Division 5 - Round 1 2017 Playoffs Recap

Overview: West Catholic has won the previous 3 D5 championships and is as strong as ever.

Round 1 summary: All contenders advanced with no problem.

Upsets: Grant was reeling with 3 losses including a week 8 loss to Newaygo, 20-6. Grant responded this week by upsetting their northern rivals up M-37, Newaygo 28-13.

#127 Freeland beat #130 Carrollton 35-18 in week 8, Carrollton lost in week 9 to Ithaca and instead of finishing with 3 losses, responded by an impressive 25-6 rematch win over the favorites, Freeland.

What to look forward to in Round 2: Kingsford and Menominee each beat UP opponents in Round 1. Menominee will look to advance to the Regionals after doing so each season since 2008.

Clare and Reed City will be a great game. Both teams have high powered offenses and can score a lot in a short amount of time.

Grant will travel to Oakridge. Not many people are giving Grant a chance here, but if they keep playing great ball, its tough to say with such confidence Oakridge will win easily.

Swan Valley hosting Carrollton is an intriguing matchup. Both have punishing rushing attacks. Swan Valley won their week 3 meeting, 18-14.

West Catholic will host Kalamazoo United (Hackett + Christian). The 4-time defending champions will need to stop QB Eric Wenzel who leads the state in passing touchdowns.

Portland had no issues with Ovid-Elsie, they'll rematch Lansing Catholic who upset Olivet in Round 1. Portland won their week 5 game, 35-6.

Frankenmuth will host Marine City in Region 4. It's the first time that the power programs meet.

Ida will pack the bus and head up I-75/I-94 to Algonac for a very intriguing game. Algonac beat Ida in the Regions last year by the score of 38-22. This grunge match will be a good one.