In March it is called madness but in late October and November its five of the most exciting weeks of the high school sports season in Michigan.

The annual Michigan State High School Athletic Association football playoffs begin Friday with teams playing for a spot in the state finals at Ford Field over Thanksgiving weekend.

A slew of interesting matchups dot the schedule across the entire state of Michigan this just weekend. The following is a look at some of the action on the slate for week 1.

Two-time defending state D1 champion Rockford begins its quest for a third straight state title with a tough test in round one.

The Rams host a Grandville team that comes into the playoffs riding a wave of momentum after defeating O-K Red rival Hudsonville last week to create a three-way tie for the league championship.

While the Bulldogs have momentum, the Rams have plenty of talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Senior defensive backs Callan Sherd and Jeremy Jones are a pair of Division 1-A caliber prospects who have drawn the attention of MAC schools.

Jones (5-11, 185) ranks fourth on the team in tackles, while Sherd (6-1, 180) is also a big-play performer on offense. As a receiver, Sherd hauled in 19 passes for 338 yards (17.8) and five touchdowns.

Rockford's defense enters the contest allowing just 5.2 points per game. Kyle Beyer and Ryan Egnatuk are a pair of undersized but quick linebackers who lead the team with over 140 combined tackles.

Rockford won the regular-season meeting between the two teams by a 28-0 score but with momentum on their side, the Bulldogs could make things interesting Friday in Rockford.

For Michigan State fans anxious to get a look at what future Spartan defenses may look like, a trip East on I-69 to Flint would be well worth it Friday. That is where Flint Carman-Ainsworth hosts Grand Blanc in a rematch of an overtime thriller.

Carman-Ainsworth defensive tackle Ryan Wheat, who has already committed to the Spartans, has been a monster over the second half of the season. Wheat (6-5, 300) comes into the game with 33 solo tackles, four tackles for loss and 9 ½ sacks from his tackle spot. Linebacker George White (6-3, 240), another Spartan commitment, leads the team with 65 solo tackles.

Another Cavalier player to keep an eye on is quarterback/cornerback/punter Marty Cardwell (6-0, 190). An outstanding all-around athlete who is being recruited by Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green, Cardwell does it all for the Cavaliers and would be a good pickup for a Big Ten school.

As a quarterback, Cardwell has completed 49 percent of his passes for 646 yards, rushed for 1,032 yards (6.7 avg.) and scored 15 touchdowns. Cardwell also averages over 38 yards per punt and set a school record with seven interceptions. On top of that, Cardwell is a member of the National Honor Society.

Grand Blanc counters with a big-time recruit of its own in junior running back Mark Ingram II. Ingram is an explosive running back, who gashed the Carman-Ainsworth defense in the first meeting between the two.

If there is a team out there that could prevent Rockford from returning to Ford Field it is Saline in Region 2.

Led by fullback Vince Helmuth (6-2, 245), a University of Michigan recruit who has rushed for 1,128 yards and 12 touchdowns, Saline could face a stern test in Week 1 from Battle Creek Central.

Battle Creek Central is lead by rugged linebacker/running back Brandon Reynolds who is one of the toughest players in the state.Reynolds may be the toughest linebacker Helmuth has seen since a hard-fought win against Michigan State commitment George White in the first week of the prep football season.

Undefeated Lake Orion has its sights on meeting Rockford in the state title game. The Dragons turned in their first undefeated regular season since 1989 and are led by defensive tackle Josh Allison, the cousin of Michigan State wide receiver Ryan Allison. The Dragons should have little trouble with Waterford Mott in the first round.

Keep and eye on David Wurst big-play receiver David Wurst, who is the best receiver in the state that nobody knows about. Wurst may have more 100-yard receiving games than anyone in the state.

While Division 1 is home to the biggest schools in the state, Division 2 is home to the best overall teams.

Two of the best reside in Region 1, District 1. That is where Muskegon hosts Hudsonville Friday night and Lowell hosts Greenville.

For the Red Arrows of Lowell and quarterback Keith Nichol, the game with Greenville will just be a warm-up for a meeting with Muskegon next week that has been anticipated for months.

The Red Arrows hammered Greenville earlier this year and another blowout is expected.

Greenville might have an outside chance of hanging with the Red Arrows if Lowell begins looking ahead to a possible match-up with Muskegon in Week 2.

But the senior leadership of Nichol and go-to receiver Mike McElroy should prevent that from happening.

Muskegon may have a much tougher time with Hudsonville. The Eagles have made the trip to historic Hackley Field in Muskegon in prior years and have given the Big Red all they could handle.

Senior running back/cornerback Ezekiel Fowle is a hard-running halfback and a tough corner, who will probably be lined up opposite Muskegon wide receiver Ron Johnson.

The big-play ability of Johnson will be difficult for Hudsonville to contain and will eventually make the difference in the game. If Hudsonville chooses to double team Ron Johnson, Michigan State commitment Corey Johnson has enough big-play ability of his own to clip the Eagles' wings.

The Big Reds also boast a massive offensive line that averages over 270 pounds per man. Senior running back Ashton Leggett (6-1, 225) is a pile-driving running back who operates behind that line and has rushed for more than 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.

In Region 2 are a pair of teams that will present substantial hurdles for either Lowell or Muskegon in the semifinals.

Davison opens post-season play by hosting Rochester Adams. Davison posted its first undefeated season since 1991.

Junior quarterback Jared Cowan (5-11, 190) has completed 78-of-134 passes for 1,670 yards with 18 touchdowns against just five interceptions. Senior wide receiver Jeremy Wilson (6-3, 175) is a big-play receiver who has attracted the attention of MAC scouts after averaging 26.7 yards per reception this year.

The Cardinals can also run the ball behind an offensive line that averages over 275-pounds per man. Sophomore running back Richard Kirksey (5-11, 180) is a punishing runner. He was also one of the premier freshmen wrestlers in the state last year.

Kirksey suffered an ankle injury in Week 8. But he is back and hoping to improve upon his average of 9.4 yards per carry this season.

Also in Region 2 is Orchard Lake St. Mary's. The Eaglets open district play by hosting White Lake Lakeland in what should be a blowout.

Senior quarterback Justin Siller is enjoying another big season for the Eaglets who boast a bushel full of Division 1-A recruits. Siller's primary targets, Dionte Allen and Taurian Washington could have a field day against Lakeland.

In Region 3, one of the best games should be Adrian at Dearborn.

Adrian senior quarterback Steven Threet, a Georgia Tech recruit, has been one of the most prolific passers in the state this season. Threet has passed for 1,780 yards on 121-of-221 (54 percent) passing with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Sophomore running back Undra Peterson has provided the Maples with a running threat as he has rushed for 868 yards (7.8 avg.) and six touchdowns.

Dearborn counters with a solid one-two punch of its own. Quarterback Anthony Mifsud has completed 89-of-144 passes for 1,239 yards and 18 touchdowns while running back Andrew Defelice has rushed for 883 yards.

Possibly the most feared team of all in Division 2 is Birmingham Brother Rice in Region 4.

The undefeated Warriors open the playoffs by hosting Redford Union, a team they dispatched easily in the opening round of the playoffs one year ago.

Senior quarterback Mike Cappetto (6-5, 208) is enjoying a banner year as he has completed 80-of-138 passes (58%) for 1,268 yards and 12 touchdowns. Capetto, a Duke recruit, has a promising future ahead of him in the ACC.

Cappetto has a pair of dangerous receiving threats in senior Kaunda Hancock who has hauled in 29 passes for 600 yards and five touchdowns and junior Ronald Dorsey-Austin who is averaging 16.2 yards per reception.

Junior running back Caulton Ray (5-9, 188) has provided a solid running threat with 819 yards rushing and seven touchdowns.

The Brother Rice defense has also been solid all season. Senior Chris Colasanti (6-2, 235), a Penn State recruit, leads the team in tackles with over 80 along with six sacks. Junior linebacker Paul Gyormati (6-0, 218) is second on the team in tackles.

For anyone interested in seeing the most productive high school football players in the state a trip to Linden, southwest of Flint, will be worth the trip. The unbeaten Eagles host Mason in a first-round game that will showcase the skills of senior quarterback Dustin Mayner.

Mayner is an undersized (6-1, 195) but quick quarterback who has drawn some interest from MAC programs with some super-sized numbers. Through the air, Mayner, whose brother Desi is a starting center at Eastern Michigan, has completed 116-of-173 passes (67 percent) for 2,263 yards and 31 touchdowns against just two interceptions. When running the ball out of Linden's spread offense, Mayner has rushed for 947 yards on 109 carries (8.6 avg.) and 15 touchdowns.

One of major hurdles Linden will have to clear to get to Ford Field will be Farmington Hills Harrison in Region 4. Harrison opens playoff action by hosting Ferndale.

Michigan State recruit Mark Dell has enjoyed a huge year for the Hawks with 43 receptions for 923 yards (21.4 avg.) and 14 touchdowns. Senior tight end Calvin Mann has added 30 receptions (15.8 avg.) and six touchdowns.

Throwing those passes has been junior Craig Sacha (6-2, 186) who is making a name of his own. Sacha has completed 113-of-197 passes for 1,883 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Defensively, senior Ben Bojicic (6-5, 275) has turned in plenty of big plays with seven sacks and 61 total tackles. Dell is the anchor of the Hawks secondary at cornerback.

Powers opens the playoffs by hosting Bay City John Glenn (6-3). But a broken ankle suffered by Flint Powers-Catholic senior quarterback Spencer Hickoff in the final game of the regular season has made repeating as state champs an even more difficult task for Chargers.

Junior running back Ronnie Lark has just been getting over a season-nagging sprained ankle when Hickoff went down. Lark, one of the most explosive players in the state, rushed for 224 yards and scored 4 touchdowns in the finale against Flushing. Lark also added a 70-yard kickoff return enroute to a 315-yard total offense performance.

Over the last three games Lark has rushed for 445 yards (8.6 avg.) and scored 10 touchdowns. With Hickoff down, Lark stepped in at quarterback and completed 2-of-5 passes for 42 yards.

A pair of dark horses in Division 4 are Coopersville and Sparta in West Michigan.

Coopersville (7-2) visit Sparta (8-1) Friday and the winner of what should be a bone-crushing battle will get the winner of the Whitehall (8-1)and Muskegon Orchard View (8-1) contest next week in what is one of the most evenly matched districts in Division 4.

In Region 2, an interesting matchup will take place in the Lansing area between Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern (7-2) and DeWitt (8-1). DeWitt was ranked No. 1 in the state for most of the year before falling to St. Johns last week.

DeWitt junior quarterback Dan VanDreumel has completed 89-of-147 passes for 1,186 yards and 13 touchdowns. Wide receiver Julian Horn is a blazing (4.38 in the 40) wideout who has hauled in 15 passes for 213 yards.

Possibly the toughest D4 district in the state is Region 3 district 1 in West Michigan. This district features two outstanding match-ups starting with Holland Christian and Zeeland West.

Holland Christian and standout quarterback Kirk Cousins will travel to Zeeland West to take on the high-powered wing-T of coach John Shillito.

Cousins has passed for over 1,900 yards this season but was held to just 174 yards passing when West defeated Holland Christian 55-21 earlier this season. In that game West totaled 485 yards rushing.

In the other half of the district Grand Rapids South Christian meets Grand Rapids Catholic Central for the fourth consecutive year in the playoffs. Both teams feature solid ground games along with stingy defenses. It would be no surprise if the winner of this district came away with the D4 state title.

Defending state champion Muskegon Oakridge begins the defense of its state title when it hosts Lakeview (6-3). Senior running back T.J. Patton is one of the premier small-school backs in the state as he has rushed for over 1,300 yards this season.

The team Oakridge beat in the state title game last year, Jackson Lumen Christi, completed the regular season with a perfect 9-0 record. The Titans host 8-1 Onstead in their first-round game.

Lumen senior quarterback Jeff Wojtusik has enjoyed a productive season as he has completed 79-of-127 passes for 1,294 yards with 14 touchdowns against just one interception.

The Titans are also hopeful of regaining the services of linebacker/running back Terrell Willis (6-1, 225) who suffered a knee injury in the first game of the season. Willis had been recruited by Division 1 schools such as Boston College before the injury.

For fans wanting to see the premier running back of the sophomore class, a trip south to Buchanan, just above the Indiana state line, will be in order. That is where Hershey Jackson (6-1, 215) be leading his Allendale Falcons.

Jackson has been a sight to see this fall as he has rushed for 1,308 yards (11.2 avg.) and scored 21 touchdowns. Jackson is a rare blend of speed and power and will pose a major problem for the Buchanan defense.

The premier junior back in the state, Deandre Johnson of Madison Heights Madison, will be on display when the Madison hosts Almont. Johnson has amassed 1,964 yards and scored 28 touchdowns this fall.

The game of the week in Division 6 will also take place just above the Indiana border in southwest Michigan. That is where perennial small-school powerhouses Schoolcraft and Constantine will collide in Constantine. Both teams enter the game with identical 8-1 marks.

Another marquee game takes place just southwest of Ann Arbor. That is where 8-1 Manchester hosts 7-2 Olivet. In the thumb, Harbor Beach and Reese put their 8-1 records on the line.

In Division 7, unbeaten Cassopolis opens the playoffs with a tough draw when 7-2 Eau Claire comes to town. Reading travels to Grass Lake in a matchup of 7-2 teams in southern Michigan that should go down to the wire. Another interesting battle takes place in Decatur where the 8-1 Raiders host 7-2 Centreville.

The smallest division in the state is home to what could be some big-time barnburners.

If you are willing to travel off the beaten path a trip to Martin, located north of Kalamazoo would be worth the trip. That is where the 7-2 Clippers host a 7-2 Pittsford team that has historically been one of the top small-school teams in extreme southern Michigan.

In the farm lands north of Lansing, Fowler (7-2) hosts Bay City All Saints (7-2) in a matchup of teams with long and successful histories.

A little north or Fowler, Beal City (8-1) starts its march to Ford Field by hosting an athletic team from Baldwin.

In the western Upper Peninsula, Lake Linden-Hubbell (8-1) hosts long-time power Crystal Falls Forest Park (7-2) in what should be a tough contest. In the same district, Bessemer (7-2) travels to unbeaten Iron Mountain North Dickinson.