Kosmo’s playoff football opener predictions
Playoff time is upon us and all Oakland County programs have new life.
Records are thrown out the window as everyone is back to a level playing field.
Kosmo is grateful that we have made it to this point and hopes that all teams can end the season on the football field.
This year’s playoffs should provide a lot of memories and emotion and Kosmo can’t wait to see what happens.
Let’s get to the picks for the first round:
DIVISION 1
• Rochester Adams at Rochester: The Falcons have to be chomping at the bit for this one. They couldn’t have asked for a better opponent to start the playoffs with. Adams has owned this rivalry, but 2020 has been a special year for Rochester. Kosmo likes the Cinderella story to continue. Kosmo Says: Rochester
• Oxford at Clarkston: The Wildcats will have some tricks up their sleeves for the second meeting with Clarkston, but the Wolves are too well- coached to slip up in their playoff opener. Kosmo Says: Clarkston
• Lake Orion at Grand Blanc: It’s a tough draw for the Dragons. This game should come down to the wire, but the Bobcats have been more consistent on offense. Kosmo Says: Grand Blanc
• Walled Lake Northern at Detroit Catholic Central: The Knights have had three losses come by seven points or less, so they will give the Shamrocks a fight. However, Catholic Central is too tough up front on both sides of the ball. Kosmo Says: Catholic Central
• Novi at Brighton: The last time Novi won a playoff game it was at Brighton. Can the Wildcats find that magic again? Kosmo is feeling froggy. Kosmo Says: Novi
• Troy Athens at Southfield A& T: The Red Hawks will be game to test the Warriors, but the difficult schedule Southfield A& T played this season should have it ready to grind out some playoff wins. Kosmo Says: Southfield A&T
• Farmington at Sterling Heights Stevenson: Farmington hasn’t found its footing this season. It’s hard to imagine the Falcons do this week against a very strong Stevenson squad. Kosmo Says: Stevenson
• Utica Ford at West Bloomfield: The Lakers have been locked in defensively. Look for a possible fourth consecutive shutout. Kosmo Says: West Bloomfield
• Troy at Bloomfield Hills: This is a big moment for two teams that have struggled in recent years. A playoff win will mean a lot to the winner. In the end, Kosmo likes the Black Hawks, who had a little tougher schedule in 2020. Kosmo Says: Bloomfield Hills
DIVISION 2
• Waterford Kettering at North Farmington: This should be a great game. Both teams pride themselves on toughness and both are looking for their first playoff win in a very long time. The Raiders have the home-field advantage and Kosmo thinks that pushes them over the top. Kosmo Says: North Farmington
• Walled Lake Central at Fenton: The Vikings made some improvements throughout the season, but they aren’t ready to upset Fenton. Kosmo Says: Fenton
• Milford at South Lyon: These two met a few weeks ago. Milford had a chance to compete, but South Lyon eventually pulled away. Kosmo thinks more of the same happens this week. Kosmo Says: South Lyon
• Waterford Mott at Walled Lake Western: Two LVC ri
vals open up the playoffs against each other. Western put up 45 points on the Corsairs a few weeks ago. Kosmo doesn’t see Mott making enough adjustments to change that number drastically. Kosmo Says: Walled Lake Western
• Sterling Heights at Birmingham Seaholm: The Maples can rely on their playoff run of last year to keep them focused in the weeks to come. Expect a solid showing from Seaholm. Kosmo Says: Seaholm
• Birmingham Groves at Auburn Hills Avondale: Avondale has caught fire and is peaking at the right time. Can they piece together another great outing against a solid program in Groves? Kosmo knows the Falcons know how to win playoff games. Kosmo Says: Groves
• Royal Oak at Berkley: It’s been a special season for the Bears. While they lost their last two, Berkley is still a strong team that is going to be a tough out for anyone. Kosmo Says: Berkley
• Oak Park at Grosse Pointe South: The Knights have been a big mystery this year. It’s surprising to see them winless. Were they just saving it all up for the playoffs? Kosmo can’t count on that. Kosmo Says: GP South
• Detroit Renaissance at Ferndale: The Eagles are quietly 4-2 and seem primed to make some noise in the Division 2 playoffs. Kosmo Says: Ferndale
DIVISION 3
• Dearborn Divine Child at Birmingham Brother Rice: The Warriors are playing like a team on a mission. Brother Rice football is back. Kosmo Says: Brother Rice
• Orchard Lake St. Mary’s at Pinckney: The
Eaglets haven’t played in a few weeks, but they should be rested and ready to make a playoff run. OLSM has played the best competition in the state and will show what it has learned against Pinckney. Kosmo Says: St. Mary’s
• Holly at Bay City Western: The Bronchos grabbed some momentum last week, but this is a long road trip against a quality opponent. Kosmo Says: Bay City Western
• Pontiac at Bay City Central: The Phoenix haven’t given up, which is commendable. They won’t give up this week either, but Central will be ready for them. Kosmo Says: Bay City Central
DIVISION 4
• Cranbrook Kingwood at Madison Heights Lamphere: Lamphere has had a historic season already, but the Rams can add to it with their first playoff win since 2009. Kosmo Says: Lamphere
• Hazel Park at Notre Dame Prep: The Irish are tough to move the ball on and have the playmakers on offense to push the game out of hand quickly. Kosmo Says: Notre Dame Prep
• Detroit Henry Ford at Detroit Country Day: The Yellowjackets still could be the team to beat in Division 4. Their offensive and defensive fronts can’t be matched by many in this playoff field. Kosmo Says: Country Day
• St. Clair at Ortonville Brandon: The Blackhawks are coming off a tough loss in the Flint Metro League title game, but that should just leave them angry for their playoff opponent. Kosmo Says: Brandon
DIVISION 5
• Clawson at St. Clair Shores South Lake: The Trojans are tough team, but South Lake already showed this season that it has too much for them. Kosmo Says: South Lake
DIVISION 7
• Madison Heights Madison at Madison Heights Bishop Foley: You don’t have to look far for info on this matchup. Foley beat Madison just last week, 34-2. Kosmo Says: Bishop Foley
DIVISION 8
• Rochester Lutheran Northwest at Clarkston Everest Collegiate: The Mountaineers are dialed in after another dominant CHSL title game. They could be a real threat to go all the way. Kosmo Says: Everest Collegiate
• Mount Clemens at Auburn Hills Oakland Christian: The Lancers have too much offense for the Battling Bathers to contend with. Kosmo Says: Oakland Christian
• Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes at Royal Oak Shrine: The Knights might be low in roster size, but they are large in fight. The Lakers are still in rebuilding mode. Kosmo Says: Shrine