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A Negaunee ball carrier leaps over an Ishpeming defender during their game on 9-23-22.

1st & Goal: 2022 Week 5 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 26, 2022

The champs are here – with more soon on the way.  

MI Student AidWeek 5 saw the first football league champions awarded in Michigan, as at least four varsity teams clinched conference titles as the regular season reached its midpoint.

Several more matchups shaped where league races will be heading the rest of the way. Here’s our glance at many of them.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Frankenmuth 21, Freeland 0 An Eagles defense that has been difficult to break the last many seasons may have put up its most impressive performance of at least the last few. Freeland (4-1) was averaging nearly 49 points per game this fall, but Frankenmuth (5-0) now has given up 30 total this season and none over the last two weeks as it’s taken the sole lead in the Tri-Valley Conference 8. Click for more from the Saginaw News.

Watch list Standish-Sterling 28, Millington 24 The Panthers (5-0) came back from 10 down with a quarter to play to clinch a share of the Tri-Valley Conference 10-1 and hand the Cardinals (4-1) their lone defeat. Millington had won their matchups the last two seasons.

On the move Flint Hamady 61, Flint Beecher 20 The Hawks (5-0) also clinched a share of their league title, in the Genesee Area Conference, and ran their recent streak against Beecher (2-3) to four wins over their last five meetings. Port Huron Northern 14, Port Huron 7 The Huskies (5-0) sit alone atop the Macomb Area Conference Blue after holding the rival Big Reds (4-1) scoreless over the final quarter. Grand Blanc 28, East Lansing 21 The Bobcats (3-2) have caught their stride the last two weeks, this time handing East Lansing (4-1) its lone defeat.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Macomb Dakota 28, Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 17 Not many seasons go by without this being one of our headlining matchups, and Dakota (5-0) now sits alone atop the MAC Red after running its winning streak over Chippewa Valley to four. The teams were tied into the final eight minutes of the game before the Big Reds (4-1) took a brief lead and the Cougars broke away for the win. Click for more from Macomb Daily.

Watch list Rochester Adams 35, West Bloomfield 18 The Oakland Activities Association Red might be the deepest league in Michigan this season, and newcomer Adams (4-1) is back into a four-way tie for first place after handing reigning champion West Bloomfield (4-1) its lone loss.

On the move Detroit Catholic Central 21, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 19 The Shamrocks (4-1) are the early leaders in the Detroit Catholic League Central after stopping a fourth-quarter Rice two-point conversion attempt – and the Warriors’ opportunity to clinch a share of the conference title. Detroit Central 35, Detroit Southeastern 20 Central gave up its first points since Week 1, but also slowed down a Southeastern offense that was averaging nearly 43 points per game. The Trailblazers (5-0) moved into first alone in the Detroit Public School League Gold, with the Jungaleers (4-1) tied with two others for second. Grosse Pointe South 21, Roseville 14 South (3-2) also took over first place alone, in the MAC White, by sending Roseville (3-2) into a three-way tie for second.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Fowler 20, Pewamo-Westphalia 16 The Eagles broke a seven-game losing streak against the  rival Pirates (3-2), and in doing so took control in the Central Michigan Athletic Conference; their matchup has eventually decided the last two league champions. A final-minute touchdown clinched it for Fowler (5-0). Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Watch list Mason 28, Haslett 13 The Bulldogs (5-0) are up to fourth in Division 3 playoff-point average and alone atop the Capital Area Activities Conference Red with a second-straight win over one of last season’s co-champions.

On the move Beal City 26, Evart 21 The undefeated Aggies’ drive to repeat in the Highland Conference got a major boost as they sent Evart (4-1) into a tie for second with three league games to play. Mount Pleasant 46, Bay City Western 18 The Oilers (5-0) lead the Saginaw Valley League North at the midway point after also sending Western (3-2) into a tie for second in that league. Brighton 17, Northville 14 They entered tied for first in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West, but Brighton (5-0) ended the night alone atop the league after blocking a late field-goal attempt by the Mustangs (4-1).

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Cadillac 19, Gaylord 9 The Vikings (3-2) clinched a share of the Big North Conference championship with their first single-digit defensive showing of another solid run on that side of the ball this season. The defense was a difference-maker for the offense as well, as all three Cadillac touchdowns were set up by turnovers. Click for more from the Cadillac News.

Watch list East Jordan 35, Maple City Glen Lake 9 After opening with two nonleague losses, the Red Devils (3-2) have won their first three games in the Northern Michigan Football League Legacy, including this one to move into a tie for first place and send the Lakers (3-2) out of the top spot.

On the move Lake City 36, McBain 30 (OT) The Trojans (3-2) remain alive in the Highland Conference race thanks to an unforgettable comeback from a 30-0 deficit to get past the Ramblers (2-3). Petoskey 24, Alpena 20 This gave the Northmen (2-3) a chance to win a share of the BNC title this week against Cadillac. Ogemaw Heights 7, Sault St. Marie 6 The Falcons (3-2) tied their win totals of both of the last two seasons but this time with four games to play, and handed the Blue Devils (4-1) their lone loss in the process.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Dundee 9, Brooklyn Columbia Central 7 Brayden Ratliff’s leg was a decider in a defensive battle, as he kicked three field goals including the game-winner with eight seconds to play. Dundee is 5-0 for the first time since 1992, per Michigan-football.com, with a chance to shape the race in the Lenawee County Athletic Association with undefeated Clinton and Hudson coming up over the next three weeks. Click for more from the Monroe News.

Watch list Erie Mason 20, Sand Creek 14 Halfway through the Tri-County Conference schedule, Erie Mason (5-0) is tied for first after avenging a 48-6 loss to Sand Creek from a year ago.

On the move Ottawa Lake Whiteford 54, Petersburg Summerfield 6 The Bobcats also are tied for first in the TCC; they face Erie Mason in Week 8. Napoleon 35, Hanover-Horton 7 The Pirates (5-0) sit alone atop the Cascades Conference thanks to a second-straight win over Hanover-Horton (2-3). Grass Lake 36, Michigan Center 29 The Warriors (3-2) are one of three teams in the Cascades with one league loss, with this win putting a little more on the line for the showdown with Napoleon this week.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER St. Joseph 13, Portage Central 12 The Bears (4-1) took a major step in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference by edging and avenging a 2021 loss to the reigning champion Mustangs (2-3), sending them a game back in the league standings. St. Joseph’s next two games are against opponents also a game back – Portage Northern and Stevensville Lakeshore – but an especially intriguing Week 9 is brewing as Battle Creek Central is the other SMAC co-leader. Click for more from the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.

Watch list Edwardsburg 25, Plainwell 21 A major comeback pushed the Eddies’ Wolverine Conference winning streak to 36 as they received but handled a tough challenge for a second-straight one-score victory.

On the move Union City 20, Homer 14 The Chargers (4-1) sit alone atop the Big 8 Conference after a third-straight one-score win over a team now sitting in second, third or fourth place. Homer (3-2) is that second-place team hoping for a slip up, but Union City needs to win only one of its final two league games to clinch a share of the title. Berrien Springs 20, Benton Harbor 14 Three of five teams in the first-year Lakeland Conference are 4-1 or better, and Berrien Springs (5-0) sits alone in first after handing Benton Harbor (2-3) its second-straight one-score defeat. Centreville 40, White Pigeon 28 The Bulldogs (4-1) are in first halfway through the Southwest 10 Conference schedule, with White Pigeon (2-3) looking to finish strong after losing three games to teams that are a combined 11-4.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Gladstone 48, Marquette 21 The Braves (5-0) clinched a share of the Great Northern Conference championship, with the opportunity to win it outright coming up Week 9 against Escanaba (unless Kingsford or Menominee loses a league game before then). This was another one that was never really in question as Gladstone has now won all of its games by at least two touchdowns. Click for more from RRN Sports.

Watch list Iron Mountain 45, Bark River-Harris 8 Since falling to Negaunee by five in Week 1, the Mountaineers (4-1) have been nearly unstoppable giving up a combined 14 points over the last four games – and with Bark River-Harris (3-2) the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Iron leader.

On the move Ishpeming Westwood 22, Manistique 6 After opening 0-3 with two two-point losses, Westwood (2-3) is on the rise with a defense that’s giving up only 17 points per game. Negaunee 49, Ishpeming 14 Both are possible champions in their respective divisions of the West PAC, but this solidifies Copper leader Negaunee as another of the best teams overall in all of the Upper Peninsula. The Miners play Gladstone in Week 7. Houghton 42, Hancock 0 The Gremlins avenged last season’s loss and earned their first win in this rivalry since 2018.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Zeeland West 38, Muskegon 36 This rollercoaster ride came to a stop with Zeeland West tied with Muskegon Mona Shores atop the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green and Muskegon and Reeths-Puffer just a game back in the standings. The Dux led by double digits, then trailed late before scoring during the final minute to move to 5-0. The Big Reds are 3-2, but with those losses to teams that are a combined 9-1. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Watch list Caledonia 50, Grandville 40 After things sorted out in the O-K Red on Friday, Caledonia finds itself tied for first with Grandville a game back thanks in part to quarterback Mason McKenzie’s standout performance.

On the move Grand Rapids Catholic Central 49, Ada Forest Hills Eastern 21 This stayed close for most of three quarters before GRCC (5-0) broke away to remain tied for first in the O-K Gold and send FHE (4-1) into third. Rockford 41, East Kentwood 20 The Rams (5-0) joined Caledonia in first in the O-K Red, while East Kentwood (3-2) joined Grandville one game back. East Grand Rapids 42, Grand Rapids Christian 14 The Pioneers’ offense found its footing and in doing so gave the team some hope for the final month as it looks to bounce back from a 1-3 start during which all three losses came to opponents still undefeated.

8-Player

HEADLINER Powers North Central 50, Lake Linden-Hubbell 0 The Jets (5-0) broke their previous MHSAA 8-player consecutive wins record with their 28th in a row –  with their third of four wins on the field this season while not giving up a point. The Lakes (3-2) had been averaging nearly 34 points per game. Click for more from the Escanaba Daily Press.

Watch list Auburn Hills Oakland Christian 52, Deckerville 44 After falling in its North Central Thumb League Stars debut three weeks earlier, Oakland Christian (4-1) showed how smoothly it has adjusted to its new conference with this significant win over an annual favorite.

On the move Mendon 36, Gobles 6 The Hornets (3-2) have moved up from 23rd to tied for 11th in Division 2 playoff-point average over the last two weeks, this time in part because of the early success by the Tigers (3-2) – who are in the midst of what could be their most successful season since 2016. Posen 56, Mio 48 After winning just once a year ago, Posen is up to 4-1 with three wins over 2021 playoff teams including the Thunderbolts (3-2). Morrice 42, Breckenridge 20 We’ve been following Breckenridge’s rise in its first season of 8-player, and Morrice (5-0) stood strong against a tough challenge with a possible league title decider against Merrill up next.

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) Negaunee's Kai Lacer (22) leaps over an Ishpeming defender during a touchdown run Friday. (Middle) A Zeeland West passer lofts a throw against Muskegon. (Below) Powers North Central celebrates its record-setting win. (Top and middle photos by Cara Kamps and Tim Reilly, respectively. Bottom photo courtesy of the North Central athletic department.)

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.

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