Kosmo’s getting hot flashes, chills in playoff anticipation
Whew! Kosmo thinks that the onset of the playoffs might be getting him so excited, he’s picked up a touch of the flu.
First he’s cold and clammy, then he’s hot again, then cold … wait, that’s just the weather? Oh. Well, then … never mind.
Well, Kosmo IS excited for the playoffs as always, though.
This is where the rubber meets the fan, and the tough get going, or something like that.
Now that the postseason is here, Kosmo would like to fervently wish good luck to all 33 playoff-bound Oakland County football teams, especially those who he’s about to pick against, who will probably go ahead and win, just to make him look bad. (Kosmo knows it happens, and is perfectly fine if you use him as motivation.)
With no further ado, here are Kosmo’s one-hundredpercent-guaranteed-to-be-accurate (not actually guaranteed at all) first-round playoff picks:
Troy at Southfield A&T: This is like the old ‘irresistible object’ vs. the ‘immovable force,’ am I right? Err, something. Anyway, it’s an A&T offense that’s scored 370 points — 93 more than all of last season — against a Troy defense that gave up just 96points, more than half of that in the loss to Seaholm. Kosmo’s gonna go with irresistible, and pick Zeke and Co.
Kosmo says: Southfield A&T. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s at Croswell-Lexington: Kosmo would’ve urged one of his main spies out to the Thumb to see this one, but understands that the smell of sugar beets in the morning can be a bit overpowering. As can BWAC teams on their home turf. Kosmo’s got lots of faith that this Eaglets crew is better than their record indicates, and CHSL Central teams are ALWAYS tough outs, even when they get in with not-so-impressive records.
Still, this one might be a tough ask. Kosmo’s gonna make the ask anyway. Kosmo says: OLSM.
Flint Beecher at Clarkston Everest Collegiate: Kosmo hasn’t had a lot to say about his main men, the Mounties, since their 1-2start against a slate of small-school powerhouses, but knows that scheduling teams like THAT back then, is for a payoff NOW. Beecher was the one win in that streak, sandwiched between losses to New Lothrop and Montrose, and the rematch shouldn’t be that much different, considering the Mountaineers have given up a total of 35 points in the six games since then, with three shutouts.
Kosmo says: Everest Collegiate.
Ferndale at Birmingham Seaholm: Kosmo knows that for a pair of teams coming off identical 1-8 seasons, just being here feels goooooooooood. As did winning league titles. You know what feels even better, though? Practicing next week. Only one of these teams gets to continue its
bounce-back season, and when in doubt, Kosmo goes with a Kinnie.
Kosmo says: Seaholm.
Novi at Northville: Kosmo doesn’t know about the exchange rules on the Baseline Jug, and whether or not playoff meetings count to reclaim the trophy, but regardless, he knows the Wildcats appreciate the MHSAA giving them another shot at their nextdoor neighbors to the south. This time, one or two more second-half stops will do it. Kosmo says: Novi.
Milford at Dexter: Kosmo sincerely wonders if this falls into the category of ‘be careful what you wish for.’ The Mavericks so desperately wanted to end their 10-year skid against Lakeland and make the playoffs again, but their reward? A date with Dexter and fourstar Michigan commit Cole Cabana and his 30 TDs. Big ask for Wyatt Lesnew and the Milford defense that gave up the fewest points (136) since the ’06 district champion Mavs. Maybe too big.
Dexter.
Kosmo says:
Lake Orion at Rochester Adams:
Sophomore QB TR Hill has been a revelation for the Dragons, who cracked
the 40-point plateau three times this season. Unfortunately for the Dragons, they’re facing a rematch with an Adams team that scored less than 33points just once all season, and doubled them up in a 4221 win back on Sept. 16. Kosmo’s a big, big, BIG fan of postseason chaos, but this may not be the place to find it. Too many Picots, Paterras and Prieskorns. Kosmo says: Adams. Detroit Catholic Central at Dearborn: One of Kosmo’s old main men,
Alex Grignon, has done a fine job at Dearborn, where the Pioneers haven’t lost since their early two-week skid against Belleville and Livonia Franklin, earning a home game against one of the blue bloods of Michigan prep football. That’s OK, because the firm of Haeger, Blakita, Courser and Houser has actually been better away from The Elm — where they went 1-2 this season — beating Davison, U-D, Rice, OLSM and Cincinnati La Salle on the road.
Kosmo says: Catholic Central.
South Lyon at South Lyon East:
Kosmo was CONVINCED it was a good idea to figure out a nickname for
East’s stadium (especially since the one on N. Lafayette is called ‘The Jungle’), but he does NOT recommend Googling ‘Where do Cougars live.’ The results to that search are rather eyeopening. Anywho, the advantage in a rematch seems to always go to the team that lost the first round, and Kosmo has faith that his main man, Tommy Donovan, will play a prominent role in Round II of this rivalry. Or his main man Daedricco Fizer. Or both. Could be another coin-flip.
Kosmo says: South Lyon. Saginaw Heritage at Waterford Mott: The scouting report for this one is pretty simple, Kosmo thinks. Every member of the Hawks defense needs to know where No. 1 (Kalieb Osborne) is at all times, just like every member of the Mott ‘D’ needs to know where No. 2(Braylon Isom) is at all times. Kosmo wonders if Isom’s the most electrifying player to wear the Hawks jersey since Stuart Schweigert back in the day. Probably not a stretch. If Mott can keep Isom from adding to his 1,200 yards and 16 TDs through the air, the task gets much easier.
Mott.