I apologize for not posting my boys soccer semifinal predictions. I had them ready, but was waiting to talk to the Oakland Christian and Country Day coaches for a story that ran in the paper and then just forgot. I went 6-2 with my picks (both losses being in Division 3) if anybody cares. But enough with the excuses, here are the picks.

Division 4: No. 2 Auburn Hills Oakland Christian (23-3) vs. No. 3 Muskegon Catholic Central (21-2-2) noon Saturday at Troy Athens — The Lancers have been thinking about this game for a year after falling in the finals last season. I’ve been saying all along Oakland Christian is my pick to win it all and I’m not changing now. Pick: Oakland Christian

Division 1: No. 3 East Kentwood (22-1-3) vs. No. 2 Livonia Stevenson (20-1-3), 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Troy Athens — East Kentwood is trying to become the first team to ever win back-to-back Division 1 titles and first Division 1/Class A team to repeat since Warren DeLaSalle did it in 1992-93. Stevenson is no cupcake though and this should be a great game, worthy of the state finals stage. Pick: East Kentwood

Division 2: Dexter (15-9-3) vs. No. 3 Petoskey (21-1-3), 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Stoney Creek — Dexter coach Scott Forrester said at the beginning of the season he never expected his team to reach the finals for a third straight year. Forrester did graduate eight starters, but he’s still there so he shouldn’t be surprised. Sadly the Dreadnaughts will likely have the same result as they did last season. Pick: Petoskey

Division 3: No. 2 Goodrich (20-3-2) vs. No. 6 Whitehall (22-1-1), noon Saturday at Stoney Creek — Goodrich beating Country Day didn’t shock me, but the Martians beating the Yellowjackets 3-0 did. Goodrich is now in position to win its first boy soccer state title. Pick: Goodrich

On a side note I wanted to give kudos to the coaches association rankings. Seven of the eight teams left standing are in the final rankings. They catch a lot of flack, but do the best job they can all season for the teams and fans’ enjoyment. And from the way things panned out this season, they did a darn good job. I also wanted to congratulate all the teams in the playoffs on another wonderful season. Good luck to all the seniors and the rest of you we’ll meet again next year.

Division 1
At Lake Orion
Troy vs. Grand Blanc, 2 p.m. Saturday — The Colts offense has been dynamite in the playoffs and should be able to get a key goal when called upon against Grand Blanc. Pick: Troy

Division 2
At Bloomfield Hills Andover
Birmingham Seaholm vs. Dexter, 6 p.m. Saturday — The Maples have not allowed a goal in the playoffs, while that may change against Dexter the result shouldn’t. Pick: Seaholm

Division 3
At Birmingham Detroit Country Day
Birmingham Detroit Country Day vs. Macomb Lutheran North, 3 p.m. Saturday — Lutheran North’s 3-0 win over Lumen Christi was impressive, but the Yellowjackets don’t lose playoff games at home. Pick: Country Day

Divison 4
At Auburn Hills Oakland Christian
Auburn Hills Oakland Chrisitan vs. Harbor Beach, 2 p.m Saturday — The Lancers won a tight one against Burton Christian. I don’t expect this one to be so tight. Pick: Oakland Chrisitian


Bonus picks
Division 1
East Kentwood vs. Portage Central – Pick: East Kentwood
Salem vs. Saline — Pick: Saline
Warren DeLaSalle vs. Livonia Stevenson — Pick: DeLaSalle
Division 2
Plainwell vs. Holland Christian — Pick: Plainwell
Laingsburg vs. Mason — Pick: Mason
Fruitport vs. Petoskey — Pick: Petoskey
Division 3
South Haven vs. Grand Rapids South Christian — Pick: South Christian
Goodrich vs. Durand — Pick: Goodrich
Manistee vs. Whitehall — Pick: Manistee
Division 4
Marcellus vs. Bridgman — Pick: Bridgman
Ann Arbor Greenhills vs. Lansing Christian — Pick: Greenhills
Suttons Bay vs. Muskegon Catholic Central — Pick: Catholic Central

Eight Oakland County boys soccer teams remain in the hunt for a state championship. At least two will not make it through this week. Any soccer coach will tell you anything can happen on any give night, but here’s what I think will happen in my regional predictions.

Division 1
(At Saginaw Heritage)
Wednesday
Lake Orion vs. Grand Blanc, 5 p.m. — Grand Blanc defeated Lake Orion 3-0 in the season opener for both teams back in August. The Dragons have come a long way since then and will send the Bobcats home for the second straight year. Pick: Lake Orion
Troy vs. Midland Dow, 7 p.m. — The Colts offense led by Joe Beshara and Nate Hicklin will be too much for Dow to stop. Pick Troy

Division 2
(At Bloomfield Hills Andover)
Wednesday
Birmingham Seaholm vs. Riverview, 5 p.m. — The Maples have not allowed a goal in the playoffs, while Riverview allowed two goals to Dearborn Divine Child in the district title game. Seaholm’s defense will be the difference. Pick: Scaholm
St. Clair Shores Lakeview vs. Dexter, 7 p.m. — Dexter is more battle tested coming out of the SEC. Pick: Dexter

(At Flint Kearsley)
Tuesday
Oxford vs. Laingsburg, 5 p.m. — Laingsburg is coming off a double overtime victory over St. Johns and this game could very well end up in overtime, but I like the Wildcats. Pick: Oxford
Ortonville Brandon vs. Mason, 7 p.m. — The Blackhawks historic season comes to an end against a talented Mason squad. Pick: Mason

Division 3
(At Birmingham Detroit Country Day)
Tuesday
Birmingham Detroit Country Day vs. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, 5 p.m. — Having the home field will give No. 3 Country Day the edge over Gabriel Richard. Pick: Country Day
Macomb Lutheran North vs. Jackson Lumen Christi, 7 p.m. — No. 8 Lutheran North will have its hands full with Lumen Christi, but should come out on top. Pick: Lutheran North

Division 4
(At Jackson Christian School)
Tuesday
Ann Arbor Greenhills vs. Lutheran Westland, 3:30 p.m. — This should be a great game, but Greenhills is ranked No. 1 for a reason. Pick: Greenhills
Wednesday
Birmingham Roeper vs. Lansing Christian, 3:30 p.m. — I made the mistake of picking against Roeper in districts, and while this will be a tough one, I'm not making that mistake again. Pick: Roeper

(At Auburn Hills Oakland Christian)
Tuesday
Auburn Hills Oakland Christian vs. Burton Genesse Christian — The Stanko brothers and the rest of the Lancers are still my pick to win it all. Pick: Oakland Christian
Wednesday
Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett vs. Harbor Beach — What I know about Harbor Beach and a nickel won’t get you very far so I’ll just go with Liggett. Pick: Liggett

Boys soccer predictions record: District finalists: 18-4; District champions: 9-3

Earlier in the week I predicted the district finals and winners for all the boys soccer districts involving Oakland County teams. I have to say I did a pretty solid job, getting 18 out of a possible 22 finalists right and my predicted champions are alive in eight out of 11 districts. Here are my updated predictions for the district finals.

Division 1
District 5
(at Northville)
Predicted final: Novi vs. Northville
Final: Novi vs. Northville, noon Saturday
Pick: Northville. I’m sticking with Northville in this KLAA Central showdown.

District 6
(at North Farmington)
Predicted final: Birmingham Brother Rice vs. Livonia Stevenson
Final: Birmingham Brother Rice vs. Livonia Stevenson, 1 p.m. Saturday
Pick: Stevenson. The Spartans have won its first two district games by a combined score of 9-0 and have done nothing to change my original pick.

District 8
(at Fraser)
Predicted final: Utica Ford vs. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley
Final: Sterling Heights Stevenson 2, Troy Athens 1 (Already played)
Both of my finalists fell in the first round. I couldn’t have gotten this district more wrong if I tried. Congratulations Titans on the district title.

District 9
(at Auburn Hills Avondale)
Predicted final: Auburn Hills Avondale vs. Troy
Final: Auburn Hills Avondale vs. Troy 2 p.m. Saturday
Pick: Troy. Avondale’s field might play a role, but the Colts should be fine.

District 11
(at Lake Orion
Predicted final: Clarkston vs. Lake Orion
Final: Clarkston vs. Lake Orion, 1 p.m. Saturday
Pick: Clarkston. These two schools don’t like each other so it should be interesting.

Division 2
District 22
(at Bloomfield Hills Andover)
Predicted final: Birmingham Seaholm vs. Bloomfield Hills Andover
Final: Birmingham Seaholm vs. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 3:30 p.m. Saturday
Pick: Seaholm. The Maples have dominated their first two district games and could be poised for a long playoff run.

District 24
(at Fenton)
Predicted final: Ortonville Brandon vs. Bloomfield Hills Lahser
Final: Ortonville Brandon vs. Fenton, 11 a.m. Saturday
Pick: Brandon. The Blackhawks won their first Flint Metro League title this season and will follow that with a district title.

District 25
(at St. Clair)
Predicted final: None. I overlooked that Oxford was in this district and didn’t predict a final. Sorry Wildcats.
Final: North Branch vs. Oxford, 11 a.m. Saturday
Pick: Oxford. I can’t say I know much about North Branch, but I’m going with the Wildcats.

Division 3
District 37
(at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep)
Predicted final: Birmingham Detroit Country Day vs. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Final: Birmingham Detroit Country Day at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 1 p.m. Saturday
Pick: Country Day. The Yellowjackets survived a scare from Bishop Foley and should come out focused.

Division 4
District 54
(at Southfield Christian)
Predicted final: Southfield Christian vs. Birmingham Roeper
Final: Southfield Christian vs. Birmingham Roeper, 4 p.m. Friday
Pick: Southfield Christian. The Eagles ended Novi Franklin Road Christian’s historic season and will send another MIAC team home.

District 55
(at Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett)
Predicted final: Royal Oak Shrine vs. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett
Final: Royal Oak Shrine vs. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 4 p.m. Friday
Pick: Shrine. The Knights have faced tougher competition this season and it should serve them well here.

District 56
(at Auburn Hills Oakland Christian)
Predicted final: Auburn Hills Oakland Christian vs. Marine City Cardinal Mooney
Final: Auburn Hills Oakland Christian vs. Marine City Cardinal Mooney, 5 p.m. Friday
Pick: Oakland Christian. Like I said before the Lancers are my pick to win it all this year.

District 57
(at Burton Genesee Christian Elementary School)
Predicted final: Burton Genesee Christian vs. Burton St. Thomas More
Final: Burton Genesee Christian vs. Burton St. Thomas More, 11 a.m. Saturday
Pick: Genesee Christian. Genesee edged Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes in a shootout, but likely won’t need a shootout to win this one.

The boys soccer state playoffs start Monday around the state. Here are my predictions for the districts involving Oakland County teams.

Division 1
District 5
(At Northville)
Predicted finals: Novi vs. Northville
Winner: Northville. Its always tough to beat a team three times in a season, but Northville wins the rivalry game at home.

District 6
(At North Farmington)
Predicted finals: Birmingham Brother Rice vs. Livonia Stevenson
Winner: Stevenson. The Warriors will put up a fight, but I don’t see them beating Stevenson.

District 8
(At Fraser)
Predicted finals: Utica Ford vs. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley
Winner: Chippewa Valley. Forget splitting the MAC Red, winner takes all here. I like the Big Reds.

District 9
(At Auburn Hills Avondale)
Predicted finals: Auburn Hills Avondale vs. Troy
Winner: Troy. This is a brutal district. Seven of the eight teams have a legitimate shot at it, but I think the Colts will be able to score the key goals.

District 11
(At Lake Orion)
Predicted finals: Clarkston vs. Lake Orion
Winner: Clarkston. The Wolves are more battle tested and it will be the difference.

Division 2
District 22
(At Bloomfield Hills Andover)
Predicted finals: Birmingham Seaholm vs. Bloomfield Hills Andover
Winner: Andover. The Barons make it three in a row this season against the Maples.

District 24
(At Fenton)
Predicted finals: Bloomfield Hills Lahser vs. Ortonville Brandon
Winner: Lahser. The Knights offense will be too much for the Blackhawks.

Division 3
District 37
(At Pontiac Notre Dame Prep)
Predicted finals: Birmingham Detroit Country Day vs. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Winner: Country Day. The Yellowjackets always play their best come playoff time and will be a threat to win it all.

Division 4
District 54
(At Southfield Christian)
Predicted finals: Birmingham Roeper vs. Southfield Christian
Winner: Roeper. The Roughriders will ride their way to victory.

District 55
(At Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett
Predicted finals: Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett vs. Royal Oak Shrine
Winner: Shrine. The Knights win a tough battle

District 56
(At Auburn Hills Oakland Christian)
Predicted finals: Auburn Hills Oakland Christian vs. Marine City Cardinal Mooney
Winner: Oakland Christian. The Lancers are my pick to win it all this year.

District 57
(At Burton Genesee Christian Elementary School)
Predicted finals: Burton Genesee Christian vs. Burton St. Thomas More
Winner: Genesee Christian. Genesee Christian’s only trouble in this district will likely come from Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes in the first round.

The 2008 all-county girls soccer team will run in Sunday’s paper, which gave me the great idea of seeing how the 2007 all-county team did this past season. Last season all 11 members of the all-county were seniors and all of them went on to play college soccer. Here is how each of them did:

Emily Esbrook Novi/Ohio State — Esbrook played in 22 games and had two starts for the Buckeyes, who went 12-10-1 and lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament last season. She had three assists as a midfielder and 12 shots. Esbrook was also a OSU Scholar Athlete.

Brittany Hopkins, Rochester/Missouri — Hopkins played in 11 games before a knee injury forced her to miss the remainder of the season. She started in the midfield in two of the 11 games she played in.

Jackie Carron, Rochester/Michigan — Carron was a Big Ten All-Freshman team member. She started at defender in all 18 games for Michigan (3-9-6) last season and was a Soccer Buzz All-Great Lakes Third team selection.

Allison Drutchas, Bloomfield Hills Lahser/Davidson — She started every game except one as a freshman for Davidson, which went 14-5-1 and 8-1-1 in the Southern Conference. She was second on the team with four assists and had 13 shots.

Amanda Bowery, Rochester/Michigan — Bowery led the Wolverines with five goals and 12 points and was a Big Ten All-Freshman team selection. She started all 18 games and earned the U-M Athletic Academic Achievement award.

Stephanie Crawford, Novi/Michigan — Crawford played in 18 games as a reserve forward. She had one goal, one assist and 21 shots for the Wolverines.

Kristin Abbott, Bloomfield Hills Lahser/Spring Arbor — Abbott played in 21 games and started 19 as a freshman for the Cougars, who reached the NCCAA national championship game where they fell 3-2 to Indiana Wesleyan. She had eight goals and five assists. She was fourth on the team with 21 points and had 60 shots, including 37 on goal.

Caroline Zambricki, Bloomfield Hills Lahser/Michigan — Played in one game as a defender for the Wolverines last season.

Jenna Hill, Lake Orion/Central Michigan — Played in 16 games for the Chippewas, who went 8-10 last season. She had one assist and four shots.

Jessica Brandt, Novi/James Madison — Redshirted last season for James Madison. Brandt earned the Commissioner’s Academic Award and was a JUM Athletic Director Scholar Athlete.

Laura VanHoey, Rochester/Ohio Wesleyan — VanHoey played in nine games, starting six and compiling a record of 3-1-2. She had 26 saves and allowed six goals for the Bishops, who went 9-5-5 last season.

Oakland County’s streak of having at least one girls soccer state champion came to an end this season. The streak lasted 20 years. The last time a county team failed to win a state title was 1987 when Plymouth Salem won the Class A title and Saginaw Eisenhower won the Class B title. No county team even reached the finals that season. The following year was also the first year a county team won a girls soccer state title. The MHSAA started offering girls soccer in 1983 and the county failed to win a title during the first five years with Madison Heights Bishp Foley capturing the county’s first state title in 1988 when the Ventures won the Class B crown.

This season two county teams reached the finals with Bloomfield Hills Lahser falling in a shootout to Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central in the Division 2 title game and Madison Heights Bishop Foley losing 1-0 to Kalamazoo Christian.

I don’t think a streak like this will happen again because 20 years is a long time. Of course there are more state titles to go around these days than there was when the streak started, but there is also a lot more talented teams outside the county than there used to be. The streak probably didn’t mean much to any of the players, but I was sad to see it end. Hopefully it won’t be more than a one-year drought.

Here is a list of the county’s state champions during the 20 year streak.

2007 — Novi - Division 1
2006 — Novi - Division 1
2005 — Novi - Division 1
2004 — Birmingham Marian - Division 2; Detroit Country Day – Division 3
2003 — Troy – Division 1; Birmingham Marian – Division 2; Madison Heights Bishop Foely – Division 3
2002 — Madison Heights Bishop Foley – Division 3
2001 —Madison Heights Bishop Foley – Division 2; Clawson – Division 4
2000 — Troy Athens – Division 1; Detroit Country Day – Division 4
1999 — Rochester Adams – Division 1; Madison Heights Bishop Foley – Division 2; Detroit Country Day – Division 3
1998 — Birmingham Groves – Division 2; Madison Heights Bishop Foley – Division 3
1997 — Madison Heights Bishop Foley – Class B
1996 — Detroit Country Day – Class B
1995 — Birmingham Seaholm – Class A; Madison Heights Bishop Foley Class B
1994 — Troy – Class A; Madison Heights Bishop Foley Class B
1993 — Troy Athens – Class A; Madison Heights Bishop Foley Class B
1992 — Rochester Adas Class A
1991 — Troy Athens Class A; Detroit Country Day Class B
1990 — Madison Heights Bishop Foley Class B
1989 — Troy Athens
1988 — Madison Heights Bishop Foley Class B

Division 2
Bloomfield Hills Lahser (14-9-1) vs. No. 2 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (23-1)
A rematch of last year’s Division 2 finals, which Forest Hills Central won 4-1. The Rangers have had a memorable season, ending Hudsonville Unity Christian’s unbeaten streak and only suffering one loss to Lowell. Forest Hills Central features 2007 Dream Team selection Clare Stachel and have outscored its opponents 28-2 in their playoff run. All signs point to the Rangers being the favorite.

With all that being said don’t count Lahser out. The Knights have come together during this playoff run. Injuries and suspensions have prevented Lahser from having its full lineup until the start of districts. The Knights have taken out four ranked teams in their playoff run and face another in the Rangers. If Haley Kopmeyer plays her best then the Knights could steal this one.
Prediction — Forest Hills Central

Division 4
Madison Heights Bishop Foley (11-10-1) vs. Kalamazoo Christian (21-2)
Bishop Foley and Kalamazoo Christian have each only given up on goal so far in the playoffs so this could be a one-goal game. Bishop Foley played a much tougher regular-season schedule, but the Comets are the defending Division 4 state champions. This game will likely come down to one team making a mistake.
Prediction — Bishop Foley wins its first state title since 2003

Division 1
Ann Arbor Huron (16-2-2) vs. Grosse Pointe North (14-8)
Huron has not allowed a goal in the playoffs and its defense will likely be the difference.
Prediction — Ann Arbor Huron

Division 3
Hudsonville Unity Christian (24-1-1) vs. Williamston (20-4-2)
Heyboer and company win a fourth straight state title.
Prediction — Unity Christian


My record so far.
Semifinals - 5-3
Regional finals - 9-6
Regional semifinals - 11-1
Division 1 district finals - 3-2

I posted all the team's routes to the finals below if anybody wants to check them out.

Also I will be checking out the baseball and softball semifinals tomorrow in Battle Creek for the first time. I've heard good things about the event so hopefully it will be a good time. We have three teams there and I will be covering the Pontiac Notre Dame Prep softball game at 1:30 p.m. if anybody wants to stop by and heckle me about my picks feel free.

Division 2
Bloomfield Hills Lahser (14-9-1)
Districts
d. No. 1 Birmingham Marian 1-0 (OT)
d. Birmingham Seaholm 3-0
d. Bloomfield Hills Andover 4-1

Regionals
d. No. 8 Flint Kearsley 3-2 (2 OT)
d. No. 4 Auburn Hills Avondale 1-0

Semifinals
d. No. 7 Dexter 1-0

Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (23-1)
Districts
d. Forest Hills Northern 3-0
d. Ionia 8-0
d. Forest Hills Eastern 2-0

Regionals
d. Grand Rapids Christian 7-1
d. Petoskey 4-0

Semifinals
d. No. 6 Portage Northern 4-1

Division 4
Madison Heights Bishop Foley (11-10-1)
Districts
d. Birmingham Roeper 9-1
d. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett 6-0

Regionals
d. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 3-0
d. No. 5 Ann Arbor Greenhills 1-0

Semifinals
d. Marine City Cardinal Mooney 3-0

Kalamazoo Christian (21-2)
Districts
d. Jonesville 8-0
d. Kalamazoo Hackett Christian 1-0

Regionals
d. Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian 6-0
d. Dansville 3-0

Semfinals
d. No. 6 Charlevoix 5-1

Division 1
Ann Arbor Huron (16-2-2)
Districts
d. Monroe 8-0
d. No. 9 Ann Arbor Pioneer 1-0
d. Saline 2-0

Regionals
d. Dearborn 3-0
d. No. 1 Northville 1-0 (SO)

Semfinals
d. No. 7 Portage Central 1-0

Grosse Pointe North (14-8)
Districts
d. Warren Mott 8-0
d. Warren Cousino 2-1
d. Royal Oak 2-1

Regionals
d. L’Anse Creuse North 3-1
d. Grosse Pointe South 1-0

Semfinals
d. No. 3 Utica Eisenhower 5-4 (OT)

Division 3
Hudsonville Unity Christian (24-1-1)
Districts
d. Wyoming Park 9-1
d. Zeeland West 9-1
d. Grand Rapids South Christian 3-0

Regionals
d. South Haven 8-0
d. Ostego 4-0

Semifinals
d. Suttons Bay 8-0

Williamston (20-4-2)
Districts
d. Laingsburg-Bath 2-0
d. Lansing Catholic 5-0
d. Ovid Elsie 3-0

Regionals
d. No. 9 Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central 5-0
d. No. 2 Flint Powers 2-1

Semifinals
d. No. 7 Birmingham Detroit Country Day 1-0 (SO)

Here are my predictions for the state semifinals (with the Oakland County games first) hopefully I will do better than my 9-6 performance in the regional finals.

Division 2
At Bloomfield Hills Andover
Bloomfield Hills Lahser vs. No. 7 Dexter — Prediction Lahser
The Knights have had a much more difficult route to the semifinals than Dexter. Lahser has had to go through No. 1 Marian, No. 2 Avondale and No. 8 Flint Kearsley. But the Knights have always found a way to win. Whether it be an overtime goal against Marian or rallying from a 2-0 deficit to win in double overtime against Flint Kearsley, Lahser has had that magic touch and I think it will likely continue Wednesday.

Division 3
At Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
No. 7 Detroit Country Day vs. No. 4 Williamston — Prediction Country Day
The Yellowjackets better not look ahead to a showdown with Hudsonville Unity Christian in the championship game for the fourth time in the last five years because Williamston is a quality team. I heard Country Day’s Anna Sieloff showed off her goaltending skills in the shootout against Notre Dame Prep. The Yellowjackets will need Sieloff and Kayla Addison to be on their game offensively and they will advance.

Division 4
At Ultimate Soccer Arenas
No. 3 Madison Heights Bishop Foley vs. Marine City Cardinal Mooney — Prediction Bishop Foley
The Ventures have proven so far they deserve the No. 3 ranking and should advance to the state championship game. I haven’t been to the Ultimate Soccer Arenas yet, but my question is do they have an outdoor field? And if not has a state playoff game ever been played indoors?

Division 1
At Holt
Ann Arbor Huron vs. No. 7 Portage Central — Prediction Portage Cenral (Sorry Eastside can’t go against them this round)

At Utica Eisenhower
No. 3 Utica Eisenhower vs. Grosse Pointe North — Prediction Utica Eisenhower becomes the first Macomb County girls team to advance to the finals

Division 2
At Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
No. 2 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central vs. No. 6 Portage Northern — Prediction Forest Hills Central sets up another final with Lahser

Division 3
At Hudsonville Unity Christian
No. 1 Hudsonville Unity Christian vs. Suttons Bay — Prediction Untiy Christian advances and goes for its fourth straight title Saturday

Division 4
At Holton
No. 1 Kalamazoo Christian vs. No. 6 Charlevoix — Prediction Kalamazoo Christian wins a tight one to keep its hopes alive for back-to-back titles.


Random thoughts
— Nobody is saying the MHSAA is perfect and Friday was a perfect case. The kids at Ann Arbor Greenhills and Grosse Pointe South have every right to question the decisions made Friday night.

How can they justify calling games with time on the clock and not coming back, while other teams were coming back at other sites to complete games. Just because there was a score at those sites doesn’t mean they should call the games. There was nearly 30 mintues left in the Bishop Foley-Greenhills game.

I’m not taking anything away from Bishop Foley or Grosse Pointe North because they have to take the victory, but I just feel bad for the kids who lost that way. It had to be hard for them to figure out why they were done, while other schools were coming back to complete games Saturday.

— Lots of people like to bash the state rankings and say there is bias and things like that, but look at the state semifinals. Of the 16 teams left 11 are ranked and one is an honorable mention. Of the other four teams, Ann Arbor Huron and Grosse Pointe North were ranked during the season just not in the final rankings. Lahser was not ranked, but even though everyone knew the Knights were talented it was hard to argue for them being ranked after their horrible start to the season and they entered the state tournament under .500. That leaves Suttons Bay as the only real surprise team that was never ranked.

Anytime someone does a ranking they will be criticized, believe me I know from experience, but considering how many teams there are in the state I have to say the coaches’ association did a heck of a job this year. Keep up the good work guys.

Last season Country Day, Notre Dame Prep and Bishop Foley were in the same Division 3 district with Bishop Foley emerging as the champion. A year later all three are in regional final games. Bishop Foley dropped down to Division 4 and is facing Ann Arbor Greenhills.

Country Day and Notre Dame Prep will face each other at Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish are looking forward to this matchup after the Yellowjackets eliminated them from the playoffs last season. Country Day looked good against Richmond, especially considering the weather conditions. There was a lot of controversy surrounding the Notre Dame Prep game, but I think everyone agrees the Fighting Irish, who were up 3-1 when the game was called, were the better team Tuesday night. Things won’t get any easier for the winner with Flint Powers likely waiting in the finals and then Hudsonville Unity Christian in the finals.

In the other all-Oakland County regional final OAA II champion Auburn Hills Avondale will get is rematch with Bloomfield Hills Lahser, which eliminated Avondale last season in districts. This should be a great game and the winner will likely reach the Division 2 championship game. I’ll go out on a limb and say whoever scores first wins. Also congratulations to Lahser goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer on being named a Parade All-American.

No Oakland County team remains in Division 1 after Novi lost to Northville, which fell to Ann Arbor Huron. Utica Eisenhower now has to be the favorite in Division 1, but things are pretty wide open.

Here are my predictions for the regional finals.

Division 2
At Berkley
Dexter vs. Farmington — Prediction Dexter
Don’t count out Farmington, but the Falcons haven’t faced a team as good as Dexter so far in the playoffs

At Fenton
Bloomfield Hills Lahser vs. Auburn Hills Avondale — Prediction Avondale
The Knights need to start off better than they did against Kearsley because they won’t be able to make up a 2-0 deficit against Avondale. Lahser’s goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer is always the X-factor, but this could be the year for Avondale’s first regional title.

Division 3
At Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Country Day vs. Notre Dame Prep — Prediction Country Day
It won’t be easy, but the Yellowjackets should prevail in a tight game.

Division 4
At Ann Arbor Pioneer
Bishop Foley vs. Ann Arbor Greenhills — Prediction Bishop Foley
This will be Bishop Foley’s biggest test in the playoffs so far, but the Ventures are battle tested from their Catholic League schedule and should be able to overcome Greenhills playing so close to home.

Bonus predictions (some are pure guesses so don’t bet the farm based on my pick)
Division 1
Portage Central vs Okemos — Prediction Okemos
Grosse Pointe North vs. Grosse Pointe South — Prediction South
Utica Eisenhower vs. Grand Blanc — Prediction Eisenhower

Division 2
Portage Northern vs. Chelsea — Prediction Chelsea
Petoskey vs. Forest Hills Central — Prediction Forest Hills Central

Division 3
Otsego vs. Hudsonville Unity Christian — Prediction Unity Chrisitan
Flint Powers vs. Williamston — Prediction Flint Powers
Tawas Area vs. Suttons Bay — Prediction Suttons Bay in My pure-guess special

Division 4
Kalamazoo Christian vs. Dansville — Prediction Kalamazoo Christian
Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker vs. Marine City Cardinal Mooney — Prediction Port Laker
Charlevoix vs. Grand Rapids Northpointe Christian — Prediction Charlevoix


My record so far
Regional semifinals: 11-1
Division 1 districts: 3-2

Novi proved to be the only Oakland County Division 1 team that won a district title. The Wildcats will now face undefeated and No. 1-ranked Northville in a regional semifinal at Liviona Stevenson.
These two teams have had quite a rivalry over the past few years. Novi has eliminated Northville in each of the last three years on its way to three straight state championships. The Wildcats defeated Northville in a district final in 2005, in the state finals in 2006 and in the semifinals in 2007. Back in 2004 Northville eliminated Novi on its way to a state championship.
This year should be another good one and if the past is any indication the winner might be the next Division 1 state champion.

A very interesting regional in Division 2 will be at Fenton. The regional features three teams ranked in the top 10 and last year’s state runner-up Lahser. The Knights face off against No. 8 Flint Kearsley. It will be Lahser’s toughest challenge since facing Marian in the first round of districts. The difference will likely be Lahser’s goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer.
No. 4 Auburn Hills Avondale and No. 9 East Lansing should be another great game. The Yellow Jackets are in uncharted territory for them and they haven’t been tested yet in the playoffs. East Lansing handed No. 3 DeWitt its first loss in the district championship game. Avondale being relatively fresh might work to its advantage.

In Division 3 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard will face off for a third time this season. Gabriel Richard won the last meeting and the two teams tied in their first meeting. The third match will be at the Fighting Irish’s home field. The two Catholic League foes should provide another exciting game.

Here are my predictions for regional semifinals. Some district champions have not been reported yet so I have no predictions for those games yet.
Division 1
Livonia Stevenson regional
Novi vs. Northville, 5 p.m. Tuesday — Prediction Novi
Dearborn vs. Ann Arbor Huron, 7 p.m. Tuesday — Prediction Huron

Division 2
Berkley regional
Dexter vs. Warren Regina, 5 p.m. Tuesday — Prediction Dexter
Farmington vs. Trenton, 7 p.m. Tuesday — Prediction Farmington

Fenton regional
Bloomfield Hills Lahser vs. Flint Kearsley, 5 p.m. Wednesday — Prediction Lahser
Auburn Hills Avondale vs. East Lansing, 6:45 p.m. Wednesday — Prediction Avondale

Division 3
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep regional
Birmingham Detroit Country Day vs. Richmond, 5 p.m. Tuesday — Prediction Country Day
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, 7 p.m. Tuesday — Prediction Notre Dame Prep

Division 4
Ann Arbor Pioneer regional
Ann Arbor Greenhills vs. Canton Plymouth Christian Academy, 5 p.m. Wednesday — Prediction Greenhills
Madison Heights Bishop Foley vs. Monroe-St. Mary Catholic, 7 p.m. Wednesday — Prediction Bishop Foley

Auburn Hills Oakland Christian regional
Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes vs. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 4 p.m. Tuesday — Prediction Bay Port Laker
Marine City Cardinal Mooney vs. Burton-Genesee Christian, 6 p.m. Tuesday — Prediction Cardinal Mooney

For the first time since the MHSAA switched to four divisions a Division 1 Oakland County team may not make it to regionals. It might be the first time ever, but the MHSAA records on its website don’t go back further than 1998. Five Division 1 county teams will be playing for district championships, but all of them have very tough matchups. Oakland County has had a team reach at least the state semifinals every year except 2004 and have won six of the 10 Divison 1 championships. Here are the Division 1 district matchups involving county teams and my prediction (like it’s worth anything).

Walled Lake Central vs. No. 4 Brighton — My pick: Brighton

No. 10 Novi vs. Livonia Stevenson — My pick: Novi

Royal Oak Grosse Pointe North — My pick: Grosse Pointe North

Rochester Adams vs. No. 3 Utica Eisenhower: My pick: Adams

Lake Orion vs. Grand Blanc — My pick: Lake Orion