Playoff Outlooks
We are now in the final week of the regular season. For most of the teams in the area, their seasons will come to an end when the scoreboard reaches 0:00 on Friday night.
It's pretty easy to figure out the teams that need to win to make the playoffs.
We'll start in the Red Arrow/SJV.
Lake Michigan Catholic (5-3) - While it may sound simple for the Lakers, win and you're in. Unfortunately it's not that simple. The Lakers are on the road at 7-1 White Pigeon. It'll be an uphill climb for LMC, but if they can pull it off, they are well deserving of a playoff spot.
Eau Claire (4-4) - A win at 3-5 Bronson would give the Beavers a 5-4 record. Eau Claire would have to be one of those select few teams that make it a 5-4 to reach the playoffs. I don't think they have enough playoff points to make it.
Centrevile (5-3) - A win against New Buffalo will send the Bulldogs to the postseason.
Mendon, White Pigeon - Already in
Bronson, Covert, New Buffalo - Out
Big 16
Portage Northern (5-3) - A win against Battle Creek Central (4-4) will put the Huskies in the playoffs, Northern better watch out, BCC pulled the upset on Portage Central last week.
Kalamazoo Central (4-4) - The Giants have to win their final game in order to even have a chance to make it at 5-4, they have to do it against the 8-0 St. Joe Bears. If they beat the Bears, it would give them a win with a lot of bonus points.
Marshall (5-3) - The Redhawks should have no problem making the playoffs as they host 1-7 Sturgis this week.
Harper Creek (4-4) - Harper Creek needs a win to improve to 5-4, they need a win that would give them a lot of playoff points, and if they can do it in their next game... Against Jackson Lumen Christi, they're chances really improve.
Battle Creek Lakeview (4-4) - They'll make it to 5-4, they are at Coldwater, but the teams that they have beaten really don't give them a lot of playoff bonus points.
Battle Creek Central (4-4) - Another "Hope to make it at 5-4" team, the Bearcats have a quality win against Portage Central, but the other wins they have are against teams that are 8 games under .500 combined. Not many bonus points.
St. Joseph, Lakeshore, Jackson Lumen Christi, Portage Central - In
Benton Harbor, Niles, Mattawan, Coldwater, Sturgis, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix - Out.
Lakeland
Berrien Springs (5-3) - The Shamrocks looked to be dead and buried after week 3, the Shamrocks had lost their first three games and were going into the heart of the Lakeland Conference schedule. The Shamrocks have been in playoff mode since week 4 and the Shamrocks will most likely take care of business on Friday when they visit Brandywine.
Buchanan (5-3) - Buchanan looked on course for an easy run at the playoffs after winning 4 of their first 5 games, but losses to Coloma and Edwardsburg have provided the road to the playoffs a few potholes. But the road became very clear as the last two games for the Bucks were against River Valley and Bridgman.
Edwardsburg (4-4) - The Eddies have only one win against a team over .500, that would be the win over Buchanan. The Eddies have to beat Class C Cassopolis this week. It wouldn't be enough points for the Eddies to make the playoffs.
Coloma, Cassopolis - IN
Brandywine, Bridgman, River Valley - Out
SAC
Bangor (4-4) - The Vikings have to beat 8-0 Hartford to have a chance at 5-4, don't think it'll happen.
Bloomingdale (4-4) - The Cardinals face 3-5 Watervliet on Friday night. But they probably won't have the points.
Gobles (4-4) - What a disappointing season for the G-Tigers, an loss to Mendon in week one wasn't really a killer, the week 2 loss to Watervliet was. Gobles finds themselves in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 1997. In order for them to have a chance, they have to beat longtime rival Decatur (7-1).
Fennville (5-3) - The Blackhawks will be in after they dispatch of 0-8 Lawrence on Friday.
Marcellus (4-4) - A win over 6-2 Saugatuck will put the Wildcats in the playoffs for the first time since 2003. But it's easier said than done.
Hartford, Decatur, Saugatuck - In
Watervliet, Lawrence, Lawton, Martin - Out
Wolverine
South Haven (5-3) - The Rams pretty much could have the playoff red carpet rolled out for them, they visit 0-8 Allegan on Friday.
Otsego (4-4) - The Bulldogs have had a remarkable season already, 4 wins is the most they've had since 1999. But Otsego will need a miracle to make the playoffs for the first time in their history, they will face their arch rival Plainwell (3-5), but with a Class B only schedule, they probably won't have the playoff points needed for a playoff spot.
Vicksburg (4-4) - Pretty much the same story as Otsego, a win at 7-1 Three Rivers would be miracle #1, Miracle #2 would be to make the playoffs at 5-4. Vicksburg hasn't seen the playoffs since 1993.
Paw Paw, Dowagiac, Three Rivers - In
Plainwell, Gull Lake, Comstock, Allegan - Out.
