2009 MHSAA Team State Preview - Division 2
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. Read below to see our in depth preview of every team regional in Division 2, as well as the notable district matchups to watch. In addition, we have taken a stab at predicting the 8 teams we think will qualify for the Team State Finals and stamp a ticket to Battle Creek.
Division 2 Outlook:
The district and regional pairings do not do D2 any justice as many of the top teams will not be wrestling in Battle Creek. The #1 and #2 teams, Greenville and Lowell, will meet up in a regional being looked as the D2 state finals. In addition, 4 of the top 10 teams will all go through the Fowlerville Regional, so no matter how you shake it only 5 of the top 10 teams can advance to the quarterfinals. Therefore, expect to see some less-renowned squads winning regional titles and some elite programs wondering what happened.
Notable District Matchups:
---Fowlerville vs Mason @ Haslett District---
Fowlerville has been considered one of the top contenders in D2 all season and they have proved it with a lot of big wins and strong tournament performances. The Gladiators finished 2nd at the Williamston Classic, roughly 60 points ahead of Mason, so they should have the personnel to get past the Bulldogs. Fowlerville has one of the best upperweight fleets in the state led by #1 ranked Kern and McDiarmid, however, Mason has some firepower as well in their middle weights, so they should be capable of putting some points on Fowlerville. If Fowlerville does get past Mason, they will not have a long time to savor the win as they will advance to one of the toughest regionals in the state with Tecumseh/Adrian, and Jackson NW/Eaton Rapids.
---Tecumseh vs Adrian @ Tecumseh District---
#6 Adrian and #7 Tecumseh may be the toughest district matchup in all of D2. Adrian knocked off Tecumseh earlier this year, however, Tecumseh is now full strength and they seem to be peaking after a big conference tournament win over Bedford last weekend. Coach Casey Randolph will have his work cut out for him if he wants to take Tecumseh to Battle Creek in his first year at the helm, however, they appear to be the favorites to get through this tough early matchup.
---Jackson Northwest, Eaton Rapids, Parma Western @ Parma Western District---
Jackson Northwest broke into the rankings late with a win over St Johns, and the Mounties will have to keep that momentum going to get through this tough district. Returning state finalist Eaton Rapids will need some magic if they want to make a return trip to Kellogg. The Greyhounds always seem to find a way to win when it counts, so don't be surprised if this district is action-packed. As if JNW and ER weren't enough - don't forget about Parma Western who has a solid team as well. If they can match up right, Parma is capable of running with both of these teams as well.
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.
109-2 at Bay City Western
Top contenders: #9 St Johns, Gaylord, Mt Pleasant
Outlook: St Johns has enjoyed one of their most sucessfull seasons ever this year, and the Red Wings could make their first trip to Kellogg in a long while. Gaylord, meanwhile, has been consistently one of the top teams in D2 and will look to end St Johns storybook season at regionals. St. Johns is as good as anyone from 130-152, which makes them a difficult team to match up with. If Gaylord can steal a couple wins in those weights then they should have a good shot at knocking off the Red Wings, as Gaylord is pretty solid from top to bottom. This should be a very tight dual that could come down to bonus points.
Our Pick: Gaylord
110-2 at Linden
Top Contenders: #3 Oxford, Linden
Outlook: People in Oxford have been on edge all year in anticpation of a run to Battle Creek. The Wildcats are widely considered as arguably the top contender to challenge the Lowell/Greenville winner in the state finals. Oxford should not have too much to worry about in their district/regional stretch with their stiffest challenge likely coming from Linden.
Our Pick: Oxford
111-2 at Greenville
Top Contenders: #1 Greenville, #2 Lowell, Sparta
Outlook: This will without a doubt be the most highly anticipated regional matchup in the state across all divisions. Greenville edged Lowell in a barnbuner a couple weeks ago and their rematch should be an instant classic. Many people are expecting the D2 state champ to be unofficially crowned on February 25th in Greenville. Look for an in depth preview to come on MichiganGrappler.com prior to this dual.
Our Pick: Greenville
112-2 at Caledonia
Top Contenders: Hastings, Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, Wyoming Park
Outlook: Dear MHSAA, In the future could you please put Greenville or Lowell in this regional? Sincerely, Michigan Grappler
Middleville TK is traditionally strong and this year is no different, as legendary Coach Lehman has yet another solid team that should make it out of this regional. Hastings is tough as well and could challege TK for the regional title.
Our Pick: Middleville Thornapple Kellogg
113-2 at Three Rivers
Top Contenders: #4 Stevensville Lakeshore, #10 Plainwell
Outlook: Stevensville is a young and motivated team that may have the firepower to challenge for the state title. They pushed Lowell to the wire a few weeks back, which should give them a lot of confidence heading down the stretch. Plainwell has some guns that could challenge Lakeshore, however, Stevensville beat them by nearly 20 earlier in the year, so an upset is unlikely.
Our Pick: Stevensville Lakeshore
114-2 at Fowlerville
Top Contenders: #5 Fowlerville, #6 Adrian, #7 Tecumseh, #8 Jackson Northwest, Mason, Eaton Rapids
Outlook: This regional is overshadowed by Lowell/Greenville, however, this will be an extremely competetive and intense region that stems from the three toughest districts in D2 all coming together. The winner of Eaton Rapids and Jackson Northwest will meet the Adrian/Tecumseh winner in the opening round, then the winner will face the district winner of Fowlerville/Mason. If you had to predict it out, I think Tecumseh will take out Northwest in the opening round and then likely face Fowlerville in what should be a great dual. Tecumseh has been short handed almost all year, so they are flying under the radar a little bit. If they are clicking on all cyclinders then Tecumseh could surprise Fowlerville. This regional could be interesting based on matchups and very difficult to predict.
Our Pick: Tecumseh
115-2 at Allen Park
Top contenders: Dearborn Hts Annapolis, Riverview, Milan, Airport, New Boston Huron
Outlook: A wide open regional here in comparison to the previously mentioned. Dearborn Hts Annapolis is easily overlooked, but they have only one loss and should be the class of this regional. New Boston Huron is tough as well and should push Annapolis, and Riverview, Milan, and Airport are other strong teams that could all be competetive in this regional.
Our Pick: Dearborn Hts Annapolis
116-2 at Hazel Park
Top Contenders: Hazel Park, Warren Woods Tower, ??
Outlook: This regional is even up for the taking with no clear cut favorite. Hazel Park has some solid individuals, but their depth is unknown. Warren Woods Tower is usually strong as well. None of the teams in this regional have garnered much publicity this year, so this one is tough to predict.
Our Pick: Hazel Park
State Final Outlook
Many of the best D2 duals will take place before March, therefore, the D2 state quarterfinals will likely be uneventful. The winner of Greenville/Lowell should get the #1 seed hands down, followed by Oxford, Lakeshore, and possibly Fowlerville all contending for 2-4. The #2 and #3 seeds will be golden as everyone will be looking to get on the opposite side of the bracket from Greenville/Lowell. Lakeshore's close dual with Lowell may give them the criteria to move up into the #2 spot, however, Oxford has the resume to get a #2 seed as well.
Oxford and Lakeshore should be head into Battle Creek feeling pretty good after an easy road to the Quarterfinals. In addition, they will likely get a relatively undaunting first round matchup as well.
Based on our predictions look for Greenville, Oxford, Lakeshore, Tecumseh, and Gaylord to be competetive here, after that....not much to look for. Annapolis is a bit of a question mark - they have a good record and some studs so they may surprise some people.
The semifinals should be good here regardless of how it shakes out. If you miss the opening round of the D2 tournament, you won't miss much. Check back the week before states for an in depth breakdown.
District Pairings
February 19, 2009
No. 133-2 Gaylord
Gaylord
Marquette
Petoskey
Sault Ste Marie-Sault Area
No. 134-2 Mt Pleasant
Manistee
Mt Pleasant
West Branch-Ogemaw Heights
No. 135-2 Saginaw-Arthur Hill
Auburn-Bay City Western
Bay City-John Glenn
Saginaw-Arthur Hill
No. 136-2 Owosso
Clio
Mt Morris-EA Johnson
Owosso
St Johns
No. 137-2 Flint-Kearsley
Flint Central
Flint Northern
Flint-Beecher-Flint-Hamady
Flint-Kearsley
No. 138-2 Lapeer East
Lapeer East
Lapeer West
Marysville
North Branch
No. 139-2 Ortonville-Brandon
Fenton
Linden
Ortonville-Brandon
No. 140-2 Oxford
Auburn Hills-Avondale
Orchard Lake-St Mary Preparatory
Oxford
Pontiac Central
No. 141-2 Spring Lake
Fruitport
Muskegon-Reeths-Puffer
Norton Shores-Mona Shores
Spring Lake
No. 142-2 Grand Rapids-Kenowa Hills
Coopersville
Grand Rapids-Creston
Grand Rapids-Kenowa Hills
Sparta
No. 143-2 Lowell
Ada-Forest Hills Eastern
Grand Rapids-Forest Hills Northern
Ionia
Lowell
No. 144-2 Cedar Springs
Cedar Springs
Grand Rapids-Northview
Greenville
No. 145-2 East Grand Rapids
East Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids-Catholic Central
Grand Rapids-Central
Grand Rapids-Union
No. 146-2 Grand Rapids-Forest Hills Central
Caledonia
Grand Rapids-Christian
Grand Rapids-Forest Hills Central
Grand Rapids-Ottawa Hills
No. 147-2 Wayland Union
Hastings
Middleville-Thornapple Kellogg
Wayland Union
No. 148-2 Wyoming-Rogers
Byron Center
Wyoming Park
Wyoming-Rogers
Zeeland East
No. 149-2 Niles
Benton Harbor
Niles
St Joseph
Stevensville-Lakeshore
No. 150-2 Vicksburg
Mattawan
Portage Northern
Vicksburg
No. 151-2 Coldwater
Coldwater
Sturgis
Three Rivers
No. 152-2 Battle Creek-Lakeview
Battle Creek-Harper Creek
Battle Creek-Lakeview
Plainwell
Richland-Gull Lake
No. 153-2 Lansing-Waverly
DeWitt
Lansing-JW Sexton
Lansing-Waverly
No. 154-2 Parma-Western
Charlotte
Eaton Rapids
Jackson-Northwest
Parma-Western
No. 155-2 Haslett
Fowlerville
Haslett
Mason
No. 156-2 Tecumseh
Adrian
Chelsea
Dexter
Tecumseh
No. 157-2 Ypsilanti
Carleton-Airport
Milan
Ypsilanti
No. 158-2 Trenton
Gibraltar-OA Carlson
New Boston-Huron
Riverview Community
Trenton
No. 159-2 Melvindale
Allen Park
Dearborn Heights-Annapolis
Melvindale
Romulus
No. 160-2 Inkster
Dearborn Heights-Crestwood
Dearborn-Divine Child
Inkster
No. 161-2 Farmington Hills-Harrison
Birmingham-Seaholm
Bloomfield Hills-Andover
Bloomfield Hills-Lahser
Farmington Hills-Harrison
No. 162-2 Berkley
Berkley
Ferndale
Hazel Park
No. 163-2 Warren-Lincoln
Hamtramck
Warren-Fitzgerald
Warren-Lincoln
No. 164-2 Center Line
Center Line
St Clair Shores-Lake Shore
St Clair Shores-Lakeview
Warren Woods-Tower
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