The D Zone predicts the #11 De La Salle vs. #14 Mona Shores game

Written by
Jeff Corrion
Published
11/19/2018
Photo Credit
Jeff Corrion

Division 2 State Championship game:

The #14 ranked, Mona Shores Sailors as expected cruised to a 12-1 record with their lone loss coming to the #2 ranked Muskegon Big Reds late in the year. Mona Shores was expected to breeze through their 4 game playoff schedule and surprisingly was only tested in Round 1 vs. Forest Hills Central. Mona Shores lone State Finals appearance was in 2014 as they coincidentally lost to De La Salle.

Mona Shores's playoff path features wins over; #99 Midland, #106 Portage Northern, #44 Jenison, and #62 Forest Hills Central.

The #11 ranked, De La Salle Pilots had a late season collapse in a week 8 loss to Catholic Central, but came back and beat them for the CHSL-Central title in week 9 at Ford Field. The Pilots hold a 11-2 record with their best win being a slight upset win over Oak Park in the Districts. DLS is 2-2 in state final games and they're the defending champions.

De La Salle's playoff path features wins over; #28 Groves, #97 Port Huron Northern, #8 Oak Park, and #98 Warren Mott.

Following the regular season, De La Salle was the #11 ranked team in the state and #2 in Division 2 while Mona Shores was the #14 ranked team in the state and #3 in Division 2.

Prediction: De La Salle by 13

Explanation: Is this Deja Vu of 2014? Mona Shores was favored based off a better record entering the post-season, but the Pilots cruised to a 44-8 win that year. Opponents have been focusing on shutting down DLS's Josh DeBerry but it hasn't mattered as he's still producing and across the board DLS is deeper and more experienced than Mona Shores.