Some state playoffs are are either underway or about to wrap up this week.

In Michigan,  Grandville defeated Troy Athens HS 10-0, then beat West Ottawa in overtime to make the state final. Grandville and Ottawa tied 33-33 after overtime, and it went down to penalty kicks, with Grandville prevailing.

Rockford also won both their quarterfinal and semifinal games to set up the final everyone expected on May 30.

Grandville had to battle through Troy (below), and especially West Ottawa (above). Steve Zomberg photos.

Also in Michigan, Grandville’s Bs won the DIII state championship, beating West Catholic in the semis and West Ottawa B in the final 27-7.

In Minnesota, the preliminary playoffs were held Thursday, and the semifinals are set for next weekend, May 30. Edina, Minnetonka, Hopkins all won comfortably. North Shore plays Plymouth Friday for the last semifinal spot.

“We have a lot of players who have come up through our youth program,” said Hopkins Coach Dan Johnson. “We’ve been able to have them play the same approach. The kids all know each other and are close friends, and that’s really helped.”

Hopkins, led by big, powerful hooker Zach Haley and 6-5 back Webb Bolstad, they have only been tested by Edina, a team they could well meet in the final.

In Virginia, it’s going to Fort Hunt against West End in the final on May 30. West End defeated Hampton in the semis 62-26 and Fort Hunt beat Denbigh in impressive fashion to make the May 30 final.

West End has had a solid season, beating some good teams outside of their region, as well as going undefeated in Virginia.

“We run it like a program,” said Coach Jeff Rupp. “We have a lot of kids who have played for a long time, some since they were five or six years old. We pick up players later on, of course, but it’s that core of experienced players that helps us come back every year. We play 15-man rugby, and we work on that from the beginning, and it’s paying dividends.”

Meanwhile, the Fort Hunt pack, led by senior captains Harry Dubke and Paris Malone, had a really strong day on offense and defense continually retaining possession and taking possession from Denbigh. This hard work around the break down led directly to many of the Fort Hunt tries.

Oregon already crowned their club champion, but now are looking at their single-school champion. Undefeated Union looks very strong and they take on 6-4 Portland Pumas. The other semifinal will be hotly contested as Newberg (8-1-1) plays 8-2 Oregon City. Newberg won the initial meeting between these two teams 24-5 on April 25. But Coach Keith Swensen will draw on a healthy Oregon City team this time around.

“They are a strong rucking team,” said Swensen, “but we’re improving in that area.”

The game will be played on a wider field this time, which could help Oregon City, which will draw on the snappy tactical kicking of Kyle Brewer and the impressive finishing of freshman wing Tyler Mobley. No. 8 Zach Winters has also been strong for Oregon City, while scrumhalgf Chase Davis has been moved to inside center because of his defense.

“We think we have a good chance of beating Newberg,” said Swensen.

In Massachusetts, Belmont faces Boston College High in the boys DI final. See more about their playoffs here.

In Ohio, the playoffs are underway and we're into the semis, with top-seeded St. Edward playing Lakota, who edged St. Xavier in the quarters. The other side of the bracket brings rivals Moeller and St. Ignatius up against each other. The final is slated for the evening of May 30.

In Indiana, the Super League comprises only four teams, and it's a battle as all are highly-ranked. Newly-crowned national champs Royal Irish play Notre Dame De La Salette, and Penn takes on Brownsburg. Both games promise to be exceedingly competitive. In DI, Fishers plays Dwenger in the North final (state semi). Dwenger barely escaped Marian 18-14 in the quarters. And the Avon Swarm plays HSE Royals in the South. The Royals crushed their opponents int the quarters, while the Swarm had to work for it over Westfield.