The high school football playoffs are finally here! It’s a super exciting time, but also a stressful time as I go from choosing a dozen or so games to all of the games in the Metro Detroit coverage area.
After 14: 4 on my part last week, I feel good to make it into the playoffs this season with a record of 111: 44. While selecting the winners for any playoff game that involves a Metro Detroit team will likely mess up my selection percentage, it will certainly be fun to watch the action no matter what. Playoffs is the season of surprises, Cinderella stories, mayhem and champions. Bring it on!
If there is a specific game to highlight in Purcell’s Picks, send your suggestion to [email protected] and share your prediction. I will definitely mention it in my post.
All games take place on Fridays at 7 p.m., unless otherwise stated.
DEPARTMENT 1
Detroit Cass Tech (6-3) at Dearborn Fordson (7-2)
It really is a shame that these two teams have to meet to open the playoffs as they both have the potential to take deep runs in Division 1. This is the eighth straight season that these teams clash in the postseason, with Cass Tech setting a 1 record in those meetings. Both teams have talented quarterbacks and receivers. Cass Tech junior quarterback Leeshaun Mumpfield can spread the ball well, with talented Jameel Gardner taking the lead. Dearborn has Alex Osman throwing the ball and super talent Antonio Gates Jr. is his favorite wide receiver target. In the end, Cass Tech will be too strong in the trenches, a place loaded with NCAA DI talent.
PURCELL’S PICK: Detroit Cass Tech 28, Dearborn Fordson 21
Oxford (5-4) at Clarkston (8-1)
According to the records, Clarkston looks like the heavy favorite. However, Oxford has steadily improved over the season as it has won five of its last six games. Plus, his week 5 loss to Clarkston was only a 20-17 decision. This could be some excitement in the opening round. Still, Clarkston earned his record with a very talented Ethan Clark, who shows the wolves the way as they run back. Clarkston’s offense had gone up in flames for the past three weeks, scoring 133 points. Clarkston’s offense will likely be brought to Earth, and I think they’ll win another close one.
PURCELL’S PICK: Clarkston 17, Oxford 14
Lapeer (7-2) at Rochester Adams (9-0)
Adams goes into the playoffs as a very different looking team than a year ago. After Adams entered the 2020 playoffs with just a 2-4 record, Adams is entering this year’s playoffs with his first 9-0 season since 2005. Adams is rewarded with his first match against Lapeer, a team that has been in every playoff since its inception since 2014. Adams’ Parker Picot has become one of the most dangerous mobile quarterbacks in the state. Adams needs to find a way to stop Lapeer running back Brayden McKenna, who has run over 2,000 yards (!!!) so far this season.
PURCELL’S CHOICE: Adams 24, Lapeer 21
Detroit Catholic Center (7-2) in Bloomfield Hills (9-0)
Bloomfield Hills is undefeated and the OAA Blue Champion. However, Catholic Headquarters is the toughest opponent the Black Hawks have ever faced this season. Catholic Central’s only two defeats are MAC Red Power Chippewa Valley and undefeated Warren De La Salle. It’s worth noting that Catholic Central hasn’t lost a playoff opener since 1996, and has won 20 opening games in a row since then. I don’t think Catholic Headquarters will break this trend.
PURCELL’S PICK: Catholic Center 35, Bloomfield Hills 14
DEPARTMENT 2
Walled Lake Western (6-3) in White Lake Lakeland (6-3)
Walled Lake Western gets a hoped-for rematch. These two teams were scheduled to meet in week 3, but Western had to retire due to COVID-19 issues. Obviously, it’s a loss that Western seeks to make up while Lakeland tries to legitimize it.
PURCELL’S PICK: Lakeland 31, Western 21
DEPARTMENT 3
River Rouge (6-2) at Harper Woods (7-2)
With Detroit King on the other side of that category, this is possibly the most exciting borough in Michigan. River Rouge’s reputation precedes him, but Harper Woods has gotten to that point by also playing against multiple playoff teams. Harper Woods’ only losses are Orchard Lake St Mary’s and Warren De La Salle, while it also beat Detroit Country Day, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and Allen Park. Christion Stokes is having a great season running back for Harper Woods while Tay’shawn Trent is a handful on receiver. Speaking of recipients, River Rouge has one of the best sophomores in the country in Nick Marsh. Plus, QB Christian Johnson was a great leader in the talented River Rouge offensive.
PURCELL’S PICK: River Rouge 29, Harper Woods 284
DEPARTMENT 4
Detroit Country Day (5-3) at Redford Union (8-1) – Saturday, 6pm
Country Day goes into the playoffs with a 5-3 record but is still able to defend its title. In its last 13 district round games through 2014, Country Day has not given up more than 14 points in a game. Country Day QB Brandon Mann (Kent State) is one of the state’s most seasoned quarterbacks, having led Country Day through a tough schedule for a D4 team. Meanwhile, Redford Union is having a special season. After a 33: 6 defeat in the season opener against the undefeated title favorites of Division 7 Pewamo-Westphalia, Union formed anew and led the table in Western Wayne. Union has never got past a district final since districts became a thing. So what better way to start a more memorable run than knocking out the defending champions? Unfortunately, I don’t see that for Union.
PURCELL’S PICK: Detroit Country Day 28, Redford Union 14
THE REST OF PURCELL’S PICKS
DEPARTMENT 1
Novi (5-1) at West Bloomfield (8-1): West Bloomfield, 28-10
Utica (5-4) in Romeo (8-1): Romeo, 42-7
New Baltimore Anchor Bay (7-2) at Macomb Dakota (6-3): Dakota, 35-14
Fraser (6-3) in Sterling Heights Stevenson (7-2): Stevenson, 35-6
Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (6-3) in Troy (8-1): Chippewa Valley 35, Troy 7
Canton (6-3) near Saline (9-0): Saline, 35-28
Ann Arbor Huron (8-1) in Belleville (8-1): Belleville, 42-14
Dearborn (6-3) in Woodhaven (8-1): Woodhaven, 35-14
DEPARTMENT 2
East Lansing (6-3) in Milford (7-2): Lansing, 24-17
Waterford Mott (5-4) in Berkley (7-2): Mott, 28-14
Dearborn Heights Crestwood (6-3) at Livonia Churchill (7-2): Churchill, 35-6
Livonia Franklin (4-5) at Temperance Bedford (7-2): Bedford, 21-13
Roseville (5-4) in Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse (7-2): Roseville, 35-13
Detroit UD Jesuit (4-5) at Warren De La Salle Collegiate (8-0): De La Salle, 38-7
St. Clair Shores Lakeview (5-4) at Grosse Pointe South (5-4): South, 35-7
DEPARTMENT 3
South Lyon East (3-6) at Mason (7-2): Mason, 27-21
Auburn Hills Avondale (4-5) at Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (6-3): Brother Rice, 31-14
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (5-4) in Flint Kearsley (6-3): St. Mary’s, 28-7
Warren Fitzgerald (8-1) at Detroit Martin Luther King (8-1): King, 35-13
Trenton (5-4) in Gibraltar Carlson (8-1): Carlson, 31-28
Riverview (9-0) at Allen Park (7-2): Allen Park, 21-20
DEPARTMENT 4
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (7-2) at Croswell-Lexington (8-1): NDP, 31-21
Madison Heights Lamphere (7-2) in Livonia Clarenceville (8-1): Clarenceville, 35-20
Romulus Summit Academy North (7-2) in Chelsea (9-0): Chelsea, 42-12
New Boston Huron (5-4) in Milan (7-2): Milan, 17-7
DEPARTMENT 5
St. Clair Shores South Lake (5-4) in Marine City (9-0): Marine City, 45-7
Dundee (5-4) at Macomb Lutheran North (6-3): 21-14
DEPARTMENT 6
Clinton (7-2) at Dearborn Heights Robichaud (5-4): Clinton, 28-6
Clinton Township Clintondale (5-4) at Warren Michigan Collegiate (7-2): Collegiate, 41-28
Almont (5-4) at Clawson (7-2): Clawson, 21-14
Detroit Pershing (5-4) in Detroit Southeastern (6-3): Southeast, 13-12
Detroit Edison (6-3) at Ecorse (6-3): Ecorse, 14-13
DEPARTMENT 7
Detroit Leadership Academy (5-4) in Jackson Lumen Christi (8-1): Lumen Christi, 35-6
Lutheran Westland (8-1) in Monroe St Mary Catholic Central (8-1): SMCC, 28-14
Detroit Community (6-3) in Detroit Central (9-0): Central, 34-12
Detroit Loyola (4-4) at Madison Heights Bishop Foley (8-1): Loyola, 22-21
DEPARTMENT 8
Mount Clemens (5-4) in the Clarkston Everest Collegiate (7-2): Everest, 35-10
Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest (5-4) with Marine City Cardinal Mooney (7-2): Mooney, 28-20
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