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Hudsonville’s Bryce Fox (9) emerges from the grasp of multiple Howell defenders Saturday.

1st & Goal: 2024 Playoffs Week 3 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 18, 2024

We’ve rounded the final turn toward the finish of this 2024 football season.

MI Student AidAll four 8-player finalists are decided, and we lead off today’s “Review” with a look back and how they earned their trips this weekend to Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome.

We also glanced at all 32 Regional Finals in the 11-player bracket as those winners pulled within one more victory of booking Thanksgiving weekend at Ford Field.

8-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Pickford 34, Indian River Inland Lakes 18 This proved to be Pickford’s closest game so far this season, but the Panthers (12-0) advanced to their first MHSAA Final since 2019 when they won Division 1 – and also avenged a 12-0 Semifinal loss to Inland Lakes from a year ago. Pickford did so by holding the Bulldogs (11-1) well below its average of 53 points per game heading into the weekend. Click for more from WLUC.

HEADLINER Deckerville 49, Mendon 32 Mendon scored first and trailed by only three at halftime, but Deckerville outscored the Hornets 20-6 over the final two quarters. The Eagles (12-0) slowed down a Mendon rushing attack that hadn’t run into too many obstacles this season, and Deckerville quarterback Hunter Garza ran for 228 yards and three touchdowns and threw for two fourth-quarter scores. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.

8-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Crystal Falls Forest Park 49, Onekama 24 The Trojans are headed back to the Finals for the first time since winning Division 2 in 2017. Forest Park put up more points than Onekama had given up in a game this season and held the Portagers (10-2) to eight fewer than their season average. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

HEADLINER Morrice 36, Britton Deerfield 0 Morrice (11-1) dominated on both sides of the ball and with Wyatt Cartier finding the end zone from his positions on offense and defense, running for three scores and returning an interception for a fourth. The Patriots (10-2) were averaging 53 points per game entering the weekend. Click for more from the Lansing Herald.

11-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Detroit Catholic Central 35, Belleville 21 As anticipated, and evidenced by the sizable crowd filling the stands, this was a game many had hoped to see for some time – and they watched DCC (12-0) win its first Regional title since 2017 while ending the career of one of the most accomplished players in MHSAA football history. Belleville (10-2) finished a combined 50-4 with three trips to Ford Field and two Division 1 titles during quarterback Bryce Underwood’s four seasons on varsity. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

Regional Roundup Hudsonville 35 Howell 6 The Eagles (11-1) won their first Regional title since 2005 and ended Howell’s winningest season at 11-1, holding the Highlanders scoreless until the fourth quarter. Rochester Adams 21, Grand Blanc 14 Adams (10-2) improved to a combined 9-3 in the playoffs over the last four seasons by winning its first Regional title since 2021. Grand Blanc finished 9-3, its defeats by a combined 10 points. Detroit Cass Tech 21, Macomb Dakota 14 Alex Graham snagged the game-winning touchdown pass above two defenders with 19 seconds to play to lead Cass Tech (10-2) to its second Regional title in three seasons. Dakota finished 10-2.

11-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Birmingham Groves 21, Warren De La Salle Collegiate 19 Groves (12-0) took a seven-point lead into halftime and a one-point advantage into the fourth quarter on the way to claiming its second Regional title in three seasons. The Falcons’ victory also meant the end of De La Salle’s four-year streak of reaching Ford Field; the Pilots (8-3) were Division 2 runners-up a year ago. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.

Regional Roundup Byron Center 52, Portage Central 14 Byron Center (11-1) won its first Regional championship and set a program record for wins, taking the next step after falling in a Regional Final last year. Portage Central finished 8-4 after winning its first District title since 2021. East Lansing 49, Saginaw Heritage 27 East Lansing (9-3) repeated as a Regional champion by scoring more points than Heritage (8-4) had given up in a game since Week 3 of the 2023 season. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 27, Gibraltar Carlson 3 St. Mary’s (9-3) won its first Regional title since 2016, thanks in part to holding the Marauders (10-2) to 39 points below their average and single digits for the first time since 2022.  

East Lansing’s Jace Clarizio (0) works to break the tackle of Saginaw Heritage’s Anthony Fries.

11-Player Division 3

HEADLINER Zeeland West 36, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 20 West (11-1) repeated as a Regional winner and this time ended the season for the reigning Division 3 champion, after having lost to FHC 18-14 in the Semifinal a year ago that sent the Rangers to Ford Field. The Dux also had won their regular-season meeting in Week 6, as FHC finished this fall 9-3. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Regional Roundup Mason 22, Walled Lake Western 17 After falling to Western 20-17 in Week 8, Mason (10-2) avenged to clinch its fourth-straight Regional title and end the Warriors season at 11-1. DeWitt 70, Petoskey 34 DeWitt (12-0) ended Petoskey’s longest playoff run since 2014 by tying its highest-scoring output this fall – and moving into a tie for eighth all-time for single-season scoring by an 11-player team, with 682 points. The Northmen finished 11-1. Detroit Martin Luther King 34, River Rouge 0 King (9-3) ran its Regional title streak to four with a fourth-straight season defeating Rouge during the playoffs since falling to the Panthers (6-5) in a 2020 Regional Final.

11-Player Division 4

HEADLINER Niles 37, Portland 34 Niles (11-1) not only avenged last season’s 21-14 loss to Portland in this round, but in doing so won its first Regional title and set a program record for wins for the second-straight season. Portland is a combined 43-7 over the last four after completing its fourth-straight double-digit finish at 11-1 as well. Click for more from the Niles Daily Star.

Regional Roundup Grand Rapids South Christian 28, Whitehall 21 In another one-score Regional Final, Whitehall (8-4) came back to get within striking distance but fell to the Sailors in a Regional Final by this score for the second time in three seasons. South Christian (8-4) needs one more win to reach Ford Field for a third-straight year. Goodrich 42, Haslett 13 Goodrich (11-1) repeated in winning this Regional Final matchup from a year ago as well, controlling the line to run for five touchdowns and adding a sixth on a turnover. Haslett finished 8-4 after beginning 1-3, and with three losses this season to teams playing in Semifinals. Harper Woods 48, Macomb Lutheran North 3 The reigning champion is one win from returning to Ford Field, as Harper Woods (9-3) held Lutheran North to 30 points fewer than its season average. The Mustangs set a program record for wins in finishing 10-2.

Goodrich’s Chase Burnett (25) takes on a pair of Haslett defenders.

11-Player Division 5

HEADLINER Grand Rapids Catholic Central 21, Kalamazoo United 14 Dale Gant’s touchdown with 3:04 to play was the decider as Catholic Central (8-4) claimed a ninth-straight Regional title. United finished 9-3, with its highest win total since 2018 and two of those losses to opponents still playing. Click for more from Michigan Sports Radio.

Regional Roundup Frankenmuth 35, Gladwin 0 The Eagles (12-0) added a second win over Gladwin (8-4) over the last four weeks to clinch a fifth-straight Regional championship. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 45, Armada 19 In winning their first Regional title, the Fighting Irish (10-1) tied their school record for wins. Armada (10-2) also set a school record for wins this fall. Flat Rock 41, Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard 0 Flat Rock won a second-straight Regional title with its second shutout this season. FGR finished 7-5 after winning its first District title since 2012.

11-Player Division 6

HEADLINER Lansing Catholic 49, Newaygo 36 Lansing Catholic (9-3) is another team that has entered the spotlight these playoffs, with three wins over opponents that entered those matchups a combined 26-4. The Cougars took advantage of turnovers to get a quick jump this time and followed quarterback Alex Fernandez to their second Regional title in four seasons. Newaygo finished its winningest since 2012 at 9-3. Click for more from MLIVE.

Regional Roundup Boyne City 34, Reed City 21 Boyne City (10-2) rushed to its first Regional title since 2014 on the legs of Owen Hewitt, who scored four touchdowns. Reed City finished 9-3, reaching nine wins for the fifth-straight season. Jackson Lumen Christi 42, Constantine 6 Last season’s Division 7 champion is enjoying similar success in Division 6 as Lumen Christi (11-1) is seeking to make the Ford Field trip for the third-straight year. Constantine finished 8-4. Marine City 52, Detroit Central 26 Marine City (10-2) downed Central for the second time in four weeks after previously defeating the Trailblazers (8-4) in Week 9, 37-15. The Regional title was the Mariners’ second in four seasons.

11-Player Division 7

HEADLINER North Muskegon 23, Menominee 0 North Muskegon made the long drive to the western Upper Peninsula, which allowed additional time to celebrate one of the most notable wins in recent program history. The Norsemen (11-1) claimed their second-straight Regional title and avenged last year’s Semifinal loss to Menominee (10-2), which ended up finishing Division 7 runner-up. This time, North Muskegon shut down a Maroons offense that was averaging 45.5 points per game and put 32 on the Norsemen last season. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.

Regional Roundup Millington 28, Pewamo-Westphalia Defense also was the story in this matchup, as the Cardinals (12-0) posted their fifth shutout this fall, holding the Pirates (9-3) without a point for the first time since 2012. Schoolcraft 28, Hudson 16 Schoolcraft (11-1) will play in the Semifinals for the first time since 2020 after taking the lead during the closing minute of the first half and holding off the Tigers (10-2) the rest of the way. Hudson entered the game giving up only 8.4 points per game and hadn’t allowed more than 17. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 55, Leslie 18 St. Mary (12-0) won its first Regional title since 2019 as it continued to surge offensively – the Falcons topped 50 points for the second time this season and also second week in a row. Leslie finished its first winning season since 2012 at 10-2, totaling one more win than the last three seasons combined.

Fowler’s Joe Epkey (78) wraps up a Harbor Beach ball carrier Saturday. 

11-Player Division 8

HEADLINER Fowler 25, Harbor Beach 7 Fowler (12-0) has impressed all season and now will play in a Semifinal for the first time since 2019. But this might have been the Eagles’ best win so far this fall. Fowler held a Pirates offense averaging 44 points per game to a single score and put 25 points on a defense that was giving up just 5.5 ppg entering the weekend. Harbor Beach finished 11-1, its best since 2018. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Regional Roundup Beal City 14, Iron Mountain 7 Beal City (10-2) also handed the lone loss of this season to its opponent, traveling to Iron Mountain to win its second-straight Regional title and third in four seasons. The Aggies also defeated the Mountaineers (11-1) in a 2023 Regional Final. Decatur 41, Reading 0 Decatur (11-1) claimed its first Regional title since 2002, continuing a tremendous improvement from 4-5 a year ago. The Raiders have given up only 13 points over three playoff games. Reading finished 7-5, also a considerable turnaround from 2-7 last fall. Riverview Gabriel Richard 30, Detroit Loyola 12 RGR (10-1) was another repeat Regional champion, and this time set a program record for wins in adding a second this fall over Loyola (5-7). The Pioneers also had defeated Loyola 29-8 in Week 5.

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.

PHOTOS (Top) Hudsonville’s Bryce Fox (9) emerges from the grasp of multiple Howell defenders Saturday. (2) East Lansing’s Jace Clarizio (0) works to break the tackle of Saginaw Heritage’s Anthony Fries. (3) Goodrich’s Chase Burnett (25) takes on a pair of Haslett defenders. (4) Fowler’s Joe Epkey (78) wraps up a Harbor Beach ball carrier Saturday. (Top and East Lansing/Heritage photos by L.C. Arreguin/Team Arreguin Photos. Goodrich/Haslett photo by Terry Lyons. Fowler/Harbor Beach photo by Kolleth Photo.)

Armada’s Jackson Malburg breaks into the open during last week’s District Final win over Hazel Park.

1st & Goal: 2024 Playoffs Week 3 Preview

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 14, 2024

Winter practices have started, and high school hockey teams actually began games this week.

MI Student AidBut for 72 schools across the state, it’s still football season – and they’d like to continue playing as many November games as possible.

This third week of MHSAA Playoffs features four Semifinals in 8-player – and we switch up the “1st & Goal” format to feature those games first below. We also have 32 11-Player Regional Finals, with winners this weekend needing just one more to book trips to Ford Field.

Games are tonight unless noted. Tickets for 11-Player Regional Finals are $9, and $10 for 8-player Semifinals, and more than 35 of the 36 games to be played will be streamed live on the NFHS Network. Scores and pairings will be updated all weekend at MHSAA.com.

8-Player Division 1

Indian River Inland Lakes (11-0) at Pickford (11-0), 1 p.m. Saturday

This is rematch from a year ago, when Inland Lakes won 12-0 on the way to finishing Division 1 runner-up. The Bulldogs have had only two single-digit games all season, including defeating Alcona 32-26 last week. Senior quarterback Aiden Fenstermaker is leading the march again, running for 1,463 yards and 22 touchdowns and throwing for 831 and 19, respectively. Pickford is seeking to make the Finals for the first time since 2019 and hasn’t played a game closer than 28 points. Senior quarterback Tommy Storey also is a two-way force, running for 1,341 yards and 24 TDs and throwing for 898 and 16 scores.

Mendon (10-1) at Deckerville (11-0), 1 p.m. Saturday

Mendon is just two years removed from playing for the Division 2 title, and avenged its only loss this fall by downing Climax-Scotts to open the playoffs. Junior Owen Gorham has run for 2,114 yards and 42 touchdowns – the rushing TDs already ranking third all-time in MHSAA history – and junior JT Lux follows with 1,160 yards and 14 scores on the ground. Deckerville is playing in its second-straight Semifinal and looking to make its first Final since 2017. The Eagles are averaging 49 points per game and haven’t scored fewer than 30.

8-Player Division 2

Onekama (10-1) at Crystal Falls Forest Park (10-1), Noon Saturday

Forest Park also avenged its lone loss during the playoffs, downing Powers North Central 34-12 last week, and the Trojans also are playing to get back to a championship game for the first time since 2017. Running back Dax Huuki is just a sophomore but leads the rushing attack with 1,267 yards and 18 touchdowns. Onekama won a combined eight games over the past four seasons before bouncing back big to reach the Semifinals for the first time since 2018, when the Portagers finished Division 2 runner-up. Junior quarterback Luke Bradford stands tall at 6-foot-5 and has thrown for 1,175 yards and 11 TDs and run for nine scores. Onekama fell to Marion in Week 2 but defeated the Eagles to open the postseason.

Morrice (10-1) at Britton Deerfield (10-1), 1 p.m. Saturday

Britton Deerfield is another fascinating comeback story, having finished 2-7 a year ago. The Patriots are in their fourth season of 8-player football and playing in their first Semifinal in either format since the school formed from its predecessors in 2011. They’ve run for 4,140 yards this fall, led by senior Luke Wiser with 1,549 with 27 touchdowns. Morrice will play in its third Semifinal over the last six seasons seeking to reach the championship game for the first time since winning Division 1 in 2018. The Orioles too have avenged their lone loss this fall, to Portland St. Patrick, and get it done with a defense giving up only 11.4 points per game and a pair of senior 1,000-yard rushers in Joel Fisher (1,464/18 TDs) and Wyatt Cartier (1,253/24).

11-Player Division 1

Belleville (10-1) at Detroit Catholic Central (11-0)

Even with Belleville’s loss to Howell in Week 9, this has remained one of the most anticipated matchups in the state all season as it’s been assumed these two powers would meet at some point. The last time, Belleville defeated DCC in a 2022 Regional Final, 33-10. After facing seven playoff teams plus an Ohio state title contender, the Shamrocks shouldn’t be daunted by Belleville’s success and star power. But that said, the Tigers are striding coming off their best win this fall, 42-7 last week over Saline.

Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Grand Blanc (9-2) at Rochester Adams (9-2), Detroit Cass Tech (9-2) at Macomb Dakota (10-1). SATURDAY Hudsonville (10-1) at Howell (11-0).

11-Player Division 2

Warren De La Salle Collegiate (8-2) at Birmingham Groves (11-0)

De La Salle has finished at Ford Field seven of the last 10 seasons, and two of the last six years did so after defeating Groves in Semifinals – including 43-15 in 2022. Groves is playing to reach a championship game for the first time, and the Falcons have never been in better position taking on the Pilots after tying their program record for wins last week. Groves hasn’t been challenged in a while, but does have victories over Harper Woods and West Bloomfield this fall. De La Salle is coming off handing Grosse Pointe South its only loss this season and will attempt a repeat performance tonight.  

Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Portage Central (8-3) at Byron Center (10-1), Saginaw Heritage (8-3) at East Lansing (8-3), Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (8-3) at Gibraltar Carlson (10-1).

11-Player Division 3

Petoskey (11-0) at DeWitt (11-0)

Petoskey also has set a record for wins this season and will play in a Regional Final for the third time and first since 2014. The Northmen have navigated only two single-digit games this fall and prepped for this run in part with a 41-21 win over Clare in Week 9 – notable as Clare also was a league champion. DeWitt presents arguably their mightiest challenge as the Panthers are undefeated this late for the first time since their Division 3 championship season of 2020 and putting up 55.6 points per game despite a schedule that has three opponents also playing for Regional titles.  

Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (9-2) at Zeeland West (10-1), Mason (9-2) at Walled Lake Western (11-0), River Rouge (6-4) at Detroit Martin Luther King (8-3).

11-Player Division 4

Portland (11-0) at Niles (10-1)

For the second-straight season, Portland is undefeated playing Niles for a Regional championship, and last year advanced with a 21-14 win over the Vikings. The Raiders actually have played an identical playoff schedule as 2023 so far, and Niles has enjoyed plenty of familiarity as well with District wins over a pair of regular-season opponents from the Wolverine Conference. The Vikings’ shutout of Edwardsburg last week was their third in four weeks and sixth of the season, providing an intriguing challenge for a Raiders offense almost keeping pace with last year’s scoring at 41.5 points per game.

Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Grand Rapids South Christian (7-4) at Whitehall (8-3), Haslett (8-3) at Goodrich (10-1), Macomb Lutheran North (10-1) at Harper Woods (8-3).

11-Player Division 5

Kalamazoo United (9-2) at Grand Rapids Catholic Central (7-4)

This will be the fourth time United will play for a Regional title over the last seven seasons, and if the Titans are to advance for the first time they’ll have to deal with a GRCC program that has reached Ford Field six of the last eight years. After ending the regular season on a three-game skid but with all three defeats by single digits, the Cougars have impressed in the playoffs including squeaking past Grand Rapids West Catholic 21-18 last week. The Titans have won two rematches to open this postseason and faced playoff teams their last six games, losing only to Jackson Lumen Christi (39-21 in Week 9) along the way.

Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Gladwin (8-3) at Frankenmuth (11-0), Armada (10-1) at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (9-1), Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (7-4) at Flat Rock (9-2).

11-Player Division 6

Detroit Central (8-3) at Marine City (9-2)

Only three weeks ago, Marine City closed the regular season with a 37-15 win over Central. But as we’ve seen over the first two rounds of the playoffs, rematches can flip quickly, and the Mariners surely won’t be looking past this one as they pursue what would be a first Regional title since 2021. That first matchup arrived with Central coming off a close win over Detroit Denby for a Detroit Public School League City championship, and since that defeat the Trailblazers have won their playoff games by a combined 69-24. Marine City has picked up momentum as well, especially with last week’s 38-28 win over Warren Michigan Collegiate.

Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Boyne City (9-2) at Reed City (9-2). SATURDAY Lansing Catholic (8-3) at Newaygo (9-2), Constantine (8-3) at Jackson Lumen Christi (10-1).

11-Player Division 7

Schoolcraft (10-1) at Hudson (10-1)

The eight teams remaining in Division 7 have a combined seven losses, making all four matchups among the most intriguing as a group. These two are meeting for the first time since facing off in a 2001 Division 6 Semifinal, Hudson on a 10-game winning streak this season and Schoolcraft losing only in Week 3 by two points to Division 6 Constantine. Defense may dominate; the Eagles are giving up 9.9 points per game and just shut out a Lawton offense that averaged 35, while Hudson is giving up 8.4 ppg and hasn’t allowed more than seven since the first weekend in October.

Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Leslie (10-1) at Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (11-0). SATURDAY North Muskegon (10-1) at Menominee (10-1), Pewamo-Westphalia (9-2) at Millington (10-0).

11-Player Division 8

Harbor Beach (11-0) at Fowler (11-0), Saturday

While featuring two of the state’s smallest 11-player schools, this might draw an above-proportion amount of attention as one of only two matchups of undefeated contenders in any 11-player bracket. Harbor Beach is seeking its first Regional title since 2018, and Fowler its first since 2019. Fowler finished the regular season third in Division 8 playoff-point average, and Harbor Beach downed top-ranked Clarkston Everest Collegiate 37-7 last week. The Eagles’ best three wins were against Division 7 teams, including two still playing.

Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Detroit Loyola (5-6) at Riverview Gabriel Richard (9-1). SATURDAY Beal City (9-2) at Iron Mountain (11-0), Reading (7-4) at Decatur (10-1).

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.

PHOTO Armada’s Jackson Malburg breaks into the open during last week’s District Final win over Hazel Park. (Photo by Adam Sheehan Photography.)