EDITOR’S NOTE: Perhaps not many people know that Dorr Township Treasurer Jim Martin has been a coach and statistician for Grand Rapids Catholic Central schools. He is a lifelong fan of area high school sports and here he presents an interesting take on post-season playoff possibilities.

by Jim Martin

While the playoffs are very ‘fluid’ at this point in the season, as there are no set divisions with four weeks in the books, we can say this about this area’s teams. Teams picked by best Playoff Point (POP) Average.are

In the 8-man football Division 1: Martin (4-0 40.000 POP Average) is doing well enough to host a Region 2 first round game. Likely opponent at this juncture (with a very cloudy crystal ball) may be Vestaburg (4-0 34.000). Other teams they may see in the first or second round — Suttons Bay (4-0 40.667) and Mesick (3-1 31.167). Two teams with the best POP host the first round. Regional finals also use POP Ave for who is hosting. Right now Pellston (4-0 42.000) has the highest POP in Region 1 and 2.

Hopkins is firmly seated in the middle of Division V so that is where itwill stay. At this stage teams that are about four from the breaks could find themselves in a different division entirely.
Once the 256-team field is set with those teams that win six games and selected by POP (5-4) teams the field is split into eight divisions, then the districts and regions for division are made by location. Each district is seeded by POP Average team 1 vs 4, and 2 vs 3. Teams 1 & 2 host.

If playoffs started this week and not five weeks from now Hopkins could end up in this district. Benton Harbor (2-2 38.600) at Berrien Springs (4-0 76.000). Berrien Springs beat West Catholic impressively in week one. Hopkins (4-0 70.000) could host GR South Christian (3-1 58.00). That would be a very tough district.

GR South Christian would be the biggest school in Division V or the smallest school in Division IV. They are likely to move back and forth between IV and V. Also a possibility that Unity Christian out of Hudsonville may be in this district if South Christian does not make the playoffs. Portland and Central Montcalm are also possibles.

Middleville is one of those teams sitting at (2-2 35.000) with a low POP. As a Class A school the Trojans need one over 44.750. A path to the playoffs — the Trojans beat GR Ottawa Hills and Wyoming, those look possible. Upsetting GR Christian or East GR would likely supply the points they need, a win over GR South Christian might not be enough. Winning two out of three guarantees MTK a spot and possibly a game to host.

Wayland and Hastings are likely out of the playoff picture.