Blue Water Area football: Playoff picks for the MHSAA district semifinals
Now the fun really begins.
The 2023 MHSAA football playoffs start Friday. So, for the first time this season, the Times Herald's weekly picks will include every game in the Blue Water Area.
As for last week, I went 2-1 with my selections, which brings my overall record to 25-11.
Here are the teams I like in the district semifinals:
Detroit King at Port Huron, 7 p.m., Friday
Record: Detroit King (4-5), Port Huron (7-2)
Last meeting: Detroit King 22, Port Huron 10 — Aug. 29, 2014
Few programs have more name recognition than Detroit King, and deservedly so. The Crusaders are the two-time defending state champions in Division 3, where they've also won three of the last five titles.
However, King isn't the juggernaut it was a year ago. Though the underdog, Port Huron is more than capable of pulling off an upset. But it can't afford a repeat of last week.
MORE: High school football playoff pairings for Blue Water Area teams
The Red Hawks committed five turnovers in the season finale against Marysville, which resulted in a 21-19 loss. It was an uncharacteristic offensive showing, particularly in the red zone where Port Huron has usually been automatic.
I don't expect the struggles to continue. Not with a resilient senior class led by Amauri Haller and Gavin Troy. Those veterans simply won't allow it.
The pick: Port Huron
Madison Heights Lamphere at Marysville, 7 p.m., Friday
Record: Lamphere (7-2), Marysville (7-2)
Last meeting: Marysville 34, Lamphere 7 — Sept. 15, 2023
Winners of four straight, the Vikings enter the playoffs with a ground game that's firing on all cylinders.
Carter Saccucci has rushed for 670 yards and six touchdowns during the winning streak. Meanwhile, Corbin Scheffler has emerged as a complimentary threat with 325 yards and five scores over the same stretch.
Defensively, the Vikings have forced 11 turnovers in the last four games. Hunter Likins and Garret Distelrath each have two interceptions since Week 9.
Keep in mind that Marysville crushed Lamphere by 27 points on the road last month. Sure, it's hard to beat a team twice in one season.
But the Vikings are in a different gear now. Let's see where it takes them.
The pick: Marysville
Richmond at Marine City, 7 p.m., Friday
Record: Richmond (5-4), Marine City (8-1)
Last meeting: Marine City 37, Richmond 10 — Oct. 27, 2017
Can anyone stop the Mariners? It's Richmond's turn to answer that question.
Marine City has won eight straight by double digits and is averaging 40.8 points per game. The Mariners are also outscoring opponents 367-102.
Everything starts with sophomore quarterback Lyncoln Osterland, who's thrown for 1,005 yards and 11 touchdowns against two interceptions. He's surrounded by an abundance of weapons, including senior running back Cameron Milewski (487 yards, 10 touchdowns).
Still, the Blue Devils are no slouch offensively.
Senior quarterback Anthony Bonnetti has thrown for 806 yards and 11 touchdowns against six interceptions. Fellow senior Connor Bergeon has rushed for 755 yards and seven scores.
As I've said before, I believe Richmond's program is making progress and heading in the right direction. But East China Stadium is a visiting team's worst nightmare in October.
The pick: Marine City
Additional picks
Note: Games with an asterisk are for 8-Player football.
Armada (5-4) at Macomb Lutheran North (7-2) — Armada
Arts & Tech of Pontiac (6-3) at Cardinal Mooney (5-4) — Mooney
Carson-City Crystal (8-1) at Brown City (9-0)* — Brown City
Clintondale (4-5) at Almont (8-1) — Almont
Cros-Lex (7-2) at Harper Woods (6-3) — Harper Woods
Marlette (7-2) at Harbor Beach (8-1) — Marlette
Roseville (6-3) at Port Huron Northern (7-2) — Northern
Sandusky (6-3) at Cass City (7-2) — Cass City
Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Blue Water Area football: Playoff picks for the district semifinals
