Flint Journal Picks

NORTH BRANCH at MT. PLEASANT

Bill Khan: North Branch is in for a case of playoff culture shock, leaving the cozy confines of the Tri-Valley Conference to face the unbeaten champion of the Saginaw Valley Conference. Who you’ve played and where you come from matters at this time of year. Pick: Mt. Pleasant

Dan Nilsen: North Branch is back in the playoffs after a two-year absence, but the Broncos get a rude welcome-back host. Mount Pleasant manhandled the Valley this year, and we’re not talking the Tri-Valley. Pick: Mt. Pleasant

Mark Spezia: Just making the playoffs thanks to an overtime win over Yale means North Branch has had a successful season. The Broncos struggled against the three top teams on their schedule, losing the three games by a combined 105-28 margin. Mt. Pleasant could be better than any of those teams. Pick: Mt. Pleasant

Greg Tunnicliff: The Oilers are 9-0 for a reason and North Branch will soon find out why. The Broncos needed a one-point overtime victory over Yale just to reach the postseason. North Branch should just feel lucky to still be playing. Pick: Mount Pleasant

POWERS CATHOLIC at CROSWELL-LEXINGTON

Bill Khan: This is another case in which yon can disregard the records. Would Croswell-Lexington have a 7-2 record and a first-round home game playing the likes of Saginaw Nouvel (OK, the Pioneers win that one this year), Carman-Ainsworth, Flushing, Davison, Detroit Country Day, Highland Park and Goodrich? Croswell-Lexington probably doesn’t get into the playoffs against that schedule; Powers did, albeit with a 5-4 record. Pick: Powers

Dan Nilsen: I’m still trying to figure out how Powers got in the playoffs, but obviously the Chargers’ schedule counted for a lot. That closing win over Goodrich was convincing, too. The schedule pays off now. Pick: Powers

Mark Spezia: Powers played one of the strongest schedules in the state and has really come on the second half of the season, beating some quality teams. Croswell-Lexington has been dominant, outscoring foes 301-95, but the consistently tough competition Powers has faced should spell the difference. Pick: Powers

Greg Tunnicliff: Powers was able to reach the state playoffs with a 5-4 record because of the strength of schedule it played. Croswell-Lexington is 7-2, but it hasn't played the schedule Powers has. The more battle-tested team will move on. Pick: Powers

VASSAR at BEECHER

Bill Khan: Vassar hasn’t seen a team with Beecher’s speed. The Vulcans had better hope for a muddy field to neutralize things a bit. Even then, Beecher has proven it can win with its defense when the offense isn’t clicking. Pick: Buctown

Dan Nilsen: The Vulcans are going to think they’ve landed on another planet when they run into Beecher’s speed and defense. The Bucs live long and prosper this year. Pick: Beecher

Mark Spezia: Beecher is one of the strongest teams on both sides of the ball in Division 5. Vassar squeaked into the playoffs: Pick: Beecher

Greg Tunnicliff: Courtney Hawkins has done an outstanding job of rebuilding Beecher's program and the Buccaneers' best season ever won't end here. Beecher has a nice combination of athleticism, speed and strength that will keep its season going for a few more weeks. Pick: Beecher

CARROLLTON at MILLINGTON

Bill Khan: The scoreboard could take a beating in this one, as Carrollton has scored 374 points and Millington has put up 308. Millington plays in a tougher division of the Tri-Valley Conference, so the Cardinals’ accomplishments are more impressive. Pick: Millington

Dan Nilsen: Carrollton scored a school-record 374 points this year, but Millington is allowing only 10 per game. The intangible here is, I don’t think the Cardinals want to see Tim Furno’s career end just yet. Pick: Millington

Mark Spezia: A close matchup, but Carrollton has been a little more dominant, outscoring opponents 374-121 to Millington’s 308-90 mark. The Cardinals have had more close wins. Pick: Carrollton

Greg Tunnicliff: The Tri Valley Conference West Division was a little tougher than the East this fall and that is what separates Carrollton from Millington. Both teams went 8-1, but Carrollton posted a 31-6 victory over an 8-1 St. Charles team in week No. 6. Millington did not have win over a team of St. Charles caliber. Congratulations go out to Tim Furno on an outstanding coaching career at Millington. Pick: Carrollton

BROWN CITY at GENESEE

Bill Khan: Give me the team with the best athlete on the field, especially at the small-school level where depth is an issue. Genesee’s Garret Cook is one of the best quarterbacks at a small school in Michigan. The sour taste of a first-round playoff whipping against Ubly will motivate Cook and the Wolves. Brown City may simply be happy to be here after going 4-23 the last three years. Pick: Genesee

Dan Nilsen: Finally, Genesee gets a Greater Thumb team that isn’t Ubly. The Wolves’ 9-0 record earned that first-round home game, and they’ll get a rematch with Ubly in round two. Pick: Genesee

Mark Spezia: Brown City has a strong offense as well, but don’t expect Garret Cook and Genesee to be stopped just yet. The Wolves have found ways to win close game and Cook is money is such situations. Pick: Genesee

Greg Tunnicliff: Genesee is 9-0, but it only beat two teams with winning records this fall. Brown City is 7-2 and it has beaten three teams with winning records, including Deckerville which is still playing. The Green Devils also have a three-point loss to Sandusky, which is alive and well. Strength of schedule is huge at this point in the season. Pick: Brown City