Goricki's prep picks: Eisenhower, Mott vie for playoffs

The playoffs begin Friday for Utica Eisenhower and Warren Mott.

The teams meet at Mott, with the winner one victory away from the postseason with one week remaining. The loser is in a state of flux.

"It should be a great game," said coach Chris Smith, whose Eisenhower team enters the matchup 4-3 in the MAC Red, just like Mott. "We've been able to eliminate our turnovers the last few weeks which had cost us earlier in the season. We need to come out on the plus-side to get the win."

Eisenhower has won three of four, thanks in part to an offense that seems to be clicking at the right time.

"Offensively, we have averaged 300 yards rushing a game," Smith said. "(And) Jake Bradsher is doing a good job for us at quarterback."

Pick: Eisenhower by 4

Other top games

All games 7 p.m. Friday unless noted

Detroit Cass Tech (7-0) vs. Detroit East English (5-2), 5 p.m.*:Cass Tech, the defending PSL champion, gets a semifinals test in East English. Cass Tech by 8

Detroit Renaissance (5-2) vs. Detroit King (7-0), 8 p.m*: King has been dominant all season, and there's no reason to think things will change, thanks to a defense led by LB Tyriq Thompson (Michigan State) and DL KyontaStallworth. King by 12

Clarkston (7-0) at Lake Orion (4-3):Clarkston can clinch the OAA Red title with a victory. Lake Orion needs a win to keep its playoff hopes alive. Clarkston by 9

Oak Park (6-1) at Southfield (5-2): Oak Park can clinch the OAA White with a victory. Oak Park RB John Kelly has played well all season, and LB Junior McMullen has been an impact player. Oak Park by 4

Riverview (5-2) at GrosseIle (5-2):GrosseIle, which earns a playoff spot with a victory, enters the matchup averaging 40 points during a three-game winning streak. GrosseIle by 2

* at Detroit Northwestern