2009 MHSAA Team State Preview - Division 1
The road to Battle Creek will begin this Wednesday when the MHSAA Team Districts get underway all across the state and under three weeks from now the Division 1, 2, 3, and 4
Notable District Matchups:
--- #1 Rockford vs. #9 Grandville @ Rockford District ---
The returning champs will have a tough road right out of the gates with league rival Grandville. Rockford handled Grandville in their league dual earlier this year, and should have no trouble getting past the Bulldogs here, however, Grandville is a tough team that has proven they could be worthy of a regional and or state final berth. This appears to be bad luck for Grandville and a good tune up for Rockford.
--- #6 Lake Orion vs. #7 Rochester Adams @ Rochester District ---
Lake Orion has been one of the big surprises this year in D1, they have competed with some of the best in the state all year led by their studs Jake Varilek, Evan Gros, & company. Rochester Adams is a traditional D1 powerhouse that would have a good shot at winning many of the other districts, however, they will have their work cut out for them with OAA rival Lake Orion. Lake Orion beat Adams during the regular season and outscored them 80 points at their league tournament. However, these teams have seen each other a number of times this year and they are very familiar with each other, so anything could happen.
Regional Breakdown
Here is a breakdown of what teams will be battling out at each regional for a shot at advancing to the D1 Team State Finals in Battle Creek.
101-1 at Saginaw Valley State
Top contenders: #1 Davison
Outlook: Top ranked Davison is the definite favorite in this region as they should have no trouble getting through to Battle Creek. There are not any real threats to knock Davison off... Bay City Central, Traverse City Central, Midland, etc. are the list of teams that may get a chance to take on the Cardinals
Our Pick: Davison
102-1 at Holly
Top Contenders: #5 Hartland, #8 Clarkston, Detroit Catholic Central, Holly
Outlook: This is probably the toughest region in D1 as it bolsters 2 ranked teams in Hartland and Clarkston as well other two very solid squads in DCC and Holly. Hartland has made it to Battle Creek six years running, and they will have to prove themselves to get this year with the likes of their regional. DCC has been without their full lineup for much of the 2nd half of this season, however, if they are back to full strength they could give Hartland a run for their money. Clarkston is equally dangerous as they have big wins this year over DCC and Dundee to name a few. Holly is another team to watch out for in this regional with a lot of young talented grapplers. This is definitely the deepest regional in D1 as their will be 3 competetive duals in Holly.
Our Pick: Hartland
103-1 at Grandville
Top Contenders: #3 Rockford, Grand Haven, Jenison
Outlook: Rockford is the returning champs and if they are back to full strength they should have no trouble getting through this region. They handled Grand Haven earlier this season in their league dual, however, Grand Haven had some guys out and with them back to full strength they will likely pose the toughest threat for the Rams. If coach Rinehart's Rockford squad is 100% they should cruise on through to Kellogg Arena.
Our Pick: Rockford
104-1 at Howell
Top Contenders: #2 Holt, Howell
Outlook: Holt has surprised some people this year as they beat area rival and D2 powerhouse Mason and crushed Rockford by 80+ points at their home invitational. If they keep wrestling the way they have all year they should have no trouble getting out of this regional. Howell is a tough squad that can compete with the best, but Holt appears too talented and deep for the Highlanders to keep pace.
Our Pick: Holt
105-1 at Temperance Bedford
Top Contenders: #4 Temperance Bedford, Belleville
Outlook: Watch out for the Mules as they have been on fire this season with big wins over many of the state's best teams. There lineup is solid from top to bottom and they will likely get through this region unscathed. Belleville may be Bedford's toughest opponent, however, it is difficult to see anyone in this region within 20 points of the Mules.
Our Pick: Temperance Bedford
106-1 at Novi
Top Contenders: #10 Canton, Novi
Outlook: This is one of the weaker region in terms of depth. Canton has been solid all season and appears to be the favorites here. If they do get through this will be the first time in a long time that Canton has made a trip to Battle Creek. Novi looks to be the toughest team standing in there way and although they have some studs, they will have a hard time matching up with coach Randolph and his Canton squad.
Our Pick: Canton
107-1 at Troy
Top contenders: Lanse Creuse, Roseville, Troy Athens, ?
Outlook: This regional is definitely the weakest and has to have teams like Clarkston and DCC saying "why not us" as they would both cruise through here. We don't really have alot of info on any of these teams. Roseville and Troy Athens have some good individuals but as far as teams go, this region is completely up for grabs
108-1 at Lake Orion
Top Contenders: #6 Lake Orion, Romeo, #7 Rochester Adams, Anchor Bay
Outlook: This region does not boast one of the big name teams like Davison or Rockford, however, it is one of the deeper regionals with 4 legitimate teams in Lake Orion, Romeo, Adams, and Anchor Bay. Lake Orion has been hot all year and could contend with surprise some people if they get to Battle Creek. LO and Adams meet at Districts, and the winner of that dual will be the favorite in this regional. Adams has beaten Romeo, who has finished ahead of Anchor Bay in an individual tournament, so all these teams are pretty familiar with one another which could lead to some lineup changes to try and find optimal matchups.
Our Pick: Lake Orion
So there you have it, based on our predicitions, here is who the Top 8 will be from D1 that will be making the trip to Battle Creek (listed in order of quarterfinal matchups):
Davison vs Canton
Holt vs Hartland
Rockford vs Bedford
Roseville vs Lake Orion
State Final Outlook
The D1 team battle seems to be shaping into a 3 team race with Rockford, Davison, and Holt. Rockford entered the year strong as returning champs, however, injuries have plagued them this year and caused for some question in their ability to defend the title. Davison entered the year looking good and has only seemed to get stronger throughout the season as they are now back to full strength and looked good beating Rockford last week. Holt has surprised some people especially with their dominant tournament win over Rockford a few weeks ago, although they are tough year in and year out. Holt may have the most depth, which makes them a threat in dual competetion. All three of these teams should have no trouble making it to Battle Creek and Holt would likely meet up with Davison in the semis.
While it is easy to call this a battle between Rockford, Davison, and Holt, you cant forget about Hartland, Temperance Bedford and Lake Orion. Hartland dominated Howell in their final dual of the year and Matt Bain returned to the lineup for their KVC meet, so they appear to be picking up steam for the final run. They also have the toughest road to Kellogg as DCC and Clarkston are both in their regional. If they can get everything clicking for the title run they will be dangerous and they would meet up with Holt in the 1st round at Battle Creek. Bedford has flown under the radar a little this year, but they have been strong all year with dual wins over Clarkston & Anchor Bay, a tournament win over D2 #1 Mason, and a 13 point loss to Davison in a dual. They will have to show up ready to rock as they will likely have Rockford right out of the gates in the quarterfinals. If Rockford is not full strength and ready to go then Bedford could surpise some people and make a run to the finals. If Lake Orion gets through their regional they could have the depth and firepower to hang with Rockford as well. Lake Orion would have the best QF draw possible and should make the semifinals if they get through regionals. The addition of state placer Layne Upcott at 215 makes Lake Orion even tougher and they could be the sleeper in D1.
So, the potential quarterfinal matchups to watch if everything goes how we see it: Holt/Hartland and Rockford/Bedford. Then the semifinal pairings should end up being Davison vs the winner of Holt & Hartland, and Lake Orion vs the Rock/Bedford winner. We are not going to predict the whole thing, we will save that for the week before Battle Creek!
Full list of District/Regional/State Quarterfinal pairings listed below:
DISTRICT PAIRINGS
February 14, 2008
No. 101-1 Alpena
Alpena
Escanaba
Traverse City Central
Traverse City West
No. 102-1 Bay City-Central
Auburn-Bay City Western
Bay City-Central
Midland
Midland-HH Dow
No. 103-1 Saginaw-Heritage
Saginaw
Saginaw-Arthur Hill
Saginaw-Heritage
No. 104-1 Davison
#1 Davison
Flint Central Academy
Flint-Carman-Ainsworth
Flushing
No. 105-1 Grand Blanc
Flint Southwestern Academy
Grand Blanc
*Holly
No. 106-1 Waterford Mott
#8 Clarkston
Pontiac-Northern
Waterford Kettering
Waterford Mott
No. 107-1 Walled Lake Central
Detroit Catholic Central
Walled Lake Central
Walled Lake Western
West Bloomfield
No. 108-1 Hartland
Walled Lake Northern
#5 Hartland
Milford
White Lake-Lakeland
No. 109-1 Norton Shores-Mona Shores
Grand Haven
Muskegon
Norton Shores-Mona Shores
No. 110-1 Jenison
Holland
Holland-West Ottawa
Hudsonville
Jenison
No. 111-1 Rockford
East Kentwood
#9 Grandville
#3 Rockford
No. 112-1 Battle Creek-Central
Battle Creek-Central
Grand Ledge
Kalamazoo Central
Portage Central
No. 113-1 Lansing-Everett
East Lansing
Lansing-Eastern
Lansing-Everett
Lansing-JW Sexton
No. 114-1 Holt
#2 Holt
Jackson
Okemos
No. 115-1 Pinckney
Brighton
Howell
Pinckney
South Lyon
No. 116-1 Saline
Ann Arbor-Huron
Ann Arbor-Pioneer
Saline
Ypsilanti-Lincoln
No. 117-1 Westland-John Glenn
Belleville
Romulus
Wayne Memorial
Westland-John Glenn
No. 118-1 Temperance-Bedford
Brownstown-Woodhaven
Monroe
#4 Temperance-Bedford
No. 119-1 Southgate Anderson
Lincoln Park
Southgate Anderson
Wyandotte-Roosevelt
No. 120-1 Garden City
Dearborn
Dearborn-Edsel Ford
Dearborn-Fordson
Garden City
No. 121-1 Canton-Salem
#10 Canton
Canton-Plymouth
Canton-Salem
No. 122-1 Northville
Farmington Hills-North Farmington
Livonia-Adlai E Stevenson
Northville
*Novi
No. 123-1 Livonia Franklin
Livonia-Churchill
Livonia-Franklin
Oak Park
Redford Union
No. 124-1 Beverly Hills-Wylie E Groves
Beverly Hills-Wylie E Groves
Bloomfield Hills-Brother Rice
Lathrup Village-Southfield-Lathrup
Southfield
No. 125-1 Grosse Pointe North
Detroit-U Of D Jesuit
Eastpointe-East Detroit
Grosse Pointe North
Grosse Pointe South
No. 126-1 Troy
Royal Oak
Troy
Troy-Athens
Warren Mott
No. 127-1 Sterling Heights
Sterling Heights
Sterling Heights-Utica Stevenson
Warren-Cousino
Warren-De La Salle Collegiate
No. 128-1 Harrison Township-L'Anse Creuse
Fraser
Harrison Township-L'Anse Creuse
Roseville
No. 129-1 Rochester Hills-Rochester
#6 Lake Orion
Rochester Hills-Rochester
Rochester Hills-Stoney Creek
Rochester-Adams
No. 130-1 Romeo
Romeo
Shelby Township-Utica Eisenhower
Utica
No. 131-1 Macomb-L'Anse Creuse North
Chippewa Valley
Macomb-Dakota
Macomb-L'Anse Creuse North
Sterling Heights-Utica Ford II
No. 132-1 Fair Haven-Anchor Bay
Anchor Bay
Port Huron
Port Huron Northern
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