2014 Week 8 Football Playoff Listing
October 14, 2014
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Following is a list of Michigan High School Athletic Association football playing schools, displaying their win-loss records and playoff averages through the seventh week of the season.
Schools on this list are in enrollment order for 11-player teams, with 8-player teams ordered by playoff average. An asterisk (*) beside a record indicates a team has eight or fewer games scheduled. A caret (^) beside a school’s name indicates a team is one win away from playoff qualification.
Those schools with 11-player teams with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules, or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer, will qualify for the MHSAA Football Playoffs beginning Oct. 31. Schools with 5-4, 4-3 or 4-4 records may qualify if the number of potential qualifiers by win total does not reach the 256 mark. Schools with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer may be subtracted from the field based on playoff average if the number of potential qualifiers exceeds the 256 mark.
Once the 256 qualifying schools are determined, they will be divided by enrollment groups into eight equal divisions of 32 schools, and then drawn into regions of eight teams each and districts of four teams each. Those schools with 8-player teams will be ranked by playoff average at season’s end, and the top 16 programs will be drawn into regions of eight teams each for the playoff in that division, which also begins Oct. 31.
To review a list of all football playoff schools, individual school playoff point details and to report errors, visit the Football page of the MHSAA Website.
The announcement of the qualifiers and first-round pairings for both the 11 and 8-player playoffs will take place on Oct. 26 on the Selection Sunday Show on FOX Sports Detroit. The playoff qualifiers and pairings will be posted to the MHSAA Website following the Selection Sunday Show.
11-Player Playoff Listing
1. Macomb Dakota, 2814, 6-1, 92.286
2. Sterling Heights Stevenson^, 2767, 5-2, 75.143
3. Clarkston, 2742, 7-0, 107.429
4. Utica Eisenhower, 2712, 4-3, 65.714
5. Grand Blanc^, 2668, 5-2, 68.857
6. East Kentwood, 2592, 6-1, 85.143
7. Rockford, 2555, 6-1, 94.286
8. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2538, 4-3, 63.429
9. Lake Orion, 2459, 4-3, 55.429
10. Dearborn Fordson, 2411, 7-0, 101.714
11. Northville^, 2298, 5-2, 67.571
12. Holland West Ottawa^, 2293, 5-2, 77.571
13. Canton, 2289, 6-1, 93.286
14. Detroit Cass Tech, 2277, 7-0, 101.714
15. Plymouth^, 2116, 5-2, 67.714
16. Lapeer, 2112, 7-0, 94.857
17. Utica Ford, 2090, 4-3, 53.000
18. Hartland, 2007, 6-1, 92.857
19. Monroe^, 1992, 5-2, 73.571
20. West Bloomfield, 1929, 6-1, 87.714
21. Dearborn, 1876, 4-3, 60.571
22. Westland John Glenn, 1872, 4-3, 52.286
23. Warren Mott, 1870, 4-3, 63.429
24. Oxford^, 1864, 5-2, 73.571
25. Livonia Stevenson^, 1848, 5-2, 67.286
26. Saline, 1844, 6-1, 90.086
27. Walled Lake Central^, 1815, 5-2, 74.429
28. Romeo, 1770, 4-3, 61.000
29. Hudsonville, 1759, 4-3, 58.000
30. Waterford Mott^, 1738, 5-2, 74.429
31. Rochester Hills Stoney Creek, 1711, 4-3, 54.429
32. Livonia Churchill, 1696, 6-1, 85.286
33. Grand Ledge, 1689, 4-3, 55.714
34. Fraser, 1684, 4-3, 57.429
35. Waterford Kettering, 1610, 4-3, 53.286
36. Temperance Bedford, 1600, 4-3, 59.571
37. Warren Cousino, 1588, 4-3, 59.571
38. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1568, 6-1, 84.000
39. Warren DeLaSalle, 1562, 4-3, 50.886
40. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1507, 7-0, 101.714
41. Walled Lake Western, 1502, 6-1, 87.429
42. Traverse City Central^, 1490, 5-2, 77.429
43. Oak Park, 1486, 6-1, 86.571
44. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1484, 7-0, 107.429
45. Ypsilanti Lincoln^, 1422, 5-2, 65.857
46. Caledonia^, 1417, 5-2, 76.143
47. Portage Central*, 1384, 5-1, 83.000
48. Southgate Anderson, 1374, 4-3, 54.429
49. Lansing Everett^, 1364, 5-2, 68.571
50. Dearborn Edsel Ford, 1356, 4-3, 54.857
51. Wyandotte Roosevelt^, 1351, 5-2, 74.714
52. Detroit East English^, 1345, 5-2, 69.143
53. Portage Northern, 1345, 4-3, 61.048
54. Port Huron^, 1336, 5-2, 76.714
55. Grosse Pointe North, 1310, 4-3, 59.857
56. Ypsilanti Community^, 1300, 5-2, 64.857
57. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1298, 7-0, 107.429
58. Swartz Creek, 1285, 4-3, 56.571
59. Battle Creek Lakeview*, 1278, 5-1, 84.238
60. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1274, 6-1, 94.429
61. Okemos, 1273, 4-3, 61.000
62. Birmingham Groves, 1270, 6-1, 81.857
63. Berkley, 1265, 6-1, 83.000
64. Flushing, 1260, 6-1, 86.000
65. Midland Dow, 1255, 7-0, 101.714
66. South Lyon, 1254, 6-1, 87.143
67. Southfield^, 1239, 5-2, 68.857
68. Farmington Hills Harrison, 1212, 6-1, 88.714
69. Mattawan, 1184, 4-3, 54.476
70. Fenton, 1181, 7-0, 100.571
71. Farmington, 1178, 6-1, 86.429
72. Grand Rapids Northview^, 1177, 5-2, 66.429
73. Warren Woods Tower, 1175, 6-1, 81.857
74. Muskegon, 1157, 7-0, 101.714
75. St. Clair Shores Lake Shore, 1153, 4-3, 52.429
76. Lowell, 1145, 7-0, 96.000
77. Detroit Renaissance^, 1144, 5-2, 62.714
78. Greenville, 1130, 4-3, 47.000
79. Gibraltar Carlson, 1129, 4-3, 51.000
80. Battle Creek Central, 1124, 4-3, 53.238
81. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1113, 6-1, 85.286
82. Detroit Cody, 1096, 4-3, 51.000
83. Marquette, 1090, 6-1, 76.857
84. St. Johns, 1088, 6-1, 84.286
85. Byron Center, 1085, 6-1, 80.714
86. Allen Park, 1069, 6-1, 83.143
87. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1056, 4-3, 51.286
88. Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 1054, 6-1, 90.000
89. Mt. Pleasant^, 1050, 5-2, 65.714
90. Mason, 1032, 4-3, 54.571
91. St. Joseph, 1028, 4-3, 53.143
92. Redford Thurston, 1024, 4-3, 54.286
93. East Grand Rapids, 986, 4-3, 58.286
94. Petoskey^, 965, 5-2, 68.857
95. Trenton, 955, 4-3, 52.429
96. Romulus^, 950, 5-2, 58.714
97. Riverview^, 935, 5-2, 61.000
98. DeWitt, 930, 7-0, 102.857
99. Gaylord^, 927, 5-2, 65.429
100. Linden^, 921, 5-2, 66.714
101. Detroit Mumford, 919, 4-3, 54.571
102. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, 914, 4-3, 50.571
103. Cedar Springs, 910, 6-1, 81.571
104. Grand Rapids Christian^, 895, 5-2, 70.286
105. Fruitport, 890, 4-3, 51.000
106. Stevensville Lakeshore, 887, 6-1, 88.476
107. Niles^, 885, 5-2, 66.238
108. Coldwater, 876, 6-1, 67.143
109. Tecumseh, 869, 4-3, 58.000
110. New Boston Huron, 867, 6-1, 78.571
111. Warren Fitzgerald, 857, 4-3, 49.571
112. Zeeland West, 850, 7-0, 86.857
113. Dearborn Divine Child^, 848, 5-2, 61.571
114. Bay City John Glenn^, 847, 5-2, 55.286
115. Battle Creek Harper Creek, 845, 4-3, 47.857
116. St. Clair, 844, 6-1, 84.286
117. Edwardsburg, 839, 6-1, 77.143
118. Chelsea^, 838, 5-2, 70.857
119. Detroit Old Redford, 837, 4-3, 42.000
120. Charlotte, 836, 4-3, 45.000
121. Plainwell, 812, 6-1, 72.714
122. Marysville, 806, 4-3, 52.571
123. Spring Lake, 802, 4-3, 48.429
124. Detroit Denby, 800, 4-3, 59.000
125. Vicksburg^, 794, 5-2, 65.143
126. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood^, 790, 5-2, 48.000
127. Eaton Rapids, 773, 4-3, 47.714
128. Cadillac, 747, 7-0, 100.571
129. Goodrich, 737, 6-1, 74.000
130. Three Rivers, 722, 4-3, 56.714
131. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 717, 7-0, 87.238
132. Yale^, 716, 5-2, 55.286
133. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy^, 691, 5-2, 60.286
134. Detroit Country Day, 690, 4-3, 51.714
135. Allendale, 689, 4-3, 49.857
136. Muskegon Orchard View, 662, 4-3, 45.143
137. Williamston, 659, 6-1, 75.143
138. Paw Paw, 657, 4-3, 47.571
139. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 655, 4-3, 51.018
140. Lansing Sexton, 652, 7-0, 105.143
141. Whitehall, 644, 6-1, 64.714
142. Grosse Ile^, 640, 5-2, 58.714
143. Kalamazoo Hackett^, 635, 5-2, 51.429
144. Detroit Collegiate Prep, 634, 4-3, 45.143
145. Richmond, 630, 6-1, 75.143
146. Imlay City, 629, 4-3, 40.571
147. Grand Rapids South Christian^, 623, 5-2, 64.000
148. Wyoming Kelloggsville^, 610, 5-2, 56.286
149. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 609, 4-3, 40.429
150. Saginaw Swan Valley, 602, 7-0, 83.429
151. Clawson, 589, 4-3, 43.429
152. Birch Run, 575, 6-1, 69.286
153. Essexville Garber, 574, 4-3, 45.714
154. Remus Chippewa Hills, 567, 6-1, 74.714
155. Marine City, 553, 7-0, 88.000
156. Flint Powers Catholic^, 553, 5-2, 65.571
157. Freeland, 549, 6-1, 69.429
158. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard^, 545, 5-2, 52.095
159. Stanton Central Montcalm, 539, 4-3, 50.857
160. Portland, 538, 4-3, 51.143
161. Menominee, 532, 7-0, 90.381
162. River Rouge, 530, 6-1, 72.167
163. Detroit University Prep^, 530, 5-2, 58.571
164. Frankenmuth, 528, 6-1, 72.857
165. Gladwin^, 528, 5-2, 49.429
166. Ida, 527, 6-1, 64.714
167. Hopkins, 522, 6-1, 71.667
168. Lansing Catholic, 515, 7-0, 90.286
169. Almont, 512, 7-0, 82.286
170. Newaygo, 506, 6-1, 70.429
171. Olivet, 505, 6-1, 70.143
172. Muskegon Oakridge, 501, 6-1, 68.286
173. Berrien Springs^, 501, 5-2, 57.857
174. Onsted^, 499, 5-2, 44.857
175. Ovid-Elsie, 487, 4-3, 48.857
176. Chesaning, 480, 4-3, 43.714
177. Detroit Central Collegiate, 479, 4-3, 46.429
178. Manistee, 479, 4-3, 42.571
179. Stockbridge, 462, 4-3, 47.286
180. Reed City, 461, 6-1, 68.143
181. Clare^, 445, 5-2, 55.286
182. Harrison, 444, 7-0, 70.857
183. Kingsley, 439, 4-3, 45.286
184. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 438, 7-0, 88.000
185. Delton Kellogg, 428, 4-3, 41.952
186. Lakeview, 426, 6-1, 56.000
187. Beaverton, 422, 4-3, 39.714
188. Calumet, 419, 4-3, 49.429
189. Jonesville, 419, 4-3, 37.714
190. Jackson Lumen Christi, 417, 7-0, 86.857
191. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 417, 7-0, 96.000
192. Negaunee, 417, 4-3, 39.286
193. Millington, 414, 7-0, 86.629
194. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 414, 7-0, 80.000
195. Fennville, 407, 4-3, 38.143
196. Ithaca, 405, 7-0, 83.429
197. Sanford Meridian Early College^, 404, 5-2, 43.714
198. Mason County Central, 404, 4-3, 36.000
199. Hillsdale, 401, 6-1, 62.571
200. Hanover-Horton, 399, 6-1, 54.429
201. Boyne City, 395, 7-0, 72.381
202. Grass Lake^, 395, 5-2, 45.857
203. Madison Heights Madison, 393, 6-1, 83.000
204. Morley Stanwood, 393, 4-3, 38.143
205. Montrose, 392, 6-1, 62.429
206. Tawas^, 385, 5-2, 59.800
207. Elk Rapids, 384, 4-3, 44.095
208. Niles Brandywine, 383, 6-1, 66.810
209. Manchester, 379, 6-1, 68.286
210. Watervliet, 378, 6-1, 54.429
211. Quincy^, 375, 5-2, 27.778
212. Vassar, 375, 4-3, 35.286
213. St. Charles, 373, 4-3, 45.429
214. Constantine, 371, 6-1, 68.524
215. Bad Axe, 371, 4-3, 41.143
216. Clinton, 367, 7-0, 75.429
217. Vandercook Lake^, 366, 5-2, 48.286
218. Laingsburg, 361, 4-3, 36.286
219. Schoolcraft, 361, 4-3, 48.381
220. Charlevoix, 353, 4-3, 45.286
221. Flint Beecher, 350, 7-0, 80.000
222. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 347, 6-1, 70.429
223. Leroy Pine River, 343, 4-3, 39.429
224. Ravenna, 342, 6-1, 60.143
225. Carson City-Crystal^, 330, 5-2, 48.381
226. Bridgman*, 327, 5-1, 59.000
227. Ishpeming Westwood^, 318, 5-2, 43.571
228. Marlette^, 316, 5-2, 46.286
229. Lawton, 316, 4-3, 33.571
230. Cass City, 314, 4-3, 38.714
231. Homer, 312, 6-1, 54.286
232. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 308, 7-0, 68.571
233. Ishpeming*, 307, 7-0, 78.857
234. Sandusky, 307, 4-3, 40.143
235. Traverse City St. Francis^, 305, 5-2, 55.810
236. Burton Atherton^, 304, 5-2, 54.262
237. Pewamo-Westphalia, 302, 6-1, 57.857
238. Gobles, 301, 6-1, 56.857
239. Dansville^, 301, 5-2, 47.286
240. Iron Mountain, 298, 4-3, 42.000
241. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 297, 4-3, 46.333
242. Flint Hamady, 295, 4-3, 34.286
243. McBain, 295, 4-3, 37.048
244. Union City, 294, 7-0, 67.429
245. Whittemore-Prescott, 283, 7-0, 74.286
246. Mancelona, 282, 4-3, 28.571
247. Saugatuck^, 281, 5-2, 44.714
248. Detroit Loyola, 278, 7-0, 91.810
249. Manton^, 276, 5-2, 43.619
250. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic^, 273, 5-2, 53.429
251. Hudson, 271, 6-1, 61.286
252. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 270, 6-1, 60.000
253. Cassopolis, 269, 4-3, 34.714
254. Decatur, 262, 7-0, 81.143
255. Lincoln Alcona, 260, 4-3, 33.714
256. Iron River West Iron County, 259, 7-0, 78.143
257. New Lothrop, 259, 7-0, 74.286
258. Blanchard Montabella, 256, 4-3, 41.714
259. Breckenridge, 247, 4-3, 39.286
260. Onekama, 244, 4-3, 31.571
261. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 243, 6-1, 61.429
262. Suttons Bay, 243, 6-1, 63.976
263. Indian River Inland Lakes, 242, 6-1, 47.714
264. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 238, 4-3, 37.429
265. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 237, 6-1, 50.000
266. Petersburg-Summerfield, 233, 4-3, 41.143
267. Harbor Beach, 232, 7-0, 72.000
268. Bessemer*^, 231, 4-2, 35.750
269. L'Anse, 230, 4-3, 36.286
270. White Pigeon, 226, 4-3, 37.952
271. Beal City, 222, 6-1, 66.000
272. Lutheran Westland^, 221, 5-2, 47.000
273. AuGres-Sims, 221, 4-3, 29.000
274. Coleman, 217, 6-1, 55.667
275. Mendon, 214, 6-1, 65.286
276. St. Ignace, 211, 7-0, 68.571
277. Fulton, 211, 4-3, 41.000
278. Newberry, 211, 4-3, 31.667
279. Pittsford^, 205, 5-2, 38.905
280. Munising, 194, 6-1, 51.524
281. Bark River-Harris^, 194, 5-2, 39.095
282. Central Lake, 190, 4-3, 29.714
283. Fowler, 189, 7-0, 66.286
284. Morenci, 184, 6-1, 66.000
285. Muskegon Catholic Central, 183, 7-0, 90.286
286. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 171, 4-3, 43.905
287. Climax-Scotts, 169, 7-0, 50.286
288. Waterford Our Lady, 169, 6-1, 69.429
289. Crystal Falls Forest Park*, 167, 5-1, 45.321
290. Lake Linden-Hubbell, 163, 6-1, 60.179
291. Frankfort*, 156, 5-1, 51.762
292. Colon*^, 156, 4-2, 36.667
293. Hillman, 139, 7-0, 59.429
294. Baldwin, 137, 6-1, 51.000
295. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 124, 4-3, 42.381
296. Clarkston Everest Collegiate*, 105, 6-0, 62.476
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Rapid River, 108, 7-0, 55.429
2. Peck, 158, 7-0, 54.857
3. Battle Creek St. Philip, 157, 7-0, 52.571
4. Bellaire, 151, 7-0, 52.000
5. Portland St. Patrick, 96, 7-0, 51.429
6. Lawrence, 191, 7-0, 44.571
7. Deckerville, 183, 6-1, 44.286
8. Cedarville, 158, 6-1, 44.286
9. Owendale-Gagetown, 49, 6-1, 41.571
10. Waldron, 89, 5-2, 34.857
11. Kingston, 191, 4-3, 33.286
12. Morrice, 196, 4-3, 29.381
13. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 188, 3-4, 24.238
14. Burr Oak, 69, 4-3, 24.000
15. Caseville, 81, 3-4, 23.714
16. Engadine, 85, 3-4, 22.714
17. New Haven Merritt Academy, 145, 4-3, 22.286
18. Posen, 90, 3-4, 21.000
19. Ontonagon*, 138, 3-3, 18.857
20. Webberville, 189, 3-4, 18.714
21. Ewen-Trout Creek, 135, 2-5, 13.286
22. Eben Junction Superior Central, 126, 2-5, 13.286
23. Akron-Fairgrove, 99, 2-5, 11.571
24. Kinde-North Huron, 172, 1-6, 11.143
25. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 147, 1-6, 9.286
26. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran*, 101, 1-6, 8.429
27. Tekonsha, 146, 1-6, 8.000
28. Brimley, 144, 1-6, 7.619
29. Litchfield, 106, 0-7, 3.000
30. Flint Michigan School for the Deaf, 56, 0-7, 2.571
31. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 54, 0-7, 2.476
1st & Goal: 11-Player Semifinals Preview
January 15, 2021
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Five months have passed since the first football practices of this season.
But 24 hours from now, 16 11-player teams will have earned tickets to the destination they’ve been dreaming about since long before those first snaps of the fall.
The last outdoor MHSAA football games of January 2021 will send 15 more teams to Ford Field for the Jan. 22-23 Finals, with Semifinals to be played all over the Lower Peninsula (and one finalist already decided as Centreville will advance after a forfeit).
Spectators remain limited this weekend, but every game will be streamed live by FOX Sports Detroit or MHSAA.com – Click for the list of broadcasts.
Visit the MHSAA Football Playoff Home for Saturday’s entire schedule and scores as they come in, and see below for a glance at the matchups that will determine this season’s championship weekend field.
Division 1
Davison (10-0) at Rockford (8-0)
Reigning Division 1 champion Davison might be missing quarterback Brendan Sullivan, now at Northwestern, but Dion Brown Jr. stepped in mightily last week after leading the team in receiving prior to the move. Carter Cryderman (848 yards/11 TDs) paces a rushing attack averaging 215 yards per game. The Rams have succeeded with a similar style, averaging 222 yards on the ground with lead back Ethan Nash and quarterback Zak Ahern combining for 1,217 yards and 14 touchdowns rushing. Ahern also has 20 touchdowns passes.
West Bloomfield (9-1) at Belleville (10-0)
Two of the most exciting offensive stars in the state will face off among a collection of future college players taking the field in this Semifinal. West Bloomfield running back Donovan Edwards ran for four touchdowns in last week’s return-to-play Regional Final win over Romeo, while Belleville quarterback Christian Dhue-Reid threw three touchdowns passes as the Tigers handed Detroit Cass Tech its lone loss of this season.
Division 2
Traverse City Central (9-1) at Muskegon Mona Shores (10-0)
Shores quarterback Brady Rose started his star run stepping in for an injured all-stater at last year’s Final and leading the Sailors to the Division 2 title. Now he has his team one win from returning to Ford Field having run for 1,057 yards and 17 touchdowns and thrown for 949 yards and 10 scores this season. The Trojans are playing for their first Finals berth since 1988, before the old Traverse City High split into Central and West. Josh Burnham is another standout quarterback, with 903 yards and 18 TDs rushing and 1,215 yards and 16 scores through the air.
Oak Park (5-5) at Warren De La Salle Collegiate (6-4)
Oak Park is one of the best stories so far of this playoffs, as it entered the first all-in postseason in MHSAA football history with a single victory. Running back Davion Primm is another of the top talents in the entire state and the focus of an offense that scored 25 points total over five regular-season games followed by a combined 119 over four playoff wins. The Pilots will attempt to end that dream run, in part with a defense that has given up only 23 points during the postseason. Brady Drogosh (949 yards/9 TDs passing) directs a balanced attack.
Division 3
Muskegon (9-1) vs. DeWitt (10-0) at Lansing Catholic
These two have met in the playoffs two of the last three seasons, and Muskegon won the 2019 Semifinal matchup 28-21. Senior Amari Crowley is the Big Reds’ latest standout quarterback; he’s thrown for 1,008 yards and 12 touchdowns and run for 884 yards and 13 scores. DeWitt also has a playmaking QB, with Tyler Holtz throwing for 2,109 yards and 31 scores – and equally important will be a defense that gives up only 157 total yards per game. The Panthers also must stop running back Jacarri Kitchen, who averages 11.3 yards per carry and has 1,098 total over 10 games.
River Rouge (8-1) at Chelsea (10-0)
Reigning Division 3 champion River Rouge is a win away from what would be a third championship game appearance in six seasons, and with quarterback Mareyohn Hrabowski again one of the toughest to stop in any division. Chelsea is playing in a Semifinal for the third-straight season and also hoping to make the Finals for the third time in six seasons. The Bulldogs also have enjoyed one of the state’s top game changers, receiver Joe Taylor, who has caught 14 touchdowns passes, run for two scores and returned a kickoff for one more.
Division 4
Cadillac (7-2) at Edwardsburg (9-0)
The Eddies are running for their third championship game appearance in four seasons, and as always running for a ton with 3,098 yards in only eight games on the field (the ninth was a forfeit). They’re averaging 55 points per game with their top two rushers, Jackson Hoover and Brett Allen, both averaging at least 14 yards per carry. Cadillac is making its first appearance in the Semifinals and following the same strategy. The Vikings have run for 2,507 yards, with top rusher Aden Gurden gaining 878 on 8.4 per carry.
Detroit Country Day (7-2) vs. Williamston (9-1) at Okemos
Reigning Division 4 runner-up Country Day is playing to reach its third championship game in five seasons. The Yellowjackets were able to get only four games in during the regular season but have played the same number during the playoffs and downed unbeaten North Branch last week. Jacob Yarberry is a playmaker to watch on both sides of the field. The Hornets have been on the verge as well with this their second Semifinal in three seasons. Williamston’s attack is tough on both fronts; quarterback Luke Mahaney guides an offense that has nearly equal yardage and touchdowns rushing and passing.
Division 5
Freeland (9-1) at Grand Rapids Catholic Central (9-0)
The Cougars claimed the Division 4 title last season, their third in four years, and are riding a 21-game winning streak. They returned last week with their highest-scoring performance since 2018, a 58-7 win over Muskegon Oakridge. Freeland’s 14th-straight winning season has landed the Falcons in their first Semifinal since 1998. Four players have scored at least six touchdowns; leading rusher Jacob Kundinger (519 yards) is one of three with a team-best eight touchdowns.
Lansing Catholic (8-2) at Frankenmuth (10-0)
The Eagles are attempting to reach the Finals for the first time, but standing in the way is reigning Division 5 champion Lansing Catholic. Junior Alex Watters stepped in at quarterback last week and finished with 153 yards rushing with a touchdown and 73 yards and a score passing. Frankenmuth will be playing in its third Semifinal in five seasons, this time paced by a running attack averaging 286 yards per game. Cole Lindow is the top ground gainer with 907 yards, plus 12 scores, with quarterback Davin Reif adding more than 800 yards rushing and throwing.
Division 6
Grayling (7-3) at Montague (10-0)
After winning Division 6 in 2018, the Wildcats missed a return trip to the Finals by a one-point Semifinal loss last fall. Quarterback Drew Collins is leading the return attempt, topping the team in rushing with 638 yards (with 16 touchdowns) while passing for 1,640 yards and 20 scores. After two straight 3-6 seasons, Grayling has reached its first Semifinal with a six-game winning streak. David Millikin is averaging 10.1 yards per carry and 151 per game, with 29 rushing touchdowns total.
Constantine (9-1) at Clinton (9-1)
Clinton will be playing in its first Semifinal since 2015 after winning its last two playoff games, over unbeaten opponents, by a combined four points. Constantine has reached nine wins and the Semifinals both for the first time since 2012. The Falcons are averaging an obliterating 524 yards and 7.5 touchdowns on the ground per game.
Division 7
Traverse City St. Francis (8-2) at Cass City (10-0)
Cass City earned home field for its Semifinal with a road win last week over undefeated Ithaca. This will be the second-straight appearance in this round for the Red Hawks, who average 339 rushing yards per game behind backs Alex Perry (897 yards/13 TDs) and Jordan Mester (847/11 TDs). St. Francis also dominates in the ground game, averaging 215 rush yards per game led by Owen Mueller (523 yards/5 TDs) among a large group of contributing backs.
Schoolcraft (9-1) at New Lothrop (9-0)
The Hornets will be playing in their third Semifinal in six seasons and are looking to win their second Division 7 title in three seasons. No opponent has scored more than 16 points against them, which works well with an offense scoring 50 points per game. Quarterback Cam Orr (1,721 yards/24 TDs passing, 569 yards/16 TDs rushing) is among standouts. Schoolcraft turned its third-straight Regional Finals run into its first Semifinal since 2001. Alex Thole has thrown for 2,288 yards and 32 touchdowns. The Eagles downed reigning Division 7 runner-up Jackson Lumen Christi 29-22 last week and handed Division 6 semifinalist Constantine its only loss, in the season opener.
Division 8
Ubly (8-2) at Johannesburg-Lewiston (10-0)
Johannesburg-Lewiston also earned a home Semifinal after a Regional Final road trip, edging Iron Mountain 7-6 last week at the Superior Dome. Sheldon Huff paces another dominating running attack, averaging 9.3 yards per carry for 1,295 total and 16 touchdowns on the ground. This will be the Cardinals’ first Semifinal since 1998, but Ubly’s second straight and third in four seasons. The Bearcats missed Ford Field in 2019 with a one-point loss to Beal City.
NOTE: Centreville (10-0) advanced to the Division 8 Final after Clarkston Everest Collegiate had to withdraw from the playoffs this week.
PHOTO: Williamston, here during a 45-7 win over Ionia in Week 7, is back in the Semifinals this weekend for the second time in three seasons. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)