CANTON -- It's no surprise that Canton and Westland John Glenn are in the state playoffs.
That the two will play each other in the Division 1 district final Friday in Canton isn't a shocker, either.
After all, these two schools have been the top teams in the Western Lakes the past few seasons. They tied for the league title last season. This season, Canton went 10-0 and won the title, handing Glenn its only loss, 20-7.
But what's interesting is how Glenn got to this point, especially since Coach Chuck Gordon had to overcome major hurdles.
For starters, Gordon lost his top receiver (junior Jerret Smith transferred to Romulus) and top defensive back (junior D'Anthony Granberry is no longer with the program).
Then there was starting quarterback Vinnie DeLuca, a senior who suffered a broken leg before the start of practice and didn't return until midseason.
But DeLuca is back at full strength, and so is Glenn.
Along the way to Canton, Glenn defeated two playoff teams -- Walled Lake Central and Wayne Memorial -- at the end of the regular season to secure home-field advantage.
It paid off last week, when Glenn held off Saline, 28-26, after losing a 28-7 lead.
"This is, from August 11 until now, the most improved team I've coached," Gordon said. "The attitude has been terrific. Individual improvement has meant team improvement."
Glenn relies on tailback Matt Smitherman, a senior who has rushed for more than 2,000 yards, for most of its offensive production.
The pick -- Canton by 5.
DIVISION 1
All games 7 p.m. Friday unless noted. Metro Detroit teams and Tom Markowski's picks are in bold type.
REGION 1
* Grandville (7-3) at Rockford (8-2), 1 p.m. Saturday. Rockford by 2.
* Holland West Ottawa (8-2) at East Kentwood (9-1), 1 p.m. Saturday. East Kentwood by 8.
REGION 2
* Flint Carman-Ainsworth (8-2) at Clarkston (8-2): Quarterback Sam Palace had a big game for Clarkston last week, throwing for three touchdowns and running for a fourth. The most important statistic for Clarkston? Zero turnovers, three forced. If the Wolves can duplicate that this week, they have a shot. Carman-Ainsworth by 7.
* New Baltimore Anchor Bay (8-2) vs. Utica Eisenhower (10-0), 1 p.m. Saturday, Utica: Eisenhower won the first meeting, 28-8. Anchor Bay has a chance if its wing-T can control the ball. Eisenhower by 12.
REGION 3
* South Lyon (8-2) vs. Detroit Catholic Central (9-1), 1 p.m. Saturday at Redford Union: C.C. got past one team (Brighton) from the Kensington Valley last week, and now must get past another. This KVC team is different, however. South Lyon likes to pass first, run second. With a quarterback such as Dennis Reedy, the Lions have the ability to cause problems for C.C.'s secondary. As usual, the Shamrocks will try to control the clock with their running game. C.C. by 9.
REGION 4
* Detroit Denby (8-2) at Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (9-1): Denby's victory over Sterling Heights Stevenson surprised many, but it wasn't necessarily an upset. Denby has the PSL's top offense and will spread the field. If Chippewa Valley can control the line of scrimmage with its offensive line, it might be able to force Denby out of its short passing game and into more of a desperate passing game. Chippewa Valley by 7.
* Detroit King (8-2) at Dearborn Fordson (9-1): Don't look for much offense. Fordson will keep things simple with Ali Houssaiky carrying the ball -- often. King will try the middle of Fordson's defense, and when that doesn't work, the Crusaders will go to their short passing game and receivers such as Blake Sims. Fordson by 4.
DIVISION 2
REGION 1
* Bay City Western (8-2) at Midland (10-0), 7:30 p.m. Western by 1.
* Davison (8-2) at Rochester Adams (8-2): Davison's offense overpowered Orchard Lake St. Mary's last week, 42-0. Adams scored 52 points last week, which might lead one to expect a game in the 30s or 40s. Look for something in the 30 range. Davison by 5.
REGION 2
* Hudsonville (8-2) at Muskegon (9-1). Muskegon by 6.
* Lowell (9-1) at East Lansing (9-1), 7:30 p.m. E. Lansing by 7.
REGION 3
* Birmingham Brother Rice (7-3) at Birmingham Groves (8-2), 1 p.m. Saturday: Besides the obvious neighborhood rivalry, the contrasting styles should provide an interesting matchup. Groves can score quickly, and Brother Rice's offense has been methodical at best. Brother Rice by 2.
* Warren DeLaSalle (6-4) at Sterling Heights (7-3): Don't be misled by DeLaSalle's scoring 34 points last week. A blocked kick and an interception accounted for 14 points. Still, DeLaSalle received a much-needed lift from tailback Troy Doane, who is still recovering from a knee injury. Sterling Heights is 6-0 at home. DeLaSalle by 4.
REGION 4
* Adrian (10-0) at Novi (10-0), 7:30 p.m.: Both teams won easily last week, achieving shutouts. Both teams possess efficient passing games and have receivers who can make the big play. Novi by 2.
* Grosse Pointe South (7-3) vs. Detroit Mackenzie (8-2) at Detroit King: Mackenzie woke up in time to defeat Southgate Anderson, 26-20, last week. The Stags can't afford to get behind by two touchdowns against South, which allows points grudgingly. South by 6.
DIVISION 3
REGION 1
* St. Johns (7-3) at Gaylord (8-2), 2 p.m. Saturday. Gaylord by 4.
* Ionia (7-3) at East Grand Rapids (10-0). East Grand Rapids by 15.
REGION 2
* Niles (7-3) at Stevensville Lakeshore (9-1), 7:30 p.m. Lakeshore by 3.
* Battle Creek Lakeview (8-2) at Charlotte (9-1), 7:30 p.m. Charlotte by 7.
REGION 3
* Lapeer West (8-2) at Bloomfield Hills Lahser (9-1), 7 p.m. Saturday: Lahser allowed 350 yards (213 passing) to Bloomfield Hills Andover last week. West's passing game is better than Andover's. What helped Lahser last week was a plus-2 turnover ratio. West by 8.
* Fowlerville (10-0) at Farmington Hills Harrison (9-1), 1 p.m. Saturday: Harrison's defense can't possibly play as poorly as it did last week against Chelsea (64 points, 527 yards passing). Fowlerville is a running team -- and a good one -- and the Hawks might have to score 35 or more to win. Harrison by 7.
REGION 4
* Dearborn Divine Child (7-3) vs. Detroit Central (7-3) 1 p.m. Saturday, at Detroit King: Both teams scored impressive victories last week. Central hasn't faced as diverse an offense as Divine Child's. The Trailblazers must pressure sophomore quarterback Matt Forystek and force him to make a mistake or two. Divine Child by 10.
* Carleton Airport (10-0) at Allen Park (10-0), 7:30 p.m.: This is one of five games matching undefeated teams. Airport can't come out and play the first half as it did last week against Trenton and expect to win. Allen Park is too good. Allen Park by 11.
DIVISION 4
REGION 1
* Kingsford (7-3) at Big Rapids (9-2), 1 p.m. Saturday. Kingsford by 1.
* Whitehall (7-3) at Coopersville (7-2). Coopersville by 2.
REGION 2
* Grand Rapids South Christian (8-2) at Grand Rapids C.C. (9-1). C.C. by 6.
* Three Rivers (9-1) at Hamilton (10-0). Hamilton by 10.
REGION 3
* Mt. Morris (8-2) at Caro (9-1). Mt. Morris by 4.
* DeWitt (8-2) at Flint Powers (9-1). Powers by 7.
REGION 4
* Marine City (8-2) at Richmond (10-0), 7:30 p.m.: Marine City has a young team that came out prepared against Marysville last week. It will need the same type of intensity this week to advance. Marine City by 6.
* Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood (9-1) at Clinton Township Clintondale (9-1): With his team trailing by five points midway through the fourth quarter, quarterback Ryan Karolak threw his 35th touchdown pass of the season and led Cranbrook to its first playoff victory last week. He has been the Cranes' offense the last two seasons, so look for Clintondale's defense to harass him. Clintondale by 8.
DIVISION 5
REGION 1
* Grayling (8-2) at Benzie Central (9-1), 7:30 p.m. Benzie Central by 3.
* Howard City Tri-County (9-1) at Muskegon Oakridge (10-0). Oakridge by 11.
REGION 2
* Midland Bullock Creek (8-2) at Pinconning (8-2), 7:30 p.m. Bullock Creek by 5.
* Essexville Garber (6-4) at Frankenmuth (8-2), 1 p.m. Saturday. Frankenmuth by 13.
REGION 3
* Coloma (10-0) at Battle Creek Pennfield (10-0). Pennfield by 14.
* Stockbridge (9-1) at Jackson Lumen Christi (8-2). Lumen Christi by 12.
REGION 4
* Goodrich (7-3) at Livonia Clarenceville (9-1), 7:30 p.m.: Perhaps Clarenceville took Macomb Lutheran North too lightly last week, squeezing out a 21-14 victory. If that's the case, the Trojans should be focused this week. Field conditions could be a bit sloppy, and this could favor Clarenceville's power running game. Clarenceville by 6.
* Erie-Mason (10-0) vs. Detroit Crockett (9-1) 7 p.m. Saturday, at Detroit King: Both teams coasted last week. The winner should have no trouble next week and advance to a semifinal. Crockett must set the tone early with hard hits by its defense and create turnovers. If the Rockets allow Erie-Mason to hang around, it could spell doom. Pick: Crockett by 6.
DIVISION 6
REGION 1
* Ishpeming (9-1) at Negaunee (10-0), 7:30 p.m. Negaunee by 3.
* Kingsley (7-3) at Whittemore-Prescott (8-2), 7:30 p.m. Whittemore-Prescott by 6.
REGION 2
* Ithaca (8-2) at Clare (10-0), 7:30 p.m. Clare by 8.
* Saginaw Nouvel (9-0) at Harbor Beach (10-0), 1 p.m. Saturday. Nouvel by 2.
REGION 3
* Montague (8-2) at Ravenna (9-1), 1 p.m. Saturday. Montague by 2.
* Schoolcraft (9-1) at Constantine (10-0). Constantine by 5.
REGION 4
* Maple Valley (8-2) at Addison (8-2), 7:30 p.m. Maple Valley by 3.
* Blissfield (8-2) at Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (8-2), 7:30 p.m.: St. Mary C.C. is averaging 370 yards rushing and nearly 39 points. The Falcons have a big, strong offensive line that has dominated several opponents and will continue to do so. St. Mary C.C. by 14.
DIVISION 7
REGION 1
* St. Ignace (8-2) at Stephenson (9-1), 7:30 p.m. Stephenson by 11.
* Mio (10-0) at Traverse City St. Francis (10-0), 7:30 p.m. St. Francis by 13.
REGION 2
* Merrill (8-2) at New Lothrop (10-0), 7:30 p.m. New Lothrop by 4.
* Deckerville (7-3) at Ubly (8-2), 7:30 p.m. Deckerville by 3.
REGION 3
* Cassopolis (6-4) at Gobles (7-3). Gobles by 5.
* Union City (8-2) at Hudson (8-2). Hudson by 12.
REGION 4
* Sand Creek (7-3) at Manchester (9-1), 7 p.m. Saturday. Manchester by 7.
* Detroit Loyola (7-3) at Whitmore Lake (7-3): Loyola is no fluke. The Bulldogs gave undefeated Waterford Lakes its toughest game in the Prep Bowl and played well last week at New Haven. Loyola by 9.
DIVISION 8
REGION 1
* Baraga (9-1) at Crystal Falls Forest Park (10-0) 8 p.m. Forest Park by 6.
* Bark River-Harris (9-1) at Gaylord St. Mary (10-0), 1 p.m. Saturday. St. Mary by 7.
REGION 2
* Manistee C.C. (10-0) at Frankfort (9-1), 7:30 p.m. Frankfort by 10.
* Bay City All Saints (9-1) at Beal City (10-0), 1 p.m. Saturday. Beal City by 8.
REGION 3
* Fulton-Middleton (9-1) at Waterford Lakes (10-0), 1 p.m. Saturday: Fulton will come in looking to control the game on the ground. It will be important for Lakes to win the field-position struggle and force Fulton to drive 80 yards. Lakes by 7.
* Carsonville-Port Sanilac (7-3) at Peck (9-1). Peck by 8.
REGION 4
* Mendon (7-2) at Climax-Scotts (10-0), 7:30 p.m. Mendon by 8.
* Harper Woods Trinity (8-1) vs. Detroit De Porres (8-2), 1 p.m. Saturday, Hamtramck: This is the matchup Trinity was hoping to avoid. Then again, which team in this division would look forward to playing De Porres? If Trinity plays a nearly perfect game, it could be competitive. De Porres by 22.
Last week's record: 101-27.
You can reach Tom Markowski at (313) 223-4633 or tmarkowski@detnews.com.