2017 Week 7 Football Playoff Listing
October 3, 2017
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 sixth 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.
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. 27. 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 32 programs will then be divided into two divisions of 16 each based on enrollment. The playoff in that division also begins Oct. 27.
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. 22 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, 3016, 5-1, 79.500
2. Dearborn Fordson, 2741, 5-1, 82.167
3. Utica Eisenhower, 2689, 6-0, 112.000
4. Grand Blanc, 2660, 6-0, 94.667
5. East Kentwood, 2639, 4-2, 62.500
6. Clarkston, 2603, 5-1, 84.500
7. Rockford, 2485, 4-2, 70.667
8. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2434, 5-1, 86.167
9. Detroit Cass Tech *, 2434, 4-1, 68.400
10. Troy, 2422, 4-2, 66.500
11. Southfield Arts & Technology, 2345, 3-3, 44.667
12. Brighton, 2247, 3-3, 51.833
13. Canton, 2212, 5-1, 84.833
14. Holland West Ottawa, 2200, 5-1, 80.833
15. Ann Arbor Pioneer, 2094, 3-3, 47.000
16. Salem, 2090, 3-3, 46.833
17. Detroit Catholic Central, 2080, 4-2, 67.000
18. West Bloomfield, 1990, 4-2, 70.500
19. New Baltimore Anchor Bay, 1956, 5-1, 74.833
20. Monroe, 1934, 3-3, 46.429
21. Utica, 1907, 3-3, 49.667
22. Saline *, 1869, 5-1, 83.167
23. Bloomfield Hills, 1842, 4-2, 62.667
24. Lapeer, 1837, 5-1, 74.000
25. Livonia Stevenson, 1811, 4-2, 70.333
26. Walled Lake Central, 1804, 4-2, 65.500
27. White Lake Lakeland, 1765, 4-2, 67.833
28. Romeo, 1753, 4-2, 67.633
29. Holt, 1752, 3-3, 41.167
30. Grandville, 1750, 4-2, 66.500
31. Grand Ledge, 1726, 5-1, 84.667
32. Warren Mott, 1712, 4-2, 62.667
33. Belleville, 1709, 6-0, 105.333
34. Detroit Western International, 1701, 3-3, 44.500
35. Davison, 1695, 5-1, 80.667
36. Walled Lake Northern, 1678, 4-2, 58.167
37. Grosse Pointe South, 1644, 3-3, 50.567
38. Rochester Adams, 1626, 5-1, 81.833
39. Waterford Mott, 1586, 5-1, 85.833
40. Traverse City West, 1582, 6-0, 97.333
41. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1569, 4-2, 63.000
42. Temperance Bedford, 1548, 5-1, 75.333
43. Warren DeLaSalle, 1538, 5-1, 83.167
44. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1502, 4-2, 61.500
45. Livonia Churchill, 1486, 5-1, 83.167
46. Caledonia, 1474, 3-3, 45.833
47. Livonia Franklin, 1469, 4-2, 59.833
48. Jenison, 1457, 4-2, 61.667
49. Roseville, 1412, 4-2, 61.000
50. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1404, 5-1, 73.162
51. Dearborn Edsel Ford, 1396, 4-2, 56.167
52. Oak Park, 1395, 5-1, 82.167
53. Grosse Pointe North *, 1371, 3-2, 55.333
54. Portage Central, 1353, 5-1, 83.500
55. Traverse City Central, 1345, 4-2, 64.167
56. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1345, 6-0, 96.000
57. Royal Oak, 1332, 3-3, 43.000
58. Okemos, 1326, 4-2, 54.500
59. Walled Lake Western, 1318, 5-1, 87.333
60. Midland, 1316, 5-1, 83.500
61. Flushing, 1312, 5-1, 79.333
62. Birmingham Groves, 1300, 5-1, 84.667
63. Port Huron Northern, 1277, 5-1, 76.667
64. St. Clair Shores Lake Shore, 1273, 3-3, 43.167
65. Pinckney, 1272, 5-1, 79.333
66. Detroit East English, 1270, 6-0, 85.333
67. Midland Dow, 1263, 5-1, 75.000
68. Southgate Anderson, 1263, 3-3, 46.667
69. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 1258, 6-0, 98.667
70. Ypsilanti Community, 1254, 3-3, 45.500
71. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1238, 6-0, 109.333
72. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1224, 3-3, 49.310
73. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1222, 4-2, 63.667
74. Lowell, 1195, 4-2, 70.667
75. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 1186, 3-3, 42.167
76. Ferndale, 1180, 5-1, 75.167
77. Mattawan, 1171, 4-2, 62.500
78. Holly, 1166, 3-3, 46.167
79. Fenton, 1163, 6-0, 98.667
80. Greenville, 1158, 3-3, 45.833
81. Holland, 1140, 4-2, 56.000
82. Hamtramck, 1135, 4-2, 54.333
83. Detroit Renaissance, 1131, 4-2, 50.667
84. Gibraltar Carlson, 1125, 6-0, 100.000
85. Bay City Central, 1116, 3-3, 50.000
86. East Lansing, 1108, 4-2, 61.333
87. Redford Thurston, 1102, 4-2, 52.833
88. Eastpointe, 1101, 3-3, 43.167
89. Warren Woods Tower, 1095, 6-0, 92.000
90. Byron Center, 1083, 4-2, 56.000
91. Muskegon, 1058, 6-0, 100.000
92. St. Joseph, 1043, 4-2, 65.000
93. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1033, 4-2, 67.667
94. Farmington Hills Harrison, 1030, 4-2, 66.833
95. Richland Gull Lake, 1028, 3-3, 48.833
96. East Grand Rapids, 1010, 6-0, 102.667
97. DeWitt, 994, 5-1, 80.667
98. Zeeland East, 994, 6-0, 88.000
99. St. Johns, 990, 3-3, 41.833
100. Gaylord, 980, 3-3, 40.167
101. Ortonville-Brandon, 969, 4-2, 61.500
102. Zeeland West, 960, 4-2, 73.500
103. Melvindale, 956, 3-3, 49.500
104. Cedar Springs, 946, 4-2, 66.500
105. Coldwater, 933, 4-2, 56.405
106. Riverview, 928, 5-1, 68.500
107. Detroit Cody, 924, 3-3, 41.933
108. Linden, 924, 5-1, 83.500
109. Redford Union, 922, 3-3, 38.000
110. Trenton, 911, 3-3, 48.667
111. Warren Fitzgerald, 903, 5-1, 70.167
112. Grand Rapids Christian, 896, 5-1, 88.833
113. Stevensville Lakeshore, 891, 6-0, 102.667
114. Hazel Park, 889, 4-2, 62.833
115. Battle Creek Harper Creek, 884, 6-0, 85.333
116. Parma Western, 880, 4-2, 55.833
117. New Boston Huron, 877, 5-1, 71.000
118. Adrian, 865, 3-3, 46.833
119. Romulus, 864, 4-2, 62.667
120. Haslett, 856, 5-1, 73.833
121. Carleton Airport, 855, 3-3, 39.167
122. Marshall, 854, 3-3, 44.000
123. Dearborn Divine Child, 852, 5-1, 74.000
124. Tecumseh, 850, 3-3, 48.333
125. Chelsea, 841, 5-1, 77.833
126. River Rouge, 836, 5-1, 76.833
127. Edwardsburg, 835, 6-0, 80.000
128. Bay City John Glenn, 831, 3-3, 43.000
129. Detroit Mumford, 829, 5-1, 66.000
130. Coopersville, 824, 4-2, 51.833
131. Wayland Union, 816, 3-3, 44.000
132. Sparta, 815, 4-2, 50.667
133. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 812, 5-1, 67.333
134. Marysville, 808, 3-3, 41.000
135. Plainwell, 808, 4-2, 56.167
136. Vicksburg, 801, 5-1, 69.833
137. Ada Forest Hills Eastern, 794, 3-3, 47.000
138. Ionia, 792, 3-3, 40.167
139. Charlotte, 790, 3-3, 44.167
140. Milan, 772, 3-3, 40.667
141. Madison Heights Lamphere, 768, 3-3, 37.333
142. Detroit Old Redford, 763, 3-3, 33.833
143. Goodrich, 759, 5-1, 66.000
144. Escanaba, 739, 5-1, 69.767
145. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy, 727, 4-2, 54.600
146. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 718, 5-1, 58.167
147. Three Rivers, 707, 5-1, 69.667
148. Armada, 685, 3-3, 39.000
149. Croswell-Lexington, 681, 3-3, 40.667
150. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 679, 5-1, 56.833
151. Wyoming Kelloggsville, 678, 6-0, 82.667
152. Romulus Summit Academy North, 674, 4-1, 49.167
153. Yale, 672, 3-3, 32.500
154. Paw Paw, 662, 3-3, 40.833
155. Whitehall, 661, 4-2, 51.000
156. Flint Powers Catholic, 660, 3-3, 49.500
157. Lake Fenton, 660, 5-1, 70.167
158. Flat Rock, 658, 4-2, 61.833
159. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 646, 6-0, 76.267
160. Alma, 642, 6-0, 81.333
161. Big Rapids, 642, 3-3, 35.667
162. Comstock Park, 636, 4-2, 57.167
163. Corunna, 633, 3-3, 37.667
164. Williamston, 628, 4-2, 54.667
165. Lansing Sexton, 620, 4-2, 68.667
166. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 608, 5-1, 67.500
167. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 606, 4-2, 59.667
168. Grand Rapids South Christian, 602, 5-1, 68.667
169. Belding, 597, 5-1, 68.667
170. Bridgeport, 594, 3-3, 39.833
171. Muskegon Oakridge, 592, 5-1, 63.167
172. Saginaw Swan Valley, 586, 5-1, 72.833
173. Hancock, 584, 5-1, 56.081
174. Macomb Lutheran North, 581, 3-3, 36.167
175. North Muskegon, 579, 4-2, 40.167
176. Dowagiac, 568, 3-3, 47.333
177. Freeland, 564, 4-2, 54.833
178. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard, 555, 6-0, 68.267
179. Olivet, 552, 6-0, 84.000
180. Lansing Catholic, 551, 5-1, 71.333
181. Remus Chippewa Hills, 550, 4-2, 54.667
182. Cheboygan, 548, 3-3, 38.667
183. Kingsford *, 542, 4-1, 72.371
184. Mt. Morris, 536, 3-3, 36.333
185. Algonac, 534, 5-1, 66.000
186. Portland, 534, 5-1, 79.167
187. Frankenmuth, 528, 6-0, 81.600
188. Carrollton, 520, 5-1, 63.333
189. Ida, 520, 5-1, 57.833
190. Marine City, 514, 5-1, 76.833
191. Grant, 512, 4-2, 47.833
192. Kalkaska, 512, 3-3, 29.833
193. Richmond, 510, 6-0, 82.667
194. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 505, 5-1, 71.333
195. Onsted, 505, 4-2, 42.333
196. Reed City, 501, 5-1, 70.167
197. Almont, 494, 4-2, 52.167
198. Gladstone, 493, 6-0, 68.000
199. Grayling, 492, 4-2, 48.333
200. Perry, 489, 3-3, 34.833
201. Berrien Springs, 484, 5-1, 62.833
202. Coloma, 480, 4-2, 42.500
203. Menominee, 479, 4-2, 56.619
204. Kalamazoo Hackett, 474, 5-1, 62.167
205. Newaygo, 474, 4-2, 53.167
206. Detroit Denby *, 461, 4-1, 58.800
207. Ovid-Elsie, 458, 5-1, 58.000
208. Clare, 457, 5-1, 63.500
209. Detroit Voyageur, 446, 4-2, 49.333
210. Parchment, 443, 4-2, 50.500
211. Leslie, 438, 3-3, 36.333
212. Boyne City, 428, 6-0, 78.667
213. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 426, 4-2, 62.667
214. Michigan Center, 419, 5-1, 59.167
215. Ecorse, 417, 3-3, 33.833
216. Harrison, 410, 4-2, 42.833
217. Montague, 409, 6-0, 78.667
218. Millington, 407, 6-0, 80.000
219. Hemlock, 405, 4-2, 43.500
220. Morley Stanwood, 405, 5-1, 54.167
221. Negaunee, 405, 3-3, 32.667
222. Ithaca, 403, 6-0, 70.667
223. Clinton Township Clintondale, 401, 6-0, 82.667
224. Calumet, 396, 3-3, 34.905
225. Byron, 387, 3-3, 43.500
226. Constantine, 386, 3-3, 33.500
227. Detroit Henry Ford, 385, 4-2, 34.600
228. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 382, 6-0, 84.000
229. Montrose, 381, 5-1, 60.667
230. Maple City Glen Lake *, 376, 3-2, 38.467
231. Quincy, 376, 4-2, 50.667
232. Kent City, 375, 6-0, 70.667
233. Lakeview, 374, 3-3, 30.333
234. Napoleon, 373, 4-2, 51.833
235. Schoolcraft, 372, 5-1, 59.333
236. Blissfield, 371, 4-2, 60.167
237. Niles Brandywine, 370, 3-3, 28.000
238. Detroit Central, 369, 5-1, 60.867
239. Laingsburg, 367, 4-2, 40.000
240. Grass Lake, 365, 4-2, 42.000
241. Traverse City St. Francis, 362, 6-0, 82.133
242. Jackson Lumen Christi, 361, 5-1, 75.500
243. Houghton Lake, 357, 4-2, 45.500
244. Watervliet, 355, 6-0, 71.467
245. Beaverton, 353, 6-0, 74.667
246. Elk Rapids, 353, 5-1, 58.167
247. Burton Bendle, 352, 4-2, 38.833
248. L'Anse, 351, 4-2, 45.938
249. Vermontville Maple Valley, 346, 3-3, 28.500
250. Allen Park Cabrini, 344, 3-3, 26.500
251. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 344, 3-3, 46.833
252. Hanover-Horton, 342, 3-3, 29.667
253. Ishpeming Westwood, 342, 5-1, 52.833
254. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 341, 5-1, 48.667
255. Lake City, 333, 6-0, 72.000
256. Oscoda, 332, 4-2, 37.500
257. Detroit Delta Prep, 329, 4-2, 53.667
258. St. Louis, 329, 3-3, 34.000
259. Detroit Community, 327, 3-3, 31.000
260. Flint Hamady, 327, 4-2, 44.167
261. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 327, 5-1, 64.667
262. Union City, 327, 5-1, 58.000
263. Madison Heights Madison, 323, 6-0, 84.000
264. Hartford, 318, 5-1, 54.167
265. McBain, 314, 5-1, 54.167
266. New Lothrop, 311, 6-0, 77.333
267. Clinton, 309, 4-2, 47.500
268. Harbor Springs, 306, 3-3, 30.167
269. Pewamo-Westphalia, 305, 5-1, 59.000
270. Reese, 301, 3-3, 36.500
271. Homer, 299, 3-3, 36.333
272. Saugatuck, 297, 4-2, 44.000
273. Saranac, 285, 4-2, 43.833
274. Springport, 285, 4-2, 38.667
275. Cass City, 282, 5-1, 62.000
276. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, 279, 6-0, 61.067
277. Blanchard Montabella, 273, 3-3, 28.000
278. Evart, 270, 3-3, 29.667
279. Cassopolis, 268, 6-0, 64.000
280. Unionville-Sebewaing, 267, 4-2, 42.667
281. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 263, 5-1, 58.167
282. Hudson, 263, 6-0, 76.000
283. Reading, 263, 5-1, 63.000
284. Carson City-Crystal, 258, 3-3, 31.000
285. Breckenridge, 254, 5-1, 52.833
286. Addison, 253, 5-1, 51.333
287. Sand Creek, 251, 3-3, 33.500
288. Auburn Hills Oakland Christian *, 248, 4-1, 47.767
289. Beal City, 247, 4-2, 41.500
290. Holton, 246, 3-3, 27.333
291. Iron River West Iron County, 245, 5-1, 54.238
292. Ubly, 243, 5-1, 55.333
293. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 239, 6-0, 66.667
294. St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic, 238, 4-2, 39.967
295. Petersburg-Summerfield, 235, 4-2, 45.333
296. Decatur, 234, 4-2, 40.167
297. Lincoln Alcona, 233, 5-1, 54.433
298. Norway, 230, 6-0, 62.857
299. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 228, 4-2, 39.167
300. White Pigeon, 228, 3-3, 31.667
301. Detroit Southeastern, 223, 3-3, 39.167
302. Harbor Beach, 218, 5-1, 52.833
303. New Buffalo, 209, 3-3, 27.333
304. Saginaw Nouvel, 208, 6-0, 69.333
305. Mendon, 205, 6-0, 64.000
306. Newberry *, 205, 3-2, 31.433
307. Pittsford, 204, 5-1, 55.167
308. Morenci, 200, 3-3, 37.000
309. Munising, 200, 3-3, 27.767
310. Bark River-Harris, 197, 3-3, 34.767
311. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 194, 3-3, 32.967
312. Muskegon Heights Academy, 188, 3-3, 40.467
313. Merrill, 186, 3-3, 25.333
314. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 181, 4-2, 37.333
315. Athens, 181, 5-1, 36.667
316. Fowler, 175, 3-3, 29.500
317. Gaylord St. Mary, 173, 6-0, 65.067
318. Frankfort *, 170, 4-2, 39.867
319. Muskegon Catholic Central *, 169, 5-0, 68.000
320. Fulton, 167, 4-2, 41.167
321. Climax-Scotts, 162, 5-1, 51.333
322. AuGres-Sims *, 148, 6-0, 64.000
323. Hillman, 140, 3-3, 30.333
324. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 133, 4-2, 35.833
325. Waterford Our Lady *, 124, 4-1, 43.367
326. Clarkston Everest Collegiate, 112, 5-1, 50.700
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Onekama, 136, 6-0, 57.333
2. Camden-Frontier, 156, 6-0, 56.000
3. Morrice, 175, 6-0, 52.000
4. Central Lake, 191, 6-0, 50.667
5. Stephenson, 160, 6-0, 49.371
6. Deckerville, 182, 5-1, 48.833
7. Rapid River, 118, 6-0, 48.800
8. Cedarville, 152, 6-0, 46.667
9. Pickford, 151, 6-0, 45.333
10. Portland St. Patrick, 103, 5-1, 44.667
11. Bellevue, 174, 5-1, 43.500
12. Flint International Academy, 150, 5-1, 42.167
13. Rudyard, 193, 5-1, 40.833
14. Marion, 136, 5-1, 40.300
15. Bay City All Saints, 97, 5-1, 39.333
16. Crystal Falls Forest Park *, 146, 4-2, 36.371
17. Battle Creek St. Philip, 135, 4-2, 34.667
18. Kinde-North Huron, 148, 5-1, 34.667
19. Kingston, 191, 4-2, 32.000
20. Webberville, 179, 4-2, 32.000
21. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, 182, 3-3, 30.167
22. Engadine, 95, 4-2, 29.500
23. Ontonagon *, 187, 3-2, 28.333
24. Peck, 127, 4-2, 26.333
25. Brethren *, 159, 3-2, 25.900
26. Lawrence, 181, 3-3, 25.833
27. Mayville, 197, 3-3, 24.833
28. Suttons Bay, 201, 3-3, 24.667
29. Powers North Central *, 112, 3-2, 24.100
30. Hale, 129, 3-3, 23.867
31. Brimley, 164, 3-3, 23.000
32. Waldron, 79, 3-3, 22.833
33. Mesick, 180, 3-3, 22.533
34. North Adams-Jerome, 150, 3-3, 22.000
35. Tekonsha, 145, 3-3, 21.833
36. Atlanta, 74, 3-3, 20.167
37. New Haven Merritt Academy, 164, 3-3, 19.000
38. Onaway, 195, 3-3, 19.000
39. Manistee Catholic Central *, 178, 2-3, 17.867
40. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 99, 3-3, 17.833
41. Fife Lake Forest Area, 165, 2-4, 17.800
42. Bellaire, 142, 2-4, 17.500
43. Carney-Nadeau, 133, 2-4, 16.000
44. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 106, 2-4, 14.333
45. Bear Lake, 93, 2-4, 13.600
46. Felch North Dickinson, 101, 1-5, 11.300
47. Eben Junction Superior Central, 131, 1-5, 10.967
48. Burton Madison Academy, 171, 1-5, 9.333
49. Posen, 87, 1-5, 8.333
50. Baldwin, 105, 1-5, 7.100
51. Owendale-Gagetown, 57, 1-5, 7.000
52. Pellston, 167, 0-6, 3.333
53. Caseville, 93, 0-6, 3.167
54. Litchfield, 81, 0-6, 3.000
55. Akron-Fairgrove, 76, 0-6, 2.833
56. Burr Oak, 74, 0-6, 2.833
57. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 140, 0-6, 2.833
58. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 187, 0-6, 2.733
59. Flint Michigan School for the Deaf *, 47, 0-4, 1.167
'Difference-Maker' Drogowski Returns to Bolster Lenawee Christian Title March
By
Doug Donnelly
Special for MHSAA.com
November 7, 2023
Blake Drogowski was given a deadline. He missed it.
He also missed football.
The Adrian Lenawee Christian senior skipped his junior year of football while recovering from a foot injury that occurred during his sophomore season, and he was unsure if he’d come back and play as a senior. He participated in summer weightlifting sessions and workouts but was still hesitant to put the shoulder pads back on.
“After my foot injury, and I was in the process of healing, I kind of lost my love for football,” Drogowski said.
What he calls the brotherhood at Lenawee Christian brought him back to the game.
“Coach (Bill Wilharms) sort of gave me a deadline,” Drogowski said. “Some of my teammates tried talking me into it. I wasn’t sure. I think I missed the deadline by a couple of days. A couple of weeks before the season, I was like, ‘I might as well.’”
Now, 11 weeks into this season, Drogowski is playing at a high level and is one of the reasons Lenawee Christian is in hot pursuit of a third 8-player championship over the last four years. LCS hosts Deckerville on Saturday in one of the Division 2 Semifinals.
“We’ve been saving him all season,” Wilharms said. “He’s so fast. We kind of turned him loose in the Pittsford game and then again against Kingston. He’s been just coming along, coming along. He’s come back and worked so hard in the weight room. He is a difference maker.”
LCS has several difference-makers, which is what has led the Cougars to be ranked No. 1 in most of the polls this season.
The success starts with Wilharms, who has built a powerhouse football program. In the first playoff game two weeks ago, Wilharms earned career coaching win No. 100, counting 12 at Adrian Madison and 88 at LCS. To celebrate, several members of the LCS volleyball team dressed as Wilharms for the game.
“That was fun,” Wilharms said. “It was a total surprise. I didn’t know I was at 100.”
On the field, LCS is led by its field general, Sam Lutz. A senior, Lutz has accounted for 52 touchdowns – 24 rushing and 28 passing. He’s nearing 1,000 yards on the ground and is well over 1,500 yards through the air.
“We’re just out here to do our jobs,” Lutz said. “This team is like a family to me. We are really rolling right now.”
Up front, Tyler Salenbien has had a tremendous season at center, leading an outstanding line. On the outside, several backs and receivers rotate. Brenner Powers has more than 500 yards rushing and 250 yards passing. Easton Boggs, Paul Towler and Jesse Miller have all had big games on offense.
Wilharms makes most of the offensive calls from the sidelines as the players turn to him and await the call. He’s not afraid to draw up plays on the fly. That happened once during the Regional Final win last weekend over previously-unbeaten Climax-Scotts.
The play ended up being a touchdown run by Lutz.
“That one, honestly, we drew it up while we were standing here,” Wilharms said. “They were overplaying him on one side, so we drew it up a different way. I’m not sure we even have practiced that, but it worked.”
Wilharms utilizes all his weapons throughout a game, rarely relying on one player to do everything.
“Ever since I’ve got here the kids have just bought into it,” Wilharms said. “We have a lot of weapons.”
The 2023 Cougars remind Wilharms of his 2021 championship team.
“They remind me of the second state championship team because of the fact they are a fun-loving group who can have fun but then turn it on when they need to in games,” Wilharms said.
Drogowski’s road to becoming one of those weapons was a difficult one. As a freshman he was on the LCS junior varsity team before getting called up to the varsity. He was dressed and on the sidelines when the Cougars won their first Finals title.
As a sophomore, he was playing before a season-ending injury occurred in Week 4 against Athens. He tore a ligament.
“It was one of the last plays of the game, too,” he said. “It was an option play, and the quarterback pitched me the ball and it was just kind of the way I came down; it tore.”
His season was over, but he was still on the roster for the second Cougars title.
“I can see some of that team in this year’s team, how we all play for each other,” Drogowski said.
His junior year, he never came out for the team. With backing from his teammates, however, he has returned. It took some time to get used to being on the gridiron again.
“I missed the brotherhood and being part of everything,” he said. “It’s great being part of the team. I just love all these guys so much.”
Doug Donnelly has served as a sports and news reporter and city editor over 25 years, writing for the Daily Chief-Union in Upper Sandusky, Ohio from 1992-1995, the Monroe Evening News from 1995-2012 and the Adrian Daily Telegram since 2013. He's also written a book on high school basketball in Monroe County and compiles record books for various schools in southeast Michigan. E-mail him at [email protected] with story ideas for Jackson, Washtenaw, Hillsdale, Lenawee and Monroe counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Adrian Lenawee Christian’s Blake Drogowski (7) and Sam Lutz enjoy a moment during a game this season. (Middle) Drogowski turns upfield during a big gain. (Below) LCS coach Bill Wilharms earned his 100th career win during this playoffs. (Photos by Deloris Clark-Osborne.)