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Drive For Detroit: 11-Player Semis Review

November 19, 2018

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

On Saturday, 16 football teams traded a long, relaxing Thanksgiving weekend for a work trip to Detroit.

They’d have it no other way.

There’s much to tell about every team heading to Ford Field for this weekend’s MHSAA Finals, and we’ll get to that soon. (Check back Wednesday evening for previews of all eight championship games.)

Let’s start the week with a glance at all 16 Semifinals from Saturday, including video highlights all by State Champs Sports Network. “Drive for Detroit” is powered by MI Student Aid.

Division 1

Clarkston 21, Saline 3: The reigning Division 1 champion Wolves (11-2) prevailed by continuing a defensive effort that has now allowed only 16 points total over four playoff games. Saline (11-2) had 215 total yards and only 58 rushing on 20 carries. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 28, Belleville 16: The Big Reds (13-0) moved on to the Finals for the first time since 2001 by handing the Tigers (12-1) their only loss. Chippewa Valley held Belleville to its second-fewest points in a game over the last two seasons. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.

Division 2

Muskegon Mona Shores 49, Midland 28: After three seasons away, the Sailors are heading back to Ford Field for the second time seeking their first MHSAA title. Mona Shores (12-1) took the lead for good with 4:41 to play in the third quarter and then scored 22 points in the fourth to outlast the Chemics (9-4). Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.

Warren DeLaSalle 28, Birmingham Groves 0: The reigning Division 2 champion will play for its third title in five seasons after handing Groves (10-3) its first shutout since 2013. DeLaSalle (11-2) scored the game’s first points late in the first half before pulling away during the second. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.

Division 3

Muskegon 45, Zeeland East 22: The Big Reds (13-0) averaged 50 points per game entering the weekend, so by that comparison they were slowed a bit. But considering Zeeland East (11-2) was giving up only 19 per game, it’s fair to say the reigning champs are in Finals form coming off their 27th straight victory. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.

Detroit Martin Luther King 34, DeWitt 21: DeWitt (12-1) pulled within six early in the third quarter before King scored 14 unanswered points to secure the win. The Crusaders (11-2) will be playing for their third title in four seasons after winning Division 2 in 2015 and 2016. Click for more from MLive-Detroit.

Division 4

Edwardsburg 46, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 44 (OT): In arguably the most dramatic finish from the weekend, Edwardsburg won this rematch of the 2017 Division 4 Final. The Eddies (13-0) scored first in overtime and went up eight, then stopped GRCC (11-2) on a 2-point conversion try after the Cougars also found the end zone. Click for more from the Niles Daily Star.

Chelsea 38, Williamston 13: The Panthers (10-3) are headed to their second MHSAA Finals in four years after knocking off a league champion for the second time this playoffs. Chelsea held Williamston (10-3) to season-low scoring while putting up the most points the Hornets had given up this fall. Click for more from the Sun Times News.

Division 5

Hudsonville Unity Christian 14, Saginaw Swan Valley 7: This may have stunned some as Swan Valley (12-1) was the reigning Division 5 runner-up and rarely had been challenged. But Unity Christian’s defense had its most impressive game of the fall, holding a Vikings offense averaging 42 points per game to just a first-half score. The Crusaders (11-2) earned their first Finals berth and set a program record for wins in the process. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.  

Portland 35, Marine City 14: The Raiders (13-0) ran for five touchdowns and continued their streak of holding every opponent to 20 or fewer points to earn a trip to Ford Field for the first time since winning Division 5 in 2012. The Mariners (10-3) were on their longest playoff run since 2013, but scored their fewest points this season and tied their most given up. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Division 6

Montague 14, Traverse City St. Francis 7: In a season of solid wins, it’s hard to argue this wasn’t the best for the Wildcats (11-2), who will head to the Finals for the first time since 2009 after handing St Francis (12-1) its only defeat. The Gladiators had been held to single-digit scoring only one other game over the last five seasons – in last year’s Semifinal. Click for more from the Local Sports Journal.

Jackson Lumen Christi 42, Montrose 20: The Titans (12-0) will get a chance to earn their third straight Division 6 championship after ending Montrose’s best run since making the Semifinals as well in 2013. After the Rams (10-3) took the lead twice during the first quarter, Lumen scored 34 unanswered points. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

Division 7

New Lothrop 51, Lake City 22: The Hornets (12-1) are headed to the Finals for the first time since 2006 after scoring 30 points during the first half and breaking away after Lake City cut the lead to eight early in the second. For the second straight season, the Trojans (12-1) ended with their lone loss in the Semifinals. Click for more from the Owosso Argus-Press.

Madison Heights Madison 37, Cassopolis 34: Madison (13-0) will play in its second Final after denying Cassopolis the opportunity to reach its first. The Rangers (12-1) trailed by one at halftime and two at the end of the third quarter but couldn’t catch completely up. Cassopolis had given up only 52 points this season heading into the game, and Madison hadn’t allowed more than 20 to any opponent. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

Division 8

Breckenridge 12, Harbor Beach 0: Since going 0-9 in 2015, Breckenridge is a combined 32-3 including 13-0 this fall – and the Huskies will next play in their first MHSAA Final. The Huskies posted their eighth shutout (on the field, not counting a forfeit win) and second of the playoffs to stop the Pirates (11-2). Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.

Reading 38, Holton 0: The Rangers (13-0) also earned their first championship game berth with a shutout, their seventh this season. Holton was one of only three teams this fall to hold Reading under 40 points, but the Red Devils (8-4) saw their longest playoff run end with a first trip to the Semifinals. Click for more from the Hillsdale Daily News.

Second Half’s weekly “Drive for Detroit” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Student Financial Services Bureau located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information, including various student financial assistance programs to help make college more affordable for Michigan students. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 savings programs (MET/MESP) and eight additional aid programs within its Student Scholarships and Grants division. Click for more information and connect with MI Student Aid on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

PHOTO: Clarkston's defense locks down a Saline ball carrier during the Wolves' Division 1 Semifinal win Saturday. (Photo by Terry Lyons.)

A Rockford received attempts to pull in a pass while covered closely during the Rams' opening-night win over Muskegon.

1st & Goal: 2023 Week 4 Preview

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 15, 2023

As we rumble into Week 4, the various rankings from media and the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association have begun weighing in on which contenders they view to be in the best in every division.

MI Student AidWe include those MHSFCA rankings on our “Rankings” page, but check out as well the MHSAA’s metric for measuring success – the playoff points page – which factors wins and losses, but also strength of schedule, and with those points used to select the playoff field and seed brackets for the opening rounds of both the 11 and 8-player tournaments.

Those numbers update in real time as results are reported – and there surely will be shifts this weekend thanks to several of the matchups detailed below.

If you don’t attend a game in person, make sure to tune in on MHSAA.tv and check the MHSAA Scores page for the latest. (Games below are Friday unless noted.)

Bay & Thumb

Harbor Beach (3-0) at Ubly (3-0)

Ubly is pushing toward a decade as one of the elite small-school 11-player teams in the state, coming off last season’s Division 8 runner-up finish and led by fourth-year quarterback Evan Peruski who also the team to Ford Field to cap the 2020 season. The Bearcats have won 24 straight regular-season games and two straight over Harbor Beach, including 42-0 a year ago. Before Ubly’s recent rise, the Pirates were the team to chase both from the Greater Thumb Conference East and among Division 8 contenders from that part of the state. They meet this time after deciding the last two GTC East titles and having both opened with three wins against playoff teams from last season.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Frankenmuth (2-1) at Birch Run (3-0), Bay City Western (2-1) at Midland Dow (2-1), Almont (3-0) at North Branch (2-1), Davison (3-0) at Saginaw Heritage (2-1).

Greater Detroit

Detroit Cass Tech (1-2) at Detroit Martin Luther King (1-2)

Although West Bloomfield/Lake Orion would be the game any other week, history gives this matchup top billing at least heading into Friday. Look past the records; King’s losses are to championship contenders in Ohio and Indiana, and Cass Tech’s came to another Division 1 contender in Southfield Arts & Technology and arguably the top team from New Jersey. Throw in last year’s series – King won the first meeting 28-23 on the way to clinching a division title, and Cass four weeks later won the Detroit Public School League final 28-14 – and it matters less that many of the top contributors this fall are filling those spots for the first time.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY West Bloomfield (3-0) at Lake Orion (3-0), Warren Michigan Collegiate (3-0) at Romulus Summit Academy North (3-0), Macomb Dakota (3-0) at Sterling Heights Stevenson (2-1), Canton (2-1) at Northville (3-0).

Mid-Michigan

East Lansing (1-2) at DeWitt (1-1)

East Lansing’s 36-30 win over DeWitt last season kicked off a wild ride through the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue that actually didn’t end with either of them winning or sharing the league title for the first time since 2017. But they’re expected to be back in the mix again and well-tested already this season. DeWitt didn’t have a game last week but came back to defeat Haslett in its opener and lost to arguably the Lansing area’s best in Mason in Week 2, while East Lansing came back big against Okemos last week after opening losses to Portage Central and Hudsonville.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Gladwin (3-0) at Clare (2-1), Montrose (3-0) at Ovid-Elsie (2-1), Williamston (2-1) at Mason (3-0), Charlotte (3-0) at Lansing Sexton (3-0).

Northern Lower Peninsula

Beal City (3-0) at Houghton Lake (3-0)

Beal City is pursuing a third-straight Highland Conference title and hasn’t lost a league game since 2020, and hasn’t been tested a ton this fall giving up only 21 points total with its closest call a 32-14 win over Ravenna in the season opener. Houghton Lake is climbing from a much different place; the Bobcats were 1-8 last season and 2-7 the year before, but have outscored their three opponents this fall by a combined 98-19 – those 98 points one more than they scored all 2022. Two of those wins also avenged losses from last season.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY East Jordan (3-0) at Charlevoix (2-1), Kingsley (2-1) at Boyne City (2-1), Johannesburg-Lewiston (2-1) at Frankfort (3-0), Petoskey (2-1) at Gaylord (3-0).

Southeast & Border

Manchester (3-0) at Napoleon (3-0)

Manchester is coming off its best season since 2015 and has continued the surge with all three wins this fall over opponents that finished 6-3 or better in 2022. Next comes an even bigger test, as Napoleon won the Cascades Conference last season and defeated the Flying Dutchmen 30-25 in league play and 42-13 in a Division 7 District Final. The Cascades split into two divisions beginning this fall, and these two are in the East as this opens the league schedule for both.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Grass Lake (3-0) at East Jackson (2-1), Tecumseh (1-2) at Adrian (3-0), Detroit U-D Jesuit (3-0) at Jackson Lumen Christi (3-0), Richland Gull Lake (2-1) at Parma Western (3-0).

Southwest Corridor

Schoolcraft (3-0) at Constantine (2-1)

After these longtime rivals had to cancel their 2021 game, the series restarted last fall with Constantine emerging 56-22 to break a seven-game Eagles winning streak in the matchup. The Falcons have to be riding high as well after last week’s 22-10 win over Lawton. But Schoolcraft should provide another challenge, especially defensively, as the Eagles have given up only 34 points so far and all of those to 2022 playoff teams Centreville and Kalamazoo United in double-digit victories over the last two weeks.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Saugatuck (3-0) at Union City (3-0), South Haven (2-1) at Lawton (2-1), Dowagiac (2-1) at Parchment (3-0), Portage Northern (3-0) at Kalamazoo Central (1-1).

Upper Peninsula

Kingsford (3-0) at Negaunee (2-1)

A top performance would add another big night to the impressive start of the season for Kingsford – but the Flivvers surely are being cautious despite their early success. They’re rivaling Iron Mountain as the top story in U.P. 11-player football after last week’s 35-12 win over Gladstone – which had defeated Negaunee in Week 2. But the Miners did bounce back last week to get past Calumet, and they likely need a win to keep repeat hopes alive in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper as Kingsford and Menominee have moved to the top of the standings early.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Menominee (3-0) at Calumet (1-2), Escanaba (1-2) at Sault Ste. Marie (2-1), Hancock (1-2) at Gladstone (2-1), Iron Mountain (3-0) at Gwinn (1-2).

West Michigan

Caledonia (3-0) at Rockford (3-0)

This has been one of the state’s most anticipated matchups after one of the most memorable series of 2022. Rockford defeated Caledonia 38-15 in Week 9 to clinch the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red title outright, while handing the Fighting Scots their first loss. Caledonia won the rematch in a Division 1 District Final two weeks later, 14-13, handing the Rams their only loss while taking a massive step on a run that ended with a runner-up finish at Ford Field. The teams are in different playoff divisions this time – Caledonia will play in Division 2 – but the league title may be up for grabs and some of the most important contributors from last season are again leading the way.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Muskegon (1-2) at Muskegon Mona Shores (2-1), Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (3-0) at Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern (2-1), Hamilton (3-0) at Allendale (3-0), Whitehall (3-0) at Montague (2-1).

8-Player

St. Ignace (3-0) at Indian River Inland Lakes (3-0)

St. Ignace’s 7-3 finish in 11-player football last fall was its best since 2016, and the Saints have carried that momentum into this season and a new format, topping 40 points all three games and giving up a combined 36 points. After gaining a forfeit Week 1, Inland Lakes has defeated two teams that won seven games last season – Lake Linden-Hubbell and Central Lake – and will provide St. Ignace another test, especially defensively, on a schedule filled with them. The Bulldogs scored 54 and 44 points, respectively, in those wins.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Ontonagon (3-0) at Powers North Central (3-0), Martin (2-1) at Gobles (3-0), Carson City-Crystal (3-0) at Merrill (3-0), Rudyard (3-0) at Pickford (3-0).

Second Half’s weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. 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 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and X (Twitter) @mistudentaid.

PHOTO A Rockford receiver attempts to pull in a pass while covered closely during the Rams' opening-night win over Muskegon. (Photo by Tim Reilly.)