MADISON HEIGHTS — Probably every football team around lists “make the playoffs” as one of their primary goals each season, and Catholic League squads are no different.
But heading into the final weekend of the regular season, a majority of league teams have yet to see that plan either materialize or fade away — and that brings a sense of urgency to this Friday and Saturday’s “Week 9” contests.
With one game to go, just four league schools have already earned an automatic playoff berth: Clarkston Everest Collegiate (7-0), Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (7-1), Riverview Gabriel Richard (7-1), and Royal Oak Shrine (6-2).
Only three teams — each with 3-5 records — have been eliminated from post-season play: Allen Park Cabrini, Marine City Cardinal Mooney and Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes.
So that leaves 11 of the league’s 18 teams still in the playoff hunt going into the final weekend. With a win, they’re probably in; with a loss, they can likely turn in the equipment.
Under the current system used by the Michigan High School Athletic Association, any team with six or more wins automatically gets into the state’s 256-school playoff field. If fewer than 256 teams win six games, the field will be filled up with deserving schools with 5-4 records, or even 4-4 if a team plays an eight-game schedule.
As of last weekend, 165 schools statewide have clinched a playoff berth. But there are 142 schools that still have a chance to grab one of the remaining 91 slots.
“We’ve played good, competitive football games, and I think everyone’s pretty even and nobody’s separated themselves,” said Madison Heights Bishop Foley head coach Brian Barnes. “It is funny; it seems like this year there’s more 4-4’s and 5-3’s.”
“It’s been kind of a strange year,” Detroit Loyola coach John Calahan said. “It just seems like every school has had their ups and downs and injuries; it was just one of those years.”
Bishop Foley (5-3) hosts Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett (4-4) on Friday. The winner will likely make the playoffs, so there’s a lot on the line with that game.
“I keep reminding the kids that Friday night could be their last game, especially if you’re a senior,” Barnes said. “We’ve just been reiterating that, and asking what would you do if you knew this would be your last time, and we’ve had some really good practices, and played some really good football games.”
Loyola, meanwhile, sits at 3-4 and must beat Detroit Osborn (5-3) on Friday night to reach the post-season.
“They play in the (Detroit Public School League), so week in and week out they’re going to see some of the best athletes in the state. Seeing that every week is going to make their whole program better,” Calahan said. “I think we can match up pretty well. If they get a win, they’re in the playoffs; they’re not going to lie down by any means. I’m looking forward to a very physical game.”
Calahan said the team’s mindset is that this week is “the start of our second season.”
“If we can stay healthy, I think we can make a pretty good (playoff) run. We’d be playing teams and schools that are our size,” Calahan said. “Of course, we have to get by Friday.”
Here’s a capsule look at the other Catholic League football teams on the bubble:
BROTHER RICE: The Warriors are 5-3 and didn’t do themselves any favors by losing to Lapeer last week. Brother Rice hosts Detroit Cody (1-7) on Friday.
CATHOLIC CENTRAL: The Central Division sectional champions have played perhaps the toughest schedule in the state. The Shamrocks are 4-4 and must beat St. Mary’s in Saturday’s Prep Bowl Central championship to gain an at-large bid.
CRANBROOK: The Cranes, who defeated Ann Arbor Fr. Gabriel Richard last week, have a 5-3 record and were scheduled to host Harper Woods Chandler Park (4-4) on Friday.
DE LA SALLE: After beating University of Detroit-Jesuit at Ford Field last Saturday, the Pilots are 5-3. They face a tough test Friday night by hosting West Bloomfield (7-1) at Wayne State University.
DIVINE CHILD/U-D JESUIT: Playoff hopes are clinging to a thread for the Falcons (4-4), who must beat University of Detroit-Jesuit (5-3) in Saturday’s Prep Bowl AA Championship. Should that happen, the Cubs might still earn a playoff berth based on strength of schedule.
FR. GABRIEL RICHARD: After winning their first four games of the year, the Fighting Irish have slumped to 4-4. They could catch a break at Pontiac (0-7) on Friday.
LUTHERAN NORTH: The Mustangs beat Manistee last week to even their record at 4-4. Friday, they must win at Yale (1-6) to have any post-season possibility.
Playoff pairings will be announced by the MHSAA on Sunday, with first-round “pre-district” games taking place on Nov. 1-2. Eight championship games will be held at Detroit’s Ford Field on Nov. 28-29.
