By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
The Dowagiac varsity football team didn't have to scramble to find out anything about their first round opponent in the Michigah High School Athletic Association state playoffs.
After all, the Chieftains are very familiar with the Three Rivers Wildcats.
Dowagiac (7-2) will travel to Three Rivers (8-1) on Friday night for its Division 4, Region 2, District 2 playoff match up.
The Wildcats will be looking for some revenge when the Chieftains arrive in town.
Dowagiac defeated Three Rivers 25-0 in the second week of the regular season. The Chieftains and Wildcats have met four times previously in the playoffs. Three Rivers holds a 3-1 record in those meetings.
In the other half of District 2, Comstock (6-3) will travel to Battle Creek Harper Creek (8-1).
The winners advance to the district finals the following weekend. The team with the highest seed will host the district final.
"It's a double-edged sword," Dowagiac coach Mike Stanger said of playing Three Rivers again. "Yes, we know a lot about them. But they know a lot about us too. We have to figure out how we can get better, not just the things we did well in the first meeting, but how to get better in all phases of the game against them. We have to work hard as coaches this week to motivate our kids and make sure there is no letdown because we beat them the first time."
The Cassopolis Rangers will host a first round playoff game for the first time since 1990.
The Rangers (9-0) will play host to Eau Claire (7-2) on Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
Cassopolis capped off its first undefeated season since 1977 with a 48-12 win over River Valley on Friday night (see related story this page).
In the other half of the bracket, Centreville (7-2) will travel to Decatur (8-1).
The winners will advance to the district finals the following weekend at the site of the highest seeded team.