The MHSAA 11-Man Football state tournament has reached its Sweet 16 stage, marking a critical point in the playoffs. As the district finals approach, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, several schools in the area are aiming for the coveted championship trophies. A total of seven schools from Macomb County and nine teams from the Macomb Area Conference remain in contention for the title.
This weekend promises to deliver some potentially outstanding games, making it an excellent opportunity to catch high school football playoff action. With so many exciting matchups, fans will have plenty of options to witness thrilling plays.
Key Matchups in the District Finals
Here are the predictions for the district finals matchups:
- Macomb Dakota (7-3) at Romeo (7-3), 7 PM, Friday: Earlier in the season, Romeo claimed a 39-20 victory over Dakota, which led them to the Macomb Area Conference Red Division title. Despite a strong defensive performance from Dakota last week, limiting Utica to just three points, Romeo appears to have an edge with their athletic roster. Prediction: Romeo 28, Macomb Dakota 14
- Warren Cousino at Birmingham Groves, 7 PM, Friday: Expect a high-scoring affair as Groves has outscored opponents 297-169 this season, averaging nearly 30 points per game. Cousino has also been formidable on offense, with 331 points scored against their opponents. This game promises to be an offensive showcase. Prediction: Warren Cousino 35, Birmingham Groves 28
- St. Clair Shores Lakeview at Grosse Pointe South (9-1), 1 PM, Saturday: Revenge will be on Grosse Pointe South”s mind after losing to Lakeview 25-22 earlier in the season. Lakeview is riding a six-game winning streak, making this matchup a highly anticipated showdown. Prediction: Grosse Pointe South 24, St. Clair Shores Lakeview 21
- Warren De La Salle (4-6) at Port Huron (7-3), 7 PM, Friday: Despite De La Salle”s four wins, they have shown they can put points on the board, scoring 56 against a strong opponent last week. This game could be competitive. Prediction: Warren De La Salle 35, Port Huron 21
- Warren Michigan Collegiate (6-4) vs. Detroit Edison (8-2) at Corner Ball Park-Detroit, 7 PM, Friday: In their earlier encounter, Michigan Collegiate shut out Edison 24-0. However, injuries have plagued them this season. Edison, having won their league, will be looking to turn the tables. Prediction: Warren Michigan Collegiate 28, Detroit Edison 27
- Marine City (7-3) at Almont (10-0), 7 PM, Friday: While neither team is from Macomb County, both have strong credentials in their respective leagues. This matchup will likely be a battle of talent with both teams vying for a victory. Prediction: Almont 35, Marine City 31
- Richmond (9-1) at Frankenmuth (9-1), 7 PM, Friday: Richmond has had an impressive season, losing only to Almont. Frankenmuth, however, is considered a strong contender for the Final Four, making this a critical matchup. Prediction: Frankenmuth 28, Richmond 21
Other Notable Games
Additional matchups on Friday include Clarkston Everest Collegiate at Madison Heights Madison and Madison Heights Lamphere at Dearborn Divine Child, both scheduled for 7 PM.
As the playoffs progress, the excitement continues to build in the search for district championship hardware. Fans are encouraged to support their local teams as they strive for glory.
