2008 MHSAA Football Finals Matchups...
Well the 2008 MHSAA finals are set and I have a few opinions about the games.
I probably won't be able to watch any of the games, I'm taking a brief vacation to the Lansing and then Detroit area this weekend, including the Red Wings game on Friday at the Joe Louis Arena... maybe I'll go to Ford Field to watch the Lions.... I think I can get seats cheap.
As for the games
Division 1
Rockford (12-1) vs. Lake Orion (12-1) - Saturday 1:00
I have an uncle that used to live in Lake Orion... This one is hard to call, Rockford defeated the second ranked team in Divison 1 Grand Ledge 56-14. Lake Orion beat first ranked Dearborn Fordson 38-0. I'll go with Lake Orion in a nailbiter 21-17
Division 2
Muskegon (13-0) vs. Warren DeLaSalle (13-0) - Friday 1:00.
One of two matchups of undefeated teams in the finals this year. Muskegon has been just plain dominant this season, they took out the top ranked team in Division 1 Lowell 49-14. DeLaSalle is ranked number 3 in Division 2. They've had some blowout wins, as well as a couple of games decided by 5 points or less. Considering what Muskegon did to number 1 ranked Lowell, I'll take Muskegon 28-6.
Division 3
East Grand Rapids (12-1) vs. Inkster (12-1) - Saturday 7:30
Inkster went from 12-2 in 2006, losing to Saginaw Nouvel 28-14 in the Finals, they went to 1-8 in 2007, and then 12-1 this season. Inkster is making their 2nd appearance in the finals in only their 4th trip to the playoffs. While East Grand Rapids seemingly shouldn't have to play the first 9 games and are automatic playoff qualifiers every year. East Grand Rapids missed the playoffs in 2000, going 3-6. Since then the Pioneers have recorded 10+ win seasons each season since 2001 (11-1, 14-0*, 14-0*, 10-2, 10-1, 13-1*, 13-1* *=state title). Can't argue with the job Pete Stuursma has done with the University of EGR. I'll say EGR 35, Inkster 10. In fact, I think that EGR should be playing on Thanksgiving instead of the Detroit Lions, EGR will probably give Tennessee a better game than the Lions. Did you know that EGR has a better winning percentage at Ford Field than the Lions do????
Division 4
Holland Christian (13-0) vs. Detroit Country Day (11-2) - Friday 7:30
Holland Christian has reached the state finals for the first time, and they've only played varsity football for 6 seasons, including this year. Country Day is in the finals for the second consecutive season, losing to Marine City 21-7 in the D4 Final last year. They will want to make sure that they will walk out of Ford Field as winners this season... Will it happen? I say no. Holland Christian 24, Country Day 20.
Division 5
Ovid-Elsie (12-1) vs. Muskegon Oakridge (13-0) - Saturday 4:30
Muskegon will be well represented at the Finals this season. and I think that this will be the second title the Muskegon area will pick up this season. Oakridge last reached the finals in 2005 when they lost 42-28 to Jackson Lumen Christi, they took care of Lumen Christi 27-16 in the semifinals last week. O-E is back in the playoffs after missing the playoffs last season with a 5-4 record, they reached the playoffs in the previous two seasons after finishing with a losing record each season from 1994-2004. I will go with Oakridge 33, O-E 17.
Division 6
Montague (12-1) vs. Leslie (12-1) - Friday 4:30
I don't really know a lot about these two schools, I'm willing to guess not many around here do. But by looking at the schedules of both teams, Leslie's 1 defeat came by the hands of 8-2 Hillsdale. The one loss for Montague is a 28-21 defeat at the hands of D5 finalist Muskegon Oakridge. I will have to take Montague 28-20.
Division 7
Traverse City St. Francis (12-1) vs. Ubly (13-0) - Saturday 10:00
The two schools met in the 2003 semifinals with St. Francis beating Ubly 20-14. Ubly has been outscoring opponents around 48 to 10 so far this season, of Ubly's 13 games, they have scored more than 40 points in 10 of them, 4 games over 50 points and scored 65 in the opening round of the playoffs. St. Francis is no stranger to the finals, TCSF won the 2003 title and another title in 2005. Maybe it's time that Ubly faced a rather difficult opponent. I'll take St. Francis in the upset 28-26.
Division 8
Crystal Falls Forest Park (13-0) vs. Muskegon Catholic Central (13-0) - Friday 10:00
You don't find many Class D schools choosing to play Class A and B schools during the season, but this is exactly what MCC has done. They cruised through the regular season and finished with 100.444 playoff points. One of those 9 wins came against Division 4 finalish Detroit Country Day, and it was a rather convincing win 35-6.... ON THE ROAD. Can't argue with that, I say MCC wins Division 8 over Forest Park 35-10.
