Heritage has already beaten Arthur Hill and could claim the "Saginaw" trophy with a win over Saginaw High. Heritage has swept the other two SVL teams the past six years. Saginaw High, however, has improved during the season, beating Flint Southwestern and competing against Bay City Western. Since the win over Arthur Hill, Heritage has lost three straight shutouts against Flint Powers, Midland Dow and Lapeer. Bavarian's Pick: Heritage 21, Saginaw High 18

Two top quarterbacks square off in Noah Sargent for Powers and Bruce Mann for Dow. Since a 34-20 loss in the opener to Mount Pleasant, Dow has outscored its three opponents, 123-14. Powers, which lost to Dow last season, is coming off a 10-0 win over Davison. Bavarian's Pick: Dow 38, Powers 24 Bavarian

Mount Pleasant is coming off its first loss of the season, a 21-14 loss to Midland High. Meanwhile, Lapeer steamrolled Heritage, 49-0. Much depends on the health of Mount Pleasant star Kalebb Perry, the Western Michigan commit who did not play against Midland. Last year, Lapeer beat Mount Pleasant, 63-0. Bavarian's Pick: Lapeer 34, Mount Pleasant 14

Swan Valley doesn't have the offensive firepower it had a year ago with Alex Grace, but the Vikings keep winning the close games. Swan Valley has three wins, but none by more than seven points. Chesaning has put up some big numbers,including a 41-15 win over Bullock Creek last week. Last year, Swan Valley beat Chesaning, 37-21, and owns a 15-1 series advantage over the Indians. Bavarian's Pick: Swan Valley 25, Chesaning 17

The winner puts itself in a nice spot in the TVC Central with three league games remaining. Freeland saw its first bit of adversity in a 14-7 win over Alma, while Ovid-Elsie's one loss this season came in the opener against a Portland team that is 4-0 and beat No. 1-ranked Lansing Catholic Central. Bavarian's Pick: Freeland 14, Ovid-Elsie 13

Frankenmuth has won or shared the TVC East title for the past three seasons, sharing the title last season with Millington and Frankenmuth. The Eagles have not been tested this season, but that should change Friday. Frankenmuth, which owns a 22-20 series advantage, will rely on defense and its option attack. Millington, which earned a 27-13 win over Frankenmuth last year, leans on senior quarterback Caleb Wascher, who has become a running and passing weapon. Bavarian's Pick: Millington 34, Frankenmuth 31

Carrollton escaped with a 21-20 win over previously undefeated St. Louis last week, while Valley Lutheran had a good showing in a 24-18 loss to St. Charles. Carrollton's Chaq Tolbert is a force on offense and defense, giving Carrollton a slight edge. Carrollton, which won 33-26 last season, has won 15 of the teams' 20 meetings. Bavarian's Pick: Carrollton 28, Valley Lutheran 18

Merrill has played well, but suffered a tough 17-14 loss to Michigan Lutheran Seminary last week. Ithaca is Ithaca, the No. 1 ranked team in the state. Ithaca, which owns an 18-4 advantage in the series, beat Merrill, 69-6, last season. Bavarian's Pick: Ithaca 42, Merrill 15

This is a trap game for Seminary against a quality St. Louis team that is trying to recover from a tough loss to Carrollton. Seminary, which faces Ithaca next week, is playing without star tailback Casey Williams, who suffered a leg injury against St. Charles. This is a potential upset, even though MLS beat St. Louis, 40-0, last year and holds an 18-4 series lead. Bavarian's Pick: MLS 17, St. Louis 16

Laker is the defending Greater Thumb champion, but Vassar has a strong passing and running game. Plus, Vassar has shut out its last three opponents: Harbor Beach, Memphis and reese. The Vulcans' only loss is a 42-28 defeat against Millington in the opener. This is the first of three tough Greater Thumb road games for the Vulcans, who follow with games at Cass City and USA. Bavarian's Pick: Vassar 28, Laker High 24

Total Points: Frankenmuth at Millington