Brother Rice, Country Day Playoff Pairings in Football

High School playoff football starts Friday, and although the Bloomfield Hills Black Hawks didn't qualify, there are a few teams representing the Bloomfield area teams in the hunt for state titles that should provide some intriguing match-ups along the way. 

On Sunday, the MHSAA announced the following first-round games:

• Brother Rice High School (9-0) will host Birmingham Groves High School (7-2) at 7 p.m. Friday on  Hurley Field in Berkley in Division 2.
• Detroit Country Day (6-3) hosts Clawson High School (7-2) at 7 p.m. Friday in Division 4.

The already strong public vs. private school rivalry between Brother Rice and Groves will take on added meaning as legendary Warriors Head Coach Al Fracassa said he will retire at the end of the season. It is his 45th at the helm of Brother Rice and 54th overall. The Warriors are undefeated and will seek their third consecutive state title this fall after capturing the Catholic League crown in last weekend's 20-7 win over Novi Detroit Catholic Central. 

If they win, the Warriors will face either Seaholm High School (8-1) or Southfield High School next week.

If they win their first playoff game, the Yellow Jackets will face the winner of Pontiac Notre Dame Prep. (7-2) and Dearborn Heights Robichaud (6-3).