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1st & Goal: 2021 Week 8 in Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 18, 2021
Week 8 showed the potential to end up arguably the most jaw-dropping this football regular season – and it’s fair to say the action met expectations.
As teams continued playing for league titles and positioning for one of 288 playoff spots, we saw the usual share of dominating performances – but also a couple of headline-making comebacks, an important overtime win, and more unexpectedly a handful of games determined by two-point conversion stops.
The playoff field will be selected in six days, and we’ll talk more about that soon. For now, here are many of the most intriguing results and notes from the weekend that was:
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Grand Blanc 30, Lapeer 6 The Bobcats (8-0) are Saginaw Valley League Red champions for the first time, clinching a share of the title with their first win over Lapeer (6-2) since joining the SVL in 2018. While Grand Blanc’s offensive standouts often get much of the attention, the defense stopped a Lightning offense averaging 46 points per game – and the Bobcats now have held their last five opponents to seven points or fewer. Click for more from the Flint Journal.
Watch list Croswell-Lexington 30, Armada 14 The Pioneers (7-1) finished their first perfect run through the Blue Water Area Conference since 2012, and this win over Armada (6-2) was the closest of six league victories on the field (the seventh was a forfeit win).
Remember this one Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker 21, Bad Axe 20 The Greater Thumb Conference West finished with a three-way shared championship between these two and Reese after Laker (6-2) stopped the Hatchets (7-1) on a late two-point conversion attempt.
More shoutouts Mount Pleasant 31, Bay City Western 16 The Oilers (8-0) clinched a share of the SVL Blue title, avoiding what would have been a three-way tie for first had Western (6-2) won. Lake Fenton 42, Fenton 6 The Blue Devils (7-1) won this Flint Metro League crossover, also its first matchup with the Tigers (4-4) since 2005.
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Detroit Martin Luther King 21, Detroit Cass Tech 15 The Crusaders (7-1) made it a season sweep over Cass Tech with this comeback win in the Detroit Public School League Blue championship game. The Technicians (5-3) led 15-0 at halftime, but King scored 21 unanswered points during the second half including the eventual game winners on Lynn Wyche-El’s interception return for a touchdown with 6:50 to play. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.
Lynn Wyche-El with the 15-yard interception return touchdown with 6:50 left in the 4th quarter as King went on to beat Cass Tech 21-15 on Friday night. @LynnWycheElJr @DetKingFootball #StateChamps X @hungryhowies pic.twitter.com/1Rz40t8MvW
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 16, 2021
Watch list Dearborn 13, Dearborn Fordson 10 The Pioneers (6-2) guaranteed their best record since 2016 and helped give the Kensington Lakes Activities Association East standings a final reshuffling that saw Belleville emerge as the outright champ. Fordson (6-2) and Livonia Churchill also had been tied for first entering the weekend; Churchill (6-2) lost to Livonia Stevenson 13-6.
Remember this one Redford Union 34, Melvindale 14 After three straight seasons of missing on a league title by a win, the Panthers closed the Western Wayne Athletic Conference schedule undefeated (7-1) when a win by Melvindale (5-3) would’ve created a three-way tie for first.
More shoutouts Detroit Central 30, Detroit Pershing 0 The Trail Blazers (8-0) picked up their third shutout in six games on the field this season to win the PSL Gold championship against Pershing (5-3), which hadn’t given up a point in three straight games. Clarkston Everest Collegiate 27, Royal Oak Shrine 13 This winner-take-all matchup for the Detroit Catholic League Intersectional #2 championship went to the Mountaineers (7-1), who ran their league title streak to five. Runner-up Shrine fell to 4-4 overall.
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER Hartland 21, Canton 0 The Eagles (7-1) locked up a shared KLAA West title in impressive fashion, with their fourth shutout this fall also the first time Canton (5-3) hadn’t scored a point since a 2006 Division 1 Semifinal. Hartland and Howell are co-champs, and Hartland also moved to seven wins for the first time since 2014. Click for more from the Livingston Daily Press & Argus.
Watch list Howell 21, Brighton 14 The Highlanders (7-1) went ahead for good during the game’s final minutes to clinch their KLAA West share, moving to seven wins for the first time since 2010 with their first victory over Brighton (4-4) since 2017.
Remember this one East Lansing 27, Grand Ledge 12 Even with one of the state’s most impressive schedules, East Lansing (5-3) had fallen back in the Division 2 playoff field. But this win over the Division 1 Comets (6-2) sent the Trojans back into a comfortable spot, from No. 19 to tied for No. 10 in D2 with a game to play.
More shoutouts Olivet 20, Williamston 19 The Eagles (6-2) won a matchup of league champs, as the best from the Greater Lansing Activities Conference held off a comeback attempt by the Hornets (5-3), one of three teams that shared the title in the Capital Area Activities Conference Red. Beal City 14, Sand Creek 12 A late replacement game for both became a memorable one as Beal City (7-1) held on while on the road at Sand Creek (5-3).
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER East Jordan 22, Harbor Springs 14 (2OT) The Red Devils (6-2) held on to set up this week’s winner-take-all with Frankfort for the championship in the Northern Michigan Football Conference Legacy division. Additionally, East Jordan (5-2) has tied its most wins for a season since 2003 and put itself in position to move into the Division 7 playoff field sitting No. 36 with a game to play. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.
Watch list Cadillac 10, Portland 7 Not that anyone questioned if Cadillac (6-2) would be a player again in the Division 4 playoffs next month – but this win on the road at Division 5 No. 6 Portland reinforced that the Vikings and their dynamic defense will be in the mix.
Remember this one Traverse City Central 56, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 13 Not only did the Trojans (7-1) reach 56 points for the fifth time in eight games this fall, but they did so against a Brother Rice team that moved to 5-3 and hadn’t given up more than 30 points in a game in nearly two calendar years.
More shoutouts Charlevoix 28, Mancelona 20 The Rayders (7-1) reached seven wins for the third season in a row and moved up to No. 11 in Division 7, while Mancelona (5-2) remains in position to join the field as well at No. 26. McBain 44, Manton 20 The Ramblers (5-3) can breathe a bit easier also in Division 7 after moving up four spots to No. 24 with this win over the Rangers (3-5).
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Saline 42, Dexter 40 This was Saline’s closest Southeastern Conference Red game since 2016, but the Hornets managed to extend their league winning streak to 45 in clinching the championship outright. The teams traded touchdowns during the final minute, but the decider came a few minutes earlier when Saline was able to stop a Dexter two-point conversion try that would’ve tied the score at 35-35. The Dreadnaughts fell to 5-3. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.
Watch list Chelsea 24, St. Joseph 14 The Bulldogs (8-0) have been among the top three teams in Division 4 all fall and moved back into the No. 1 spot with this win over the Division 3 Bears (5-3).
Remember this one Addison 52, Napoleon 34 The Panthers cemented the outright Cascades Conference championship and in moving to 8-0 have their most wins in a season since 2006. Napoleon (5-3) had given up only 98 points total coming into the weekend.
More shoutouts Jackson Lumen Christi 33, Parma Western 0 The Titans (7-2) sent Western (5-3) into fourth place and earned one of three shares of the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference championship, with Hastings and Battle Creek Harper Creek also winning this weekend to tie for first. Reading 20, Homer 6 This wasn’t for a league title, but Big 8 Conference runner-up Reading (6-2) bumped up five spots in Division 8 to No. 13 with the win over the Division 7 Trojans (5-3).
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER Constantine 32, Kalamazoo United 14 The Falcons (8-0) clinched a share of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore championship, continuing their season-long streak of double-digit wins while handing Kalamazoo United (5-3) its lone league loss. The championship is Constantine’s third straight, and it can claim the title outright this week against winless Coloma. Click for more from FOX 17.
Watch list Battle Creek Lakeview 44, Stevensville Lakeshore 29 After a Week 7 loss to Mattawan severely hampered Lakeview’s chances in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference, the Spartans (5-3) bounced back quickly to keep Lakeshore (6-2) – tied for first heading into the game – from claiming a share of the title.
Remember this one Portage Central 41, Battle Creek Central 16 Despite losing its season opener to Lakeshore, Portage Central didn’t lose again in SMAC play and clinched the title with this win over the Bearcats (3-5) – who remain in contention for a Division 3 playoff spot.
More shoutouts Three Rivers 28, Plainwell 20 Two weeks ago, Three Rivers (5-3) was one spot outside the potential Division 4 playoff field. But wins over Sturgis and now Plainwell have the Wildcats back up to No. 22 – and tied there with the Trojans (5-3). Vicksburg 35, Paw Paw 13 The Bulldogs (7-1) have moved up in Division 4 four straight weeks and now sit No. 4 with Paw Paw (5-3) at No. 25 in the same potential field.
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Ishpeming Westwood 50, Bark River-Harris 8 Co-leaders in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference divisions met for an intriguing tune-up before both play for league championships this week. The Copper’s Westwood (7-1) came away with its seventh game this season holding its opponent to eight points for fewer as it prepares for Negaunee this week. Bark River-Harris (5-3) will see Ishpeming for the outright Iron title and might be rooting for Westwood this week too as the Broncos need as many playoff points as possible to move up in the Division 8 field. Click for more from the Marquette Mining Journal.
Watch list Marquette 28, Traverse City West 15 Receiving one of the biggest rankings boosts this week was Marquette (6-2), which moved up 14 spots to No. 12 in Division 3 with this win over the Division 1 Titans (6-2).
Remember this one Calumet 30, Hancock 0 While most eyes will be on the Westwood/Negaunee matchup, Calumet (6-2) moved into position to claim a share of the Copper title as well and will face L’Anse to finish the league schedule.
More shoutouts Negaunee 26, Houghton 6 The Miners (7-1) moved up the Division 6 rankings for the third-straight week, up to No. 11 while also setting up this week’s matchup with Westwood. Kingsford 35, Petoskey 21 The Flivvers (5-3) received a nice bump to No. 15 in Division 5 with a solid win over the Division 3 Northmen (3-5).
West Michigan
HEADLINER Grand Rapids Catholic Central 41, Cedar Springs 40 After the Red Hawks (6-2) led for the majority of the first three quarters, GRCC went ahead to stay with 2:32 to play in the third – but not without a dramatic finish. Cedar Springs scored with 38 seconds left to pull within a point of the lead, but the Cougars (8-0) stopped the two-point conversion try and clinched a share of the Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold title. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Watch list Muskegon Catholic Central 24, Centreville 16 The Crusaders (7-1) moved up to a season-best No. 6 in Division 7 by getting past Division 8 then-No. 7 Centreville and scoring more points than defensively-dominant Centreville had given up over the last five games combined.
Remember this one Whitehall 34, Montague 14 This result created a three-team shared West Michigan Conference championship with these two and Muskegon Oakridge, and for Whitehall much more with context. It was the Vikings’ first win over Montague since 2014, and the league title is the program’s first since 1999.
More shoutouts Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 31, Byron Center 0 The Rangers (7-1) clinched a share of the O-K White championship while avenging last season’s 35-14 loss to the Bulldogs, who shared the 2020 title with FHC. Hudsonville Unity Christian 69, Coopersville 7 The Crusaders (8-0) clinched a share of the O-K Blue championship and sent Coopersville (5-3) into a tie for fourth place.
8-Player
HEADLINER Lake Linden-Hubbell 36, Crystal Falls Forest Park 6 The Lakes (6-2) threw a bit of a curveball into this week’s anticipated Great Lakes Eight Conference West title decider, knocking Forest Park (7-1) out of a tie for first place and in doing so helping leader Powers North Central to a share of the championship. Although it’s out of the league race, Lake Linden-Hubbell also may end up making the playoffs in large part because of this win – the Lakes moved up three spots to No. 12 in Division 2. Forest Park faces North Central this week and still has a chance to earn a GLEC West share. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.
Watch list Rogers City 36, Mio 28 The 8-player format is suiting the Hurons (8-0) well in their first season. Rogers City is up to No. 5 in Division 1 with this win over the Thunderbolts (6-2) arguably its best.
Remember this one Rudyard 27, Gaylord St. Mary 0 This could have playoff qualification impacts for both teams. The Snowbirds (5-3) fell from No. 13 to No. 17 in Division 2, and Rudyard (6-2) moved up from No. 18 to No. 13 in Division 1.
More shoutouts Kinde North Huron 50, Peck 18 The Warriors (8-0) clinched the outright North Central Thumb League Stripes championship, their second straight, while sending Peck to 5-3. Marion 36, Vestaburg 16 While the Eagles (7-1) moved into the No. 2 spot in Division 2, Vestaburg (5-3) fell to two spots out of the Division 1 field with similarly situated Bear Lake on the schedule this week.
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.
PHOTOS (Top) Grand Blanc's Elijah Jackson-Anderson (2) charges into the Lapeer defense behind his blockers Friday. (Middle) A Pewamo-Westphalia ball carrier is wrapped up by a Bath defender during the Pirates' 41-0 win. (Below) A Vestaburg defender wraps up a Marion ball carrier. (Photos by Terry Lyons, Christine McCallister, and High School Sports Scene, respectively.)
![A Pine River ball carrier looks for an opening during McBain’s 46-0 win Friday, 10/7/22..](/sites/default/files/2022-10/221010_1st%26Goal_2H_0.png)
1st & Goal: 2022 Week 7 Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 10, 2022
The home stretch is here, and with it more of the unexpected even as we continue to learn a few new details every week about this season’s contenders.
Several more league champions were rewarded this week, but nearly as many races seemed to re-open thanks to unpredicted performances.
Bay & Thumb
HEADLINER Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker 32, Bad Axe 14 The Lakers (7-0) finished an outright championship run in the Greater Thumb Conference West, defeating Bad Axe in a winner-take-all league finale. Those two and Reese had shared the championship a year ago. Bad Axe entered scoring 37 points per game, but Laker still hasn’t given up more than 15 to any opponent this fall. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.
Here are the highlights of the Bad Axe at Elkton Pigeon Bay Port Laker that aired on Football Fridays Overtime powered by STATE CHAMPS! on @BallySportsDET pic.twitter.com/QZEqcrLMn7
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 9, 2022
Watch list Armada 37, North Branch 28 The top of the Blue Water Area Conference is shuffling weekly, and suddenly Armada (6-1) finds itself on top alone after knocking the Broncos (6-1) off their former solo perch.
On the move Marine City 47, Clinton Township Clintondale 8 The Mariners (6-1) haven’t lost again since falling to Armada by a point in their season opener, and they finished a Macomb Area Conference Silver outright title run. Lapeer 42, Grand Ledge 28 The Lightning (7-0) turned away another strong challenge from the Comets (5-2) with Clarkston and Davison coming up to close the regular season. Fenton 28, Linden 21 This combined with Swartz Creek’s win over Flushing ended the Flint Metro League Stripes schedule with a shared championships among the Tigers (5-2), Eagles (5-2) and Dragons (6-1).
Greater Detroit
HEADLINER Riverview 18, Carleton Airport 13 The Pirates (6-0) ran their regular-season winning streak to 26 and Huron League streak to 21 in clinching a third-straight conference championship. The Jets (5-2) entered averaging 32 points per game but were held to their second fewest this season.
Here are the highlights of the Riverview vs. Airport game that aired on Football Fridays Overtime powered by STATE CHAMPS! on @BallySportsDET
@RivBucsFootball | @maroonmonsoon01 | @jacobshank5 pic.twitter.com/6lJKNEEye8— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) October 8, 2022
Watch list Grosse Pointe North 50, Warren Fitzgerald 0 After going a combined 7-27 over the last four seasons, North is 7-0 and the Macomb Area Conference Green champion. The Norsemen have given up 32 points this season and allowed only six over five league wins.
On the move Grosse Pointe South 20, St. Clair Shores Lakeview 16 After two seasons in the MAC Red, South returned to the MAC White this season – and after an 0-2 nonconference start won all five league games to take back the title after previously winning the White four straight seasons from 2016-19. Redford Union 40, Melvindale 6 The Panthers (7-0) ran their Western Wayne Athletic Conference winning streak to 17 and clinched a share of a second-straight league title. Southfield Arts & Technology 35, Oak Park 12 In addition to guaranteeing its first overall winning record since its first season in 2016, A&T (6-1) clinched an outright Oakland Activities Association White title while no league opponent got closer than 14 points.
Mid-Michigan
HEADLINER Durand 54, Chesaning 8 This combined with Ovid-Elsie’s 14-13 win over New Lothrop earned the Railroaders (7-0) a share of the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference title. The seven wins are the team’s most since winning seven in 2009, and tied their most since 1983 according to Michigan-football.com. Click for more from the Flint Journal.
Watch list Laingsburg 27, Fowler 14 Coming off a Week 6 win over many-season reigning champ Pewamo-Westphalia, the Eagles (6-1) looked to be control in the Central Michigan Athletic Conference. But Laingsburg, which opened its CMAC schedule with a loss to P-W, instead guaranteed itself a share of the championship with Fowler and the Pirates able to earn the same with wins this week.
On the move Ithaca 50, Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary 18 The Yellowjackets (6-1) claimed the Tri-Valley Conference West 2 title, their 14th straight league championship, while handing MLS (6-1) its only loss. Ovid-Elsie 14, New Lothrop 13 In avenging four MMAC losses to New Lothrop over the last four seasons, Ovid-Elsie (5-2) also gained an opportunity to claim a share of the league title if the Hornets (6-1) defeat Durand this week. Olivet 42, Lake Odessa Lakewood 7 The Eagles (6-1) ended their (and Lakewood’s) time in the Greater Lansing Activities Conference by clinching a sixth-straight league championship while sending the Vikings (5-2) into second place.
Northern Lower Peninsula
HEADLINER Boyne City 34, Elk Rapids 0 The Ramblers (6-0) clinched a share of the Northern Michigan Football Conference Leaders championship, with the opportunity to earn it outright this week against Tawas. The shutout was the team’s second in three games and the championship is their second straight. Elk Rapids moved to 5-2. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.
Watch list Cadillac 24, Belding 6 The Vikings (5-2) not only are Big North Conference champions but now own a win over another league leader as the Black Knights (6-1) sit atop the Ottawa-Kent Conference Silver standings.
On the move Tawas 44, Maple City Glen Lake 14 Tawas entered the season with 15 straight losses and added five more, but now has won two straight and this time with its best offensive performance since 2019. Traverse City St. Francis 35, Sault Ste. Marie 7 The Gladiators (7-0) finished a repeat title run in the NMFC Legends and ran their regular-season win streak to 19. Lake City 45, Roscommon 6 The Trojans (5-2) equaled their 2021 win total and with two regular-season games to play against opponents that could significantly improve their postseason possibilities as they sit No. 24 in Division 7 playoff points.
Southeast & Border
HEADLINER Tecumseh 50, Chelsea 34 The Tecumseh dream season continues and now includes the program’s first win over Chelsea since 2013 and a Southeastern Conference White championship to go with a 7-0 start. Chelsea (5-2) provided the stiffest challenge this season, but Tecumseh’s offense continued to churn going over 50 points for the fifth time this fall. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.
Watch list Temperance Bedford 7, Saline 0 The Kicking Mules (5-2) had given Saline (6-1) some of its closest games over the last eight years. But their first win over Saline since 2013 not only ended a personal losing streak but the Hornets’ run of 50 straight SEC Red wins since that last Bedford defeat.
On the move Napoleon 29, Michigan Center 27 Napoleon (7-0) is the Cascades Conference champion, and outright thanks to some help from Grass Lake (see below). Adrian Madison 14, Erie Mason 8 The Trojans (3-4) need to make up 12 spots to get into the Division 6 playoff field, but two straight wins is the right start especially with Mason at 5-2 this fall. Grass Lake 34, Addison 18 The Warriors (4-3) have pushed to the No. 26 spot in the Division 7 playoff field with Addison sitting No. 27 on the Division 8 list.
Southwest Corridor
HEADLINER Buchanan 26, Niles Brandywine 24 The Bucks are the first football champions of the Lakeland Athletic Conference, and they earned that historic title by avenging a 2021 loss to Brandywine (4-3). The Bobcats made a run at the lead late, but Buchanan (6-1) held on and sits No. 15 in Division 5 playoff points with tough games to go against Benton Harbor and Centreville. Click for more from the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.
Watch list Lawton 49, Schoolcraft 14 The Blue Devils (6-1) remain on a roll, with this win clinching a share of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley title and their fourth straight scoring at least 42 points and giving up no more than 16.
On the move Decatur 37, Delton Kellogg 22 The Raiders (5-2) guaranteed their winningest season since 2018 and against a Delton team eying a third-straight playoff appearance and sitting No. 12 in Division 7 playoff points. Niles 49, Paw Paw 8 The Vikings (3-4) had a rough stretch midseason, but with a second-straight win are sitting just one spot outside the Division 4 playoff field. St. Joseph 42, Stevensville Lakeshore 14 The Bears (6-1) continued to push toward a possible Week 9 decider in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference while sending Lakeshore (3-4) into a tie for third.
Upper Peninsula
HEADLINER Negaunee 24, Gladstone 6 The Miners (7-0) fortified their status as the Upper Peninsula’s top team this fall, adding this win to another over Iron Mountain – the two opponents that also have been in the mix for that praise. The Braves were averaging 36 points per game entering the contest, but Negaunee brought its points-allowed average down to nine per game this season. Click for more from RRN Sports.
Watch list St. Ignace 20, East Jordan 14 The Saints (6-1) clinched a share of the NMFC Legacy championship and can claim it outright Week 9 against winless Harbor Springs. East Jordan (3-4) is hanging on to a spot in the Division 8 playoff field.
On the move Calumet 35, Houghton 12 The Copper Kings (4-3) bounced back from a Week 6 loss with a must-win against the Gremlins (5-2) and are holding onto the No. 32 spot in the Division 6 playoff field. Ishpeming Westwood 14, L’Anse 6 The Patriots (4-3) ran their winning streak to four as they prepare to finish with a pair of potential league champions in Bark River-Harris and Negaunee. Marquette 21, Menominee 6 After a 1-4 start, Marquette has won two straight including this one to avenge a 2021 loss to the Maroons (4-3).
West Michigan
HEADLINER North Muskegon 28, Ravenna 7 The Norsemen (6-1) drew another important win closer to a possible West Michigan Conference title with this win over second-place Ravenna (5-2) to go with an earlier victory over third-place Hart. The Bulldogs are the highest-scoring team in the Rivers division this fall, but North Muskegon held them to well below their previous average of 39 points per game. Click for more from CatchMark SportsNet.
Watch list Fruitport 28, Grand Rapids West Catholic 20 This was the stunner of the weekend, but maybe shouldn’t have been as Fruitport is enjoying its best season in a decade after finishing below .500 the last eight. West Catholic (6-1) hadn’t had an opponent come within two touchdowns since opening night.
On the move Big Rapids 27, Howard City Tri County 27 The Cardinals (5-2) shook up the Central State Activities Association Gold and ended up on top with a guaranteed share of the title with Tri County and Reed City also with one loss in league play. Reed City 52, Kent City 0 The Coyotes (6-1) won big over the CSAA Silver champ Kent City (6-1), a nice bonus to getting back into the Gold title race. Sparta 34, Hopkins 14 The Spartans are 4-1 over their last five games and back in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Silver mix after pulling the Vikings (5-2) out of a tie for the top spot.
8-Player
HEADLINER Peck 46, New Haven Merritt 6 The Pirates clinched the North Central Thumb League Stripes title and haven’t lost since Week 1. Peck has won its league games by an average of 37 points per, with one more to play. Merritt (4-3) is part of a three-way tie for second place.
Watch list Au Gres-Sims 50, Alcona 34 The Wolverines (6-1) are tied for first in the North Star League Little Dipper with a Week 9 matchup against Posen likely to decide the championship, and Alcona (6-1) playing Rogers City next for the Big Dipper title.
On the move Tekonsha 62, Burr Oak 6 Tekonsha (6-1) finished a second-straight perfect run through the Southern Central Athletic Association B. Indian River Inland Lakes 36, Pellston 6 The Bulldogs (5-2) finished an outright title run in the Ski Valley Conference and have yet to lose a league game over two seasons. Brown City 64, Mesick 62 The Green Devils (6-1) went over 60 points for the second-straight week to lock up their closest win of a strong first season of 8-player.
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 A Pine River ball carrier looks for an opening during McBain’s 46-0 win Friday. (Photo by Tonya Holmes.)