The first week of the 2024 Michigan High School Athletic Association Playoffs are now complete. Here’s what’s coming up in round 2.
Division 2
Mattawan Wildcats (7-3) at Portage Central Mustangs (7-3) , Friday 7:00 p.m.
-A rematch from earlier this season when Portage Central scored an early touchdown for the only score of the game in a 7-0 win at Mattawan, Since then Mattawan has won 5 straight games under first year head coach Jerry Schultz. Last Friday’s 27-21 win over Lansing Everett was the Wildcats first playoff win since 2012. Portage Central came back from an early deficit to beat their cross town rival Portage Northern 28-13.
Division 3
Zeeland West Dux (9-1) at St. Joseph Bears (9-1), Friday 7:00 p.m.
-Will the Bears be able to repeat their performance from three years ago when they pulled off the upset of the Dux? St. Joe beat Zeeland West 29-26 at Zeeland Stadium three years ago, scoring the winning touchdown with 12 seconds left. Zeeland West got their payback the following year with a 36-18 win at St. Joe. St. Joe and Zeeland West are the 3rd and 4th seeds in the entire state in Division 3. Both the Bears and Dux come in after beating their rivals last week. St. Joe beat Lakeshore 41-21, while Zeeland West defeated Zeeland East 32-6. The ground game will be key in this matchup. We will have it live on News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM and at wsjm.com starting at 6:30.
Division 4
Edwardsburg Eddies (7-3) at Niles Vikings (9-1), Friday 7:00 p.m.
-Another rivalry rematch in the playoffs for Niles and Edwardsburg, The series has been all Edwardsburg since the Vikings joined the Wolverine, up until last year. Niles beat the Eddies 49-0 last year and 21-14 earlier this season. Edwardsburg looks to pull another upset after taking out the top seed Harper Creek. Niles looks to continue their dominant run after losing their opener at St. Joe back in week 1
Division 5
Berrien Springs Shamrocks (7-3) at Kalamazoo United Titans (8-2), Friday 7:00 p.m.
-After some early struggles, Berrien Springs has won 5 straight after dropping their opening two games to Kalamazoo United 20-16 and to 49-15 to Paw Paw. The Shamrocks look to reverse what they did in their opening week loss to United. United, comes in after losing to Jackson Lumen Christi at Ford Field before topping South Haven in the opening round of the playoffs.
Division 6
Constantine Falcons (7-3) at Olivet Eagles (8-2), Friday 7:00 p.m.
Despite the 3 losses, Constantine should feel very good about Friday’s game, The Falcons three losses were to playoff teams, and they handed Schoolcraft their one and only loss, which is no small task. Olivet comes in after a big win over Buchanan in the first round.
Division 7
Schoolcraft Eagles (9-1) at Lawton Blue Devils (8-2), Friday 7:00 p.m.
The two traditional SAC leading Schoolcraft and Lawton meet in for the district title. Lawton will host the game despite Schoolcraft having a better record.
Division 8
Saugatuck Trailblazers (7-3) at Decatur Raiders (9-1), Friday 7:00 p.m.
Saugatuck has already pulled off one upset, the Trailblazers would like to make it two upset in as many weeks as they travel to Decatur. Decatur won their first playoff game since 2018 with the win over Southwest 10 rival Centreville last week.
8-Man Division 1
Martin Clippers (8-1) at Mendon Hornets (9-1), Saturday 1:00 p.m.
Martin is the defending champions for a reason. The Clippers avenged their one and only loss this season with the win over previously undefeated Gobles. The Clippers will face Mendon, who looks to start to dominate the 8-man playoffs as they did the 11-man playoffs
