I think all 4 of these games have the potential to be double digit margins of victory.
I am not overly familiar with Battle Creek (outside of what I have read), but I am doubting they have seen a passing offense like that of Archbishop Bergan. That passing offense is the only way Bergan plays with Battle Creek. Aquinas shut Bergan down completely, but Aquinas probably has the best (at least top 3) defense in the state. I don't think Battle Creek will have much trouble with Bergan, but like I said, if Bergan can get their passing game going it might be interesting. I'll take Battle Creek by 28.
Aquinas-St Cecilia sounds good on paper and with name brands. I think if you look at their strength of schedule they look close at first glance based off of W-L records of opponents, but in my opinion Aquinas has played a far tougher schedule. Hartington CC, Lutheran High NE, Yutan, Bergan, and Gibbon are the quality wins for Aquinas right now with their lone loss to Scotus. St Cecilia has wins over Hershey, Ravenna, Doniphan-Trumbull, Southern Valley, Fillmore Central, and Southern that are of quality. I just think the teams Aquinas has beat are better than the teams St Cecilia has beat. I will take Aquinas by 14.
Hartington CC-Freeman has the potential to get ugly. Freeman has done a great job coming up from 8-man, but they haven't seen a team that is anything like Hartington CC. With all due respect to Freeman (because I don't think there are many teams that can keep it close with HCC), I will take Hartington CC by 35 or more.
Oakland-Craig vs St Pats is the most interesting game for me. St Pat's hasn't had a close game since their opener with Doniphan-Trumbull and I think that will hurt them. What St Pat's has over Oakland-Craig is a history of deep runs in the playoffs. I also think the travel could be an issue for O-C. My opinion is that the talent is higher on the Oakland-Craig side, but the intangibles are in favor of St. Pats. I'll take OC by 11.
