Drive for Detroit: 11-Player Semis Review
November 20, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Five of Saturday’s 11-player Semifinals were decided by seven points or fewer.
Four reigning champions earned opportunities to repeat as champions.
Three teams advanced to the Finals for the first time.
Two of the five winningest coaches in MHSAA history – and the top two among active coaches – will make the trip again.
One more weekend remains to decide the last of this season’s football champions.
The countdown is on for our annual voyage to Detroit’s Ford Field. West Bloomfield, Saginaw Swan Valley and Edwardsburg earned first-time MHSAA Finals berths Saturday, while a handful of surprises also helped shape an intriguing championship field.
Below is a glance at all 16 Semifinals, plus links to coverage both print and broadcast. The MHSAA Playoffs are sponsored by the Michigan Army National Guard, and “Drive for Detroit” is sponsored by MI Student Aid.
Division 1
Clarkston 27, Detroit Catholic Central 7
The Wolves (11-2) held the reigning Division 1 runner-up Shamrocks (8-5) scoreless until late in the third quarter to earn their return to Ford Field looking for a third title in five seasons after winning Division 1 back-to-back in 2013-14. Click for more from the Oakland Press.
ICYMI: Watch the highlights from from Clarkston's 27-7 win over Detroit Catholic Central as the Wolves advanced to the @MHSAA Division 1 State Final for the first time since 2014! @CtownAthSec @ClarkstonWolves @ClarkstonFB2013 @ClarkstonBball @TheeJungle pic.twitter.com/yw6SDvJ6sT
— STATE CHAMPS! (@statechampsnet) November 19, 2017
West Bloomfield 9, Detroit Cass Tech 7
West Bloomfield (11-2) held off the reigning champion Technicians (9-3) to advance to the MHSAA Finals for the first time, with Nick O’Shea kicking a 31 and two 26-yard field goals. Click for more from the Detroit News.
ICYMI: Check out the highlights from West Bloomfield's win over Cass Tech as the Lakers advanced to the Division 1 State Championship game for the first time in school history! @wbhslakernation @wbhsTHESWAMP @19Bellamy pic.twitter.com/9TFH4EOtEr
— STATE CHAMPS! (@statechampsnet) November 19, 2017
Division 2
Livonia Franklin 20, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 0
Franklin (11-2) earned its first Finals berth since the first year of MHSAA playoffs in 1975, shutting down a Forest Hills Central offense that averaged 38 points per game during a 12-0 start. Click for more from Observer & Eccentric.
Forest Hills Central's comes up short against Livonia Franklin in State Semis https://t.co/6rVIOGYiNM
— FOX 17 Blitz (@FOX17Blitz) November 19, 2017
Warren DeLaSalle 14, Detroit Martin Luther King 13
In a matchup of Detroit area powers, Catholic League Central champion Warren DeLaSalle (11-2) edged Public School League champion and back-to-back Division 2 title winner King (11-2); the Pilots will be going for their second title in four seasons after winning Division 2 in 2014. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.
ICYMI: Watch the highlights from Warren De La Salle's @MHSAA Division 2 Semifinal win over Detroit King as the Pilots are headed back to the D-2 Final for the first time since 2014! @delasallehs @DLSBrozone @DeLaSalleAD @DLSFootball_MI @mgiannone pic.twitter.com/O4p1rIUlQ9
— STATE CHAMPS! (@statechampsnet) November 19, 2017
Division 3
Muskegon 42, Battle Creek Harper Creek 0
This Muskegon playoff drive is becoming legendary; the Big Reds (13-0) haven’t given up a point in their last two games and this time handed Harper Creek (12-1) its first and only loss of the season. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.
ICYMI: Watch the highlights from Muskegon's 42-0 win over Harper Creek as the Big Reds advanced to the Division 3 State Championship Game for the second straight year! @OnMuskegon @BigRed_RNetwork @HoopsBigReds @LaDariusJ2 pic.twitter.com/6E0E2txo9C
— STATE CHAMPS! (@statechampsnet) November 19, 2017
Farmington Hills Harrison 21, Riverview 0
Likewise, Harrison’s run is becoming something of a storybook end for a program guided by the newly-anointed all-time winningest coach in state history that will also will play only one more season as the school will close in 2019. The Hawks (10-3) earned their second shutout of the playoffs as well, this time as Riverview (11-2) was averaging 35 points per game. Click for more from Observer & Eccentric.
ICYMI: Be sure to check out the highlights from Farmington Hills Harrison's 21-0 win over Riverview to advance to the @MHSAA State Finals for the 18th time in school history! @FHHarrisonFB @rod_heard @OvieOghoufo @HersteinJon @FPSInformation pic.twitter.com/40OvkYeyOh
— STATE CHAMPS! (@statechampsnet) November 19, 2017
Division 4
Grand Rapids Catholic Central 24, Escanaba 0
The reigning champion Cougars (13-0) ran into one of few opponents that has slowed down its offense; GRCC scored fewer than 32 points for the first time since Week 2. But Escanaba (10-3) didn’t manage a point for the first time since last year’s Regional Final, when GRCC downed the Eskymos 34-0. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Defense and Nolan Fugate fuel Grand Rapids Catholic Central's state semifinal win: https://t.co/JPZiCQug3z Highlights at 11. #Frenzy8 pic.twitter.com/HkLopjAFQ1
— WOOD TV8 (@WOODTV) November 18, 2017
Edwardsburg 32, River Rouge 21
Edwardsburg (12-1) scored the final 14 points of the game to earn its first trip to the MHSAA Finals and tie a program record for most wins in a season with last year’s semifinalist team. River Rouge (10-3) was playing in a Semifinal for the third straight season and hadn’t lost to an instate opponent since opening night. Click for more from the Niles Daily Star.
Division 5
Saginaw Swan Valley 29, Reed City 14
Both teams were playing to make the MHSAA Finals for the first time, and Swan Valley (12-1) earned the trip while also tying a program record for wins in a season. Four rushing touchdowns including two by Chase Mendoza doomed the Coyotes (11-2), who won a program-record 11 games for the second straight season. Click for more from the Saginaw News.
Grand Rapids West Catholic 25, Frankenmuth 21
Four-time reigning champion West Catholic (11-2) came back from a 21-0 deficit to clinch a sixth straight MHSAA Finals appearance, holding off the Eagles (12-1) as they attempted to reach the Finals for the first time. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
ICYMI: Check out the highlights from Grand Rapids West Catholic's comeback win over Frankenmuth to advance to the Division 5 State Championship Game for a sixth consecutive year! @GRWCatholic @GRWCFootball @wcatholicsports @WEST_is_BEST17 pic.twitter.com/Rq4JSa2QWR
— STATE CHAMPS! (@statechampsnet) November 19, 2017
Division 6
Ithaca 27, Traverse City St. Francis 0
Most of the time, Ithaca’s offense is cast in the starring role. But the Yellowjackets (13-0) have two shutouts this playoffs and are giving up only 7.8 points per game – and St. Francis (11-2) hadn’t been held scoreless since 2013. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.
Jackson Lumen Christi 44, Warren Michigan Collegiate 12
Reigning champion Lumen Christi (11-1) earned a shot at its first repeat title since winning two straight in 2003-04. The Titans put up 38 points in the first half and held Michigan Collegiate (12-1) to its fewest since opening night 2016. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen Patriot.
Lumen Christi vs. Warren Michigan Collegiate Semifinal Football Video Highlights - JTV Jackson https://t.co/EgHr35Gkqw
— JTV (@JTVJackson) November 18, 2017
Division 7
Pewamo-Westphalia 51, Lake City 8
The reigning champion Pirates are headed back to the Finals after holding Lake City scoreless until the final minutes. Over four playoff games, P-W (12-1) has outscored its opponents 158-29. Lake City did set a program record for wins in finishing 12-1, making the Semifinals for the first time and all after going 2-7 a year ago. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
Pewamo-Westphalia Rolls past Lake City in division 7 semifinal https://t.co/xOcZuvQ6zm
— FOX 17 Blitz (@FOX17Blitz) November 19, 2017
Saugatuck 14, Madison Heights Madison 7
The Indians (10-3) earned their first Finals berth since 2010 with a third straight playoff win by seven points or fewer – an incredible showing of perseverance considering also that this run has come after they missed out on a league title because of a Week 9 loss. Madison (12-1) entered the postseason with the highest playoff point average in the division by a large margin, but couldn’t get an offense going that averaged 33 points heading into the weekend. Click for more from the Holland Sentinel.
Defense leads Saugatuck to semifinal win over Madison Heights Madison https://t.co/KDTQpkCSGK
— FOX 17 Blitz (@FOX17Blitz) November 19, 2017
Division 8
Saginaw Nouvel 17, Iron River West Iron County 14
Nouvel (13-0) outlasted a physical West Iron front on both sides of the ball and made a third-quarter field goal stand for 22 minutes to reach the Finals for the first time since winning Division 7 in 2011. While West Iron (11-2) did hold the Panthers to their season low points, the Wykons also scored their fewest since Week 5. Click for more from the Saginaw News.
Ottawa Lake Whiteford 50, Mendon 21
This shouldn’t be called an upset, but Mendon (12-1) had to be considered the Division 8 favorite by at least a few after eliminating reigning four-time champ Muskegon Catholic Central in the District Final. Instead, reigning runner-up Whiteford (13-0) scored 50 points for the 10th time in 11 games, those points accounting for 39 percent of all the points the staunch Hornets gave up this season. Click for more from the Monroe Evening News.
VIDEO: Highlights and post-game interviews from Whiteford's 50-21 win over Mendon in the Michigan D-VIII State Semifinal game. Whiteford will head back to the state championship game for the second-straight year. Bobcats will face Saginaw Nouvel Friday at 10 a.m. at Ford Field pic.twitter.com/Aaf0jsZ0MV
— Danielle Dwyer (@danielleWTOL11) November 18, 2017
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PHOTO: Muskegon quarterback La'darius Jefferson breaks into the second level of Harper Creek's defense Saturday as a pair of tacklers work to wrap him up. (Photo by Tim Reilly.)
South Christian 2022 Finishes Best in Division 4, Best in Sailors' History
By
Scott DeCamp
Special for MHSAA.com
November 25, 2022
DETROIT – Grand Rapids South Christian’s football team wasn’t perfect Friday night at Ford Field, and it didn’t have to be. Now, the Sailors’ season as a whole – that was flawless.
Even when they faced adversity, they never panicked. They moved on and kept making plays, all the way to a Division 4 championship and 14-0 record.
South Christian shut out Goodrich, 28-0, in the MHSAA Final to become the first group of Sailors in program history to finish a season unbeaten.
“I mean, it’s crazy. We’ve had a lot of great teams at South and just to imagine that we’re the only ones to be undefeated is a great feeling,” said South Christian senior quarterback and defensive back Jake DeHaan, whose squad became the fourth in program history to capture a state title and the first since 2014.
South Christian’s first Finals championship came in 2002, when now-coach Danny Brown was a Sailors player. This is Brown’s first state title as a coach.
South Christian, which made its eighth Finals appearance Friday, also won it all in 2012.
“I think I was more nervous as a coach. I think as a player, at least in my experience, I never really got that nervous,” Brown said. “It was another way to hang out with your friends and play the game you loved. But as a coach, you start thinking about all the what-ifs and things that can happen. You want the kids to win so bad that you kind of take on that pressure.”
It wasn’t easy against Goodrich (12-2), which was making its first Finals appearance, as South Christian scored 14 points in the second quarter and 14 in the fourth.
DeHaan, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound playmaker, finished 14-of-21 passing for 266 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He ran 12 times for a game-high 99 yards and one TD, plus he finished with four tackles and an interception. DeHaan’s signature moment was his 54-yard scoring run to give South Christian a 21-0 lead midway through the third quarter.
Junior Jake Vermaas, who fractured his collarbone in Week 3 and returned for the Sailors’ playoff opener, was the other “Jake” to make big plays. He made seven receptions for 152 yards and returned an interception 32 yards for a TD to put it away with 5:07 remaining in the game.
“It makes us that much better, right, to have all these playmakers. I mean, every guy can make a play and that’s what makes us so good,” Vermaas said. “We put in so much work to be that good and it shows, right? Fourteen-and-0.
“We’re the best – you can’t be better than that,” he added. “We were the best to do it at South Christian.”
Goodrich senior standout running back Jace Simerson finished with 91 yards on 20 carries. Martians senior quarterback Gavin Hart was 9-of-25 passing for 100 yards with two picks.
South Christian’s bevy of playmakers on offense and athletes with length on defense made it tough on opponents all season, and Friday was no different. Those strengths allowed the Sailors to overcome three turnovers.
“This is just one of those teams, and I know there’s a lot of them out there that no matter what the situation is, no matter what the moment is, there’s never a panic. They just continue to rise to the occasion,” Brown said.
“We felt that Week 6 with the (Grand Rapids) Catholic win, I think that kind of solidified – that was a back-and-forth game – that even when things get tight and there’s adversity, they can step up.”
That, the Sailors did.
In a scoreless game, DeHaan hit senior Nate Brinks on a 3-yard TD pass with 9:48 left in the first half. Four minutes later, he found sophomore Carson Vis on a 23-yard scoring strike.
Veteran Goodrich coach Tom Alward said he felt his team had opportunities to make plays, but the Martians just couldn’t capitalize. He attributed much of that to the Sailors.
“They’ve got athletes galore. They’ve got athletes at every position. I mean, it’s incredible,” Alward said. “You’re trying to match up. We thought we’ve got some athletes as well, but it’s tough to match up everybody.
“They do a good job. They sit there and they look, ‘Oh, that’s a linebacker.’ You run out of defensive backs against these guys. Plus, that quarterback, he’s a special young kid.”
DeHaan directed South Christian to this championship, helping the Sailors survive tests in the previous three rounds of the playoffs.
South Christian put away Hudsonville Unity Christian late, 35-20, in the District Final. In a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup in the Regional Final, the Sailors outlasted Whitehall, 28-21. In the icy Semifinal, South Christian held off Edwardsburg, 26-20.
“Our coaches stress (not to panic), which just helps us to keep persevering. And we knew that if we keep going and keep going that eventually our team’s going to come out on top and make plays when we need to make plays,” said DeHaan, who suffered a shoulder stinger late in the game but re-entered a play later.
It was a tough finish for Goodrich, which reeled off 12 straight wins to get to Ford Field after suffering a 27-2 season-opening loss to Frankenmuth, which is competing in the Division 5 Final on Saturday.
Alward said he loves every one of his teams, but this one will always have a special place in his heart.
“This team is exceptional – they’re exceptional,” the 30-year head coach said. “And not just football players, I’m talking about young men.”
PHOTOS (Top) Grand Rapids South Christian’s Jake Vermaas (2) tries to pull away from the grasp of Goodrich’s Owen Deciechi during Friday’s Division 4 Final. (Middle) Vermaas leaps over defender Gavin Valley (32). (Below) A Martians defender bats away a pass intended for the Sailors’ Carson Vis (13). (Click for more from Hockey Weekly Action Photos.)