The regional finals are here. Teams are just three wins away from a state title. But my question is, what is up with all the Saturday games? Of the 32 regional finals, 20 are on Saturday. I know next week's semifinals are required to be on Saturday, but high school football is supposed to be a Friday night tradition. I would like to see what the attendance numbers are like for Friday night games vs. Saturday afternoon games, which have to compete against college football games for fans. I know on semifinals week this year, fans will have to decide between high school games and the Michigan State-Penn State and Michigan-Ohio State matchups. But most high school fans are loyal to their team, especially at this point in the season. Here are my picks for this week.

Division 1
Region 3
Lake Orion (10-1) at Sterling Heights Stevenson (10-1), Friday 7 p.m. — The OAA Red champion Dragons versus the MAC Red co-champion Titans. The winner takes home bragging rights for its respective league and moves one step closer to Ford Field. Stevenson avenged its lone loss of the season last week by defeating Macomb Dakota and are averaging 44.8 points per game in during its current six-game winning streak. The Dragons have won 10 straight and have given up more than 20 points just twice this season. Stevenson is Lake Orion’s third straight MAC Red opponent and MAC teams have typically been a thorn in Lake Orion’s side, especially in regional finals. Pick: Stevenson

Division 2
Region 3
Lakeland (9-2) at Warren DeLaSalle (11-0), Saturday 1 p.m. — Lakeland is in unchartered territory after winning its first football district title in school history. DeLaSalle on the other hand is hoping to get back to the state finals, which it reached in 2006. The Eagles, who rely heavily on their offense, could struggle to score against the Pilots, who have allowed just six points in each of its first two playoff games and allowed more than 14 points just once all season. Lakeland is going to need its defense to keep it low scoring to have a chance. Pick: DeLaSalle

Wyandotte Roosevelt (10-1) at Southfield (10-1), Saturday 1 p.m. — Alright show of hands, who had Southfield going this far at the beginning of the season. Just Tim Conley, huh? Even after making it this far, it seems like the Bluejays are still not getting respect. Last week’s overtime win over Dearborn was impressive and nobody will be able to deny Southfield is the real deal with a win this week. Roosevelt has won two tough playoff games against one-loss teams, including a win last week over Southgate Anderson that avenged is only loss of the season. Pick: Southfield

Division 3
Region 4
Warren Fitzgerald (10-1) at Bloomfield Hills Lahser (10-1), Saturday 7:30 p.m. — The OAA Blue champion Knights vs. the MAC Silver champion Spartans. Fitzgerald has been tough defensively, shutting out its first two playoff opponents and not allowing more than 18 points in a game all season. Lahser has averaged 32.8 points per game during its current 10-game win streak, but in its two toughest games (Ferndale and Lapeer West) the Knights have scored a combined 27 points. The Knights offense will have to be at the top of its game to pull this one out. Pick: Lahser

Division 4
Region 3
Marshall (8-3) at Birmingham Detroit Country Day (9-2), Saturday 1 p.m. — Of all the Oakland County teams left, Country Day is my best bet to make it to Ford Field. The Yellowjackets showed they can put points on the board during the regular season and have grinded out two low-scoring games in the playoffs. Marshall upset a solid Goodrich team last week and looks like it has turned things around defensively after allowing 77 points in its first two games of the season, both losses. Pick: Country Day

Division 7
Region 4
Royal Oak Shrine (11-0) at Ubly (11-0), Saturday 1 p.m. — Shrine hasn’t just beaten teams this season, but embarrassed them. The Knights have won their first two playoff games by a combined scored of 63-6 and have won its 11 games by an average of 29.3 points a game. Ubly can relate. The Bearcats have won their two playoff games by a combined scored of 111-14 and has won its 11 games by an average of 38.6 points per game. This would make a great Division 7 state championship game, let alone a regional final. Homefield could prove to be the difference, and by the way, what does Shrine have to do to get a home playoff game? The Knights missed this one by 0.333 playoff points. Pick: Shrine

Bonus (non-Oakland County) picks
Division 1
Hartland (9-2) at Rockford (10-1), Saturday 1:30 p.m. — Pick: Rockford
Livonia Stevenson (9-2) at Canton (10-1), Friday 7 p.m — Pick: Canton
Detroit Southeastern (10-1) at Dearborn Fordson (11-0), Friday 7 p.m. — Pick: Fordson

Division 2
Davison (8-3) at Midland (10-1), Saturday 7 p.m. — Pick: Midland
Lowell (11-0) at Muskegon (11-0), Saturday 1 p.m. — Pick: Muskegon

Division 3
Bangor John Glenn (9-2) at East Grand Rapids, Saturday 2 p.m. — Pick: East Grand Rapids
East Lansing (8-3) at Stevensville Lakeshore (10-1), Saturday 1 p.m. — Pick East Lansing
Chelsea (9-2) at Inkster (10-1), Saturday 1 p.m. — Pick: Inkster

Playoff record: District semifinals: 24-6, 16-4 Oakland County; District finals: 10-8 overall, 6-3 Oakland County