The final week of the regular season is upon us! 7 playoff spots are already locked, which means that 17 playoff spots are up for grabs this week and many games will have huge impacts on the way the bracket unfolds for next week's first round. Here are the games with the biggest impacts on the playoffs!
Region 1-
6-1 Wyndmere/Lidgerwood @ 7-0 LaMoure/L/M
Simply put its the Region 1 Championship game. It should be a good one at that. W/L's only blemish came week 1 at MPCG. LaMoure very nearly took a loss to that same MPCG team but gutted out a win. Midco also mentioned that after the MPCG Game that LaMoure may not have their QB for a couple weeks. If he is out it could make things even tighter. With that said, until LaMoure is defeated it's hard to pick against them. I'll take the Loboes at home to win 30-24
Region 2-
5-2 Maple River @ 6-1 Mayport CG
Intriguing match-up as the Finley-Sharon-Hope-Page co-op from last year split and the FS kids are at MPCG while the HP kids are part of the Maple River Co-op. I'm sure it will be fun for those kids who were teammates a year ago to play against each other for a Region title! I can't pick against MPCG though, especially at home. I"ll take MPCG in a big way- Patriots win 48-12
Region 3-
7-0 Cavalier @ 5-2 North Border
Both teams are 3-0 in the region. It's a rivalry game, it's a region championship as well! Both teams have some tremendous playmakers, but I'll take the tradition in this one. Cavalier hasn't lost a regular season game since 2018. My pick is the Tornadoes 38-22
Region 4-
5-2 Four Winds @ 7-0 North Prairie
It is just unreal to me how this one sets up. Four Winds is 5-2 on the season and in a position where a win would give them the Region 4 championship. On the flip side, Four winds is 5-2 on the season and in a position where a loss in this game would mean they are most likely OUT of the playoffs. Unfortunately for the Indians, that second scenario is the one that I see more than likely unfolding in the season's final week. I'll take North Prairie to win 42-20
Region 7-
5-2 St. John @ 5-2 Westhope/Newburg/Glenburn
Both teams are 5-2 and 3-0 in the region. It's a winner take all game for the Region 7 crown. St. John took 2 losses to open the season and have now won 5 straight. WNG has a pair of losses to North Prairie and Divide County. This, to me, might just be the game of the week and the toughest of these Region Championship games to pick! When in doubt, pick the home team. I'll take WNG to win 30-26.
Region 8-
5-2 Tioga @ 7-0 Divide County
Divide County is in a position where if they win they are the region champions, but also, most likely, if they lose by 11 or less they are the region champions. Tioga would be guaranteed the Region Championship with a win by 12 or more points or any win and a Surrey loss. With that said, Divide County has been dominant all season and I don't see them losing this one. I'll take the Maroons to win a region title. DC wins 48-22