Playoff Preview: Ida @ Ovid Elsie

By Frank Vajcner

The first round of the playoffs takes Ida on a 125-mile trek to Clinton County to face Ovid-Elsie. Both teams come in at 5-4, having played fairly tough schedules.

Ida Blue Streaks

Head Coach: Jeff Potter

Playoff Record: 11-13. The Streaks have qualified for the postseason for the 14th time in school history.

Record vs. 2023 Playoff Teams: 0-4 (L 22-7 vs Whiteford, L 40-21 vs Clinton, L 22-10 vs Hudson, L 26-21 vs. Blissfield)

Team Leaders:

Passing: Owen Snyder (33-77, 464 yards, 5 TDs, 9 INTs)

Rushing: Dean Thomas (136 attempts, 1100 yards, 15 TDs); Wyatt Dirkmaat (71 attempts, 546 yards, 4 TDs); Gavin Albring (97 attempts, 422 yards, 4 TDs)

Receiving: Albring (20 receptions, 324 yards, 3 TDs)

Tackles: Josh Rose (63 tackles); Jak Kociniski (59 tackles)

Interceptions: Thomas (3 interceptions)

Notable: This is the furthest Ida will travel for a playoff game since 1990, when they faced White Pigeon.

Ovid-Elsie Marauders

Head Coach: Travis Long

Playoff Record: 11-15. The Marauders are making their 16th postseason appearance.

Record vs. 2023 Playoff Teams: 0-4 (L 33-6 vs. Portland, L 29-22 vs. Montrose, L 28-19 vs. Cheasining, L 14-13 vs. New Lothrop)

Team Leaders:

Passing: Tryce Tokar (60-130, 1012 yards, 14 TDs, 6 INTs)

Rushing: Tokar (105 attempts, 524 yards, 10 TDs); Carter Kelley (55 attempts, 330 yards, 3 TDs); Clayton Fruchey (36 attempts, 283 yards, 3 TDs)

Receiving: Fruchey (18 receptions, 378 yards, 3 TDs); Jamison Custer (14 receptions, 241 yards, 6 TDs); Javen Belill (11 receptions, 189 yards, 2 TDs)

Tackles: N/A

Interceptions: 4 players with 1 each

Notable: Tokar also has a punt return and a kickoff return for a score this season. This will be the first time the Marauders face a team from Monroe County.

Outlook: Besides their records being the same, both schools have blue and gold for their colors. This is a game that could go either way. I’m looking for Ida’s offensive line to be the non-negotiable that I had said they were at the start of the season.