MHSAA Football Playoff Pairings

The Benton Harbor Tigers completed their first winning season since 1989, and now the Tigers will be taking part in the MHSAA playoffs for the first time in their history. The MHSAA announced the matchups for the first round of the tournament on Sunday night and the Tigers will host the Dowagiac Chieftains in the first round. While the Chieftains (6-3) have a better record than Benton Harbor (5-4), the Tigers will host the game based on the MHSAA Playoff point system. Kickoff is set for Friday at 7:00 at Filstrup Field. The winner of the game will advance to face the winner of the Zeeland West (9-0)/Plainwell (5-4) game.

Division 3

While the Tigers are celebrating their first ever postseason appearance the Lakeshore Lancers are in the MHSAA Playoffs for the 18th consecutive season. The Lancers (6-3) will head on the road for their first round game at Edwardsburg (9-0).

The St. Joe Bears are back in the playoffs after missing out in 2014. The Bears (8-1) are the top seed in the district and will host Sturgis (6-3) Friday at 7PM at Dickinson Stadium. The winner of the St. Joe/Sturgis game will face the winner of the Lakeshore/Edwardsburg game.

Division 5

Buchanan and Berrien Springs are in the playoffs in the same district. The Bucks are 9-0 and host 6-3 Hillsdale (Game TBA). The winner of that game will face the winner of the Berrien Springs/Olivet game. The Shamrocks are 8-1 with their only loss of the season coming to Buchanan, they’ll face 6-3 Olivet (Friday, 7:00).

Division 6

Watervliet will square off with SAC Conference opponent Lawton at Panther Stadium. The Panthers (8-1) didn’t play against Lawton (7-2) this season. Watervliet won the matchup last year 35-7. The winner will face the winner of Schoolcraft (5-4) and Schoolcraft (9-0).

Watervliet’s only loss of the season was a 34-33 loss at Schoolcraft in week 2.

Division 7

Southwest Michigan is well represented in the Division 7 playoffs.

Saugatuck (9-0) is at Hesperia (9-0) Friday at 7:00. The district features 3 teams that were undefeated this season. The other matchup in the district is 6-3 Carson City-Crystal at 9-0 Pewamo-Westphalia.

Four local teams fill out the other district in region 3. The Gobles Tigers made the playoffs with a 5-4 record and will travel to Bridgman (8-1) Friday at 7:00. The winner of that game will face the winner of 5-4 Hartford at 7-2 Cassopolis. The game is Saturday at 1:00. Hartford made the playoffs after dropping their first three games of the season, then the Indians won their next five games before falling to Constantine 21-6 in the regular season finale.

Division 8

BCS Conference Mendon made the playoffs with a 5-4 record and will face 9-0 Climax-Scotts. Mendon has defeated Climax-Scotts in the playoffs in each of the previous four seasons.

8-Player Football

The defending state champions in 8-Player Football will start the defense of their title on the road. Lawrence (7-2) heads to Waldron (8-1) in the opening round game. With the winner facing either 6-3 Portland St. Patrick or 9-0 Battle Creek St. Philip.

St. Philip concluded the perfect regular season with a 47-44 victory at Lawrence in the final week of the regular season.

 

For the complete state pairings visit mhsaa.com.

Division 2

R1-D2 Battle Creek Lakeview (6-3) 72.111 at Lowell (8-1) 101.333
R1-D2 Byron Center (7-2) 77.111 at Portage Central (8-1) 95.889, Friday 7 PM

Division 3 

R3-D1 Sturgis (6-3) 63.000 at St Joseph (8-1) 100.111, Friday 7 PM
R3-D1 Lakeshore (6-3) 76.444 at Edwardsburg (9-0) 97.778, Friday 7 PM
R3-D2 Parma Western (6-3) 59.889 at Coldwater (9-0) 97.778, Friday 7 PM
R3-D2 Vicksburg (7-2) 71.667 at Marshall (7-2) 80.000, Saturday 1 PM

Division 4

R2-D1 Plainwell (5-4) 50.444 at Zeeland West (9-0) 104.889, TBA
R2-D1 Dowagiac (6-3) 62.444 at Benton Harbor (5-4) 63.222, Friday 7 PM

Division 5

R3-D1 Hillsdale (6-3) 55.000 at Buchanan (9-0) 91.556, TBA
R3-D1 Olivet (6-3) 60.444 at Berrien Springs (8-1) 80.000, Friday 7 PM

Division 6

R3-D2 Constantine (5-4) 51.889 at Schoolcraft (9-0) 89.778, Friday 7:00
R3-D2 Lawton (7-2) 60.889 at Watervliet (8-1) 78.222, Friday 7:00

Division 7

R3-D1 Saugatuck (9-0) 72.889 at Hesperia (9-0) 74.667, Friday 7 PM
R3-D2 Gobles (5-4) 45.778 at Bridgman (8-1) 59.444, Friday 7 PM
R3-D2 Hartford (5-4) 46.111 at Cassopolis (7-2) 57.667, Saturday 1 PM

Division 8

R4-D1 Mendon (5-4) 41.111 at Climax-Scotts (9-0) 67.000, Friday 7 PM
R4-D1 Colon (6-3) 41.667 at Pittsford (6-3) 41.778, Friday 7 PM

8-Player Football

R3 Portland St Patrick (6-3) 36.222 at Battle Creek St Philip (9-0) 70.222
R3 Lawrence (7-2) 40.444 at Waldron (8-1) 47.111