Play along: Predicting three playoff wins for county football teams

AnnArbor.com sports reporter Rich Rezler predicts three playoff wins for Washtenaw County high school football teams on Friday. What do you think?

Pioneer (8-2) at Canton (9-1): Pioneer coach Jeremy Gold wasn't fooling around when he prepared this season's schedule ... and Friday night is when non-conference games against Inkster and Dearborn Fordson pay off. Plus, Pioneer has one inside operative that knows how to beat Canton: University of Michigan-bound Austin White, the son of Pioneer principal Michael White, rushed for 164 yards and three touchdowns (and threw another on a halfback option pass) while Livonia Stevenson handed the Chiefs their only loss of the season.

Rezler's prediction: Pioneer, 35-32

Readers' prediction:

Chelsea (8-2) at Adrian (9-1): Chelsea coach Brad Bush says Adrian's Maple Stadium is one of his favorite places to play, because the Adrian fans are so high-energy and right on top of the action at the old-time gridiron. He probably also has some fond memories of Nick Hill gaining 310 yards there in 2008, against an Adrian team that was probably a little better than this year's squad.

Rezler's prediction: Chelsea, 28-20

Readers' prediction:

Manchester (9-1) at Clinton (9-1): When these teams meet in their annual season-opening game, whether in Manchester or Clinton, it's small-town high school football at its finest. A move to the (relative) big-time of Adrian College's stadium and its artificial surface should benefit the spread offense of Manchester more than it benefits the win-with-defense philosophy Clinton has been playing with since tailback Jesse Sexton went down with an injury.

Rezler's prediction: Manchester, 20-18

Readers' prediction:

Season record: 72-24 (.750). Last week: 5-0 (1.000).

Rich Rezler covers high school sports for AnnArbor.com. Contact him at 734-623-2553 or richrezler@annarbor.com.