DETROIT – One week early, Detroit East English Village and Detroit Martin Luther King are in playoff mode.
The two teams will square off Friday for the Detroit Public Schools League championship with hopes of achieving even more.
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East English Village enters with an 8-0 record, and two-time defending state champion King comes in on a six-game winning streak.
“They’re a well-balanced team,” East English Village coach Rodereck Oden said. “They’re the defending champs. They’re a measuring stick game for us.”
So far, East English Village has measured up to all the challenges this season.
The Bulldogs are averaging 36.7 points per game (not including a forfeit victory over Detroit Communication Media Arts) while allowing 9.9 points per game.
East English Village defeated Detroit Renaissance 37-8 in the PSL semifinals last week.
An experienced offensive line led by Syracuse recruit Tyrone Sampson helped three Bulldogs rush for more than 100 yards.
Senior Zhamaine March, a Northern Illinois commit, returned from an injury to score three touchdowns.
Senior Creed Stegall-Monroe ran for 140 yards and a touchdown, and junior Jordan Anderson also rushed for 100 yards.
“Getting ready for the playoffs, we know it’s going to be cold and you have to run the ball,” Oden said.
King also has been cruising, and the Crusaders are coming off a 17-7 victory over defending Division 1 state champion Detroit Cass Tech in the other semifinal.
Like East English Village, King has some college-level talent. Senior cornerback Jaeveyon Morton is headed to Iowa State, and wide receiver Erik Gibson has committed to Minnesota.
“We definitely have our hands full,” Oden said. “But we hope we’re up to the challenge.”
Both teams hope to claim the city championship, but both know it’s not the end.
Last season, King lost to Cass Tech in the PSL final, only to recover and win a second straight state championship.
Oden has a hunch this may not be the only game between the two teams this year. East English Village and King could meet in the state playoffs.
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Other games to watch
Walled Lake Western at Walled Lake Central. Western is 7-1 and has won four straight. Central, coming off a 52-36 victory over Waterford Kettering last week, needs a victory to become playoff eligible.
Farmington Hills Harrison at Clarkston. Harrison’s John Herrington became the state’s all-time leader in career victories last week. Both teams are 6-2 overall and it’s the first meeting between the two teams since 2014.
Grosse Pointe South at Warren-Mott. The Blue Devils already have claimed the MAC White Division championship, but they need a win over Warren-Mott to qualify for the playoffs.
Belleville at Temperance Bedford. Belleville tries to complete an undefeated regular season against Temperance Bedford, which is 6-2 after falling to Ypsilanti Lincoln last week.
Madison Heights Lamphere at Madison. Lamphere is 5-3 and needs one more victory to clinch a playoff berth. It won’t be easy as Madison looks to go 9-0 for the first time since 2013.
Numbers to know
Two: The number of overtime games in Week 8.
33: The number of undefeated teams in the state.
122: The number of points scored in St. Johns 70-52 victory over Battle Creek Central, the most in Week 8.