DETROIT — Heading into the final week of volleyball competition, five Detroit-area Catholic high schools remain in the running for a state championship.
The prospects aren’t as good on the gridiron as three Catholic League squads were sent to the sidelines last weekend, leaving just highly touted Warren De La Salle in the hunt for the ultimate prize.
The Pilots — No. 1 in Division 2 and undefeated (11-0) — disposed of neighbor Roseville, 45-14, in a regional contest played at Wayne State University’s Adams Field on Saturday afternoon.
In three playoff games, De La Salle hasn’t been tested, outscoring opponents 124-41.
They will have to get past Livonia Franklin (7-5) in a semi-final showdown at 1 p.m. Saturday at Hazel Park. The two teams have met just one time, the Division 2 state final in 2017, won by the Pilots 41-6.
The winner will come up against either Traverse City Central (11-1) or South Lyon (12-0) in the championship game at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, at Ford Field.
Of the three CHSL teams eliminated, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (8-4) lost a heartbreaker, 20-17, to Mason, which scored the winning touchdown with nine seconds to play.
Jackson Lumen Christi defeated Detroit Loyola (6-5), 35-18, in a Division 7 regional, and Clarkston Everest Collegiate (9-3) was swamped by Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 38-12, in Division 8.
It’ll be a week like no other for volleyball contenders
Quarterfinal matches on Tuesday, Nov. 16, are played at neutral sites assigned by the MHSAA. The semi-final matches on Thursday, Nov. 18, or Friday, Nov. 19, and the finals (D1 at 12 noon, D2 at 4 p.m., D3 at 2 p.m.) on Saturday, Nov. 20, will be played at the Kellogg Center in Battle Creek.
DIVISION 1
Bloomfield Hills Marian, No. 1-ranked and defending champion, meets No. 11 Davison in a quarterfinal match at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, at Royal Oak High School.
The Mustangs (51-1) swept No. 12 Lake Orion 25-14, 25-19, 25-18 last week to keep alive its drive for a repeat state title. If Marian prevails, it could face its biggest challenge of the season against either Hudsonville, rated No. 2 all season long, or No. 4 Rockford in a semi-final match two days later at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Dearborn Divine Child plays a quarterfinal match against No. 10 Macomb Dakota at 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. Clair Community College in Port Huron. The winner will face either No. 3 Ann Arbor Skyline or No. 7 Northville in a semi-final match at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Divine Child beat Berkley 25-19, 25-22, 25-16 last week for its first regional crown since 2014.
DIVISION 2
No. 1 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep plays No. 4 Detroit Country Day at 5 p.m. Tuesday at St. Clair County Community College in Port Huron. The winner advances to play a semi-final match against either No. 2 Grand Rapids Christian (Division 2 champ the last three years) or No. 10 Niles at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19.
The Fighting Irish (61-1) won the regional last week by beating Marysville 25-16, 25-14 and 25-13.
DIVISION 3
Royal Oak Shrine will play No. 9 Reese in the quarterfinal at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Genesee High School. The winner will go up against either No. 1 Muskegon Western Michigan Christian or Watervliet at 12 noon Friday. The Knights won their second regional in a row by trimming Sandusky 25-10, 25-13, 25-10.
No. 2 Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, which has won Division 3 two years in a row, plays No. 3 Pewamo-Westphalia in the quarterfinal at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Jackson Lumen Christi High School. The winner will meet either No. 6 Calumet or No. 13 McBain at 2 p.m. Friday.
St. Mary was pushed to the limit in a thrilling 5-set regional match before beating Brooklyn Columbia Central 25-18, 21-25, 14-25, 25-20, 17-15.
Contact Don Horkey at [email protected].
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