By Staff
PONTIAC - The field has been set and the Michigan High School Athletic Association will crown eight new state champions over the weekend at the Pontiac Silverdome.
The first of two-days of state finals will be held on Friday beginning at 10 a.m. with the Division 8 championship game between Crystal Falls Forest Park (12-1) and Climax-Scotts (13-0).
The Division 2 final will follow at 1 p.m. between Muskegon (13-0) and Orchard Lake St. Mary's (11-1).
In the second session, the Division 6 final between Constantine (12-1) and Suttons Bay (12-1) will kickoff at 5 p.m.
The final game on Friday will undefeated Muskegon Orchard View (13-0) taking on DeWitt (13-0). Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.
Division 8
Crystal Falls Forest Park returns to the state finals for the first time since 2000 when it lost to Muskegon Catholic Central, 13-6.
Crystal Falls won state titles in Class D in 1975 and 1976.
Climax-Scotts reached the finals by defeating Lake Michigan Catholic, Martin, North Adams-Jerome and Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes.
Division 2
Orchard Lake St. Mary's will be looking for its third state championship since 1999.
The Eaglets captured the 1999 and 2000 Division 4 state championships and were runner-up in 2001.
Muskegon reached the title game with wins over Midland, Bay City Western, Hudsonville and Rochester Adams.
Division 6
Constantine will be looking for its first state title under coach Tim Baker, who is 128-30 in 15 seasons.
The Falcons reached the state title game in 1994, but were defeated by Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 35-7.
In reaching the state finals, Constantine defeated Kalamazoo Hackett, Buchanan, Montague and Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central.
Sutton's Bay advanced to the title game with wins over Kingsley, Boyne City, Negaunee and Reese.
Division 4
The highlight game of the weekend will wrap up the first night of the state finals.
Undefeated DeWitt and Muskegon Orchard View will both be looking to win their first state championships.
DeWitt was a runner-up in Division 4 last year, losing to Three Rivers in the title game, 24-6.
Muskegon Orchard View was the runner-up in Division 5 in 1999. Orchard View was defeated by Detroit Country Day, 39-32.
DeWitt reached the title game with wins over Corunna, Battle Creek Harper Creek, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and Grosse Ile.
Muskegon Orchard View defeated Spring Lake, Howard City Tri-County, Kingsford and Grand Rapids South Christian to earn its spot in the finals.
The finals will continue on Saturday with four more contests.
Division 7 will kick off the competition at 10 a.m. with Unionville-Sebewaint (13-0) taking on Detroit St. Martin dePorres (9-4).
The Division 1 final will pit Rockford (11-2) against Sterling Heights Stevenson (11-2) at 1 p.m.
In the evening session, Midland Bullock Creek (13-0) will face Jackson Lumen Christi (10-3) at 5 p.m.
The two days of competition will conclude with the Division 3 final between Lowell (13-0) and St. Johns (11-2) at 8 p.m.
All the games can be heard live on the internet at mlive.com or on the state's championship network.
The games are being produced by Dowagiac's WDOW.