2015 Week 9 Football Playoff Listing
October 20, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Here is a list of Michigan High School Athletic Association football playing schools, displaying their win-loss records and playoff averages through the eighth 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. 30. 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. 30.
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 at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 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, 2921, 6-2, 88.375
2. Grand Blanc, 2727, 4-4, 51.750
3. Clarkston, 2707, 6-2, 76.500
4. Utica Eisenhower ^, 2669, 5-3, 75.875
5. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 2634, 6-2, 82.250
6. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2611, 6-2, 87.125
7. East Kentwood, 2581, 6-2, 81.875
8. Howell ^, 2567, 5-3, 65.625
9. Rockford ^, 2561, 5-3, 70.375
10. Dearborn Fordson ^, 2477, 5-3, 65.875
11. Detroit Cass Tech, 2285, 7-1, 91.875
12. Northville, 2281, 8-0, 108.000
13. Brighton, 2211, 7-1, 96.500
14. Troy Athens ^, 2153, 5-3, 61.750
15. Detroit Catholic Central, 2138, 6-2, 77.625
16. Utica Ford ^, 2080, 5-3, 71.125
17. Canton, 2076, 6-2, 83.000
18. Monroe, 2066, 4-4, 50.375
19. Lapeer, 2059, 8-0, 100.000
20. Plymouth, 2057, 6-2, 80.375
21. Ann Arbor Pioneer, 2025, 6-2, 81.625
22. Hartland ^, 2017, 5-3, 71.000
23. Novi, 2017, 4-4, 54.500
24. West Bloomfield, 1932, 8-0, 105.000
25. Dearborn, 1921, 4-4, 47.625
26. Saline *, 1879, 8-0, 107.000
27. Livonia Stevenson, 1831, 6-2, 83.500
28. Grandville ^, 1825, 5-3, 63.625
29. Warren Mott ^, 1810, 5-3, 66.750
30. Holt ^, 1788, 5-3, 58.750
31. Utica, 1788, 4-4, 55.625
32. Davison ^, 1765, 5-3, 62.750
33. Hudsonville, 1763, 6-2, 85.000
34. Belleville, 1735, 7-1, 94.250
35. Ann Arbor Skyline, 1703, 4-4, 44.250
36. Romeo, 1673, 8-0, 110.000
37. Grand Ledge, 1663, 8-0, 97.000
38. Waterford Mott ^, 1651, 5-3, 63.750
39. Grosse Pointe South, 1629, 6-2, 82.125
40. Traverse City West, 1623, 4-4, 48.875
41. Livonia Churchill, 1620, 4-4, 50.250
42. Livonia Franklin ^, 1615, 5-3, 60.875
43. Walled Lake Northern ^, 1611, 5-3, 65.250
44. Warren DeLaSalle, 1572, 6-2, 87.157
45. Sterling Heights, 1561, 6-2, 74.125
46. Temperance Bedford, 1561, 4-4, 51.250
47. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1537, 8-0, 108.000
48. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1533, 4-4, 48.625
49. Oak Park ^, 1530, 5-3, 66.125
50. Warren Cousino ^, 1514, 5-3, 62.250
51. Detroit U-D Jesuit ^, 1486, 5-3, 62.250
52. Caledonia, 1476, 4-4, 50.625
53. Traverse City Central, 1474, 8-0, 105.429
54. Walled Lake Western, 1462, 8-0, 112.000
55. Midland, 1419, 7-1, 88.875
56. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1403, 4-4, 43.250
57. Dearborn Edsel Ford, 1380, 4-4, 48.250
58. Portage Northern, 1375, 4-4, 51.625
59. Lincoln Park ^, 1363, 5-3, 62.750
60. Portage Central, 1351, 8-0, 103.000
61. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1346, 6-2, 78.250
62. Battle Creek Lakeview ^, 1344, 5-3, 66.875
63. Grosse Pointe North, 1341, 4-4, 51.125
64. Detroit East English, 1338, 6-2, 70.625
65. Swartz Creek, 1322, 4-4, 52.875
66. Southfield-Lathrup ^, 1320, 5-3, 57.875
67. Dearborn Heights Crestwood, 1308, 4-4, 42.750
68. Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills, 1280, 4-4, 49.000
69. Southfield ^, 1269, 5-3, 66.000
70. North Farmington, 1267, 4-4, 49.875
71. Port Huron Northern, 1260, 4-4, 46.875
72. Midland Dow, 1256, 7-1, 85.625
73. Berkley, 1248, 6-2, 73.375
74. Birmingham Groves, 1248, 8-0, 100.000
75. Royal Oak, 1248, 4-4, 46.375
76. Jackson, 1244, 6-2, 69.250
77. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1239, 8-0, 108.000
78. South Lyon, 1224, 4-4, 52.125
79. Farmington Hills Harrison, 1218, 7-1, 94.625
80. Grand Rapids Northview, 1183, 4-4, 51.500
81. Farmington ^, 1176, 5-3, 65.625
82. Mattawan, 1175, 4-4, 50.250
83. Lowell, 1168, 7-1, 94.875
84. Detroit Renaissance, 1140, 4-4, 40.875
85. Gibraltar Carlson ^, 1140, 5-3, 60.125
86. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1124, 6-2, 79.625
87. East Lansing, 1123, 4-4, 50.625
88. Muskegon, 1113, 6-2, 88.500
89. Fenton, 1108, 7-1, 94.500
90. Ypsilanti Community, 1088, 4-4, 51.125
91. Byron Center, 1070, 6-2, 72.500
92. Holly ^, 1068, 5-3, 67.875
93. Redford Thurston ^, 1064, 5-3, 68.125
94. Mt. Pleasant, 1061, 6-2, 73.625
95. Ortonville-Brandon ^, 1060, 5-3, 61.875
96. Allen Park, 1058, 7-1, 95.625
97. St. Johns, 1053, 6-2, 81.500
98. Zeeland East ^, 1040, 5-3, 73.400
99. Mason, 1033, 6-2, 71.375
100. Orchard Lake St. Mary's *, 1032, 6-1, 93.450
101. Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills, 1030, 4-4, 49.875
102. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1010, 4-4, 45.375
103. Hamtramck, 984, 4-4, 39.625
104. St. Joseph, 980, 7-1, 91.500
105. East Grand Rapids ^, 975, 5-3, 72.875
106. Petoskey, 970, 6-2, 75.393
107. DeWitt, 960, 7-1, 101.875
108. Romulus ^, 956, 5-3, 58.625
109. Trenton, 953, 7-1, 93.750
110. Linden, 947, 7-1, 92.750
111. Cedar Springs ^, 943, 5-3, 60.250
112. Gaylord ^, 940, 5-3, 55.018
113. Sturgis, 926, 6-2, 67.625
114. Riverview, 912, 6-2, 60.500
115. Grand Rapids Christian ^, 905, 5-3, 66.625
116. Parma Western ^, 876, 5-3, 55.250
117. Haslett ^, 875, 5-3, 64.000
118. Stevensville Lakeshore ^, 874, 5-3, 70.750
119. New Boston Huron, 871, 4-4, 45.375
120. Warren Fitzgerald ^, 871, 5-3, 55.125
121. Fruitport, 865, 4-4, 43.196
122. Coldwater, 863, 8-0, 97.000
123. Marshall, 863, 7-1, 85.875
124. Vicksburg, 858, 6-2, 66.500
125. Edwardsburg, 851, 8-0, 90.000
126. Sault Ste. Marie ^, 850, 5-3, 63.804
127. Bay City John Glenn ^, 847, 5-3, 50.554
128. Chelsea, 845, 7-1, 82.375
129. Zeeland West, 840, 8-0, 100.000
130. Ada Forest Hills Eastern, 828, 8-0, 97.000
131. Dearborn Divine Child, 827, 4-4, 49.700
132. Milan, 820, 6-2, 69.625
133. Plainwell, 807, 4-4, 44.500
134. Fowlerville, 800, 4-4, 50.500
135. Coopersville, 797, 4-4, 40.000
136. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 794, 7-1, 69.875
137. Detroit Denby, 790, 4-4, 50.500
138. Marysville, 783, 6-2, 76.250
139. North Branch, 758, 4-4, 40.500
140. Center Line, 754, 4-4, 42.000
141. Goodrich, 754, 6-2, 68.071
142. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 728, 7-1, 88.625
143. Allendale, 720, 4-4, 42.500
144. Escanaba, 719, 4-4, 54.411
145. Warren Lincoln ^, 697, 5-3, 49.250
146. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy, 692, 6-2, 65.786
147. Detroit Country Day, 685, 7-1, 80.214
148. Comstock Park, 682, 6-2, 73.500
149. Detroit Cesar Chavez Academy, 681, 6-2, 56.625
150. Croswell-Lexington, 668, 6-2, 63.500
151. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 668, 7-1, 78.750
152. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 665, 6-2, 64.250
153. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 658, 7-1, 89.500
154. Williamston, 657, 4-4, 48.500
155. Corunna, 656, 7-1, 76.339
156. Whitehall ^, 656, 5-3, 50.375
157. Paw Paw, 653, 4-4, 42.375
158. Alma ^, 642, 5-3, 54.000
159. Detroit Collegiate Prep, 632, 8-0, 83.286
160. Benton Harbor, 631, 4-4, 54.000
161. Lake Fenton, 625, 4-4, 44.821
162. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 624, 7-1, 69.375
163. Saginaw Swan Valley ^, 613, 5-3, 52.875
164. Dowagiac ^, 611, 5-3, 56.875
165. Flint Powers Catholic, 610, 6-2, 69.000
166. Big Rapids ^, 609, 5-3, 53.000
167. Richmond, 605, 7-1, 80.625
168. Wyoming Godwin Heights ^, 602, 5-3, 45.000
169. Remus Chippewa Hills, 600, 6-2, 68.375
170. River Rouge, 593, 7-1, 77.750
171. Clawson ^, 592, 5-3, 48.000
172. Birch Run ^, 583, 5-3, 54.125
173. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 573, 6-2, 67.250
174. Gladwin, 571, 4-4, 36.625
175. Freeland, 563, 8-0, 91.000
176. Macomb Lutheran North, 563, 4-4, 37.625
177. Portland, 563, 8-0, 100.000
178. Essexville Garber, 557, 4-4, 42.750
179. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, 556, 4-4, 43.500
180. Detroit University Prep ^, 555, 5-3, 50.196
181. Southfield Bradford Academy, 550, 4-4, 36.768
182. Ida, 548, 8-0, 92.000
183. Kingsford, 547, 6-2, 69.196
184. Marine City ^, 540, 5-3, 58.125
185. Muskegon Oakridge, 538, 6-2, 61.214
186. Algonac, 532, 7-1, 78.750
187. Frankenmuth, 529, 8-0, 86.000
188. Olivet ^, 524, 5-3, 54.875
189. Chesaning, 523, 4-4, 44.125
190. Detroit Henry Ford ^, 523, 5-3, 47.625
191. Lansing Catholic, 517, 7-1, 77.875
192. Almont, 513, 6-2, 61.375
193. Onsted, 509, 4-4, 34.125
194. Detroit Central Collegiate, 508, 6-2, 60.000
195. Berrien Springs, 495, 7-1, 77.431
196. Parchment ^, 493, 5-3, 42.875
197. Stockbridge, 493, 6-2, 56.250
198. Ovid-Elsie, 491, 6-2, 66.750
199. Reed City, 491, 8-0, 89.778
200. Dundee, 489, 4-4, 37.500
201. Grayling, 489, 6-2, 60.375
202. Standish-Sterling, 489, 4-4, 39.750
203. Clinton Township Clintondale, 486, 4-4, 50.250
204. Menominee, 480, 8-0, 100.444
205. Harper Woods ^, 476, 5-3, 49.339
206. Manistee, 469, 6-2, 54.911
207. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 463, 7-1, 67.875
208. Buchanan, 459, 8-0, 89.000
209. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 442, 6-2, 70.500
210. Clare ^, 437, 5-3, 47.500
211. Kalkaska, 437, 4-4, 37.500
212. Kingsley ^, 431, 5-3, 47.000
213. Harrison, 430, 6-2, 55.250
214. Hillsdale ^, 430, 5-3, 50.500
215. Jackson Lumen Christi, 426, 6-2, 72.625
216. Warren Michigan Collegiate ^, 421, 5-3, 58.536
217. Calumet, 419, 6-2, 55.260
218. Lakeview, 417, 4-4, 34.875
219. Sanford Meridian Early College, 408, 8-0, 79.000
220. Detroit Pershing, 405, 4-4, 34.250
221. Ithaca, 402, 8-0, 84.000
222. Byron ^, 399, 5-3, 44.250
223. Delton Kellogg ^, 398, 5-3, 54.000
224. Millington, 398, 7-1, 78.875
225. Montague, 396, 8-0, 85.000
226. Burton Bendle, 393, 7-1, 66.875
227. Oscoda ^, 391, 5-3, 38.625
228. Detroit Edison Public School Academy ^, 390, 5-3, 44.750
229. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 389, 8-0, 93.000
230. Roscommon, 388, 4-4, 36.625
231. Montrose ^, 386, 5-3, 49.464
232. Morley Stanwood, 386, 6-2, 54.375
233. Constantine, 385, 4-4, 45.000
234. Negaunee, 385, 6-2, 57.143
235. Maple City Glen Lake, 384, 4-4, 40.750
236. Boyne City, 383, 7-1, 66.875
237. Hanover-Horton, 382, 4-4, 35.375
238. Grass Lake, 380, 4-4, 37.125
239. Niles Brandywine ^, 380, 5-3, 40.875
240. Adrian Madison, 379, 4-4, 33.625
241. Vassar, 377, 7-1, 64.750
242. Mason County Central ^, 376, 5-3, 51.000
243. Laingsburg ^, 373, 5-3, 39.250
244. Watervliet, 372, 7-1, 74.875
245. Madison Heights Madison, 367, 7-1, 83.875
246. Manchester, 365, 7-1, 65.875
247. Schoolcraft, 357, 8-0, 84.000
248. Bangor, 356, 4-4, 31.375
249. Charlevoix ^, 350, 5-3, 43.125
250. Leroy Pine River, 349, 4-4, 41.500
251. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 345, 8-0, 84.000
252. St. Charles, 345, 4-4, 39.500
253. Lawton, 342, 6-2, 54.375
254. Vandercook Lake, 341, 7-1, 63.750
255. Clinton, 335, 8-0, 73.000
256. Lake City, 331, 4-4, 45.625
257. Traverse City St. Francis, 320, 8-0, 89.429
258. Ishpeming Westwood ^, 315, 5-3, 46.802
259. Hesperia, 310, 8-0, 71.000
260. Sandusky, 310, 8-0, 72.000
261. Iron Mountain ^, 309, 5-3, 47.329
262. McBain, 307, 6-2, 64.625
263. Hartford ^, 305, 5-3, 48.125
264. Cass City, 304, 6-2, 51.125
265. Bridgman, 303, 7-1, 58.750
266. Gobles, 301, 4-4, 41.125
267. Marlette, 298, 4-4, 34.875
268. Union City, 298, 4-4, 35.875
269. Burton Atherton, 296, 4-4, 28.893
270. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 296, 4-4, 36.125
271. Homer, 294, 7-1, 66.500
272. Pewamo-Westphalia, 292, 8-0, 74.000
273. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest ^, 292, 5-3, 43.500
274. Flint Hamady, 291, 6-2, 52.911
275. Dansville, 289, 7-1, 58.875
276. Springport ^, 287, 5-3, 46.875
277. Saginaw Nouvel, 285, 7-1, 68.561
278. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 284, 6-2, 57.625
279. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 282, 6-2, 55.000
280. Harbor Springs ^, 281, 5-3, 38.750
281. Flint Beecher *, 278, 5-2, 59.964
282. Ishpeming *, 278, 7-0, 79.000
283. Carson City-Crystal ^, 277, 5-3, 38.875
284. Detroit Loyola, 276, 6-2, 70.339
285. New Lothrop, 276, 8-0, 83.000
286. Saugatuck, 271, 8-0, 69.000
287. Ubly, 271, 6-2, 53.375
288. Cassopolis, 270, 6-2, 55.625
289. Concord, 267, 6-2, 54.250
290. Whittemore-Prescott ^, 267, 5-3, 47.875
291. Decatur ^, 266, 5-3, 39.000
292. Hudson, 265, 4-4, 35.625
293. Lincoln Alcona ^, 265, 5-3, 36.768
294. Unionville-Sebewaing ^, 262, 5-3, 47.250
295. Detroit Allen Academy *, 258, 5-3, 41.250
296. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 255, 7-1, 55.625
297. Indian River Inland Lakes ^, 251, 5-3, 34.875
298. Onekama, 250, 7-1, 51.946
299. Petersburg-Summerfield, 240, 6-2, 53.500
300. White Pigeon, 231, 4-4, 29.250
301. Beal City, 228, 7-1, 73.250
302. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 226, 7-1, 59.750
303. Merrill ^, 225, 5-3, 49.000
304. St. Ignace, 225, 7-1, 59.857
305. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 223, 7-1, 65.875
306. Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech ^, 219, 5-3, 44.250
307. Mayville, 217, 4-4, 32.375
308. L'Anse ^, 215, 5-3, 44.778
309. Newberry, 211, 6-2, 46.196
310. Pittsford ^, 211, 5-3, 37.536
311. Vestaburg ^, 205, 5-3, 34.500
312. Mendon ^, 200, 5-3, 44.250
313. Bark River-Harris, 194, 6-2, 50.006
314. Morenci, 191, 6-2, 54.625
315. Munising, 191, 6-2, 49.196
316. Central Lake, 189, 6-2, 42.500
317. Fowler, 183, 6-2, 45.625
318. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian ^, 178, 5-3, 47.875
319. Muskegon Catholic Central *, 177, 5-2, 60.089
320. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 170, 7-1, 48.161
321. Climax-Scotts, 163, 8-0, 61.286
322. Crystal Falls Forest Park *, 163, 5-2, 46.720
323. Frankfort, 160, 7-1, 67.375
324. Waterford Our Lady, 157, 8-0, 87.000
325. Lake Linden-Hubbell, 155, 8-0, 68.683
326. Colon ^, 153, 5-3, 35.411
327. Hillman, 146, 6-2, 40.768
328. Baldwin *^, 144, 4-3, 34.643
329. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart ^, 142, 5-3, 42.375
330. Bay City All Saints ^, 118, 5-3, 29.429
331. Clarkston Everest Collegiate ^, 113, 5-3, 46.250
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Battle Creek St. Philip, 144, 8-0, 63.000
2. Owendale-Gagetown, 49, 8-0, 60.143
3. Posen, 84, 8-0, 60.000
4. Powers North Central, 198, 8-0, 58.000
5. Morrice, 169, 7-1, 55.875
6. Deckerville, 178, 7-1, 54.750
7. Waldron, 88, 7-1, 45.875
8. Cedarville, 144, 6-2, 44.375
9. Lawrence, 189, 7-1, 43.127
10. Engadine, 85, 6-2, 42.375
11. Peck, 152, 6-2, 42.071
12. New Haven Merritt Academy, 148, 6-2, 40.464
13. Rapid River, 111, 5-3, 40.000
14. Portland St. Patrick, 87, 6-2, 36.625
15. Stephenson, 186, 5-3, 36.000
16. Onaway, 196, 5-3, 34.000
17. Pickford, 164, 5-3, 32.875
18. Marion *, 145, 4-3, 27.744
19. Bellaire, 134, 4-4, 26.875
20. Kingston, 187, 4-4, 26.875
21. Webberville, 184, 4-4, 26.000
22. Baraga, 164, 4-4, 25.500
23. Kinde-North Huron, 147, 4-4, 24.500
24. Tekonsha, 148, 4-4, 23.625
25. Caseville, 91, 4-4, 23.411
26. Akron-Fairgrove, 99, 3-5, 20.589
27. Ewen-Trout Creek, 126, 2-6, 14.750
28. Hale *, 132, 2-5, 14.554
29. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 190, 2-6, 13.637
30. Burr Oak, 75, 2-6, 12.750
31. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 108, 2-6, 12.250
32. Ontonagon, 129, 2-6, 12.000
33. Eben Junction Superior Central, 123, 1-7, 8.125
34. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 103, 1-7, 7.875
35. Pellston, 170, 1-7, 7.000
36. Litchfield, 92, 0-8, 3.875
37. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 120, 0-8, 3.750
38. Brimley, 142, 0-8, 3.125
39. Flint Michigan School For The Deaf *, 47, 0-7, 2.982
40. Covert *, 91, 0-6, 2.220
Inspired by Past, Kingsley Adds to Tradition with 1st Championship since 2005
By
Scott DeCamp
Special for MHSAA.com
November 25, 2023
DETROIT – When Kingsley head football coach Tim Wooer was presented the MHSAA Division 6 championship trophy Saturday night at Ford Field, he turned, raised it over his head, and acknowledged the roaring throng of orange-clad Stags fans in the stands.
Community, tradition, and history mean everything to the 1998 Kingsley alumnus.
All of those things were recognized and on display during and after Kingsley’s 38-24 victory over Almont, which secured the Stags their second Finals championship and first since 2005.
Kingsley senior Eli Graves made history in his own right. He rushed for 210 yards and four touchdowns, plus he accounted for three two-point conversions, for a total of 30 points to tie the all-division 11-player Finals record for points in a game by one player.
“We have the best O-line in D6, so it’s pretty easy to run behind those guys,” Graves said. “When they get the job done, it makes my job easy. And I’ve just got a coach that trusts me with the ball.”
Wooer believes in his players, present and past. They share a special bond, which was apparent during the postgame press conference after Kingsley put a memorable finish on its 12-2 season.
Graves was one of four Stags players Wooer brought to the postgame press conference. Wooer also brought assistant coach Connor Schueller, a fullback on the 2021 team, whose mother Trina Schueller died from COVID-19 in October 2021.
“I think the reason I’ve got him in here tonight is because sometimes as a coach – and this is true of (the late) Justin Hansen, too – there’s a shift of where you’re supposed to be the role model,” an emotional Wooer said, pausing to collect himself. “You’re supposed to be the role model for players, you’re supposed to teach them everything.
“And then there comes a time when your players teach you about life. And Justin Hansen did that for sure, and so did Connor Schueller. Two pretty important people in our lives in our community.”
Hansen was a captain on Kingsley’s 2002 conference championship team. He was a special-ops Marine, who was killed in action in July 2012.
On Saturday, Wooer wore a red T-shirt with the letters “USA” on the front and the name “Hansen” on the back.
“It’s truly taken me about 10 to 11 years to be able to talk about it. But I can remember as I driving out of town that evening, crying and sobbing and being angry and having all these emotions, I wanted to make sure that he was always remembered,” Wooer said, his eyes welling up before a momentary pause to compose himself. “So he was here today, and he was remembered.”
Graves put on a performance that will not soon be forgotten. The wiry 6-foot-3, 175-pounder scored on TD runs of 3, 30, 5, and 6 yards.
Graves tacked on a pair of two-point conversion runs, and he hauled in a two-point conversion pass with some fine footwork along the sideline.
“He’s a good player downhill. Not much to say about it,” Almont senior Ayden Ferqueron said. “The wing-T is hard to stop. When you’ve got a running back that goes downhill and able to follow his blocks, see holes, and hit them (it’s tough to stop).”
Kingsley outgained Almont in total yards (371-191), holding a big advantage in rushing yardage (331-174) and an edge in its timely passing game (66-17).
Stags junior tight end Chase Bott caught a 35-yard TD pass from senior Gavyn Merchant, and senior Skylar Workman ran in the two-point conversion for a 30-17 lead eight seconds into the fourth quarter.
Almont hung around throughout the game, pulling within 30-24 on senior Cole Walton’s 35-yard TD pass from senior Chase Davedowski and sophomore Sean O’Neil’s PAT with 7:55 remaining.
But every time the Raiders pulled within striking distance, the Stags had an answer and it usually came from Graves, who put it away with his final TD run with 2:19 left.
Almont, which was making its first Finals appearance since 2019 and looking for its first title, finished with a 12-2 record.
“Nothing that we didn’t prepare for. They were just more physical off the ball than us,” Almont coach James Leusby said. “Defensively-wise, we got pushed back a little and hadn’t faced that all year, so hats (off) to them.”
Almont senior Chase Battani scored on a 65-yard TD sprint, while Ferqueron ran for a 2-yard score. Ferqueron and Battani led all defensive players in the game with 15 and 13 stops, respectively.
Graves said he wore jersey No. 2 for his brother, Owen Graves, who was part of Kingsley’s 2020 team that had to forfeit in the playoffs because of COVID.
Eli Graves said he did not get the chance to see his brother after the game, but added he’ll probably brag to him about his performance once he sees him. He knows his brother is proud.
“He never got to finish his senior season because they had to forfeit due to COVID, so we always play our hardest for that team because they didn’t get a chance to do this,” Graves said.
Wooer was the architect who helped build Kingsley into the program it has become. His 2005 team defeated Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 31-21, for the Stags’ first championship.
Wooer left Kingsley and coached at Traverse City West for a decade before he returned to his alma mater in 2018.
For coaches, comparing state-title teams is like comparing one’s children. You love them all the same.
“They’re both fun,” Wooer said with a chuckle when asked to compare Kingsley’s two title winners. “I would say, people have asked me that question in terms of, ‘Which team was better? How were they similar? How were they different?’
“I think the one characteristic when you get a team of this caliber is the character and the morals and the ethics and just the leadership. When I was 24 years old, it was all about having the biggest, fastest, strongest kids. And the longer I coach, the more I understand that having guys like this lead your team is the magic potion.”
PHOTOS (Top) Kingsley’s Chase Bott (84) makes his move toward the goalline while Chase Battani works to wrap him up Saturday at Ford Field. (Middle) Eli Graves (2) follows teammate James Pearson upfield. (Below) Max Goethals (11) pulls in a pass for the Stags. (Photos by Hockey Weekly Action Photos.)