By Staff
Ready of not here they come.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association's post season begins on Wednesday.
Actually, for Dowagiac's wrestling team it begins on Thursday when it hosts the Division 3 District Team Tournament.
Like it or not, it's tourney time in Michigan.
I don't know if I am ready for that quite yet. It seems like only yesterday I was headed over to Vicksburg for the beginning of the season.
But ready or not, it's time for the Chieftain grapplers to tune it up and make a run at a state championship.
Dowagiac will be looking for its second straight district championship when it hosts Edwardsburg, Coloma and Berrien Springs on Thursday night.
Dowagiac was defeated by Constantine in the regional finals a year ago at Vermontville-Maple Valley High School.
Should Dowagiac get past Edwardsburg in the first round of the districts on Thursday and then beat either Coloma or Berrien Springs in the finals, then it will have to travel back to Vermontville-Maple Valley for regional competition.
Whoever gets out of the district on Thursday will have a tough time at the regional.
Constantine, despite a 50-18 loss to Lakeshore on Wednesday night, is always a contender.
Also there will be Hamilton, who already owns a lopsided victory over the Chieftains earlier this season.
Dowagiac grapplers will also take part in the individual districts at Hamilton High School on Saturday, Feb. 21.
Dowagiac will be facing wrestlers from Battle Creek Pennfield, Berrien Springs, Coloma, Constantine, Delton-Kellogg, Edwardsburg, Hamilton, Mendon, Otsego, Parchment, Paw Paw, South Haven and Maple Valley in their attempt to advance toward the state finals in Auburn Hills.
I expect a host of Chieftains to get out of the districts and advance to the regional meet.
I also expect Dowagiac to bring home a couple of district championships.
The Chieftains will have one last tune up before heading off into state competition.
Dowagiac and the rest of the Big 16 Conference gather at Portage Central High School again on Saturday to compete for individual honors. (see related story this page).
Good luck to all the wrestlers on Saturday and in the state tournament.