2008 MHSAA Team State Preview - Division 4
Previewing and predicting Division 4 is tougher than D1 and D2 as alot of D4 teams are not as well known as the top teams in the bigger divisions. The D4 team states could see some fresh faces in Battle Creek as many of the top guns meet up in districts and regionals.
Notable District Matchups:
--- #3 Clinton vs #4 Manchester @ Adrian-Madison District ---
Manchester entered this season as a favorite to challenge the Hesperia, Hudson, and Addison's of Division 4 as they returned a fleet of all-staters. They received a wake up call early in the year when they were upset by Clinton way back in November. That dual ended in a tie, with Clinton winning on the 6th criteria. As you could expect, alot has changed since November as Manchester seems to have found their groove with big wins over top D4 teams like Addison and Springport. This time everything will be on the line as the loser will be done until next November.
--- #7 Martin vs Kent City @ Kent City District ---
Martin is one of the traditional top teams in D4 and will enter this district favored, however, Kent City has a good shot at pulling this one out. Kent City has flown under the radar a little this year, but their lineup bolsters a lot of studs like Carew, Sabin, and O'Leary, and they are pretty solid from top to bottom for a D4 team. This should be a good dual, however, the point is probably mute as the winner will face powerhouse Hesperia at regionals.
Regional Breakdown
Here is a breakdown of what teams will be battling out at each regional for a shot at advancing to the D2 Team State Finals in Battle Creek.
125-4 at Rogers City
Top contenders: Iron Mountain, Rogers City
Outlook: Iron Mountain is the best team in the upper penisula and could be a sleeper in the Division 4 team race as not many teams really see them. Rogers City has been traditionally one of the best northern teams in the state and these two should be pretty evenly matched. They met at the Marquette Challenge back in December with Iron Mountain finishing a mere 7 points ahead of Rogers City. Rogers City boasts a lineup led by some of D4's top guns like Chase McClennan, TJ Sobeck, Tharin Wilk, and Devin Pommerenke, while Iron Mountain has some of the best that the UP has to offer so this should be a barnburner between two of Northern Michigan's best squads.
Our Pick: Rogers City
126-4 at Blanchard-Montabella
Top Contenders: #8 Pine River, #9 Kingsley
Outlook: This is the other northern regional and it boasts two solid teams in Pine River and Kingsley. Kinglsey is a young up and coming program that made a name for themselves by knocking off D3 power Caro during the season. Pine River has been solid year and year out as of late and they boast some top name guys like Webster, Morris, and Jones. Pine River and Kingsley met in January splitting 7 wins a piece with Pine River coming out on top from bonus points, 34-26. Therefore this should be a great dual as any match could be the difference.
Our Pick: Pine River
127-4 at Mayville
Top Contenders: #6 New Lothrop, Mayville
Outlook: New Lothrop has some of the best individuals in D4 with the Krupps, Birchmeir, and Confer, to name a few. They have been one of the elite programs in D4 over the past couple decades and they should be back in Battle Creek this year as no one appears to have what it takes to beat them in this regional. Mayville is probably their biggest challenge, however, it is hard to see anyone beating NL.
Our Pick: New Lothrop
128-4 at Ithaca
Top Contenders: #10 Springport, Dansville
Outlook: Another traditional D4 heavyweight here in Springport will be the favorite out of this regional. Dansville is an up an coming program that has the big guns to run with Springport, but may not have the depth top to bottom. Springport is pretty well tested as they have wrestled many of D4's best this year and they should get through here and move on to Battle Creek.
Our Pick: Springport
129-4 at Manchester
Top Contenders: #3 Clinton, #4 Manchester
Outlook: This regional will likely be decided before it starts as the winner of the Manchester/Clinton district should win this regional with ease. For a look at Clinton/Manchester read our notable district matchups above.
Our Pick: Manchester
130-4 at Hudson
Top Contenders: #2 Hudson, #5 Addison
Outlook: This will probably be the most exciting regional matchup as Hudson and Addison are both D4 powerhouses that contend every year. Addison has won D4 the last 3 years, but Hudson folks think this is their year to make a run. This will be a tight dual that should feature alot of marquee individual matchups as well. Will Addison stop Hudson in their tracks or will the reigning 3x D4 champs be knocked off before Battle Creek? The winner of this will be one of the top contenders heading into the state meet.
Our Pick: Hudson
131-4 at Decatur
Top contenders: Bronson, Decatur
Outlook: This regional is one of the thinner in Division 4 and is really up for grabs between alot of sub-par teams. Decatur and Bronson are probably the favorites to get out this region, but it is hard to predict as there are alot of teams that have flown under the radar much of this year. Bronson has been tough year and year out and their expierence makes them an obvious favorite.
Our Pick: Bronson
132-4 at Kent City
Top Contenders: #1 Hesperia, #7 Martin, Kent City
Outlook: Hesperia has been the team to beat in D4 for years now but, they always seem to fall short come state tournament time. Once again they are #1 this year and they should have no trouble moving on through this regional. The winner of Martin and Kent City at districts will give them their toughest challenge, however, this appears to be Hesperia's year and none of the teams in their regional should pose a serious threat.
Our Pick: Hesperia
With all our picks from each regional, here is who we think you will be seeing in Battle Creek contending for a Division 2 State Title.
(listed up in order of Quarterfinal pairing formula)
New Lothrop vs Bronson
Hudson vs Hesperia
Rogers City vs Springport
Pine River vs Manchester
State Final Outlook
Heading into the D4 team tournament process it looks like Hesperia and Hudson are the top dogs, while Manchester, Clinton, and Addison are all viable contenders. Unfortunately it looks like most of the best duals will be over before the state semifinals as Clinton/Manchester meet at districts, Hudson/Addison meet at regionals, and Hesperia will wrestler the Hudson/Addison winner in the quarterfinals. The quarterfinal match between Hesperia and Hudson/Addison will likely be the match that decides the state champs, which is ironic because last year it was the quarterfinals when Addison upset Hesperia en route to their 3rd title. If Hesperia can change that trend this year, they will likely cruise through their semifinal and probably see Manchester in the finals. Manchester will not have an easy half bracket as Pine River and Springport could both challenge them. After team regionals conclude and the top 8 are set we will delve deeper into the state finals outlook with a more indepth preview of the top 8.
Full list of District/Regional pairings listed below:
DISTRICT/REGIONAL PAIRINGS
February 14, 2008
No. 197-4 Gwinn
Gwinn
Iron Mountain
Norway
No. 198-4 Manistique
* Manistique (Cooks-Big Bay de Noc )
* Munising (Eben Junction-Superior Central )
Newberry
No. 199-4 Charlevoix
Charlevoix
* Kinross-Maplewood Baptist Academy (Pickford )
Rudyard
St Ignace-La Salle
No. 200-4 Boyne City
Boyne City
Onaway Area
Rogers City
No. 201-4 Kingsley Area
* Frankfort (Onekama , Bear Lake )
Kingsley Area
Mancelona
Traverse City-St Francis
No. 202-4 Mio-Au Sable
Hale
Mio-Au Sable
Whittemore-Prescott
No. 203-4 Manton
Fife Lake-Forest Area
Leroy-Pine River Area
Manton
No. 204-4 Clare
Blanchard-Montabella
Clare
Farwell Area
Sanford-Meridian
No. 205-4 Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker
Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker
Mayville
Sandusky
No. 206-4 Marlette
Brown City
Marlette
Memphis
No. 207-4 Burton-Bendle
Burton-Bendle
Burton-Bentley
New Lothrop
St Charles
No. 208-4 Saginaw-Michigan Lutheran Seminary
Carrollton
Saginaw-Michigan Lutheran Seminary
Saginaw-Nouvel Catholic Central
Saginaw-Valley Lutheran
No. 209-4 St Louis
Breckenridge
Ithaca
Merrill
St Louis
No. 210-4 Saranac
Carson City-Crystal
* Middleton-Fulton (Fowler )
Saranac
No. 211-4 Dansville
Byron Area
Dansville
Webberville Community
No. 212-4 Leslie
Bellevue
Leslie
Olivet
Springport
No. 213-4 Madison Heights-Bishop Foley
Madison Heights-Bishop Foley
New Haven
Rochester Hills-Lutheran Northwest
No. 214-4 Riverview-Gabriel Richard
Allen Park Inter-City Baptist
Detroit-Cesar Chavez Academy
Harper Woods
Riverview Gabriel Richard
No. 215-4 Lutheran HS Westland
Lutheran HS Westland
Monroe St Mary Catholic Central
Saline Washtenaw Christian Academy
South Lyon East
No. 216-4 Adrian-Madison
Adrian-Madison
Blissfield
Clinton
Manchester
No. 217-4 Addison
Addison
Grass Lake
Michigan Center
No. 218-4 Morenci Area
Hudson Area
Morenci Area
Pittsford
Sand Creek
No. 219-4 Jonesville
Jonesville
Quincy
Reading
No. 220-4 Union City
Concord
Homer
Union City
No. 221-4 Athens
Athens
Bronson
Mendon
White Pigeon
No. 222-4 Climax-Scotts
Climax-Scotts
Lawton
Galesburg-Augusta
Schoolcraft
No. 223-4 Marcellus
Cassopolis
Constantine
Decatur
Marcellus
No. 224-4 Three Oaks-River Valley
Bridgman
Eau Claire
Niles-Brandywine
Three Oaks-River Valley
No. 225-4 Hartford
Benton Harbor Countryside
Covert
Hartford
Watervliet
No. 226-4 Bangor
Bangor
Gobles
Bloomingdale
Lawrence
No. 227-4 Kent City
Fennville
Kent City
Martin
Muskegon Catholic Central
No. 228-4 Montague
Hart
Hesperia Community
Holton
Montague
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