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windwardho makes some good points. I don't buy the argument that the CHSL is down. In fact, I would not be surprised if the Div. 1,2,and 3 champions came from the CHSL Central. They would need some luck, as any team does that wins, but it could happen. I think CC and SH Stevenson are co-favorites and I think they meet in the Final Game. DLS and Rice could actually play in the Final Game--or if only one makes it, they have a legit shot to win. OLSM could meet up with EGR agains in the Final. This time, I'd be picking OLSM.

What's happened is another year of CHSL Central parity, combined with tough non-conference scheduling. OLSM, Rice and DLS had strength of schedules near the top in the State. CC was lower, but played solid programs who happened to be down this year, so their SOS is lower. The other teams also had the benefit of playing 9-0 CC, so it helped their SOS--particularly OLSM's since they played CC twice, not to mention 9-0 EGR. These brutal schedules helped prepare the CHSL teams for deep playoff runs. Now, all they have to do is keep winning to prove my theory. Some tough games this week. Actually, the team with the easiest game is the most susceptible, IMO. Grosse Pointe North is a trap game for DLS. They were shakiy in thier loss to GPS and it's possible their starting QB will be out this week. I'm not sure the Pilots are going to want to go with the Frosh QB this week, even though it didn't hurt them last week. The headlines appeared to give the QB credit for the DLS win, but if you read the game report, it didn't seem like he did much other than not make any mistakes handing the ball off. We'll see. I'm picking GPN in an upset, but if DLS can get by this week, I think they sail into the semi-finals.

Rice and Adams will be a nail-biter, guaranteed. It always is. Adams will be a much tougher game than Walled Lake Central. That was one of the worst 8-1 teams I've ever seen. When I saw the game film of Grand Blanc vs. Walled Lake Central, they looked awful and GB didn't look much better. It was no surprise to me that Romeo bested GB by a good margin. The WLC game was a good chance for Rice to get back on track after three tough losses and give a lot of younger players some experience. Most people probably think Rice will be the underdog against Adams because of records. But they are not factoring in the Rice losses--CC, OLSM, Cathedral, Sloutheastern. All four teams are better than all the teams Adams played, with the possible exception of Clarkston and maybe Lake Orion--both Adams losses.. All four teams that beat Rice could easily hang with Clarkston and Lake Orion.. Rice has had some problems with its running game, but it is improving and should be good enough this week to supplement the passing game. Adding Tyler Lendzion to the rotation at QB adds an extra element to the Rice offense and makes it more difficult to prepare for. Lendzion is more of a dual threat. Popp is the better passer. You never know from play-to-play which QB will be in the game. The competition from Lendzion has made Popp better and the team better. The O-Line, shaky early, has improved greatly and should be fine against Adams. The addition of a couple of JV players from the CHSL Central JV Champs have made the team better. These are not players gettitng the perk of a call up for the playoffs, but players who can help Rice win. I think before the playoffs are over, Deshun Brown will have a breakout game at running back. Pickens is healthy again. And, DeClaire had his best game since Week One. It's all coming together for the playoffs. Still, it's a tough road for Rice. If they get by Adams, they get the Lapeer West/Midland winner. Then, probably the Lowell/Muskegon winner. Then, either DeLaSalle or Inkster.

I don't see any team, including Rockford, de-railing CC's drive to Ford Field. Once there, I probably would have to go with S.H. Stevenson. That offense is too good, even for the CC defense. It will be a good game, but I think SHS has the edge. Of course, anything can haappen in the playoffs. CC, like all the CHSL teams, or even the Stevensons, Inkster's, EGR's can be upset on any given day. Lots of good teams out there.

OLSM is looking very strong right now. They too, are vunerable, but I think they get by Melvindale. My longshot in Division 3 was Highland Park, and they're gone. That's good news for the Eaglets. I don't see Crockett or Chelsea/Adrian stopping the Eaglets. It looks like a OLSM vs. EGR/DeWitt final in Div. 3.

A major factor in my ratings is record. For reasons stated elsewhere, OLSM's poor record was not indicative of how good the team was. Same for Rice and DLS. Clarkston benefitted from its record and gradually rose in the polls, just like Fordson. The polls aren't perfect--even mine. I saw Southeastern late. Had I seen them earlier, I might have ranked them higher. Don't get me wrong. Clarkston is not a bad team, but there were quite a few teams that I had ranked lower who I think might be better teams.

Mr NCAA wrote:

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Sorry but I'm not buying into the theory that DLS's schedule was tougher than DCC's. In fact on Calpreps DCC's schedule is listed as higher than the Pilots even if the Pilots faced DCC. Basically what prepseer is also saying is that GPN is better than FHH and Southfield, which I'm don't think so. If the Adams games is that tough for the Warriors, then they must not be able to stop the run at all since that is all that Adams can basically do. Do your ratings reflect that OLSM is better than Clarkston? I don't think so, so how you have comments to that effect isn't being consistent? I would have to look up if you have SE better than the Wolves as well. Most people have the Wolves over both teams. Below is your final 2009 top 25 ratings BTW so the comments about the Wolves don't jive with your ratings.

2009 Top 25 Teams
Final

1. Sterling Heights Stevenson 9-0 (last week #1)
2. Detroit Catholic Central 9-0 (2)
3. East Grand Rapids 9-0 (3)
4. Clarkston 9-0 (6)

I had Clarkston rated that high. Oh. well. I guess ratings don't lie. They deserved it. They had a wonderful season. A weak schedule probably helped them get that 9-0 record.