Seven Playoff Matchups Promise Physical Battles in Michigan

Seven district semifinal games will be played this weekend in Michigan, with six of the seven teams entering the matchups without a loss since mid-September. The Michigan High School Athletic Association's regional seeding format has created a slate that includes multiple rivalry rematches and contests between undefeated squads. These games determine which teams advance to regional title contests in the second week of November.

On Friday, Nov. 6, Midland Dow hosts Milford at 7 p.m. The two teams met last week, where Milford required a late-game interception to secure a win. The first half of that matchup featured minimal scoring, suggesting a physical contest is likely. Midland Dow has not lost on the road this season, while Milford is playing its best football of the year according to local analysts. Also on Friday, No. 6 Grand Blanc travels to Clarkston at 7 p.m. Clarkston defeated Grand Blanc 44-22 last season. Grand Blanc was undefeated during that same period last year, and both teams remain hungry for a regional title.

St. Clair faces Detroit Country Day at 7 p.m. on Friday. St. Clair has won its recent games by an average margin of over 44 points, including a 41-16 victory over Cody. Country Day appears to be peaking at the right time, with the Yellowjackets looking to continue their playoff run. South Lyon hosts South Lyon East at 7 p.m. in a rivalry rematch. South Lyon won their regular season meeting 21-10, scoring two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to pull away. The Lions have won the last three meetings between the rivals.

Rochester Adams plays Stoney Creek at 7 p.m. on Friday. Adams won their last meeting 23-14 on Oct. 9, though quarterback Brandon Gergics was injured in that game. Gergics returned to the lineup for Adams' 49-13 playoff win against L'Anse Creuse North. Oxford faces Detroit Catholic Central at 7 p.m. on Friday. The Shamrocks beat Lake Orion 43-6 last week while giving quarterback Duke Banta time to recover. Oxford won its previous game 42-28, surviving a second-half fight from Davison. Both teams feature strong offensive lines and multiple ball carriers.

Clarkston Everest Collegiate hosts Royal Oak Shrine at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7. Shrine defeated Marine City Cardinal Mooney 56-17 in its first-round game. Everest's only loss this season was a 34-7 defeat to Shrine at the Prep Bowl. The Mountaineers recorded seven interceptions in their own first-round victory. This game serves as a rematch of their previous season's meeting, with Shrine hoping to use their home crowd as an advantage.

All games will be played at the home team's field. The winners of these seven contests will move on to the regional finals. The MHSAA has scheduled these games to allow for a full week of preparation between rounds. Fans can expect strong performances from teams that have maintained winning streaks since the start of the postseason.