Division 3
117 @ Roscommon
Mason County Central vs. Gladstone
Kingsley vs. Grayling
Prediction – MCC +27 over Kingsley
118 @ Clare
Howard City Tri-County vs. Farwell
#8 Remus Chippewa Hills vs. Stanton Central Montcalm
Prediction – Chip Hills +21 over Howard City
119 @ Grand Rapids Catholic Central
#4 Grand Rapids CC vs. Whitehall
Allendale vs. Portland
Don’t let the fact that there is only one ranked team fool you, this region is crazy deep. Whitehall and Allendale are both on the fringe of the top 10, and so was Shelby, who Whitehall dramatically eliminated at districts last week. Portland is no joke either, they qualified 7 for regionals and can scrap with any of these team. Nonetheless, I feel pretty safe calling a GRCC/Allendale final, but from there it gets interesting. Both teams are strong in many of the same areas, and if Allendale 125lbr Jackson Lambin can replicate his breakout performance at indi districts ve there is a good shot the matches will split 7-7, and bonus points will be the determining factor.
Prediction – GRCC +5 over Allendale
120 @ Allegan
#3 Allegan vs. Coloma
Buchanan vs. Comstock
Prediction – Allegan +45 over Buchanan
121 @ Grass Lake
#6 Manchester vs. Leslie
#1 Dundee vs. Jackson Lumen Christi
Unfortunately, I think this Manchester team will go down among the best to never make it to BC in Division 3. For a second consecutive year the Dutch are clearly worthy, but just don’t have the firepower to matchup with #1 Dundee in the regional final. I do think Dundee’s 31-point victory margin from a year ago will be trimmed, possibly even to single digits if everything goes right for Manchester, but beyond that I think Dundee is just flat out too good for an upset to be in the cards.
Prediction – Dundee +14 over Manchester
122 @ Birch Run
#6 Birch Run vs. Perry
#9 Lake Fenton vs. Corunna
On paper this is right up as the most intriguing regional final in the state. Both coaches will be faced with a number of interesting lineup decisions, and just about every weight is up for grabs. Both teams are extremely versatile, and with the lone exception of Birch Run state champ Fenner, I truly believe there are too many matchup possibilities to consider any wrester from either team a lock to win regardless of opponent. It’s truly a tossup on paper, but Birch Run is my gut pick. All that being said, don’t sleep on Corunna. They were without key senior Cannon at indi districts, but if he is back and the rest of the lineup is intact I think it could be enough to keep it very competitive against Lake Fenton.
Prediction – Birch Run +1 over Lake Fenton
123 @ Richmond
#2 Richmond vs. Flat Rock
Capac vs. Clawson
Prediction – Richmond +35 over Capac
124 @ Caro
#10 Caro vs. Essexville Garber
#7 Swan Valley vs. Standish-Sterling
Very intriguing matchup here. Neither #7 Swan Valley or #10 Caro is particularly deep, but both have some big time firepower. That tends to be the recipe for a back and forth barn burner, and I think that’s exactly what this dual will turn out to be. However, if Caro’s going to win they will need SQ O’Connor at 103 who didn’t wrestle at individuals. Assuming O’Connor is good to go I think the matches will split at 7 apiece, but I like Swan Valley to win the bonus point battle.
Prediction – Swan Valley +7 over Caro
Division 4
125 @ Manistique
Rudyard vs. Ishpeming Westwood
Norway vs. Rogers City
Prediction – Norway +40 over Westwood
126 @ Leroy Pine River Area
#4 Hesperia vs. Pine River
Traverse City St. Francis vs. Mio
Prediction – Hesperia +50 over Mio
127 @ Carson City Crystal
#3 Carson City Crystal vs. Laingsburg
#10 St. Louis vs. Kent City
CCC has had a phenomenal season, but their #3 rank is a bit misleading in regard to how competitive this region will be. They earned their spot in the rankings with a signature win over Hesperia, but since then CCC has lost 2 of their top wrestlers to injury, and Hesperia has regained a few significant starters that did not compete in their previous dual. Point being, this is a 3 horse race, and I would only consider it a mild upset if either St. Louis or Kent City were to emerge as champs. Despite not being ranked, I think Kent City could be really dangerous. With their lineup as complete at it’s been all season they are peaking at the right time, and after qualifying 11 for regionals I think that they can return to the form that got them to BC a year ago.
Prediction – Kent City +1 over CCC
128 @ New Lothrop
#2 New Lothrop vs. Marlette
Vassar vs. Bad Axe
Prediction – New Lothrop +60 over Bad Axe
129 @ Bangor
#5 Lawton vs. Watervliet
Niles Brandywine vs. Bangor
Prediction – Lawton +20 over Brandywine
130 @ Springport
Springport vs. Bronson
Constantine vs. Homer
Prediction – Springport +18 over Constantine
131 @ Hudson
#1 Hudson vs. Blissfield
#8 Addison vs. Adrian Madison
Prediction – Hudson +42 over Addison
132 @ Memphis
Memphis vs. Clinton
Byron vs. Madison Heights Bishop Foley
As far as regional draws go, this is winning the lottery. I’m talking Mega Millions. Reigning champ and #1-ranked Hudson will blow through the corresponding region with little trouble, but in my opinion there is, at the very least, 4 other teams present that would win this region handily. So, while unfortunate for those program, this will be a positive opportunity for an unheralded program to compete on the biggest stage and hopefully build some momentum towards the future.
Prediction – Clinton +13 over Byron
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"I do think Dundee’s 31-point victory margin from a year ago will be trimmed, possibly even to single digits..."
Final: Dundee 57 Manchester 7
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Congrats to Lake Fenton ......Great win over a very good Birch Run team.
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