Ranked Regional Duals - On Paper

Division 1

#4 Hartland vs #5 Clarkston

Outlook: These two have held down the #4 and #5 rankings since Clarkston took over the 5-spot in week 1. Hartland has been to back-to-back state finals, but Clarkston is putting together an outstanding season. This is a little tough to predict, as Hartland has been without Tougas, Dickerson, and Pyle for extended time, and we are unsure if they will be back in the lineup for this dual. Because of the high stakes, we will operate under the assumption that at least a few of those guys are back. Ashton Jewell, however, is out of the lineup Wednesday night, which hurts the Eagles in the middle. Korponic made 144 a few weeks ago, and all signs point to that being a move for this dual, especially without Jewell. Getting Korponic on Carter at 144 is big for Hartland, as that would take away a win and bonus points from state placer Carter. This dual could come down to that 144lb match, and if Hartland gets it, they could be in solid shape. Otherwise, we like the Wolves in a mild upset.

Prediction: Hartland +1

#8 Rockford vs #9 Hudsonville

Outlook: We have a second straight week of a big OK Red showdown after Hudsonville took down Grandville last week. Rockford won this dual earlier this season in a 48-19 rout. The only real starter out of that dual was #9 Arntz for Hudsonville, which does close that gap a little. Rockford will likely wrestle this pretty straight up like last time, while Hudsonville may want to move a few pieces around. If the Eagles are chasing points and need to win a big swing match, they may make moves like McAlary up to 138 to see his club teammate Fitzpatrick, which would create a huge swing match. 190 is another huge match. Hammingh won this match in the dual, although Brintnall has been on a tear lately, including beating Hammingh in OT in the conference finals. We expect the Rams to bump Martin to Leyendecker and Aulbach to Rottier again, relying on bonus points from their studs.

Prediction: Rockford +6

Division 2

#5 Plainwell vs #9 Hamilton

Outlook: This is just part one of a three-dual night at Three Rivers High School. Hamilton and Plainwell will square off, with the winner advancing to see the winner over #2 Three Rivers and #10 St. Joseph. While Plainwell is extremely solid, this is a tough matchup for them against a good Hamilton team. Hamilton could conceivably pick up wins from their 6 ranked wrestlers: the Morrison brothers, Kapenga, Chase, Block, and Dams. That may mean Kapenga beating Gyorkos, which would be the match of the dual. If Hamilton can win all six of those weights, they'd still likely need to win two more unranked swing matches, as they don't want to get into a bonus point battle with Plainwell between Nieuwenhuis, Cooper, and Young. This is a fantastic dual, but Plainwell might have just a little too much firepower.

Prediction: Plainwell +3

#2 Three Rivers vs #10 St. Joseph

Outlook: In the other semi of this tough regional, Three Rivers will take on newly ranked St. Joseph. St. Joe's is coming off a big win over rival Lakeshore. They won a few big swing matches, including an overtime thriller at heavyweight, and Wilkes had a massive upset pin over state champ Baker at 132lbs to seal the dual. They have an even bigger test this week against the #2 ranked Wildcats. Three Rivers will be tough to beat, as they're ranked at nearly every weight. Lowry, Dahlke, and potentially Wilkes could find wins, but things get much tougher after that, especially if St. Joseph has to void 106 and 120. We like Three Rivers to advance to see the winner of Plainwell and Hamilton with a trip to team state on the line.

Prediction: Three Rivers +25

Division 3

#2 Algonac vs #3 Yale

Outlook: Algonac had a big 36-27 win over Yale last month to take over the #2 ranking, and they backed it up with a win at the individual conference tournament. Both teams have a lot of depth, so it is difficult trying to predict how each team will weigh in, and who will rely on their flexibility to get some matchups. Algonac won a lot of swing matches last time, earning close decisions at 106, 113, 126, 144, 190, and 285. Yale will have to flip two of those matches to win this dual. This is as close to a toss-up as you'll see, and it's tough to beat a team three times, but Algonac just has an extremely tough lineup all the way through. We like them in another close one.

Prediction: Algonac +5

#6 Lakewood vs #9 Montrose

Outlook: Pretty evenly matched dual here with 6 ranked wrestlers for Lakewood and 5 for Montrose. For Montrose to win this dual, they'll have to win some swing matches like Priest/Harmer or Cummings/Boucher. They'll most likely need to win heavyweight, too, although Lakewood may bump Everett to 215 and Simon to 285. It seems like Lakewood may have a little more flexibility with their lineup, especially up top, so they will be tough to beat.

Prediction: Lakewood +9

#8 Williamston vs #10 Adrian Madison

Outlook: Williamston put 11 individuals through to regionals, while Adrian Madison has 9 moving on. Both teams are seeing tremendous success this season, although Williamston may be a slightly more complete team at the moment. Madison will be expecting wins from Byrd, Mosher, Borders, and Gritzmaker. They also will rely on winning tough swing matches from Leonard and Russell. If they can do all of that, they still need to find at least 1 more win, and/or win the bonus point battle. It'll be tough to limit bonus points from both Hardings, Young, and Dion, so Williamston should remain the favorite in this one.

Prediction: Williamston +10

Division 4

#2 St. Louis vs #7 Lakeview

Outlook: St. Louis has 13 moving onto individual regionals, and they are looking like a stacked team. If it weren't for Hudson, the state title would likely be theirs to lose. Lakeview is having an outstanding season, with 11 regional qualifiers of their own, but it just seems like almost everywhere Lakeview is ranked, St. Louis is ranked slightly higher. The Wildcats can most likely rely on bonus points from Johnson at 215, and Schenden and Copeland are capable of bonus points, depending on whether or not St. Louis bumps their lineup around. Perez vs Kuhn and Challender vs Vail are the matches of the dual at 132 and 165, respectively. Lakeview would have to swing every swing match and pull off a few upsets to swing this dual their way.

Prediction: St. Louis +18

#1 Hudson vs #8 Leslie

Outlook: This Leslie team is tough, qualifying 10 individuals for regionals, and peaking at #8 in the team rankings. That said, this Hudson team is phenomenal, and they likely won't slow down this week. Hudson has 10 ranked in the top 10, so while Leslie will most likely win a few matches, it'll be tough to keep it close. Leslie will be looking for bonus points from Craft, and they should get 6 at 106 or 113 (wherever Kimling doesn't go), but after that, points are tough to come by. There are a handful of guys that can be competitive, like Foster, Tinkey, and Weber, but Hudson should take care of business nonetheless.

Prediction: Hudson +36

#3 Manchester vs #6 Clinton

Outlook: Clinton was able to fend off an upset attempt by Gabriel Richard last week, winning by 1 point, and they will look to pull off an upset of their own this week. However, this Manchester team doesn't have many holes. They qualified 12 to individual regionals, and they have quite a bit of flexibility in their lineup. 106 and 285 will be huge swing matches, and Clinton is slightly favored in both on paper. Clinton also should get 6 points at 113 and 138. Manchester will be looking for bonus points from Stewart, Ostrom, Sloan, and Fletcher. This dual could come down to matches like Magnusson/Keibler and Neff/Whelan, should they happen. This is a dual that could come down to the last match, but we still give Manchester the slight nod.

Prediction: Manchester +3

#5 Martin vs #10 Decatur

Outlook: Martin is one of five teams in the state across all divisions to put all 14 wrestlers through to individual regionals. They really don't have any holes, and they have some flexibility to move guys around throughout the middleweights. Decatur, on the other hand, has some firepower of their own. Decatur can generally rely on Burns, Mead, Wiggins, and Bradford to pick them up wins, if not bonus points. If those four can win, Decatur would also need to win a few swing matches like 106 and 285. Even then, they'd likely fall a bit short.

Prediction: Martin +15