1st & Goal: 2022 Week 1 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
August 25, 2022
It’s game time again for 605 high school football teams across Michigan.
This opening weekend will see all but a handful begin their seasons, with 174 games Thursday, 130 on Friday and five Saturday.
Each week, we’ll again discuss intriguing 11-player games from every region of the state and the 8-player divisions, and special this Week 1 we’ll also take a glance at a matchup from all three of the opening showcase events being played over the next three days.
Nearly 200 games will be broadcast this weekend either on the NFHS Network or Bally Sports Detroit; click here for the schedule. To see a list of all games – and scores as they come in – click here for our Score Center.
Rankings below are by the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association.
Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic – Wayne State University – Tom Adams Field
Sterling Heights Stevenson (10-3) vs. West Bloomfield (10-2), Thursday
The Lakers have high hopes again after winning Division 1 in 2020 and reaching the Regional Finals a year ago. They enter this season ranked No. 2 in Division 1, behind only reigning champion Belleville. But Stevenson will seek to make a statement right away after reaching the Semifinals last season.
More Xenith games THURSDAY Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (8-4) vs. Macomb Dakota (8-4). FRIDAY Allen Park (9-3) vs. Wyandotte (4-5), Belleville (13-1) vs. Novi (5-5). SATURDAY Dexter (5-5) vs. Grosse Pointe South (6-5), Cedar Springs (9-3) vs. River Rouge (7-3).
Battle at the Big House – University of Michigan – Michigan Stadium
Clarkston (8-2) vs. Davison (5-4), Thursday
After reaching the Division 1 Final two seasons ago (and falling to West Bloomfield), the Cardinals missed the playoffs last season but did finish on a 4-1 run and had two defeats by three points – including 29-26 to Clarkston in the opener. The Wolves will be playing their first game under former assistant Justin Pintar, who took over after the retirement of Kurt Richardson, who was 274-98 from 1987-2021.
More Big House games THURSDAY Brighton (4-5) vs. Dearborn Fordson (9-3), DeWitt (12-2) vs. Haslett (8-3). FRIDAY Livonia Churchill (8-3) vs. Plymouth (1-8), Port Huron (6-4) vs. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (14-0), Lapeer (7-3) vs. Ann Arbor Huron (8-2).
Vehicle City Gridiron Classic – Kettering University – Atwood Stadium
Grand Blanc (12-1) vs. Grandville (7-4), Thursday
The Bobcats’ only loss last season came to eventual Division 1 runner-up Rochester Adams in a Semifinal, and they enter ranked No. 8 in the division under first-year coach Kaleb Forr – who previously led Flint Kearsley to its first District title in 2020. Grandville is a consistent Ottawa-Kent Conference Red contender and coming off a third-straight seven-win season.
More Vehicle City games THURSDAY Flint Kearsley (6-4) vs. Flint Carman-Ainsworth (2-7). FRIDAY Flint Southwestern (2-6) vs. Swartz Creek (5-5), Flint Beecher (4-6) vs. Saginaw Nouvel (3-6).
Bay & Thumb
Clare (7-4) at Freeland (11-2), Thursday
Freeland is opening the season ranked No. 6 in Division 4 after making a run to last year’s Semifinals – and losing only 30-27 in that game to eventual champion Chelsea. The Falcons’ campaign last season began with a 24-14 Week 1 win over Clare, which is coming off its 16th-straight winning season. But the Pioneers have something of a new look this fall; longtime assistant Steven Spranger has taken over the program from Kelly Luplow, who retired with a 251-95 record from 1987-2021.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Midland Dow (6-4) at Fenton (4-5), Goodrich (7-3) at Frankenmuth (12-1), Essexville Garber (5-5) at Hemlock (6-5), Croswell-Lexington (10-2) at Saginaw Swan Valley (6-5).
Greater Detroit
Orchard Lake St. Mary's (6-5) at Rochester Adams (13-1), Thursday
Adams played as long as possible last fall, reaching the Division 1 championship game before suffering its lone loss of the season, to West Bloomfield. The Highlanders are capable of that sort of run again and enter the season ranked No. 3 in Division 1. St. Mary’s is another program replacing a longtime coach, as past star Jermaine Gonzales has taken over for retired George Porritt, who was 278-94 from 1989-2021. The Eaglets enter this fall ranked No. 4 in Division 4.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Montrose (7-3) at Clarkston Everest Collegiate (9-3), Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (7-4) at Detroit Catholic Central (8-3), Walled Lake Western (7-4) at South Lyon (12-1). FRIDAY Canton (7-4) at Livonia Franklin (7-6).
Mid-Michigan
Jackson Lumen Christi (11-2) at New Lothrop (7-4), Thursday
This is the second year in this series of openers between the annual Division 7 championship contenders, with Lumen Christi winning last year’s matchup 27-14. The Titans ended up advancing to the Semifinals, while New Lothrop lost to eventual champion Pewamo-Westphalia in a District Final. There’s every reason to think those high-level opportunities will be possible again, as Lumen enters No. 4 and New Lothrop No. 5 in the Division 7 rankings.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Ovid-Elsie (6-4) at Portland (10-3), Zeeland East (5-5) at Williamston (6-4). FRIDAY Carson City-Crystal (10-2) at Fowler (7-4), Redford Union (8-2) at Pewamo-Westphalia (14-0).
Northern Lower Peninsula
McBain (7-4) at Kingsley (10-2), Thursday
Kingsley owns a 5-3 edge during this latest series between these longtime rivals, with the Stags winning big last fall to kick off what ended up turning into another playoff season for both programs. That’s an expectation again for both. Kingsley enters ranked No. 6 in Division 5 and carrying a combined 40-6 record over the last four seasons. McBain is right there at 35-16 over five straight winning campaigns.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Marquette (7-3) at Traverse City West (6-4), Ludington (3-6) at Petoskey (3-6). FRIDAY Charlevoix (8-2) at East Jordan (6-3), Traverse City Central (12-2) vs. St. Joseph (8-5) at Ferris State.
Southeast & Border
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (7-3) at Clinton (9-3), Thursday
While it would be easy to put the matchup of traditional heavies Hudsonville and Saline here, there’s a lot to talk about as well with Notre Dame Prep taking a trip to Clinton. This will be another nonleague game that eventually should benefit both in playoff points – win or lose. Notre Dame Prep is opening ranked No. 5 in Division 5, while Clinton is No. 5 in Division 6 coming off last season’s District title.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Carleton Airport (4-5) at Ida (8-3), Hudsonville (4-5) at Saline (9-1), Jackson (5-5) at Monroe (4-5). FRIDAY Blissfield (3-6) at Ottawa Lake Whiteford (11-2).
Southwest Corridor
Reading (6-4) at White Pigeon (10-2), Thursday
This could be a preview of a Division 8 playoff matchup, as both are expected to be among contenders – Reading entering the season ranked No. 5 and White Pigeon No. 7. They’ve managed to elude each other in playoffs past although that nearly came to an end last fall, when Reading fell to eventual champion Hudson in a District opener and White Pigeon was edged by the Tigers 8-0 in the Regional Final.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Battle Creek Harper Creek (7-4) at Battle Creek Lakeview (7-4), Zeeland West (6-3) at Stevensville Lakeshore (7-4), East Lansing (7-4) at Portage Central (9-3). FRIDAY Berrien Springs (10-1) at Kalamazoo United (8-4).
Upper Peninsula
Iron Mountain (7-4) at Negaunee (8-3), Thursday
The Mountaineers have won all three matchups since this one went to opening night in 2018, but by only three, three and two points – 14-12 last season – respectively. Starting with a win is even more important as they’re both likely to contend again in the always-loaded Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper. Additionally, Iron Mountain enters this fall ranked No. 9 in Division 8.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Sault Ste. Marie (6-3) at Escanaba (1-8). FRIDAY Calumet (9-3) at Gladstone (4-6), Ishpeming Westwood (10-2) at Houghton (5-4), Menominee (5-5) at Marinette, Wis. (0-9).
West Michigan
Edwardsburg (12-1) at Grand Rapids West Catholic (9-2), Thursday
Edwardsburg has lived among the elite for more than a decade, its only loss last season in the Division 4 Semifinal to Hudsonville Unity Christian. The Eddies enter this weekend ranked No. 5 in that division but facing an opponent that took a mighty step last season toward returning to championship contender status. The Falcons improved three wins last fall and enter this one ranked No. 2 in Division 6.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Holt (7-3) at Caledonia (10-2), Whitehall (8-3) at Hudsonville Unity Christian (13-1), Montague (8-4) at Spring Lake (6-4). FRIDAY Grand Rapids Christian (7-4) at Grand Rapids South Christian (8-4).
8-Player
Mendon (8-3) at Martin (11-1), Friday
These league foes met twice last season, Martin winning 28-20 during the regular season and 41-22 in a Division 1 Regional Final. The first round decided the Southwest Michigan 8-Man Football League Tier 1 championship, and this one could eventually do the same. Martin enters ranked No. 4 in Division 1, and Mendon is No. 8 in Division 2.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Pickford (7-3) at Gaylord St. Mary (5-5), Suttons Bay (12-1) at Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian (7-3), Morrice (10-1) at Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (7-3). FRIDAY Vestaburg (6-4) at Portland St. Patrick (9-1).
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 rainbow decorates the pregame sky last season at Otsego. (Photo by Gary Shook.)
1st & Goal: 2024 8-Player Finals Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 22, 2024
For the first time since 8-player football was split into two divisions in 2017, all four teams playing in this season’s MHSAA Finals are past champions.
Deckerville and Pickford in Division 1, and Crystal Falls Forest Park and Morrice in Division 2 have all won one title during the first 13 years of 8-player playoffs. All four also are making their first championship appearances this decade.
Deckerville and Pickford kick off at 11 a.m. Saturday at Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome, and Morrice and Crystal Falls Forest Park follow at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $10 and are good for both games, and may be purchased online through NMU or at the door – click for details. Both games will be broadcast live on MHSAA.tv, and audio of both games will be streamed live on MHSAANetwork.com.
Below is a look at all four finalists:
Division 1
DECKERVILLE
Record/Rank: 12-0, No. 1
Coach: Bill Brown, 32nd season (258-90)
League finish: First in Big Thumb Conference Blue
Championship history: 8-player (single division) champion 2012, two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 49-32 over No. 7 Mendon in Semifinal, 40-6 (Regional Final) and 44-0 over No. 8 Kingston, 54-34 (Regional Semifinal) and 50-16 over Bay City All Saints, 50-42 over No. 2 Alcona, 30-28 over Brown City.
Players to watch: QB Hunter Garza, 6-1 sr. (1,488 yards/26 TDs rushing, 804 yards/10 TDs passing); SE/DB Ian Flanagan, 6-1 jr. (230 yards/3 TDs receiving); RB/DB Parker Merriman, 5-10 sr. (1,003 yards/14 TDs rushing); RG/DE Preston Holman, 6-1 sr. (Weights not provided. Statistics through Regional Final.)
Outlook: Deckerville will be playing in its first championship game since finishing runner-up in both 2016 (single division) and 2017 (Division 1), and after reaching the Semifinals a year ago. Alcona and Brown City were the only opponents to get within 17 points of the Eagles this fall. There are only seven seniors, but they combine to fill seven of the 16 starting spots. Holman made the all-state second team last season, and Garza earned an honorable mention.
PICKFORD
Record/Rank: 12-0, No. 3
Coach: Josh Rader, 21st season (153-66)
League finish: First in Great Lakes Eight Conference East
Championship history: Division 2 champion 2019, Division 1 runner-up 2018.
Best wins: 34-18 over No. 5 Indian River Inland Lakes in Semifinal, 44-6 (Regional Final) and 65-14 over No. 10 Ishpeming, 51-6 over Norway, 40-12 over Division 2 No. 6 Powers North Central.
Players to watch: QB/DE Tommy Storey, 5-9/175 sr. (1,656 yards/28 TDs passing, 954 yards/16 TDs rushing); RB/DB Gunner Bennin, 6-0/165 jr. (828 yards/19 TDs rushing, 386 yards/8 TDs receiving); TE/DE Ian Browne, 6-3/175 sr. (206 yards/4 TDs receiving); OG/DT Haydn Rader, 6-1/210 sr.
Outlook: Storey is a returning all-state first-teamer who also quarterbacked the team to the Semifinals a year ago. He leads an attack that’s rushed for 3,768 yards – at more than 10 a carry – but can keep defenses honest with a passing game as well. In addition to being the team’s second-leading rusher and leading receiver, Bennin has a team-high four interceptions and has also scored on defense and as a kick and punt returner. Haydn Rader made the all-state second team last season and with Storey, Browne and Bennin is among eight players who start on both sides of the ball.
Division 2
CRYSTAL FALLS FOREST PARK
Record/Rank: 11-1, No. 3
Coach: Brian Fabbri, fifth season (35-11)
League finish: Second in Great Lakes Eight Conference West
Championship history: Division 2 champion 2017, three MHSAA titles and 10 runner-up finishes in 11-player.
Best wins: 34-12 over No. 6 Powers North Central in Regional Final, 49-24 over No. 8 Onekama in Semifinal, 42-20 over Norway.
Players to watch: RB/DB Dax Huuki, 6-0/175 soph. (1,424 yards/20 TDs rushing); QB/DB Vic Giuliani, 6-2/165 soph. (908 yards/14 TDs passing, 7 TDs rushing); RB/DE Grayson Sundell, 6-1/190 sr. (899 yards/17 TDs rushing); TE/DT Kevin Giuliani, 6-5/270 sr. (277 yards/6 TDs receiving).
Outlook: Forest Park will play in its first championship game since its title-winning season in 2017 and picked up major steam with its Regional Final win over rival North Central, which avenged a 45-34 league title-deciding loss from Week 9. No other opponent got within 20 points of the Trojans this season. Kevin Giuliani made the all-state second team last season and is one of seven two-way starters. Junior Trent Kannich is another and has 406 yards and seven touchdowns rushing and a team-high 364 yards receiving from his fullback spot. Senior linebacker Brody Starr has five interceptions and has returned two for touchdowns, and senior linebacker Nik Stephens has four picks and one for a score.
MORRICE
Record/Rank: 11-1, No. 5
Coach: Kendall Crockett, 11th season (96-25)
League finish: Tied for first in Mid-State Activities Conference Red
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2018.
Best wins: 36-0 over No. 4 Britton Deerfield in Semifinal, 46-14 (Regional Final) and 38-6 over Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart, 28-22 over No. 7 Portland St. Patrick in Regional Semifinal, 22-0 over Fulton.
Players to watch: RB/DB Joel Fisher, 5-7/139 sr. (1,687 yards, 19 TDs rushing); WR/DB Wyatt Valentine, 5-10/163 soph. (50 tackles, 10 interceptions); RB/OLB Wyatt Cartier, 5-7/150 sr. (1,468 yards, 27 TDs rushing), OG/DE Travis Smith, 6-0/215 sr.
Outlook: Morrice also avenged its lone regular-season loss to advance this postseason, having lost to St. Patrick 29-12 in Week 4 before opening the playoffs with a win over the Shamrocks. Fisher and Cartier are a dynamite 1-2 punch in the backfield, and Fisher made the all-state second team last season. Smith earned an honorable mention in 2023 and is joined on both lines by 6-foot-3, 215-pound junior Oliver Long, who has 12 sacks. Junior linebacker Austin Gutting is the leading tackler for a defense giving up only 10 points per game.
MHSAA.com's weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). 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 scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Click to connect with MI Student Aid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.