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OT: MHSAA Playoff Selection Show Open Thread
Division 1- Detroit Cass Tech
Division 2- Brother Rice
Division 3- Grand Rapids Christian
Division 4- South Christian
Division 5- Portland
Division 6- Ithaca (51 straight wins, ties National Record)
Division 7- Ishpeming
Division 8- Harbor Beach
Mendon is taking Division 8 this year. Bank it.
What a bold prediction!
Ishpeming is looking good again. Negaunee (D6) gave them a run for their money, they could advance a few rounds in their respective playoffs. Go UP!
Quick point of clarification. Ithaca's 51 game winning streak ties the longest CURRENT winning streak, not the national record. Concord De La Salle (CA) holds the record at 151 games.
It's kinda crazy that we want to know how and where kids from the state of Michigan and those we recruit are doing. Blows my mind
you do realize this thread would have about 600 posts if it was in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Louisiana, or Texas?...
You think this is crazy?
Go down to Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas, California.
That's what they live and breathe. Go down to Massillon, OH. Every baby born there gets an orange Massillon Tigers football in their crib at the hospital.
They made a documentary on it. And the Massillon-McKinley game is the only high school game that has a betting line in Vegas (according to the documentary).
They have a practice facility that cost 3 million. Insane.
Ah yes, because it's creepy to care about the actual game of football, but totally fair to have posts about grown men and women following the players in said games as they decide where to go to college?
Because threads about recruiting high school players is perfectly fine, but discussing playoff matchups is over the top.
Also gushing over guys aged 18-22 is perfectly fine, but it's creepy for high school.
A lot of people (likely most of them) are from Michigan on this board. Many of us grew up watching or even playing for/against a lot of these high school football teams. Heck, a few may even have family that are current members of some of the teams in question. What the heck is so creepy about continuing to support something that is a part of your community? As others of said to you, us and the state of Michigan in general is a bit tame in how we support high school football. In many other states, we'd being running a live blog on the frontpage of the site that everyone would be contributing to while they're celebrating at a rowdy watch party. So yeah, there's not a darn thing wrong with this thread.
I think you've been spending too much time with your avatar.
I have a feeling that a majority of the people that visit this site will find this thread worthwhile.
part of that majority.
If not for this thread, I would have missed the entire selection show. As it was I missed the first half, but used the link to visit the MHSAA website.
AGreed. I'm not dying to know, but it is interesting. A lot of us are alums of these schools or went to a HS that played a lot of these schools. Its interesting
If you are unable to watch the show, the MSHAA site will have the pairings available shortly after 8 PM.
This is also on the site (HERE) and supposedly will be available on Monday afternoon. They will apparently have an explanation of selections with maps included. It sounded interesting anyway.
Yes, it's a topic of interest.
Here's my problem: too many divisions. At most there should be 4. How can you call yourself a state champion when there are eight others? Personally I would vote for two or three divisions, either large/small, or giant/large/small. 8 is just way too many.
Also, go Hematites.
Wouldn't mind seeing a separate catholic/private school division.
In New York, basketball is similar to that. There are three separate state tournaments. There's the public tournament, the independent non-religious tournament, and then the catholic tournament. However, there are only enough catholic schools in New York City, Long Island, and Buffalo to have a separate tourney, so the catholic teams in other places are (generally) accepted in the public tournament. There are separate divisions based on size and historic performance in each separate tourney. At the end, the top finishers in each tournament get together for a Federated Cup tournament. It's a hacked-together system that really favors the independent schools, and to a much lesser extent the catholic schools, at least as far as making the Federation finals (because they have a much smaller pool of schools to compete against).
It's not perfect by any means. Actually, it kind of stinks in a lot of ways. But I still prefer it to having 8 different state champions.
I would like to see 4-5 divisions this would be simply done by making 6-3 the required minimum record. Too many 5-4 teams make the playoffs. I know it's an opportunity for kids to have playoff games but honestly most of the time those teams are matched up with 8-1 or 9-0 teams and get simply hammered.
6 wins automatically gets you a spot in the playoffs (5 if you only played 8 games). This year, there were 225 teams that automatically qualified. They had to fill the other 31 spots with teams who had 5 wins and the highest playoff points.
By the way, Mo Ways, Lawrence Marshall, Malik McDowell, Alex Malzone, and I don't know how many other current recruits are in the playoffs. So yea, it's a worthy topic.
Finally, I'm the DC for one of the teams in D7.
Any one know how the 5-4 teams are selected? For example, East Garnd Rapids finished 5-4 and more "playoff points" then a 5-4 team like Wayland. Wayland makes the playoffs, East Grand Rapids does not. Is it because there were already 2 teams from their conference in the playoffs?
Due to the low number of auto-qualifiers in D1, a bunch of teams on the borderline got bumped up to fill the vacancies. That caused a trickle effect, and EGR was bumped up to D2. In D2, there were only 2 at-large teams: UofD (67.514) and Oak Park (62.111). EGR has 60.111 points and found themselves out of the loop, unfortunately.
That makes sense, but how do they determine who gets bumped up? I thought it was enrollment, but schools like Zeeland, Byron Center and Mt. Plesant all have larger enrollments than EGR. Wouldn't they get bumped up first?
It is by enrollment, but there's always a possibility of getting bumped up or down, depending on auto-qualifiers.
There are some at-large teams playing in D1 who would normally be in D2, but not enough teams automatically qualified.
So, to fill the 32 team bracket for D1, the MHSAA does the following:
Insert all D1 auto qualifiers.
Then insert 5 game winners, by order of playoff points, starting from the highest enrollment on down until the 32 team bracket is filled. Then they move to D2 and so on. The imaginary enrollment "line" moves down based on how far down the mhsaa has to go to fill the D1 bracket with at-large teams.
DId they change it recently? It used to be they went by class designation, not division, to fill out the playoffs. I believe after the auto qualifiers they take the highest scoring class A team, then class B, C, D, A, and so on.
They do, in essence but the line for each division still floats every year. To fill out D1, they have to go as far down the enrollment list as required to complete the bracket. This year, for instance, Walled Lake Western (1556 students) and Flint Carmen-Ainsworth (1488) are in D1. Last year, Western went to the semi-finals in D2.
Upon further review, class designation doesn't seem to carry definitive weight. Haslet (907 students) is listed as the last Class A school on the MHSAA website. Stevensville Lakeshore (892) is the first on Class B. They are both playing in the D3 playoff bracket.
Guess I worded it poorly. I would say 6-3 would be the "filler" teams. Like you said a complete division (32 teams) almost could have been eliminated by not using 5-4 teams.
Finally, good luck on your playoff run, small school playoffs are a lot of fun. D7 Espeically could be interesting with Harbor Beach moving from D8 (Defending State Champs) up to D7 this fall.
We have a chance at a District title. Anything beyond that would be the makings of "Remember the Titans II"
I can't believe my alma mater, Mona Shores is in the playoffs. They SUCKED hard all four years I was a sailor. GO SAILORS!!!!
Utica misses the playoffs again at 4-5. Even though we rushed a rival schools field Friday night like we won the state title. Perks of being a senior I guess.
Consolation prize we will take is none of the local rivals making it in including Eisenhower's 14 year playoff streak ending.
I'll say it: I don't get adults who follow high school sports played by minor children who aren't their kids.
I personally think there is a HUGE difference between "Hometown Pride" and following a local high school team vs following individual minors who are being recruited. I agree it is sketchy for grown adults to follow high school kids twitter/facebook/etc. Going to watch an alma mater or following a school where you live is different.
I'll say it. I don't get others who lay judgement upon others. Judge not lest ye be judged.
you do realize some of us are just rooting for our former high schools (god forbid), are teachers (Go Livonia Franklin), live in the local communities, or have children on the teams.
What Professor X said.
Bando, seriously, I don't get your opposition. High school sports are fun. Are you saying it's creepy somehow to follow or enjoy activities or performances of people under 18 years old? Because, you know, Mozart, and things.
I was a grad in '99 from Franklin. I still live in the area, my kids will go there, and I still go to the games to see my friend's kids play.
Do you follow recruiting? Because if so, I'm not sure where the argument is coming from.
I do not.
Then you don't care one iota about a player before he sis up at UM? You didn't care about any of the past couple of classes our know anything about the players except what you read once they were on campus?
That's my general rule, yes. I'm not really interested in following high school sports, nor keeping track of things like kids' bench press numbers or ACT scores. It's just not my thing.
You don't get a lot of things, do you?
grew up and still live in small towns where high school sports are a large part of community involvement and pride. Also F off.
How is caring about your high school alma mater any different than caring about guys aged 18-22 that play for your university alma matter?
I'll say it: Adults that wear jerseys with other men's names on them are strange.
i better throw out my tommy hilfiger jersey.
A polo jersey?
before the explosion of TV coverage, that's all most americans had; local sports teams. on volume alone, i would think prep sports have more live attendees than college and pro combined.
You are basically a troll on this message board.
why the MHSAA can't seed the playoffs 1 through 32 in each division and do the same for basketball.
It's simple, cost savings you can't expect a school to travel across state (or down from UP) 2-3 times over a playoff run. The cost of buses, food, hotels (on long trips i.e. Marquette) for 80+ kids and coaches can really hurt schools who already are working on small budgets.
In that scenario, Melvindale ABT (southeast MI) would have to travel to Ishpeming in western UP (Division 7 match up). That's a 475 mile/8 hour drive and most likely require an overnight stay. That's just not feasible.
is traveling to Iron River, easily 7 hours in a school bus. No different.
Long distance games can be played on Saturday as most already are now. There is no difference or justification for not seeding the state playoffs.
There are some scenarios that are simply unavoidable, especially when there are teams up in the UP. I would also bet that TC and their families have the resources to rent a Greyhound and/or pop for a hotel. Melvindale...not so much.
Temperance Bedford gets Westland John Glenn as they continue their path to an undefeated season. Go Kicking Mules!
Did Northview make the playoffs? I know it was an outside shot.
Pfeh, GP South got the fastest ticket out of the playoffs anyone could have: a first round date with Cass Tech.
Apparently, I've made the bulletin board over at GPS. Even though there are 50+ other tweets saying GPS is doomed. I mean, when you lose to a MAC Blue team and you are supossed to be the terrors of that crappy division, it doesn't say much for your chances against the D1 football factory of Cass Tech. This guy's twitter bio says he is the GPS Offensive Coordinator-
“@WolverinesMike: RIP Grosse Pointe South. They're playing Cass Tech.” We can use this attitude as motivation
South alum? That's my school now. Isn't it just so lucky that South gets to play Cass Tech for a second straight year? And let's not forget that two years ago South also got eventual state champion Martin Luther King. South just has the best luck, don't we?
No, currently a senior at Utica. No doubt GPS is going to MAC White next year. They've been killing it in Blue and Roseville has been awful since they've moved up. Wouldn't doubt it that LCN moves up to White also since Cousino has been stinking up the joint recently.
I really dislike the floating divisions. Competitive balance is what they argue, but it has destroyed rivalries.
Utica hasn't played Eisenhower since 2007 and they share a stadium.
Utica hasn't played Romeo since 2009 and they've been playing for a trophy called the Little Brown Jug since 1947.
Angers me that I'll be an alum soon and will have never experienced a rivalry game.
Blame your AD. South and North often don't share a division but play every year. I imagine if your AD gets his shit together (and can get another AD to do the same) you ought to be able to play at least one rivalry as a crossover every year. The exception might be if the teams are more than one division apart.
Lcn will likely jump two spots to the red braise the majority of other coaches in the conference can not stand their head coach. He is shady as can be and constantly calls out teams Lcn would have no shot at beating. Don't e surprised if they jump two divisions and get slaughtered in the red.
You might be right but you can't complain about having your words used in that way if you put them out there on the Internet.
I'm really confused as to why anyone would complain about this. I don't follow recruiting at all, but as a high school varsity coach in non-football coaches that also went to high school in michigan, hell yeah I follow the tournament a bit. I check in on my alma mater, my cousins'/parents' alma mater, and I definitely sit on the couch on black Friday and watch the games.
District 1 in Region 3 is crazy. DCC is a 4 seed! a very competitive district
I think this is great, the internet keeps expanding the availability of content, which has the net impact of making the world smaller, which is fantastic for those of us who no longer live close to where we grew up.
I moved to Los Angeles after graduation from Michigan, but I still donate to both schools that put me on the road to success.
Go Blue, Go Warriors!
Brother Rice '91
Michigan '95
I disagree with your main point, but it could always be worse.
Utah has 6 divisions from roughly 115 total schools. There will be a state champ out of 12 schools in some divisions.
That got pretty amusing as far as schools per division go
When did that start? I thought it used to only be 1-8
Division 9 is 8-man football. I can't exactly tell you when it started but it is for the uber small schools.
I had no idea Michigan had 8-man football. I'm pretty sure that's got to be fairly new, like within the last 5-7 years but I'm no expert
in 2011. This year 37 schools played 8 man football. Most of the schools represented were Class D from the thumb and UP. I expect this division will continue to grow esp in rural areas.
Notable 8 man schools.
Kinde North Huron
Peck
Cedarville
Rock Mid-Peninsula
Tekonsha
Ewen-Trout Creek
Brimley
Battle Creek St. Phillip
Litchfield
Lawrence
delete
Nevermind
It's so weird seeing my high school team 9-0 and a 2 seed in Division 2. We were a laughingstock while Larry Caper ran all over us every year I was there.
Go BC Lakeview!
I would have never thought that they were 9-0 until I watched the show yesterday. Usually an okay team, but we played them in a 7v7 at ford field back in the summer and they didn't look very good. They must have a solid line and run game. Best of luck! Guess it goes to show how lite those things matter.
Let's go Clarkston
Your boy Krenzel played for one of our local rivals, Ford II. His jersey is hanging in their gymnasium along with BUCKEYE ALL-AMERICAN in big letters painted on the wall.
He was probably the last 'elite' player ford II has had. It's been down for a minute now.
Anyone know when all conference honors go out? Or is it just based on the conferences?
It's generally done by conferences. Although most are done around the same time for the papers. I have to have my league votes in by this Friday so likely a week or two after that.
Thank you sir.
Wooooooo, go CC-C Eagles!!
Much more interesting than Ohio's process, which is entirely mathematical (points for wins depending on school size, and points for wins that the teams you beat get, again based on school size, all averaged out by number of games per sample). New wrinkle this year that they went from 5 to 6 divisions, with only the biggest school division having only 2 regions (instead of 4). Current unofficial status here - one more weekend to go. Locally, Jake Butt's alma mater has clinched a playoff spot, but we don't know yet if we're hosting the first round. Taco Charlton's alma mater is sitting at 17th in the region, so is currently on the outside looking in, but given the formula, they have a decent chance to clinch a spot (but likely not a home game first round).