(at Lake Orion)
Walled Lake Northern vs. Grand Blanc
Walled Lake Northern won this match-up the first time around, a couple of weeks ago, in the KLAA Lakes championship game. Northern shut the Bobcats out 1-0, and might need another shutout performance from keeper Mitchell Thompson to move on to the next round.
Troy vs. Midland Dow
Troy, much like Northern, might need a big time performance from their keeper, Matt Smolinski, and the rest of their backline, to help limit a dangerous Midland Dow team. If Troy can slow Midland Dow, manage to put one or two in the back of the net, the Colts have a better than good chance of moving on.
Breakdown: Both Troy and Walled Lake Northern need to keep their games as low-scoring as possible. If both can do that, they’ll likely meet in the regional finals, if not, then Tuesday might be a long night for both.
Regional Winner prediction: TROY
DIVISION 1 REGIONAL 3
(at Sterling Heights Stevenson)
Livonia Stevenson vs. Troy Athens
Athens is as good as anybody in terms of offense, but what is often forgotten is that Athens can play some defense as well. Forward Sunny Shettigar can score from just about anywhere on the field, so look for that to be a mismatch for Stevenson in this game.
Warren De La Salle vs. Utica Eisenhower
De La Salle has continued to get the job done with an impressive combination of offense and defense against some serious competition. Eisenhower has been impressive as well on both sides of the ball, which sets up for one of the best games in the state in the regional semifinals.
Breakdown: I expect Athens to get past Stevenson on Tuesday to go on to face De La Salle, but Athens will have a tall order against the Pilots, who have looked unstoppable for the vast majority of this season, having not dropped a game to this point this year.
Regional Winner Prediction: WARREN DE LA SALLE
DIVISION 2 REGIONAL 6
(at Andover)
Ypsilanti vs. St. Clair Shores Lake Shore
Trenton vs. Bloomfield Hills Andover
Andover has been on the good side of some low scoring games this year, holding opponents to zero or one goals 14 time this season. Trenton is more than capable of scoring the ball early and often, but I expect this game to be low scoring, and that will favor Andover.
Breakdown: Andover should move on after Tuesday night, and while the Ypsilanti v. SCSLS game is a tough one to predict, I think Andover’s defense will be key for them in both the regional semifinal as well as the regional final.
Regional Winner Prediction: ANDOVER
DIVISION 2 REGIONAL 7
(at Fenton)
Lapeer East at Clio
Auburn Hills Avondale at Mt. Pleasant
If there is anything to know about Avondale, it’s that the Yellowjackets can flat out score the ball, having scored three or more goals 13 times this season, so if they can get out to an early lead, they should be able to hold that lead. Don’t forget about the defense either as they have put totaled eight shutouts this season.
Breakdown: Avondale has the combination of offense and defense to pick up a regional title, but at this stage of the playoffs, nothing is for sure. Mt. Pleasant has proven that they can score pretty easily, but if Avondale can make it past them, the Yellowjackets should be in good position to move on past the regional.
Regional Winner Prediction: AVONDALE
DIVISION 3 REGIONAL 10
(at Birmingham Detroit Country Day)
Grosse Ile vs. Imlay City
Imlay City has been running like a well-oiled machine, putting together a 17-0-1 record this season and scoring eight or more goals eight time this season and haven’t allowed multiple goals in a game yet this season.
Birmingham Detroit Country Day vs. Flint Powers Catholic
Country Day has been powering through teams all season with an impressive combination of offense and defensse. The key for Country day is going to be the midfield which has set the tone for the Yellowjackets defense, and setting up numerous scoring chances on offense.
Breakdown: This region should be a collision course between Country Day and Imlay City, two of the best all-around teams in the state. It should be one of the best games to see all season. But the slight edge goes to Country Day with home field advantage.
Regional Winner Prediction: COUNTRY DAY
DIVISION 4 REGIONAL 14
(at Dearborn Edsel Ford)
Jackson Christian vs. Allen Park Inner City Baptist
Blissfield vs. Southfield Christian
Southfield Christian came up with the upset in a shootout over Birmingham Roeper in the District final on Saturday, so there is something to be said for how well they’ve been playing as of late. If Kevin Nimmo and the Southfield Christian offense can break through against the Blissfield defense, the Eagles might make it to the regional finals.
Breakdown: The Eagles have had a bit of a Cinderella run through the playoffs, and it could continue into the regional finals, but Jackson Christian or Allen Park Inner City Baptist pose, what could be a couple of match-up problems for the Eagles in the finals.
Regional Winner Prediction: JACKSON CHRISTIAN
DIVISION 4 REGIONAL 15
(at Auburn Hills Oakland Christian)
Lansing Christian vs. Saginaw Valley Lutheran
Auburn Hills Oakland Christian vs. Marlette
Oakland Christian’s defense continues to cause opponents fits all season long, which is a huge reason as to why they’ve cruised their way to a district title, beating opponents by a combined 15-0 in their three games.
Breakdown: Oakland Christian should get through the first game, but their second game could pose a challenge if the Lancers are matched up against Saginaw Valley Lutheran. Lutheran has mowed down teams one-by-one all year long behind shutdown defense and a high powered offense. It should be one to watch.
Regional Winner Prediction: OAKLAND CHRISTIAN
Twitter.com/JDeuceDullack
No comments:
Post a Comment