Logo
Muskegon/Mona Shores football

1st & Goal: 2021 Week 7 in Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 11, 2021

One result we're watching closely with the switch to a new playoff selection format for 11-player football – with no six-wins-and-in – is that every game feels like it matters more.

MI Student Aid

It could be a lot, or just a little as teams must push all the way through Week 9 to solidify their spots in the playoff field.

We’ll start understanding that much more over these final few weeks as teams hope their strength of schedule helps boost their playoff hopes. And there were plenty of results from Week 7 that likely will impact how 256 11-player and 32 8-player teams reach the playoffs Oct. 24.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Port Huron 14, Port Huron Northern 7 The Big Reds (6-1) finished a repeat run in the Macomb Area Conference Blue with this winner-take-all victory over the rival Huskies (6-1), extending their streak against Northern to three straight victories. Port Huron took a 14-0 lead into the break and finished with its fewest points given up in a game this season. Click for more from the Port Huron Times-Herald.

Watch list Lake Fenton 14, Goodrich 12 The Blue Devils (6-1) ended a three-game losing streak to the Martians (5-2) to create a shared Flint Metro League Stars championship between the two. Goodrich scored late, but Lake Fenton stopped the two-point conversion try to hold onto the lead.

Remember this one Gladwin 48, Clare 42 The Flying G’s (7-0) have earned a share of their first Jack Pine Conference championship since 2002, sending Clare (4-3) into second place, and can clinch their first outright JPC title this week against Beaverton.

More shoutouts Reese 27, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker 18 By way of this win, Bad Axe earned a share of the Greater Thumb Conference West title. Laker (5-2) still can make the league end with a three-way championship, adding Reese (6-1) back into the mix, if it defeats the Hatchets this week. Swartz Creek 35, Flushing 28 This combined with Fenton’s 36-34 win over Linden created a shared Metro League Stripes championship between the Dragons and Tigers, both 4-3 overall.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Romeo 7, Sterling Heights Stevenson 0 A stingy Romeo defense put together its best performance of the season when it counted most, earning its second shutout of the fall to create a shared MAC Red championship with the Titans (5-2). Joey Kostrubiec’s fourth-quarter scoring run provided the Bulldogs (6-1) with their winning margin. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.

Watch list Dearborn Fordson 38, Livonia Churchill 33 Alex Osman’s five first-half touchdown passes helped Fordson reset the Kensington Lakes Activities Association East title race. Fordson, Churchill and Belleville all are 5-1 in league play and 6-1 overall heading into this week’s division finales.

Remember this one Madison Heights Bishop Foley 51, Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard 20 The Ventures (6-1) scored their season high in clinching the Detroit Catholic League Intersectional #1 championship after finishing second in the league a year ago.

More shoutouts Harper Woods Chandler Park 18, Warren Michigan Collegiate 16 The Eagles (5-2) came back from a two-point halftime deficit to clinch the Charter School Conference East title against second-place Michigan Collegiate (4-3). Detroit Pershing 22, Detroit Osborn 0 The Doughboys (5-2) posted their third shutout in Detroit Public School League Division 2 play to earn a spot in this week’s Gold championship game, while sending Osborn to 4-3.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Breckenridge 12, Carson City-Crystal 0 The winner-take-all Mid-State Activities Conference championship matchup went to the Huskies, as they posted their second-straight shutout to lock up their sixth-straight league title. Breckenridge (5-2) is 29-0 in league play since joining the MSAC in 2016, and Carson City-Crystal (6-1) has finished league runner-up three of the last four seasons. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.

Watch list New Lothrop 33, Durand 20 The Mid-Michigan Activities Conference title race has worked itself down to three teams as the Hornets handed Durand (5-2) its second league loss. The Hornets (5-2) and Ovid-Elsie are tied for first at 5-1 in league play with a game to go, and Montrose figures in too at 4-1 since one of its league games was canceled.

Remember this one Olivet 37, Lake Odessa Lakewood 0 The Eagles (5-2) ran their Great Lakes Activities Conference winning streak to 23 games and championship streak to five seasons since last losing a league game and title, to Lakewood (4-3), in 2016.

More shoutouts Holt 26, East Lansing 21 The Rams (5-2) got some serious playoff-point bounce from defeating East Lansing (4-3) as they look to stick in the Division 1 field. Mason 24, Fowlerville 6 The Bulldogs (5-2) finished with a share of a third-straight Capital Area Activities Conference Red title, with Haslett and Williamston also earning pieces of the championship with wins this weekend.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Boyne City 50, Mancelona 18 The Ramblers clinched a share of the Northern Michigan Football Conference Leaders championship in what was a showdown for the top spot in the league. Boyne City (6-1) can claim the title outright this week against Elk Rapids, while Mancelona (5-1) still can guarantee its winningest season since 2014 with a victory this week against Charlevoix or Week 9 against Maple City Glen Lake. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Watch list Traverse City Central 56, Alpena 7 After opening this season with a loss to DeWitt at Michigan Stadium, Central (6-1) has won all of its games by at least 24 points and finished a third-straight perfect run through the Big North Conference.

Remember this one Cadillac 35, Petoskey 0 The Vikings (5-2) are up to a comfortable 10th in Division 4, while Petoskey (3-4) is sitting just outside the Division 3 playoff field at No. 34 after this defeat.

More shoutouts Traverse City St. Francis 42, Sault Ste. Marie 28 The Gladiators (7-0) are up to No. 3 in Division 7 and remain set up for a winner-take-all NMFC Legends meeting with Kingsley in two weeks. Charlevoix 32, Kalkaska 30 The Rayders (6-1) narrowly eluded an upset, but Kalkaska (1-6) has made strides – the Blazers have faced the top three teams in the Leaders over the last three weeks and lost to two of them by only a score.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Saline 35, Temperance Bedford 21 The Hornets secured a share of an eighth-straight Southeastern Conference Red championship with an opportunity to finish the outright title run this week against Dexter. Saline quarterback CJ Carr was a standout with three passing touchdowns and one more rushing. Bedford (5-2) still has a strong chance to reach seven wins for the first time since 2016 with its final two opponents a combined 1-13. Click for more from the Toledo Blade.

Watch list Sand Creek 48, Erie Mason 6 The Aggies (5-2) will need some help from Mason in Week 9 to catch leader Ottawa Lake Whiteford for a share of the Tri-County Conference title, but Sand Creek moved into a tie for second place by avenging last season’s 56-38 loss to the Eagles (4-3).

Remember this one Michigan Center 12, Napoleon 7 The Cardinals (6-1) turned this week’s Napoleon/Addison game from a winner-take-all in the Cascades Conference title race to an opportunity to share the championship three ways if the Pirates can rebound with a win.

More shoutouts Addison 59, Grass Lake 0 Addison (7-0) sealed a share of the Cascades title, its third straight. Dexter 56, Monroe 27 This was an important win for Dexter (5-2), which sits No. 16 in Division 2 with two losses by a combined eight points and two undefeated opponents finishing off the regular-season schedule.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Stevensville Lakeshore 35, St. Joseph 28 The Lancers (6-1) scored 21 fourth-quarter points and the game winners during the final minute to hold on to a share of first place in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference and send St. Joseph (5-2) into third with its second straight one-score defeat. The fourth quarter also featured back-to-back kickoff return touchdowns that made the score 28-28 before Ryan Korfmacher found Trevor Griffiths on a scoring pass as the final 30 seconds ticked off the clock. Click for more from the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.

Watch list White Pigeon 32, Cassopolis 8 While this game was only for second place in the Southwest 10 Conference, White Pigeon (6-1) held on to a top-10 spot in Division 8.

Remember this one Mattawan 19, Battle Creek Lakeview 14 The Wildcats’ only other win this fall came by forfeit, but they have a chance to finish strong after almost taking Lakeview (4-3) completely out of the SMAC title race.

More shoutouts Kalamazoo United 37, Watervliet 0 United (5-2) made a move into the top half of the Division 5 playoff list and remains one of two teams undefeated in Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore play after shutting down a Watervliet offense that averaged 32 points per game during its 4-2 start. Vicksburg 35, Plainwell 6 The Bulldogs (6-1) moved up to No. 5 in Division 4 after winning this matchup for second place in the Wolverine Conference.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Menominee 34, Marquette 13 The Maroons broke a three-game losing streak against Marquette and in doing so earned a share of the Great Northern Conference championship, their first since 2016. Menominee (5-2) went up 20-6 by halftime and locked down an offense that was averaging 44 points per game. Marquette (5-2) still will receive a share of the league title if Kingsford defeats Menominee in Week 9.

Watch list Negaunee 31, Gladstone 30 The Miners (6-1) have been on a run since losing to Iron Mountain by two in the season opener, but just got past Gladstone (3-4) to keep the streak intact.

Remember this one Iron Mountain 28, Hancock 18 The Mountaineers (4-3) earned a boost up to No. 8 in Division 8 while putting Hancock (3-4) in a tough position trying to reach the Division 5 playoff field.

More shoutouts Ishpeming Westwood 38, L'Anse 6 The Patriots (6-1) secured a spot in a possible Week 9 winner-takes-at-least-a-share title game against Negaunee in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper. Calumet 31, Houghton 7 The above-mentioned Week 9 Copper game isn’t necessarily winner-take-all as Calumet (5-2) now finishes with the bottom two teams in the league and is guaranteed a share as well with wins in both.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Muskegon 49, Muskegon Mona Shores 28 The Big Reds (6-1) are back on top in this rivalry and back on top in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green after riding a big defensive touchdown just before halftime into a dominant second half. Mona Shores (5-2) led 21-14 during the first half before the big-time Big Reds finish. Click for more from CatchMark SportsNet.

Watch list Rockford 17, Caledonia 14 The Rams (7-0) took a major step toward an O-K Red title and perfect regular season by handing Caledonia (6-1) its lone loss. Rockford finishes with opponents that are a combined 3-11.

Remember this one Hudsonville Unity Christian 40, Grand Rapids West Catholic 14 Over two weeks we’ve watched the O-K Blue sort out from four first-place teams to Unity (7-0) on top alone with two league games to play and this the Crusaders’ closest so far.

More shoutouts Grand Rapids Christian 24, Byron Center 10 The O-K White race just got reshuffled a bit with the Eagles (4-3) back in the mix and Byron Center (6-1) now taking on leader Forest Hills Central this week just to keep a shared title possible. Spring Lake 27, Coopersville 20 The Lakers (6-1) and West Catholic (6-1) will be rooting this week for Coopersville (5-2), which moves on to take on Unity this week and can turn the Blue back into a three-team league race.

8-Player

HEADLINER Martin 28, Mendon 20 The Clippers (7-0) won a first-place showdown in the Southwest Michigan 8-Man Football League Tier 1 to clinch a share of the conference championship. Martin significantly slowed a Mendon offense averaging 48 points per game and can clinch the title outright next week against Marcellus, while Mendon (5-2) will face Gobles and hope for some help from the Wildcats. Click for more from the Sturgis Journal.

Watch list Indian River Inland Lakes 49, Pellston 6 The Bulldogs (7-0) still need one more win to clinch a share of the Ski Valley Conference title and still have second-place Gaylord St. Mary coming up in Week 9. But sending Pellston (6-1) also into second place in impressive fashion should turn a lot of eyes toward the No. 6 team in Division 1.

Remember this one Tekonsha 36, Waldron 14 Tekonsha (5-2) finished second in its league the last two seasons but clinched a share of the Southern Central Athletic Association B title with this win while sending Waldron (5-2) into a tie for second place.

More shoutouts Suttons Bay 45, Marion 0 By handing Marion (6-1) its lone loss and in a big way, the Norsemen (7-0) made a statement with the playoffs coming up. Pickford 34, Newberry 28 (OT) The Panthers (6-1) maintained control of their title hopes, while sending Newberry (5-2) nearly out of contention in the Great Lakes Eight Conference East.

Second Half’s weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

PHOTO Muskegon pulled away from rival Mona Shores during the second half of Friday's 49-28 win. (Photo courtesy of Local Sports Journal.)

Ford Field plays host to the 2022 Division 1 Final.

1st & Goal: 2023 11-Player Finals Preview

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 22, 2023

There’s plenty of new to this weekend’s MHSAA 11-Player Football Finals, and it goes far beyond the four teams making their first appearances in a championship game.

MI Student AidThis time, the Finals will be played on Saturday and Sunday – shifted by Michigan State playing Penn State on Friday at Ford Field. And the traditional order of games also has been switched up a bit – both days will conclude with the largest schools playing that day, the Division 2 teams facing off to finish Saturday and the Division 1 Final concluding the weekend Sunday night. Also necessary to note for Sunday – games will begin 30 minutes earlier than the usual schedule, with the opener in Division 7 that morning kicking off at 9:30.

After that, there’s a lot of familiar about this weekend’s lineup. Five champions are playing to repeat, and three 2022 runners-up are hoping to take the next step. The Division 8 Final is a rematch from a year ago, and several individual standouts will be returning to Ford Field as well – including star Belleville quarterback Bryce Underwood, finishing off a third season as one of the main topics of statewide football conversation.

Here's the full schedule for Saturday and Sunday's games:

Saturday, Nov. 25
Division 8 – Ubly (13-0) vs. Ottawa Lake Whiteford (13-0)– 10 a.m.
Division 4 – Grand Rapids South Christian (10-3) vs. Harper Woods (10-3) – 1 p.m.
Division 6 – Kingsley (11-2) vs. Almont (12-1) – 4:30 p.m. 
Division 2 – Muskegon (11-2) vs. Warren De La Salle Collegiate (11-2) – 7:30 p.m. 

Sunday, Nov. 26 
Division 7 – Menominee (11-2) vs. Jackson Lumen Christi (12-1) – 9:30 a.m.
Division 3 – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (12-1) vs. Mason (13-0) – 12:30 p.m. 
Division 5 – Grand Rapids Catholic Central (12-1) vs. Corunna (13-0) – 4 p.m. 
Division 1 – Belleville (13-0) vs. Southfield Arts & Technology (12-1) – 7 p.m. 

All games will be broadcast live on Bally Sports Detroit’s primary channel except the Division 3 Final, which will be broadcast on Bally Sports Detroit Extra, and all eight also will be available via the Bally Sports Detroit website and Bally Sports app. Additionally, all eight championship games will be available for listening from the MHSAA Network at MHSAANetwork.com. Links to purchase tickets and more are available on the Football page.

Below is a glance at all eight matchups. Statistics are through Semifinals unless noted.

Division 1Division 1

BELLEVILLE
Record/Rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Calvin Norman, first season (13-0)
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association East
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2022 and 2021.
Best wins: 63-21 over No. 3 Davison in Semifinal, 49-7 (Regional Final) and 42-0 over No. 6 Northville, 65-14 over No. 5 Saline in District Final, 35-28 over River Rouge.
Players to watch: QB Bryce Underwood, 6-3/190 jr. (3,155  yards/40 TDs passing, 7 TDs rushing); RB/LB Jeremiah Beasley, 6-2/220 sr. (787 yards/13 TDs rushing); WR/DB Kevin Simes, 5-9/175 sr. (1,053 yards/12 TDs receiving); OL/DL Ronald Jackson, 6-1/270 sr.
Outlook: Belleville has won the last two Division 1 championships and 38 straight games – tied for the seventh-longest winning streak in MHSAA football history – and has dominated all but its first opponent of the season, Rouge, which reached the Division 3 Regional Finals. The offense gets high praise, and rightfully so – Underwood and Beasley were all-state first-teamers last season and are among the nation’s elite at their positions, with Beasley committed to sign with Michigan. But Beasley also keys a defense that has allowed just 95 points (7.3 per game), that average increasing to only 12 ppg during the playoffs despite a strong group of opponents. Senior running back Colbey Reed (5-foot-9/210 pounds) is another talented offensive contributor – he’s run for 715 yards and nine touchdowns, including 228 and four, respectively, in the Semifinal.

SOUTHFIELD ARTS & TECHNOLOGY
Record/Rank: 12-1, No. 8
Coach: Aaron Marshall, third season (22-11)
League finish: First in Oakland Activities Association White
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 40-35 over No. 9 West Bloomfield in Semifinal, 31-21 over No. 10 Clinton Township Chippewa Valley in Regional Final, 36-25 (Regional Semifinal) and 29-27 over Detroit Cass Tech, 20-17 over Clarkston, 42-35 over Division 2 No. 9 Birmingham Groves.
Players to watch: QB Isiah Marshall, 6-0/205 sr. (2,833 yards/37 TDs passing, 1,373 yards/15 TDs rushing); WR Xavi Bowman, 6-0/195 sr. (769 yards/10 TDs receiving); WR Tashi Braceful, 6-2/184 sr. (921 yards/13 TDs receiving); DB Jalen Todd, 6-1/178 sr.
Outlook: This will be the first championship game appearance for any part of this program, including the former Southfield High and Southfield-Lathrup from which A&T was formed in 2016. The Warriors are led by another of the state’s most dynamic quarterbacks, with Marshall throwing for nearly 3,000 yards and also totaling more than half of the team’s rushing yards this season (averaging 11.3 per carry) and set to sign with Kansas. Todd was an all-state first-team selection last season and also will sign with Kansas, while senior defensive back Wendell Smith is set to sign with Eastern Michigan and Braceful with Toledo. Braceful and Bowman are only two of a talented receiving group helping Marshall stretch the field; senior Jawon Jarrett (513 yards/6 TDs) is another. The West Bloomfield win last week avenged a 31-20 loss in Week 8.

Division 2Division 2

WARREN DE LA SALLE COLLEGIATE  
Record/Rank: 11-2, No. 1
Coach: Dan Rohn, fourth season (42-8)
League finish: Second in Detroit Catholic High School League Central
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 40-28 over No. 2 Muskegon, 45-19 over Waterford Mott in Semifinal, 34-14 over Roseville in Regional Final, 14-7 over Detroit Catholic Central.
Players to watch: QB/TE Sante Gasperoni, 6-2/215 jr. (2,141 yards/23 TDs passing, 926 yards/15 TDs rushing); WR/DB Damion King IV, 5-8/155 soph. (723 yards/9 TDs receiving); WR/DB Phoenix Glassnor, 6-1/180 jr. (626 yards/7 TDs receiving); LB/RB Sam Wakula, 6-0/210 sr.
Outlook: Several of the top contributors are new for De La Salle this season, but the results have been the same as the Pilots pursue a third-straight Division 2 championship. Gasperoni has stepped in at quarterback and shined, and King has been another key after leading the team in receiving at last year’s Final as a freshman. Gasperoni also has a ton of help up front from a line including senior guard Ryan Ross (6-2/290) and senior tight end Caden Campbell (6-3/235). The lone losses were in the season opener to eventual Division 1 semifinalist Davison – which was followed by the Muskegon win – and in Week 4 to eventual Catholic League Central champion Toledo Central Catholic. De La Salle has given up only 75 points total over its nine-game winning streak.

MUSKEGON
Record/Rank: 11-2, No. 2
Coach: Shane Fairfield, 13th season (153-29)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Green
Championship history: Six MHSAA championships (most recent 2017), seven runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 42-7 over East Lansing in Semifinal, 42-14 over No. 8 Saginaw Heritage in Regional Final, 42-28 (District Final) and 42-21 over No. 5 Muskegon Mona Shores, 28-13 over Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 22-16 over Zeeland West.
Players to watch: QB/DB M’Khi Guy, 5-8/175 sr. (1,721 yards/23 TDs, 535 yards/8 TDs passing); RB/LB Jakob Price, 5-6/180 sr. (1,150 yards/21 TDs rushing); SL/DB Destin Piggee, 5-7/170 sr. (981 yards/10 TDs rushing); DL Chris Jones, 5-9/240 sr.  
Outlook: After finishing Division 3 runner-up a year ago, Muskegon returns in Division 2 to play its ninth Final over the last 12 years. Guy, Price and Piggee all are familiar with Ford Field after combining to gain all of the team’s yards in last season’s trip, and the offense as a whole has been even better this fall averaging nearly 41 points per game and even upping that average by a point during the playoffs. The Big Reds opened with losses to Division 1 Rockford and De La Salle, but have given up only 10.8 points per game since. Junior inside linebackers Darekeo Speech and Adrian Rankin Jr. and senior defensive end Stanley Cunningham have stood out as well defensively, and they were among the team’s leading tacklers during last season’s championship game. Guy and Piggee made the Division 2 all-state second team last season.

Division 3Division 3

MASON
Record/Rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Gary Houghton, seventh season (59-17)
League finish: First in Capital Area Activities Conference Red
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 44-41 OT (Regional Final) and 30-7 over No. 6 Walled Lake Western, 26-20 over Detroit Martin Luther King in Semifinal, 42-7 (District Final) and 42-23 over No. 8 DeWitt, 35-20 over Haslett.
Players to watch: WR/LB Kaleb Parrish, 6-5/220 sr. (601 yards/12 TDs receiving); QB/CB Cason Carswell, 6-3/185 jr. (2,589 yards/32 TDs passing); WR/LB Derek Badgley, 6-1/205 sr. (570 yards/2 TDs receiving); RB/FS AJ Martell, 5-9/185 sr. (1,378 yards/26 TDs rushing). (Statistics do not include Semifinal.)
Outlook: After reaching the Semifinals and falling to King both of the last two seasons, Mason broke through last weekend to earn a historic trip with nearly the identical lineup as a year ago. Carswell is a three-year starter at quarterback and also had run for nearly 300 yards and three scores heading into last weekend, and Martel is a four-year starter and the program’s all-time leading rusher. Parrish made the all-state first team last season at linebacker, and Carswell made the second. Parrish is one of six two-way starters as is senior Tyler Baker, the team's leader in receiving yardage (720, 6 TDs). Nine of Mason’s wins came against opponents with winning records this fall, and both Walled Lake Western victories and the first DeWitt win were on the road. The Bulldogs have another important scoring option in soccer all-state junior Collin Winters, who has made 62 of 66 extra-point tries and four field goals in five attempts.

GRAND RAPIDS FOREST HILLS CENTRAL
Record/Rank: 12-1, No. 3
Coach: Tim Rogers, 12th season (88-41)
League finish: Tied for first in O-K White
Championship history: Division 2 runner-up 2022, Class A runner-up 1994.
Best wins: 18-14 over Zeeland West in Semifinal, 33-7 over No. 2 Gaylord in Regional Final, 45-21 over No. 4 Mount Pleasant in District Final, 20-0 over No. 5 East Grand Rapids, 26-6 over Division 2 No. 7 Portage Central.
Players to watch: QB/DB Mason McDonald, 6-0/180 sr. (1,455 yards/18 TDs passing, 743 yards/11 TDs rushing); DB/WR Ty Hudkins, 6-0/185 sr. (690 yards/7 TDs receiving); LB/RB JT Hartman, 5-9/190 sr. (1,307 yards/17 TDs rushing); LB/TE Max Richardson, 6-3/215 jr.
Outlook: Forest Hills Central also brings back several main contributors from last season’s Division 2 runner-up run, with Hartman and Hudkins again the team’s leading rusher and receiver, respectively, and McDonald directing the offense after stepping in for the injured starter during the playoffs to get the Rangers to Ford Field a year ago. FHC is a 15-14 Week 5 loss to Division 2 No. 4 Byron Center from a perfect record, and the defense especially has been masterful giving up only nine points per game and more than 15 only twice. Hudkins has committed to sign with Purdue and Richardson has committed to Stanford, and they are among six who start on both offense and defense.

Division 4Division 4

HARPER WOODS 
Record/Rank: 10-3, unranked
Coach: Rod Oden, seventh season (35-28)
League finish: Third in OAA White
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 35-24 over No. 4 Goodrich in Semifinal, 46-19 over No. 8 Carleton Airport in Regional Final, 24-7 over Roseville, 34-7 over Clarkston.
Players to watch: RB Colby Bailey, 5-9/175 jr. (1,100 yards rushing); WR/DB Dakota Guerrant, 6-0/190 fr. (1,086 yards receiving); QB Nate Rocheleau, 5-10/170 soph. (1,836 yards/23 TDs passing); WR/DB Jacob Oden, 6-1/197 sr. (Statistics do not include Semifinal.)
Outlook: Harper Woods was just 3-6 a year ago and started this season 3-3 but has found its stride despite playing one of the toughest schedules certainly of any Division 4 team if not statewide with the losses to Division 1 Southfield A&T and Lake Orion and Division 2 Groves. Rocheleau and senior Stephone Buford Jr. provide multiple looks splitting time at quarterback, Buford with 10 touchdown passes, seven touchdown catches and 11 touchdown runs this season (including the Semifinal). Jacob Oden has committed to sign with Michigan, and senior linebacker Willie Powell is another top contributor on defense and has committed to play at Air Force. Rod Oden formerly coached successful programs at Detroit Crockett and East English Village.

GRAND RAPIDS SOUTH CHRISTIAN
Record/Rank: 10-3, No. 9
Coach: Danny Brown, fifth season (46-14)
League finish: Tied for second in O-K Gold
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), four runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 21-6 over No. 3 Portland in Semifinal, 55-35 over Big Rapids in Regional Final, 22-14 (District Final) and 32-29 over Ada Forest Hills Eastern, 34-7 over Wayland in District Semifinal.
Players to watch: WR/DB Jake Vermaas, 6-2/185 sr. (1,548 yards/20 TDs receiving); RB/LB Charlie Schreur, 5-8/170 sr. (594 yards/11 TDs rushing); QB Carson Vis, 6-4/185 jr. (2,531 yards/32 TDs passing, 867 yards/15 TDs rushing); OL/DL Cam VanSolkema, 6-4/270 sr.
Outlook: The reigning Division 4 champion Sailors seemed on the verge of something big again through the regular season, losing to Division 3 No. 5 East Grand Rapids only 23-21 in Week 2, Division 5 top-ranked Grand Rapids Catholic Central just 21-12 in Week 8 and then Wayland 49-40 in Week 9. They took that next step to start the playoffs, avenging with a big win over Wayland to start this march back to Ford Field. Vermaas was among stars of last season’s 28-0 Finals win over Goodrich and VanSolkema is a returning second-team all-stater. Vermaas also was a standout for the South Christian basketball team that finished Division 2 runner-up in March, and Vis was the leading scorer on that team and has made an impressive comeback after injuries ended his hoops season in the Regional Final.

Division 5Division 5

CORUNNA
Record/Rank: 13-0, No. 4
Coach: Steve Herrick, eighth season (56-28)
League finish:  First in Flint Metro League Stars
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 28-17 over No. 3 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep in District Final, 45-7 over No. 8 Flint Hamady in District Semifinal, 35-7 over Division 4 No. 4 Goodrich.
Players to watch: QB/DB Wyatt Bower, 6-1/180 sr. (2,261 yards/26 TDs passing, 994 yards/15 TDs rushing); RB/LB Jaden Edington, 5-11/210 sr. (1,034 yards/22 TDs rushing, 104 tackles/16 tackles for loss); WR/DB Tarick Bower, 6-1/170 sr. (1,314 yards/19 TDs receiving); OL/DL AJ Brieger, 6-3/240 jr.
Outlook: Corunna steadily has been building to this point, increasing its win total each of the last five seasons including going 8-3 a year ago. Its first two wins of this playoffs came over undefeated Hamady and Notre Dame Prep, and the 11-point victory over NDP was the Cavaliers’ closest game as they’ve outscored opponents by an average of 45-7. Senior running back Parker Isham (572 yards/8 TDs rushing) and junior receiver Bryce Edington (604 yards/4 TDs receiving) are two more options as Wyatt Bower directs the offense. The defense has created plenty of miscues with 13 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries.

GRAND RAPIDS CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/Rank: 12-1, No. 1
Coach: Todd Kolster, 12th season (137-16)
League finish: First in O-K Gold
Championship history: Seven MHSAA titles (most recent 2019), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 35-0 over No. 5 Frankenmuth in Semifinal, 30-28 over No. 2 Grand Rapids West Catholic in Regional Final, 21-12 over Division 4 No. 9 Grand Rapids South Christian, 38-6 over River Rouge.
Players to watch: WR Jamison Williams, 6-5/180 jr. (703 yards/7 TDs receiving); QB/FS Connor Wolf, 6-3/190 sr. (2,568 yards/26 TDs passing, 475 yards/7 TDs rushing); WR/DB Mill Coleman III, 5-11/175 sr. (503 yards/6 TDs receiving); TB/DB Kellen Russell-Dixon, 5-10/190 sr. (1,607 yards/24 TDs rushing, 4 TDs receiving).
Outlook: After a season away, Grand Rapids Catholic Central will play in its sixth Final over the last eight years, it’s only loss this fall in the opener to Chicago Loyola. Williams made the all-state second team last season and is among several contributors to a balanced attack that has scored 42 or more points in eight games. After falling 45-7 to Loyola, only West Catholic two weeks ago has scored more than 14 points on the Cougars this season, and GRCC has been especially limiting to passing offenses allowing fewer than 100 yards per game and only three touchdowns total through the air.

Division 6Division 6

ALMONT
Record/Rank: 12-1, No. 3
Coach: James Leusby, ninth season (72-25)
League finish: First in Blue Water Area Conference
Championship history: Division 5 runner-up 2019.
Best wins: 49-24 over Detroit Edison in Regional Final, 40-38 (OT) over No. 1 Warren Michigan Collegiate in District Final, 30-20 over Croswell-Lexington, 39-0 over Marysville.
Players to watch: RB/DB Ayden Ferqueron, 6-1/195 sr. (106 tackles); RB/LB Chase Battani, 5-10/175 jr. (1,169 yards/18 TDs rushing, 85 tackles/11 tackles for loss); LB Cohen Ferqueron, 6-0/175 soph. (92 tackles); QB Chase Davedowski, 6-0/165 sr. (431 yards/8 TDs passing). (Only Battani’s offensive stats include Semifinal.)
Outlook: One of the state’s most consistently successful programs – Almont has made the playoffs 17 of the last 18 seasons – is back at Ford Field for the second time in five years. The team’s only loss was 21-7 to Division 5 Ogemaw Heights in Week 9, and the Raiders bounced right back and actually are averaging five points a game (42) more in the playoffs than for the season as a whole. Almont’s defense is giving up 14 points per game, but more than half of the 192 allowed this season were scored during the fourth quarter after the team has built a nice lead – and the Raiders have allowed only 67 points during first halves. Nearly all of the offense comes on the ground, but from a variety of sources after Battani including junior Luke Winkler (5-9/155), who has run for eight touchdowns, caught two scoring passes and returned three kicks and two punts for TDs as well.

KINGSLEY 
Record/Rank: 11-2, No. 4
Coach: Tim Wooer, 15th season (126-39)
League finish: Second in Northern Michigan Football Conference Legends
Championship history: Division 6 champion 2005.
Best wins: 37-7 (Semifinal) and 46-12 over Reed City, 51-27 over No. 7 Gladstone in Regional Final, 37-18 over No. 9 Manistee in District Final.
Players to watch: RB/DB Eli Graves, 6-3/175 sr. (1,654 yards/20 TDs rushing, 448 yards/5 TDs receiving); RB/LB Skylar Workman, 6-1/165 sr. (521 yards/9 TDs rushing, 3 TDs receiving); QB/DB Gavyn Merchant, 5-8/150, sr. (1,205 yards/17 TDs passing); OL/DL Caleb Bott, 6-0/195 sr. (Statistics do not include Semifinals.)
Outlook: Kingsley’s first Semifinal since 2019 has turned into its first championship game trip in nearly two decades as the Stags improved to a combined 58-11 since Wooer returned to lead the program in 2018 – he previously coached Kingsley from 1999-2007 before taking over at Traverse City West for a decade. The Stags finished second in the NMFC Legends to Ogemaw Heights, losing 35-12 in Week 7 in their matchup with an Almont common opponent, and also fell just short 42-39 to Division 3 Gaylord in Week 2. No other opponent has gotten close, and the four playoff games alone have been won on average by 31 points. Workman scored four more rushing touchdowns in the Semifinal win over Reed City, and while Graves has done most of the damage this season five Kingsley runners have rushed for at least five touchdowns and four have caught at least three touchdown passes.

Division 7Division 7

MENOMINEE
Record/Rank: 11-2, No. 9
Coach: Chad Brandt, second season (17-7)
League finish: Tied for third in Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2007), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 32-21 over No. 2 North Muskegon in Semifinal, 50-14 over No. 7 Charlevoix in District Final, 44-26 over Division 6 No. 7 Gladstone.
Players to watch: RB/DE Landan Bardowski, 5-9/180 sr. (1,431 yards/27 TDs); WR/DB Tanner Theuerkauf, 6-3/175 soph. (392/7 TDs receiving); QB/DB Trevor Theuerkauf, 5-11/175 sr. (1,636 yards/21 TDs passing, 1,133 yards/17 TDs rushing); TE/LB Eli Beal, 6-2/190, sr. (343 yards/4 TDs receiving).
Outlook: Menominee is headed back to the Finals for the first time since 2016, when it finished Division 5 runner-up, and gives the West-PAC a finalist for the second year in a row after Negaunee finished Division 6 runner-up last season. The Maroons’ only losses this fall were to the Miners and Division 5 Kingsford, and Menominee opened this season with one of the most impressive defensive stretches in the state giving up only six points with four shutouts over its first five games. All 11 wins were by at least 11 points.

JACKSON LUMEN CHRISTI
Record/Rank: 12-1, No. 1
Coach: Herb Brogan, 44th season (407-95)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic High School League AA
Championship history: 12 MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 35-7 over No. 3 Millington in Semifinal, 21-14 over No. 6 Clinton in Regional Final, 26-0 over No. 4 Napoleon in District Final, 41-0 over Division 6 No. 10 Michigan Center.
Players to watch: RB/DB Kadale Williams, 6-1/180 jr. (1,641 yards/30 TDs rushing); QB Timmy Crowley, 6-2/180 jr. (1,177 yards/11 TDs passing); OL/DL Luke Smith, 6-4/225 sr.; OL/DL Aiden Pastoriza, 6-7/260 sr.
Outlook: The reigning Division 7 champion also will be playing in its sixth Final in eight seasons, its only loss 24-21 to Division 3 Gaylord in Week 8. The Titans statistically have outperformed last year’s team on both sides of the ball, scoring more points with a game to play and giving up 69 fewer – just 7.1 per game. Junior Isaac Rehberg (5-8/185) is another contributor on both sides of the ball, starting at fullback and defensive tackle and rushing for 12 touchdowns, while senior receiver Gabe King (5-8/165) has rushed for three scores and caught four.

Division 8Division 8

OTTAWA LAKE WHITEFORD
Record/Rank: 13-0, No. 1
Coach: Todd Thieken, second season (27-0)
League finish: First in Tri-County Conference
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), one runner-up finish. 
Best wins: 54-6 over No. 8 White Pigeon in Regional Final, 24-14 over No. 10 Hudson in District Final, 45-7 over Union City.
Players to watch: QB/S Tre Eitniear, 5-10/165 fr. (995 yards/15 TDs passing); RB/CB Hunter DeBarr, 6-1/165 sr. (832 yards/12 TDs rushing, 4 TDs receiving); TE/S Kolby Masserant, 6-2/195 sr. (956 yards/13 TDs receiving); RB/LB Jake Iott, 6-1/185 sr. (897 yards/9 TDs rushing).
Outlook: Whiteford has won 27 straight games in reaching its fourth Final over the last eight seasons and haven’t played a single-digit game since Week 3 – and only two all fall. The Bobcats have given up single-digit points eight of the last nine games, led in part by Iott, an all-state first-teamer at linebacker last season. Masserant has six interceptions and DeBarr and senior running back/defensive tackle Drew Knaggs are among other two-way standouts – Knaggs has run for 645 yards and 11 scores, and DeBarr made the all-state second team at running back in 2022. Senior Ryin Ruddy (6-1/185) steps in at quarterback as well and has run for 417 yards and seven touchdowns and thrown for 462 yards and five scores.

UBLY
Record/Rank: 13-0, No. 2
Coach: Eric Sweeney, fourth season (47-5)
League finish: First in Greater Thumb Conference East
Championship history: Three MHSAA runner-up finishes (most recent 2022).
Best wins: 24-6 over No. 9 Beal City in Semifinal, 41-20 over No. 3 Ithaca in Regional Final, 35-14 (District Final) and 56-20 over Harbor Beach.
Players to watch: QB/DB Evan Peruski, 5-11/185 sr. (389 yards/4 TDs passing, 441 yards/4 TDs rushing); TE/K/P Brett Mueller, 6-2/210 sr. (461 yards/6 TDs receiving, 72-78 XP); RB/LB Canden Peruski, 6-0/210 sr. (1,558 yards/21 TDs rushing); RB/DE Seth Maurer, 6-0/190 sr. (967 yards/18 TDs rushing)
Outlook: Ubly will be playing in its third Final in four seasons, and Evan Peruski started at quarterback during his freshman year trip as well. Last week’s 18-point win over Beal City was the Bearcats’ closest game this season as they’ve outscored their opponents on average 44-10. Mueller became the MHSAA career extra point record holder this fall and added a 54-yard field goal in the Semifinal. Canden Peruski made the all-state first team on defense last season and is one of eight two-way starters. Juniors Collin Osantowski (530 yards/12 TDs rushing) and Luke Volmering (599/11) also have shouldered good shares of a rushing attack that’s gained more than 4,400 yards.

MHSAA.com's weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and X (Twitter) @mistudentaid.