Final Lansing-Area High School Football Power Rankings For 2017

This ranking does not necessarily mean that they would beat every other team on this list.  This is more of a reward for winning their second straight Division 7 state title.

Jeremy Miller's crew has won 40 of their last 42 games and are unbeaten in CMAC play since October of 2014.  If that's not at least a mini-dynasty, I don't know what is.

It was another outstanding campaign for the Panthers.  They took the CAAC Red title and avenged a Week 1 loss to Grand Rapids Christian in the playoffs.

They got blown out by Muskegon 49-0 in the regional finals.  No shame in that, NOBODY in the state of Michigan was beating Muskegon this year.

John Novara's Red Raiders won the CAAC White against behind Austin Allison, Brock Gross and their terrific defense.

But another heartbreaking loss to the five-time defending Division 5 state champion Grand Rapids West Catholic in the regional finals stopped another state title run.

The Yellowjackets lost an epic Division 6 state title tilt Jackson Lumen Christi 40-34 at Ford Field.

They were challenged in the playoffs (trailed Montague 15-14 at the half of the regional final), but they rode QB Joey Bentley all the way to Ford Field.

I expect the machine to roll on in 2018.

The Comets won the CAAC Blue once again behind their excellent skill players.  But were blown out by Rockford in Round 1 of the playoffs.

The Blue gets tougher next year when DeWitt joins the league.  And coach Matt Bird will have to do it with a new QB (son Nolan Bird graduates in the spring).

The Trojans finished second behind Grand Ledge in the CAAC Blue and won a district title in Division 3 after beating Haslett.

They were on their way to winning a regional title, but lost a 13-0 lead to Battle Creek Harper Creek in the fourth quarter on the road.  That loss will sting for awhile.

The Cougars finished second behind Portland in the CAAC White and rallied to beat Olivet in the first round to set up a rematch with Portland.

They were blown out by the Raiders twice, however.  And coach Jim Ahearn will have to rebuild in time for 2018.

The Eagles won the GLAC title outright after beating Lakewood on the road in the regular season.

But they lost the last two games of the season, including a 42-20 loss to Lansing Catholic.  But they'll be good again in 2018.

The Vikings won several close games to qualify for the playoffs, and hit a late field goal to win a playoff game against Parma Western.

Charlie Otlewski has QB Hyrum Tibbits back for another season and with DeWitt out of the CAAC Red next year, they'll be a favorite for the league title.

Injuries hindered the Big Reds, but they still managed to make the playoffs and won a district title in Division 4.

They move down to the CAAC White next season due to realignment, they should be competitive in that league.