Some 15 greater Lansing area teams begin play Friday night in the state high school football tournament and I'm thinking a number of them may well go out on opening night.  Grand Ledge, Okemos, Holt and Sexton all have long road trips to make and all will be underdogs.  Sexton may not have its quarterback who was hurt late against Eastern in a controversial ending to the game which caused the final six minutes to be eliminated.

     Among the in area match-ups, I pick DeWitt over Haslett, East Lansing over St. Johns and Lansing Catholic over Olivet, the home team winning all three.  Portland should also win at home over Ovid-Elsie and set up a big rematch the followinig week against Lansing Catholic.  East Lansing and DeWitt could collide in week two as well. 

     Pewamo-Westphalia joined Lansing Catholic as the only unbeaten teams in the area and should advance through its division.  The area hasn't had a state champ since Grand Ledge in 2000 and that streak may continue through this year as well.  The two unbeatens, plus Mason, to me have the best chances-- providing Mason wins at home over Sturgis.