By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES – For the third time in the past four seasons, the Buchanan Bucks have advanced to the Michigan High School Athletic Association playoffs.
Joining the Bucks in the post season are Dowagiac, for the third straight season, and Cassopolis, which has now qualified two years in a row.
The Bucks (7-2) will travel to Battle Creek to take on Pennfield (7-2) in Division 5. It was unknown at press time whether or not Buchanan would play on Friday night or on Saturday.
For the third straight season, the Dowagiac varsity football team will continue beyond the regular season as the Chieftains qualified for the state football playoffs on Friday night with a win over Paw Paw.
The Chieftains (6-3) will travel to South Haven for a rematch of the season opener with the Rams, who are the Division 4, Region 3, District 2 top seed.
Coloma (9-0) will host Comstock (7-2) in the other Region 3, District 2 contest.
South Haven (8-1) defeated Dowagiac in the season opener, 70-20. The Chieftains played that night without senior running back Jamie Simpson, who was out with an ankle injury.
The Chieftains and the Rams will play in South Haven on Saturday night. Kickoff would be at 7 p.m.
The Rangers (8-1) will host Lake Michigan Catholic (7-2) in the opening round of the Division 7 playoffs,
In Division 8, Eau Claire (8-1) will travel to Martin (6-3).
No official start times were available for either of those contests.