaSalle a major advantage heading into Port Huron Friday night.