The MHSAA football state tournament field is set. Four South Bend area Michigan teams qualified for the playoffs, headlined by the 9-0 Niles Vikings, a program that moved up from Division four to three after making a state championship appearance last season.
After finishing undefeated in the regular season for the first time since 1979, Niles will host Zeeland West (6-3) in a Division 3, Region 2, District 1 semifinal contest Friday, October 31 at a time yet to be announced. The winner of Vikings vs. Dux will play the winner of St. Joseph (5-4) vs. Zeeland East (6-3) in a district championship game Friday, November 7.
Edwardsburg made the state tournament for the 16th straight season, and the 6-3 Eddies will host Vicksburg in a Division 4, Region 2, District 2 semifinal game, Friday, October 31, at a time yet to be announced. When the Wolverine Conference rivals met in the regular season, the Bulldogs (5-4) beat Edwardsburg 38-35.
The winner of this game will play the winner of Paw Paw (6-3) vs. Three Rivers (5-4) — another inner-Wolverine-Conference district semifinal — Friday, November 7.
In another regular season rematch between Lakeland Conference foes, Dowagiac (5-3) will travel to Berrien Springs (5-2) for a Division 5, Region 2, District 2 semifinal game. The Chieftains lost to the Shamrocks 21-0 in the regular season, and they’ll look to get revenge by winning their first playoff game since 2016.
The victor will play the winner of Kalamazoo United (7-2) vs. Hopkins (5-4) Friday, November 7.
Buchanan made history by securing a spot in the state tournament four consecutive seasons for the first time in program history. The Bucks (6-3) travel to Napoleon (6-3) for a Division 6, Region 3, District 1 semifinal game. The winner between the Bucks and the Pirates will play the winner of Jackson Lumen Christi (6-3) vs. Onsted (4-5) Friday, November 7.
Niles, Edwardsburg, Buchanan and Dowagiac all make MHSAA football playoffs
