W Michigan's quest to repeat-sweep the 2009 football playoffs

QB Nick Ford and Grand Rapids West Catholic will be among those attempting to bring a title to WMich (T.J. Hamilton | The Grand Rapids Press)

It’s a topic I’ve been harping on all season: Will West Michigan continue to dominate the playoff landscape in 2009, as they did by winning all eight state football championships in 2008?

It’s impossible to answer at this point, of course.  Few would have predicted the abject whooping administered by West side in 2008 at this point last year.  But that didn’t stop MichiganPreps.com from taking a stab at it (pay site), discussing which of the Eastside contenders will pose the most significant threat to the defending champion in each division, and it won’t stop me from taking one too.

In an exercise that will likely be proven more wrong than right upon postseason examination, let’s take a brief foray into each of the eight brackets to hopefully shed some light upon which West Michigan teams may make some noise during these playoffs.  Like baseball, I’m hoping to hit on 30% of these.

Division-8 (2008 Champ: Muskegon Catholic Central)

After playing a regular season schedule loaded with top-tier talent, drawing opponents from teams as far up the food chain as Division-2, Muskegon Catholic Central will find the competition back down in Division-8 much more palatable.  Even at 5-4, the Crusaders should be considered the favorite to repeat as champions in 2009.

Division-7 (2008 Champ: Traverse City St. Francis)

The defending champion Gladiators have demolished everything that has been put in their path, outscoring their regular season opponents by a combined margin of 470-39, and it’s difficult imagining anything stopping them now.  Mendon is also undefeated and a legitimate threat, having held their opponents without a point through the first six weeks of the season.  But they seem to have lightened up on the gas pedal in recent weeks, so they’re not exactly peaking at the right time.  Plus the Hornets will be playing better teams in Division-7 than they had during the regular season.

Division-6 (2008 Champ: Montague)

The incumbent will likely rule in Division-6 as well.  Montague returns much of their starting lineups on both sides of the ball from their championship team in 2008, and with quarterback Cody Kater one year matured, the Wildcats are a better team this year than last.  They may face challenges later on in the playoffs, but they will be moderate and predominantly Eastern.

Division-5 (2008 Champ: Muskegon Oakridge)

Oakridge, on the other hand, lost a lot from their 2008 championship squad.  They squeaked into the playoffs with 6-wins, and their grip on the championship mantle is flimsy.  Division-5 looks to be that in which East Michigan is most clearly favored to secure a championship in 2009.  However, watch out for bipolar Muskegon Heights.  Sporting a coach and quarterback from the 2008 champion Holland Christian squad (Snead squared), the Tigers’ offense is as good as any in the state when it’s clicking.  When it’s not clicking, it’s fancy, but pretty average.  Regardless, if the Tigers get it rolling, they’re one of West Michigan’s best hopes.

Division-4 (2008 Champ: Holland Christian)

Minus coach and quarterback but slinging the ball around the field, the Maroons still have an outside shot at repeating, but more likely will fall in one of the first two rounds.  If they make it past Spring Lake in the first round, Holland Christian will have a tough challenge against West Michigan’s frontrunner, Grand Rapids West Catholic (if they can get past rival GR Catholic Central in round11).  After falling to eventual champions Oakridge in 2008, West Catholic ran the regular season table in 2009, and represent arguably the West’s best chance at a championship.  The Falcons sport a dynamic offense, led by quarterback Nick Ford and running back Loren Suggs, which is averaging over 45-points per game.

Division-3 (2008 Champ: East Grand Rapids)

East Grand Rapids has played a level of football that has been as good as anyone in the state, if not better.  And unlike many other teams, they’ve proven their ability to do it every week.  The Pioneers are the clear favorites to repeat as champions in 2009, in what would be their fourth consecutive state championship.  Competition comes from the East side, particularly in Melvindale, but ultimately the Pioneers are too tough.  This is the pick you take to Vegas.  The Pioneers are complete.

Division-2 (2008 Champ: Muskegon)

Division-2 will be one of the most competitive divisions throughout the playoffs, as more than a handful of teams have a legitimate shot at taking home the hardware.  Among those representing West Michigan are Muskegon and Lowell.  Despite winning only 6-games during the regular season, the Big Reds should be considered among the top teams in the division.  Their three loss record is slightly misleading, as they lost all three by a total of 7-points.  However, Muskegon is a young team with a rookie head coach, which may lead to a level of inconsistency.  Lowell, on the other hand, was consistently dominant in 2009, apart from a resounding defeat at the hands of EGR.  The Red Arrows aren’t built for a shootout, but if defense wins championships they’ve got a good shot.

Division-1 (2008 Champ: Rockford)

West Michigan’s best hope for a championship in Division-1 is in Rockford’s capable hands.  In a supposed rebuilding year, the Rams are as tough as ever.  They may not have the amount of blowout victories that do the top Eastern teams, but Rockford has demonstrated a remarkable knack for getting the job done in close games.  This is an ability that should not be underestimated come playoff time, and gives Rockford the edge to repeat (yes, even over eastern powerhouse Sterling Heights Stevenson).  Fellow O-K Redder Grand Haven is an outside threat to challenge for the title.  Enjoying their first playoff appearance in a decade by virtue of one of the state’s most stifling defenses, the Buccaneers will still have to raise their level of play a couple notches to compete past the first round.

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