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Top 25 HS Football Teams: King ends regular season at the top; Dow, St. Joseph and Jackson in top 25 for first time

By: Tom Markowski, October 25, 2015, 8:04 pm

 

 

 

1. Detroit King (9-0), A: King, playing without a handful of players who suspended, came from behind to defeat Detroit Cass Tech, 27-25, to win the PSL title and earn home field advantage in the Division 2 playoffs for the first three rounds, should the Crusaders get that far. King opens U-D Jesuit.
2. Saline (8-0), A: The Hornets had an off week and open the Division 1 playoffs at home against Monroe.
3. Walled Lake Western (9-0), A: The Warriors played everyone on the roster as they drubbed Detroit Delta Prep, 68-20. Western, like King, will have home field advantage for the first three rounds of the Division 2 playoffs and it opens with Walled Lake Northern.
4. West Bloomfield (9-0), A: West Bloomfield got its first real test last week and earned its first 9-0 season with a 20-14 victory over Farmington Hills Harrison. The Lakers have home field in the first three rounds and will play Novi to open the Division 1 playoffs.
5. Muskegon Mona Shores (9-0), A: The Sailors closed out the regular season with a 42-20 victory at Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills and begin their quest to return to the Division 2 finals by hosting Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern this week.
6. Lowell (8-1), A: The Red Arrows had a game on their hands but defeated Grand Rapids Christian 28-14 to claim their eighth consecutive game. Lowell opens the playoffs at home against Battle Creek Lakeview.
7. Detroit Cass Tech (7-2), A: The Technicians were close to winning the PSL title but lost to King, 27-25. The good news for Cass Tech is that it won’t play King again until next season. Cass Tech hosts Warren Mott in the Division 1 playoffs.
8. Lapeer (9-0), A: The Lightning concluded their second consecutive 9-0 season in style by defeating Davison, 42-7 and Lapeer will host Davison this week. This is one of the most interesting Division 1 districts as two-time defending state champion, Clarkston, is in the other bracket.
9. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (7-1): St. Mary’s won the Catholic League title with a 38-0 victory over Warren De La Salle and will host Bay City John Glenn in the Division 3 playoffs this week.
10. Macomb Dakota (7-2), A: The Cougars finished strong. Dakota defeated Sterling Heights Stevenson 35-28 in overtime two weeks ago and whipped another playoff team, Grosse Pointe South, 38-7. The Cougars are certainly a serious contender to get to Ford Field and they open at home against Utica Ford.
11. Detroit Catholic Central (7-2), A: C.C. warmed up for the Division 1 playoffs with a 47-12 shellacking of Detroit Western. The Shamrocks open at home against Waterford Mott.
12. Muskegon (7-2), A:  Muskegon got a chance to rest its starters in a 56-6 victory over Grand Rapids Union and the Big Reds will open the Division 2 playoffs at Traverse City Central (9-0).
13. Northville (9-0), A: The Mustangs whipped Grand Blanc, 37-20, last week and this week will host Plymouth, a team it defeated 23-20 two weeks ago.
14. Warren De La Salle (6-3): A: The Pilots have lost two straight and they must find a new identity this week in practice as they prepare to defend their Division 2 title beginning with Detroit East English Village Prep at Wayne State.
15. Zeeland West (9-0), B: West closed out the regular season with a 52-6 victory over Hudsonville Unity Christian, a playoff team. West is favored to reach the state final and will host Plainwell in the first round of the Division 4 Playoffs.
16. Grand Ledge (9-0), A: The Comets crushed Holt, 42-0, and are in position to make a long run in the Division 1 playoffs. They host Howell in the first round.
17. Clarkston (7-2), A: The Wolves overwhelmed Oak Park 36-8 and have won six straight. They begin what will be a difficult road back to Ford Field as the Wolves play at Romeo (8-1).
18. Sterling Heights Stevenson (7-2), A: The Titans rebounded well from their 35-28 loss to Dakota by defeating Utica, 31-7. Stevenson will host Dearborn Fordson in the first round of the playoffs.  
19. Brighton (8-1), A: The Bulldogs toppled South Lyon 43-21 and host Hartland in the first round of the Division 1 playoffs. Hartland handed Brighton its only loss, 14-7.
20. Romeo (8-1), A: The Bulldogs spotted Utica Eisenhower a 17-0 and lost, 17-14. Despite its fine regular season the playoff gods did them no favors as they host two-time defending Division 1 champions Clarkston on Friday.
21. Farmington Hills Harrison (7-2), A: Harrison’s defense will determine how far the Hawks advance in the Division 2 playoffs. They lost to West Bloomfield, 20-14, last week and they’ll play at Birmingham Groves this week.
22. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (7-2), A: The Big Reds defeated New Baltimore Anchor Bay, 30-16, and open the Division 1 playoffs at home against Utica Eisenhower.
23. Midland Dow (8-1), A: The Chargers outlasted Midland 49-28 to win their eighth consecutive game and guess what? They’ll host Midland again this week in the Division 2 playoffs.  
24. St. Joseph (8-1), A: The Bears make their first appearance in the top 25 after defeating Portage Central (8-1), 22-6. The Bears have won five straight and will host Sturgis in the Division 3 playoffs.
25. Jackson (7-2), A: The Vikings won their fourth straight as they ended an eight-game losing streak against Jackson Lumen Christi with a 35-34 overtime victory. Jackson boasts its best regular season record since 2000 and will host Livonia Churchill in the Division 2 playoffs.