Oakland County state semifinal predictions
There was a little pep in Kosmo’s step last weekend.
Sure it was cold and there was snow on the ground, but high school football was back.
Through all the challenges that 2020 has provided, it was nice to kick off 2021 with some hard-hitting football.
The timeline may be off, but the games still mean a great deal to the players and that showed last weekend.
Now, teams find themselves just two wins from a state championship. While the weather will be a factor again this week, this weekend’s action will be something these kids won’t soon forget.
On a side note, Kosmo wants to send out his thoughts to Clarkston Everest Collegiate.
The Mountaineers fought hard and played together. It’s a tough way to end the season, but the players can hold their heads high.
Let’s get to the picks!
Division 1 WEST BLOOMFIELD AT BELLEVILLE
This is the third consecutive postseason meeting between these two. The Lakers have come out on the short end of the stick in the prior two encounters. Kosmo thinks this may be West Bloomfield’s best chance at a title yet. The Lakers have been nearly unstoppable on offense in this postseason and the defense is among the best in the state. The Belleville offense has put up over 500 points, but is facing its toughest defense yet. Will the Tigers be able to handle themselves if they aren’t moving the
ball consistently? West Bloomfield is sure to face a big challenge from the Belleville defense as well, but nobody has had an answer for Donovan Edwards yet.
Kosmo Says: West Bloomfield
Division 2 OAK PARK AT WARREN DE LA SALLE
The crazy story of the Knights’ postseason run continues. Oak Park used a late score to get past Churchill and the belief is strong in the Oak Park locker room. What an amazing tale it would be if the Knights earn their first state championship in a season where they didn’t win a game during the regular season. What Oak Park has going for it this week is that it has had to grind out wins in the playoffs. Nothing has come easy and it won’t come easy against De La Salle. The 2017 and 2018 D2 state champs have outscored opponents 174-23 in the playoffs. However, the Pilots haven’t been in a game decided by single digits since Oct. 2, which was a loss. Kosmo expects Oak Park to keep it close and that gives the advantage to the Knights. They are comfortable in this position right now while De La Salle may not be.
Kosmo Says: Oak Park
Division 4 DETROIT COUNTRY DAY AT WILLIAMSTON
The two-month layoff didn’t bother Country Day one bit. The Yellowjackets had their best showing this season last week in a 38-0 throttling of North Branch. The Jackets continued to win at the line of scrimmage against a physical North Branch opponent, taking the life out of the Broncos early. Williamston is a physical team as well, but has been more suspect defensively. Country Day should be able to find some holes in that defense. The Jackets have been finding new offensive standouts each game it seems. Defensively, Country
Day hasn’t really met its match. Williamston should find itself struggling with the DCD defensive front. Kosmo expects that to be the story of the contest.