So to give thanks to you all, and especially for those stuck at work over the holiday break, here are AGF’s final predictions for the 2009 football season, one for each division:

Detroit Catholic Central vs. Sterling Hts. Stevenson
This game pits the Shamrocks’ tough running game against the Titans’ explosive passing game. Sterling Heights Stevenson is looking a little dinged up, and they have been giving up too many points recently.  Detroit Catholic Central’s defense, on the other hand, has only given up 54-points all year.  We’re going old school with this pick, taking the power run game and the strong defense to get it done, although they’ll give up more points than they’re accustomed to.
DCC-38, SHS-28

Lowell vs. Inkster
Inkster’s Defense has given up 290-points this season, which is a lot. But only 10 in the last two playoff games combined, which is a little.  Inkster advancing to the finals was certainly impressive, as is superstar quarterback Devin Gardner.  Unfortunately for them, the results won’t be any different this time around.
Lowell-28, Inkster-13

East Grand Rapids vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary
Since the week-1 meeting between these two teams, OLSM has played an absolutely brutal schedule. BBR, DLS, DCC (twice).  Does this help the Eaglets, making them “battle tested?”  Or does it hurt them by wearing them out? East hasn’t had that problem, as they have cruised through everyone — including D-2 finalist Lowell.  Expect that to continue through the finals, and EGR’s defense to get the job done again.
EGR-21, OLSM-14

Three Rivers vs. Marshall
Three Rivers QB Aaron Spence and the rest of the wildcats passing offense picked about the best time to have an off game — better get that stuff out of the way last week than this week in any event.  On the other side, Marshall has sure come on strong since that week five loss to Jackson Lumen Christi (35-0).  Three Rivers hadn’t played many smash mouth running eams until Swan Valley last week, but they managed in that game, winning 14-10.  But then again, Marshall hasn’t faced a spread team with the talent and weapons of Three Rivers.  In this one, bet on Three Rivers’ run-defense performing better than Marshall’s pass-defense.
Three rivers-42, Marshall-28

Jackson Lumen Christi vs. Clare
You have to love two smart, fundamentally sound football teams going at it, which is what we should have when Jackson Lumen Christi takes on Clare.  Both teams play solid defense and boast diverse and balanced offenses.  The Pioneers did a good job of shutting down Millington’s running game last week, and JLC did a nice job defending the pass against Muskegon Heights.  The Titans have an advantage in that they have more big game experience, and have overcome a tougher schedule to get to this point.  That will pay off for them in this one.
JLC-34, Clare-18

Montague vs. Monroe St. Mary CC
Montague has been facing teams who run the spread all throughout the playoffs, and now in the finals they get to take on a MSMCC squad who lives and dies by the running game.  We’re talking next-to-zero passing.  MSMCC is small and fast on the ground, which will offer an entirely different challenge for the Wildcats.  Montague does have some longstanding familiarity with the Wing-T, and may be able to shut down the Falcon run game.  And Montague’s outstanding kicker/punter Matt Deyoung will eliminate the Falcon’s big play threat on Special Teams.
Montague-34, MSMCC-12

Hudson vs. Traverse City St. Francis
Hudson has been outstanding this year, overcoming a tough schedule to emerge undefeated into the state finals.  One of their biggest strengths is their run defense, which is good because TCSF will certainly test Hudson’s run defense in the Finals.  Hudson has some good sized kids, and might be able to match up with TCSF for a quarter, or maybe even a half.  But ultimately Hudson does not have the depth to hang with TCSF for an entire game. To have a chance, Hudson needs to play their game, keep mistakes to a minimum, and not let this one get away from them. If they do that… they might just keep it close.
TCSF-28, Hudson-14

Crystal Falls Forest Park vs. Beal City
Josh Siler vs. Kegan Rojas = a heck of a game.  Neither team has given up many points in the playoffs (Beal 21-points against; CFFP 30-points against), but Beal City’s outstanding defense in holding Muskegon Catholic to 7-points bodes well for their chances.  What doesn’t bode so well for Beal City is scoring an underwhelming 14-points on a young MCC defense.  In the end, Beal City appears to have a more capable QB in Jared Thiesen, whose ability to run and throw will be the difference in this game.
Beal City-27, CFFP-21

Agree, disagree, or have no opinion whatsoever, I want to thank all the WMA readers for a great season!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Keep up with the latest football action and analysis by becoming a WMAS fan on Facebook, or join the conversation by following WMAS on Twitter.  Heck, even start your own topic over at Allstars Among Us.

Divison-1

1. Sterling Heights Stevenson
2. Rockford
3. Detroit Catholic Central
4. Macomb Dakota
5. Grand Haven

Division-2

1. Muskegon
2. Warren De La Salle
3. Inkster
4. Brother Rice
5. Lowell

Division-3

1. East Grand Rapids
2. Melvindale
3. Dewitt
4. Mt Pleasant
5. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Division-4

1. Marine City
2. Grand Rapids West Catholic
3. Kingsford
4. Detroit Country Day
5. Three Rivers

Division-5

1. Jackson Lumen Christi
2. Madison Heights Madison
3. Clare
4. Ovid Elsie
5. Menominee

Division-6

1. Montague
2. Monroe St Mary CC
3. Manchester
4. Blissfield
5. Ithaca

Division-7

1. Traverse City St. Francis
2. Hudson
3. Ravenna
4. Mendon
5. Ubly

Division-8

1. Muskegon Catholic
2. Lake Linden-Hubbell
3. Fulton
4. Climax-Scotts
5. Crystal Falls

Keep up with the latest football action and analysis by becoming a WMAS fan on Facebook, or you can even follow WMAS on Twitter.

Divison-1

1. Sterling Heights Stevenson
2. Rockford
3. Detroit Catholic Central
4. Detroit Southeastern
5. Canton

Division-2

1. Rochester Adams
2. Dearborn Edsel Ford
3. Muskegon
4. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
5. Lowell

Division-3

1. East Grand Rapids
2. Dewitt
3. Linden
4. Mt Pleasant
5. Melvindale

Division-4

1. Marine City
2. Three Rivers
3. Holland Christian
4. Kingsford
5. Hamilton

Division-5

1. Jackson Lumen Christi
2. Grand Rapids West Catholic
3. Madison Heights Madison
4. Ovid Elsie
5. Menominee

Division-6

1. Montague
2. Monroe St Mary CC
3. Clare
4. Manchester
5. Ithaca

Division-7

1. Traverse City St. Francis
2. Hudson
3. Ravenna
4. Ubly
5. Potterville

Division-8

1. Mendon
2. Muskegon Catholic
3. Crystal Falls
4. Climax
5. Beal City

Keep up with the latest football action and analysis by becoming a WMAS fan on Facebook, or you can even follow WMAS on Twitter.

(As a side note, I do not rank strictly based on record.  I try to rank based on the teams who I feel will be contenders come playoff time.  That way WMA’s week-9 rankings will make sense in weeks 12, 13 & 14.)

Divison 1

1. Sterling Heights Stevenson
2. Rockford
3. Detroit Catholic Central
4. Canton
5. Macomb Dakota

Division 2

1. Lowell
2. Rochester Adams
3. Warren De La Salle
4. Dearborn Edsel Ford
5. Brother Rice

Division 3

1. East Grand Rapids
2. Dewitt
3. Linden
4. Mt. Pleasant
5. Melvindale

Division 4

1. Marine City
2. Hamilton
3. Three Rivers
4. Holland Christian
5. Kingsford

Division 5

1. Jackson Lumen Christi
2. Grand Rapids West Catholic
3. Madison Heights Madison
4. Ovid Elsie
5. Menominee

Division 6

1. Montague
2. Monroe St. Mary CC
3. Ithaca
4. Clare
5. Manchester

Division 7

1. Traverse City St. Francis
2. Hudson
3. Ravenna
4. Ubly
5. Potterville

Division 8

1. Mendon
2. Muskegon Catholic Central
3. Crystal Falls
4. Climax
5. Beal City

Keep up with the latest football action and analysis by becoming a WMAS fan on Facebook, or you can even follow WMAS on Twitter.