NORTH
Division 1
Rockford (6-3)
The Rams shared the OK Red Conference title with Grandville and open the playoffs by facing the Bulldogs in a rematch. Rockford won the first meeting 21-0 and hosts Grandville at “The Ted”.
Davison (5-4)
The Cardinals are back in the playoffs after a two-year hiatus but opens with Lapeer, a team it lost to 42-0 in week nine.
HSSS Regional picks. R1)Grand Ledge, R2)West Bloomfield, R3)Saline, R4)Detroit Cass Tech
HSSS Finals pick: Saline over West Bloomfield
Division 2
Fenton (8-1)
The Tigers have been on a roll since dropping a three-point decision to Davison in week one and have scored 30 or more points in every game since.
Lowell (8-1)
Red Arrows the favorite to win their district but face a tall task in regional finals against Mona Shores or Muskegon.
Midland (7-2)
The Chemics are back in the playoffs after having their 12-year playoff run end last season.
Midland Dow (8-1)
The SVL Blue champs play Midland for a second straight week in the playoff opener after having defeated the Chemics 49-28 in week nine.
HSSS Regional picks. R1)Muskegon Mona Shores, R2) Walled Lake Western, R3) Jackson, R4)Detroit King
HSSS Finals pick: Detroit King over Mona Shores
Division 3
Bay City Glenn (5-4)
Bobcats face unenviable task of opening the playoffs at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s.
Cedar Springs (6-3)
The Red Hawks have battled injuries all season but with a healthy Collin Alvesteffer can make a deep playoff run.
Linden (7-2)
High-powered Eagle offense squares off with league rival Ortonville-Brandon in opening round.
Mt. Pleasant (7-2)
Oilers have turned in a big year and are battle tested for action in a rugged regional.
HSSS Regional picks. R1)East Grand Rapids, R2)Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, R3)Edwardsburg, R4)Allen Park
HSSS Finals pick: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s over Edwardsburg
Division 4
Alma (6-3)
In the playoffs for the first time since 2011 but faces a rugged road test at Forest Hills Eastern.
Big Rapids (6-3)
Would’ve hit the jackpot if they receive frequent flyer miles for opening-round road trip to Escanaba.
Flint Powers Catholic (7-2)
Rugged SVL schedule should pay dividends for a Powers team capable of reaching the state semifinals.
Goodrich (6-3)
Will count on its stingy defense in playoff opener against Flint Powers.
Lake Fenton (5-4)
Faces Corunna in the first round in what will be a rematch of a thriller in week eight.
Remus-Chippewa Hills (7-2)
Travel to Whitehall in what should be one of the more entertaining games of the opening round.
Saginaw Swan Valley (6-3)
In the playoffs for fourth straight season but faces a brutal road game at high-scoring Comstock Park.
HSSS Regional picks. R1)Comstock Park, R2)Zeeland West, R3)Flint Powers, R4)Detroit Country Day
HSSS Finals pick: Zeeland West over Detroit Country Day
Division 5
Birch Run (5-4)
Face difficult challenge at rival Frankenmuth in the first round.
Essexville-Garber (5-4)
Dukes open with a tough test at unbeaten Freeland.
Frankenmuth (8-1)
Eagles were 8-0 before falling to Freeland 42-7 in week nine. Could get a rematch in district finals.
Freeland (9-0)
Looking to win a second straight district title.
Harrison (7-2)
Joins Big Rapids in making the long trip to the Western U.P. to face a rugged Kingsford squad.
HSSS Regional picks. R1)Menominee, R2)Lansing Catholic, R3)Ida, R4)Algonac
HSSS Finals pick: Mmenominee over Ida
Division 6
Burton Bendle (8-1)
Lone loss this year came at New Lothrop.
Byron (6-3)
Eagles open with Montrose in what should be a competitive struggle.
Ithaca (9-0)
On a mission to reclaim the state title and may not be denied.
Montrose (5-4)
Rams in the playoffs for a sixth-straight season.
Morley-Stanwood (6-3)
Talented Morley-Stanwood team faces a tall task in opener at Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian.
Sanford-Meridian (9-0)
Mustangs turned in first-ever perfect regular season and have their sights set on a showdown with Ithaca in district finals.
HSSS Regional picks. R1) Traverse City St. Francis, R2)Ithaca, R3)G.R. NorthPointe Christian, R4)Monroe St. Mary Catholic
HSSS Finals pick: Ithaca over Monroe St. Mary Catholic
Division 7
Carson City-Crystal (6-3)
Face the tall task of slowing down Pewamo-Westphalia in the opening round.
Flint Beecher (6-2)
Would face New Lothrop if they get by Hamady in district opener.
Flint Hamady (7-2)
Has one of its most prolific offenses in school history.
Saginaw Nouvel (8-1)
Has been on a roll since opening-night loss at New Lothrop.
HSSS Regional picks. R1)Ishpeming, R2)New Lothrop, R3)Pewamo-Westphalia, R4)Detroit Loyola
HSSS Finals pick: New Lothrop over Pewamo-Westphalia
Division 8
Bay City All Saints (6-3)
Back playoffs for the first time since 2010.
Beal City (8-1)
Aggies have showdown with Muskegon Catholic looming in district finals.
Merrill (6-3)
Open in what should be a thriller with Fowler and then could have rematch with MLS.
Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart (6-3)
Must make the trip to the lakeshore to face powerhouse Muskegon Catholic.
Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (8-1)
MLS would have to get past Muskegon Catholic to get back to the state semis again this year.
Vestaburg (5-4)
Wolverines back in the playoffs after a two-year hiatus.
HSSS Regional picks. R1) St. Ignace, R2)Muskegon Catholic Central, R3) Michigan Lutheran Seminary, R4)Climax-Scotts
HSSS Finals pick: Muskegon Catholic over Climax-Scotts
Eight-player
HSSS Regional picks. R1)Powers North Central, R2)Owendale-Gagetown, R3)Battle Creek St. Phillip, R4) Morrice.
HSSS Finals pick: Powers North Central over Battle Creek St. Phillip