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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.)

Drive for Detroit: Week 7 in Review

October 9, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Be forewarned: There were more incredible and meaningful finishes in Michigan High School football this weekend than meet the parameters of our weekly “Drive for Detroit” report.

A pair of incredible winning streaks ended on the west side of the state. Another Grand Rapids area game featured record book individual performances from both teams. The Upper Peninsula saw four undefeated teams fall. And the Detroit area had enough great games to fill half our weekly review – but of course we led with a legendary coach tying another for the career wins record.

Below are five results from each region that stuck out most (and we’ll be sure to catch up with the successes of Detroit Martin Luther King, Madison Heights Madison, Clarkston Everest Collegiate and others in reports to come). Drive for Detroit is powered by MI Student Aid. 

Bay & Thumb

Frankenmuth 28, Millington 22

Given the similar numbers these rivals had put up this season, another close finish hardly was a surprise. The Eagles (7-0) took a 20-point lead into halftime and held off the Cardinals’ fourth-quarter comeback to clinch a share of the Tri-Valley Conference East title – and extend their winning streak over Millington (6-1) to three straight. Click for more from the Saginaw News.

Also noted:

Carrollton 26, Alma 14 – A week after Alma knocked reigning champion Freeland out of the TVC Central race, Carrollton (6-1) pushed its way in by handing the Panthers (6-1) their first league loss; both now chase Saginaw Swan Valley.

Fenton 52, Flushing 35 – The Tigers (7-0) clinched a share of their seventh straight Flint Metro League title with their fourth win in four seasons over the Raiders (5-2).

Davison 35, Lapeer 17 – The Cardinals (6-1) knocked Lapeer (5-2) out of a tie for first in the Saginaw Valley League Blue, but will now root for the Lightning to beat leader Midland this week so all three can share the championship.

Bay City John Glenn 28, Bay City Central 24 – John Glenn (4-3) kept its playoff hopes alive by winning the first meeting between these teams since 1990, while Central (3-4) may have seen its hopes dashed by a third loss of seven points or fewer.

Greater Detroit

Farmington Hills Harrison 17, Oak Park 14

It was considered inevitable that Harrison coach John Herrington would get his 430th win and tie Al Fracassa for the most football victories in state history. But maybe not against Oak Park (5-2), which was undefeated in the Oakland Activities Association White. Instead, the Hawks (5-2) moved into a three-way tie for first with the Knights and Birmingham Groves, and only last-place Berkley is left on the league schedule as Herrington looks to break the record this week. Click for more from MLive-Detroit.

Also noted:

Livonia Churchill 21, Grand Blanc 9 – The Chargers (6-1) won a matchup of teams previously undefeated in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association Gold to clinch a share of the league title, while Grand Blanc (6-1) suffered the first loss of what already is its best season since 2013.

Rochester Adams 21, Clarkston 14 – The Highlanders (6-1) cleared what looked to be the last major hurdle in at least sharing the OAA Red title; Clarkston (5-2) was tied for first with Adams and West Bloomfield, and Adams finishes the league schedule this week against winless Troy Athens.

Madison Heights Lamphere 28, Clinton Township Clintondale 20 – The Eagles (4-3) handed Clintondale (6-1) its first loss to finish a perfect run through the Macomb Area Conference Bronze and claim the outright title after going 0-9 last season.

Dearborn Divine Child 14, Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard 13 – Only a point separated these 6-1 teams, but that point gave Divine Child a share of the Detroit Catholic League AA championship. 

Mid-Michigan

DeWitt 28, Haslett 0

It’s impossible to argue DeWitt isn’t the best team in the Lansing area this season, with its Week 2 win over Grand Ledge and now another outright Capital Area Activities Conference Red title with this victory over second-place Haslett (5-2). The Panthers (6-1) haven’t lost a league game since 2008 and will move into the CAAC Blue next season with Grand Ledge and the rest of the area’s largest schools. Haslett, meanwhile, can still finish with its best regular season since 2006 by winning out. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Also noted:

Belding 42, Wyoming Godwin Heights 35 – This win for the Knights (6-1) combined with Kelloggsville’s (see “West Michigan” below) makes this week’s matchup for a share of the Ottawa-Kent Conference Silver title; Godwin Heights (5-2) will turn its attention to earning a third straight playoff berth.

Lansing Sexton 18, Holt 16 – The Big Reds (5-2), with another win over one of the state’s largest schools, are looking powerful again as they project to slot into Division 4; Holt (3-4) must win out to have a shot at an at-large bid as it looks to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2013.

Vermontville Maple Valley 38, Perry 13 – The Lions (4-3) have a tough road to win out with undefeated Kent City next, but control their ability to earn a first playoff berth since 2005; Perry (3-4) is hanging on to an at-large possibility as it looks to qualify for the first time ever.

Ithaca 51, Ovid-Elsie 16 – We don’t talk about Ithaca much during the regular season because its margins of victory usually are substantial and expected, but this time the Yellowjackets (7-0) clinched a share of another Tri-Valley Conference West title by beating the second-place Marauders (5-2) and while extending their regular-season win streak to 71 going back to 2009. 

Northern Lower Peninsula

Gaylord St. Mary 34, Johannesburg-Lewiston 18

St. Mary improved to 7-0 to set up a matchup with Harbor Springs this week for a share of the Northern Michigan Football League Legacy title – and those seven wins also represent the Snowbirds’ most in a season since 2009. Johannesburg-Lewiston (4-3) still can figure into the league picture as it works to return to the playoffs after missing a year ago; the Cardinals face Harbor Springs in Week 9. Click for more from 9&10 News.

Also noted:

Elk Rapids 23, Grayling 8 – The Elks (6-1) tied their highest win total since 2010 by avenging last season’s 34-0 loss to the Vikings (4-3).

Lake City 26, Evart 14 – The Trojans (7-0) finished a perfect run through the Highland Conference after going 2-7 overall last season and 1-4 in league play; Evart (3-4) remains alive for an at-large playoff bid.

Hillman 35, Oscoda 21 – The Tigers (4-3) have bounced back from an 0-3 start as they try to extend their playoff streak to 12 seasons, but Oscoda (4-3) must bounce back from two straight losses to guarantee qualifying for the second straight.

Gaylord 24, Petoskey 7 – The Blue Devils (4-3) earned themselves a shot at a share of the Big North Conference title this week against first-place Traverse City West by downing a Petoskey team much better than its 2-5 record with a win over Escanaba and close losses to Marquette and Traverse City Central this fall. 

Southeast & Border

Ida 16, Hudson 0

With two league games to play, these two are tied for first in the Lenawee County Athletic Association after sharing the championship a year ago. Ida (6-1) with this win avenged last year’s one-point loss to the Tigers (6-1) and also ran a shutout streak to two straight games; Hudson hadn’t been shut out since 2015. Both teams face Onsted (5-2) over the next two weeks, while Hudson also faces Blissfield (4-3) and Ida has Hillsdale (3-4). Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.

Also noted:

Pinckney 42, Adrian 14 – In its first season in the Southeastern Conference White, Pinckney (6-1) won a share of its first league title since 1995 while sending Adrian (3-4) into at-large playoff territory.

Chelsea 14, Ypsilanti Community 7 – Chelsea (6-1) clinched the other share of the SEC White, getting by Ypsilanti Community (5-2) with a late score.

Pittsford 24, Athens 0 – Four of five teams in the Southern Central Athletic Association are poised to make the playoffs, but Pittsford (6-1) and Climax-Scotts are the leaders in league play although Athens (5-2) still has a shot at a shared title.

Addison 42, Grass Lake 12 – The Panthers (6-1) pulled within one more win of claiming at least a shared Cascades Conference title after going 3-4 in the league a year ago; reigning champ Grass Lake (4-3) needs to win out to guarantee a 13th straight playoff berth. 

Southwest Corridor

Three Rivers 21, Edwardsburg 18

All streaks come to an end, of course, and Edwardsburg’s run of 34 straight Wolverine B Conference victories won’t soon be forgotten. Neither will Three Rivers’ persistence in breaking it. Three times the Wildcats trailed Friday, including late in the fourth quarter before prevailing and putting the league title up for grabs for the first time in a while. Edwardsburg, Three Rivers and Vicksburg all are 6-1 in the league (and overall) with two games to play. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Also noted:

Coloma 32, Schoolcraft 7 – The Comets (5-2) handed Schoolcraft its first league loss since 2014 and after falling to the Eagles (5-2) last season 48-7 and 41-7 in 2015.

Battle Creek Harper Creek 17, Coldwater 7 – The Beavers (7-0) claimed a share of the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference championship for the second year in a row by avenging last season’s only league loss, to Coldwater (4-3).

Cassopolis 45, Hartford 0 – The Rangers (7-0) set themselves up to face undefeated Mendon this week for a share of the Southwest 10 Conference title, while Hartford (5-2) has two chances left to pick up an automatic playoff bid after going 2-7 a year ago.

Watervliet 68, Constantine 24 – The Panthers’ output on offense is simply incredible; Watervliet (7-0) still hasn’t scored fewer than 50 this season, and Constantine (3-4) hadn’t given up more than 41 since facing the Panthers last season. 

Upper Peninsula

Newberry 28, Norway 14

This will be remembered as one of the stunning wins north of the bridge this season. Norway (6-1) had been cruising along with all but one win this fall by at least two touchdowns (and the seven-pointer was against a team from Wisconsin). But Newberry didn’t have a game Week 6, and clearly was ready for a Knights team that could’ve clinched a share of the Mid-Eastern Conference title in its first season in the league. Newberry (4-2) instead has a share for sure, and the winner of this week’s Norway/Lake Linden-Hubbell game will claim one as well. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Also noted:

Escanaba 35, Gladstone 14 – While nonleague, winning this game gave the Eskymos (6-1) the unofficial “Best in the U.P.” title and rightfully so as its only loss was Week 2 to Petoskey and Gladstone (6-1) hadn’t been beaten.

Calumet 22, L’Anse 14 – The Copper Kings (4-3) had to win this one to keep a few playoff options open with two tough games left, and L’Anse (4-3) finds itself in must-win mode as well.

Bessemer Gogebic 14, Bark River-Harris 0 – The Miners (3-4) have put themselves back in the hunt with two straight wins over teams with playoff hopes; Bark River-Harris (3-4) now also must hope for an at-large bid.

Lake Linden-Hubbell 12, Houghton 8 – The Lakes (3-3) keep chipping away after their 0-3 start, with the greatest challenge yet coming this week against Norway. 

West Michigan

Holland West Ottawa 35, Rockford 30

Holland West Ottawa earned a share of the O-K Red championship, an accomplishment with statewide impact regardless of how and against whom. But beating Rockford (4-3) for the first time since 2002 to do so – breaking a 16-game losing streak to the Rams – made this incredibly sweet as well. The Panthers (6-1) have lost this season only to undefeated Forest Hills Central, not bad after two straight 2-7 finishes. Click for more from the Holland Sentinel.

Also noted:

Grand Rapids Catholic Central 57, Comstock Park 50 – Nolan Fugate’s 477 rushing yards for GRCC (7-0) were the fourth-most in MHSAA history and needed to combat an MHSAA record-tying 18 receptions by Hunter Spence to lead Comstock Park (4-3).

Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 35, Lowell 6 – The Rangers (7-0) earned the opportunity to face Cedar Springs this week with the O-K White title on the line by handing Lowell (4-3) its second straight loss; the Red Arrows must win out to guarantee adding to their 18-year playoff streak.

Wyoming Kelloggsville 36, Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian 21 – See the Belding entry under “Mid-Michigan” for more explanation, but this win gave Kelloggsville (7-0) a spot in an unofficial O-K Silver championship game while NorthPointe (5-2) will try to make the playoffs against Godwin Heights this week.

Montague 40, Muskegon Oakridge 0 – The Wildcats (7-0) clinched a share of the West Michigan Conference title by handing rival Oakridge (5-2) its first shutout since opening night 2014 and after losing to the Eagles by three a year ago.

8-Player

Rapid River 16, Stephenson 14

These two have ruled the Western Eight Conference this season and were considered by some the best in all of the Upper Peninsula in 8-player. Those reputations were based in part on high-scoring offenses – so of course defense dominated, especially as Rapid River (7-0) held down a Stephenson attack averaging 55 points a game heading into the night (Rapid River had been averaging only 45 per). The Eagles (6-1) had beaten the Rockets 52-8 last season, and now must root for Powers North Central this week and beat the Jets in Week 9 in hopes of gaining a share of the league title. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.

Also noted:

Engadine 30, Cedarville 26 – The Eagles (5-2) are among the few who have had Cedarville’s number lately, with this win their third in two years over the Trojans (6-1).

Kingston 30, Morrice 26 – A week after knocking Deckerville out of their first-place tie in the North Central Thumb League Stars division, Morrice (6-1) fell back into a tie with this upset by the Cardinals (5-2).

Deckerville 56, Flint International Academy 36 – The Eagles (6-1) took full advantage of Morrice’s loss to climb into an NCTL Stars tie for first while sending the Flames (5-2) into third place.

Tekonsha 14, Battle Creek St. Philip 12 – Tekonsha (4-3) had never beaten St. Philip (4-3) in 8-player and had scored 20 total points over five games against the Tigers.

Second Half’s weekly “Drive for Detroit” previews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Student Financial Services Bureau 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, including various student financial assistance programs to help make college more affordable for Michigan students. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 savings programs (MET/MESP) and eight additional aid programs within its Student Scholarships and Grants division. Click for more information and connect with MI Student Aid on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

PHOTO: Newberry defenders swarm a Norway ball carrier in handing the Knights their first loss of the season Friday. (Photo by Jeff Rochefort.)