Drive for Detroit: 11-Player Semis Review
November 25, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Special for Second Half
Buckle up. We’re headed for the home stretch.
The final 16 contenders for this season’s MHSAA 11-player football championships were set over the weekend, and Detroit on Friday and Saturday will be the final stop to conclude another memorable season.
Below we discuss all 16 Semifinals just a bit, with more detailed previews of the championship games coming out Wednesday. We’ll also include this past weekend’s 8-Player Finals – congratulations to first-time champions Colon and Pickford! – when we wrap up our review of the MHSAA Football Finals as a whole next week.
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Division 1
Brighton 22, Belleville 19
The Bulldogs (11-2) will play in their first MHSAA Final in football, while Belleville ended its season in the Semifinals for the second-straight year. Brighton scored with under a minute left to earn the first championship game trip, and also held Belleville (12-1) to its fewest points scored this season. Click for more from the Livingston Daily Press & Argus.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Brighton (@godogs_football) vs. Belleville - Division 1 @MHSAA Football Semifinal from this afternoon. Brought to you by @hungryhowies pic.twitter.com/EBR6WSMk9Q
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 23, 2019
Davison 34, Sterling Heights Stevenson 27 (OT)
The Cardinals (11-2) also will play in their first MHSAA football championship game after outlasting Stevenson. Davison, playing its first Semifinal since 2008, trailed throughout but caught up before the end of regulation and then made a stop in overtime to finish the comeback. The Titans (8-5) had made the playoffs as an additional qualifier before reaching their first Semifinal since 2009. Click for more from the Flint Journal.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Davison (@DavCardFootball) vs. Sterling Heights Stevenson - Division 1 @MHSAA Football Semifinal from this afternoon. @DavisonMade @davisonwc
Brought to you by @MHSAA pic.twitter.com/SHWMaXepTR
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 24, 2019
Division 2
Muskegon Mona Shores 57, Walled Lake Western 56
The reigning Division 2 runner-up Sailors (11-2) booked their return to Ford Field with a touchdown with 17 seconds to play followed by a go-ahead 2-point conversion instead of kicking an extra point – making back-up quarterback Brady Rose one of the biggest stars of the weekend. Walled Lake Western (11-2) was playing in its fourth Semifinal this decade and tied its most points scored in a game this fall. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Mona Shores (@sailorathletics) vs. Walled Lake Western - Division 2 @MHSAA Semifinal from this afternoon. Brought to you by @MHSAA pic.twitter.com/mjhgCori9i
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 24, 2019
Detroit Martin Luther King 60, Birmingham Seaholm 17
The Crusaders (11-2) will play for a second-straight MHSAA Finals championship to follow up last season’s won in Division 3. The reached 60 points for the first time since Week 5 of 2017 and held Seaholm (9-4) to nearly 20 points before its average. The Maples were playing in their first Semifinal since 1997. Click for more from MLive-Detroit.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Detroit King (@DetKingFootball) vs. Seaholm - Division 2 @MHSAA Football Semifinal from this afternoon. Brought to you by @hungryhowies pic.twitter.com/6uH4H9Cp4P
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 24, 2019
Division 3
Muskegon 28, DeWitt 21
The Big Reds (13-0) outlasted DeWitt in their only playoff games decided by fewer than 38 points, and one of only two games they played decided by single digits this fall. Last season’s Division 3 runner-up, Muskegon went ahead to stay with just more than two minutes remaining and held off a final rally by the Panthers (10-3), who were playing in their fifth Semifinal this decade. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Muskegon (@OnMuskegon) vs. DeWitt - Division 3 @MHSAA Semifinal from this afternoon. @MuskCoFootball @CM240
Brought to you by @hungryhowies pic.twitter.com/hkf0kqHpQY
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 24, 2019
River Rouge 14, Chelsea 7
The Panthers (12-1) likewise received their toughest challenge of the playoffs, as Chelsea gave them one of only three games decided by single digits this season. River Rouge scored both of its touchdowns during the fourth quarter after Chelsea (12-1) led for a quarter and a half. The Bulldogs were trying for their second-straight trip to the Finals after finishing Division 4 runner-up a year ago. Click for more from the Detroit News.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the River Rouge (@RougeFootball) vs. Chelsea - Division 3 @MHSAA Football Semifinal from this afternoon. Brought to you by @MHSAA pic.twitter.com/vn8myIIMIO
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 23, 2019
Division 4
Grand Rapids Catholic Central 56, Hudsonville Unity Christian 17
The Cougars (12-1) will play for their third Division 4 championship in four years after eliminating last season’s Division 5 title winner, Unity (9-4). It was the seventh time these teams met in the playoffs this decade, and fifth time the result went GRCC’s way. The Cougars scored their most points this season in earning the trip to Detroit. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Grand Rapids Catholic Central (@GRCatholicCentr) vs. Unity Christian - Division 4 @MHSAA Semifinal from this afternoon.
Brought to you by @hungryhowies pic.twitter.com/ifsI5zUaSf
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 24, 2019
Detroit Country Day 21, Flint Powers Catholic 0
Country Day (13-0) will return to Ford Field for the first time since 2016 (when it also faced GRCC) after posting its fourth shutout this season. It’s easy to marvel at the Yellowjackets’ defense, which is now giving up just 5.2 points per game. Powers (10-3) was playing in its third Semifinal this decade and capped its best run since 2015. Click for more from the Oakland Press.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Detroit Country Day (@DCDSAthletics) vs. Flint Powers - Division 4 @MHSAA Football Semifinal from this afternoon. Courtesy: @MHSAA.tv
Brought to you by @MHSAA pic.twitter.com/3HrO0G1mfB
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 24, 2019
Division 5
Lansing Catholic 28, Kingsley 14
The Cougars (12-1) are known for offense, but headed to Ford Field for the first time since 2014 as much thanks to a defensive effort that held Kingsley (12-1) nearly 32 points below its season average. Lansing Catholic is giving up only 13 points per game. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
See the video highlights from Lansing Catholic's state semifinal win: https://t.co/avSHBQ8r7e via @LSJnews
— Brian Calloway (@brian_calloway) November 24, 2019
Almont 36, Detroit Denby 8
In its third Semifinal this decade, Almont (13-0) advanced to its first football championship game also with another outstanding defensive performance. The Raiders lowered their points-given-up average to 10 with their best showing of the playoffs, halting Denby’s longest playoff run and most successful season at 10-3.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the @AlmontRaidersFB vs. Denby - Division 5 @MHSAA Football Semifinal from this afternoon. @AlmontAthletics
Brought to you by @hungryhowies pic.twitter.com/PLTPP73lGC
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 23, 2019
Division 6
Maple City Glen Lake 31, Montague 30 (OT)
The Lakers (12-1) are headed to their second MHSAA Final in four seasons thanks to a mighty comeback against last season’s Division 6 runner-up. Glen Lake trailed by 14 with under five minutes left in regulation, but pushed the game to overtime with a touchdown pass on the last play of the fourth quarter. Montague (10-3) finished with three losses this fall by a combined 13 points. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Glen Lake (@GlenLakeSchools) vs. Montague - Division 6 @MHSAA Semifinal from this afternoon.
Brought to you by @hungryhowies pic.twitter.com/Anlw0EURkU
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 24, 2019
Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 17, Onsted 14
St. Mary will play in its third Final this decade and first since winning Division 6 in 2014 thanks to Wyatt Bergmoser’s 20-yard field goal on the game’s final play. The Falcons (11-1) held off an Onsted team that finished 10-3 and rallied after a 2-2 start to reach the Semifinals for the first time since 1993. The close win for SMCC came after its last two playoff runs ended in Regional Final losses by two and one point. Click for more from the Monroe News.
Onsted vs. Monroe St. Mary MHSAA Division 6 semifinal 11-23-19 | Photo Gallery https://t.co/bRwyZi3sGQ
— JTV Sports (@JTV_Sports) November 25, 2019
Division 7
Pewamo-Westphalia 43, Iron Mountain 7
Friday night at the Superior Dome at Northern Michigan University saw two undefeated teams meet and P-W (13-0) earn its fourth trip to Ford Field over the last five seasons. After giving up 35 points to reigning champ New Lothrop in a one-point win the week before, the Pirates’ defense bounced back to hold the Mountaineers (12-1) to their season low. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Pewamo-Westphalia (@PWGRIDIRON) vs. Iron Mountain - Division 7 @MHSAA Football Semifinal from tonight. Brought to you by @hungryhowies pic.twitter.com/5frtnZNIod
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 23, 2019
Jackson Lumen Christi 27, Cass City 0
Lumen Christi scored one point less than Cass City had given up over the last 10 weeks combined, finding enough openings against one of the state’s most accomplished defenses to reach a fourth-straight Final. The Titans (12-0) also posted their second shutout of the fall, like P-W bouncing back on that side of the ball after giving up 30 in a Regional Final. Cass City finished 11-2 in reaching the Semifinals for the first time. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen-Patriot.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Lumen Christi (@Titan78378009) vs. Cass City - Division 6 @MHSAA Football Semifinal from this afternoon. Brought to you by @MHSAA pic.twitter.com/3mIv7mz4b6
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 23, 2019
Division 8
Beal City 21, Ubly 20
The Aggies (12-1) came back from an early 14-0 deficit to edge Ubly and reach the MHSAA Finals for the first time since back-to-back trips in 2012 and 2013. The Bearcats went for the win after a last-minute score, but Beal City made a stop on the conversion and again after Ubly (10-3) recovered the ensuing onside kick. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Beal City vs. Ubly - Division 8 @MHSAA Football Semifinal from this afternoon. Courtesy: @MHSAA.tv
Brought to you by @MHSAA pic.twitter.com/eotIVO5Ut6
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 24, 2019
Reading 62, Fowler 18
The reigning champ has earned an opportunity to repeat, as Reading (12-1) put up 60 points for the third time this season and held the Eagles scoreless during the second half. Fowler, playing in its first Semifinal since 2011, finished with its best record since that fall at 11-2. Click for more from the Hillsdale Daily News.
VIDEO: Check out the highlights of the Reading vs. Fowler - Division 8 @MHSAA Football Semifinal from this afternoon. Courtesy: Hometown Media Network. Brought to you by @MHSAA pic.twitter.com/fImEPdoqSg
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsnet) November 24, 2019
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PHOTO: Detroit King's Terence Maize (99) wraps up Birmingham Seaholm's Chaz Strecker during the Crusaders' Division 2 Semifinal win Saturday. (Photo by Terry Lyons.)
Ogemaw Heights Makes Nemesis Latest Hurdle Conquered During Memorable Run
By
Tom Spencer
Special for MHSAA.com
November 3, 2023
Ogemaw Heights found itself in an all too familiar position when the football playoffs opened up last week.
The Falcons were trailing Gladwin – this time by three touchdowns. Gladwin, the 2022 Division 5 champion, had knocked off Ogemaw Heights 35-20 last year on the way to the title. Gladwin also had topped the Falcons to open this season 42-28.
But this rematch didn’t stay familiar, as things changed fast. The Falcons cut the lead to just one score by halftime and went on to win 28-23.
Another difference is the Falcons (9-1) were at home — the two previous meetings in less than a year were on the Flying Gs’ field. The Falcons are staying home again this weekend, hosting Kingsford at 1 p.m. Saturday with a District title on the line.
Getting a win over Gladwin did not come as a surprise to the Ogemaw’s head coach, Chad Miller, now in his fifth year at the helm. Strong senior leadership has set the tone, and a talented group of underclassmen has arrived to bolster the lineup.
“We were down 21-0 with three minutes left in the first half and scored twice in that three minutes, and then dominated the second half,” Miller said. “We were good last year losing to a very good Gladwin team in a pretty close game in the first round of the playoffs.
“We knew if the sophomores came around we’d be OK this year.”
The Falcons utilize two of the sophomores at fullback, Calvin Marshall and Conner Lambert. Lambert is also the safety on defense, and Marshall plays defensive tackle.
The other sophomores are Eion Jones, Ethan Hock and Jace Peters. Jones starts at tight end and plays a little defense. Hock is the left guard, and Peters plays everywhere, Miller pointed out.
Karter Schmitt is a four-year starter. Week after week, he leads the team in rushing and tackles as a linebacker. Xander Kartes, in his second year as quarterback and third year starting at safety, is the playmaker and game manager, Miller said.
Schmitt started the comeback against Gladwin with two second-quarter touchdowns. The latter was set up by a Lambert interception.
“We don’t come back from 21 down unless our leaders make great plays,” Miller noted.
The Falcons have 11 other seniors on the roster. Multi-year starters are providing a ton of experience. This year’s seniors missed the playoffs only once during their careers. The other seniors starting again this year are right guard Mason Dunn, left tackle Ty Neubecker, linebacker Jack Fachting, and center/defensive tackle Andrew Christner.
Ogemaw Heights clinched the Northern Michigan Football Conference’s Legends title with a 35-12 win over Kingsley in Week 7. Schmitt ran 27 times for 149 yards to lead Ogemaw to the school’s first football league title since 2009. It was also the Falcons’ final game in the NMFC as they will join the Jack Pine Conference – which includes Gladwin – next fall.
That win over the Stags, also hosting a playoff game this week in Division 6, came in the program’s annual Purple Game. The Falcons wore purple jerseys against the Stags instead of their traditional brown as each player displayed a family member or friend’s name on the back of the uniform in honor of someone fighting cancer.
The Purple Game originated after the loss of previous coaches and community members to cancer, Miller indicated. The game date is set in advance of the season, just like Homecoming.
“We dedicate one game to anybody with or who has cancer,” Miller said. “The players choose someone in their lives, and we wear purple jerseys with the person’s relative or family name on the back and we present it to the family afterwards.
“It was a big night,” Miller continued. “Kingsley is a machine.”
Kingsford also will bring a 9-1 record over the Mackinac Bridge and down I-75 to the West Branch exit. The Flivvers’ only loss was 13-12 at Negaunee, a team battling this weekend for a District championship in Division 6.
“Kingsford is a very good team with a running back that has over 900 yards and 17 touchdowns the last three games,” Miller said of his team’s next opponent. “He’s probably the best running we’ve seen this year — he is going to be an issue.
“We won’t back down from anything,” Miller added. “The kids are cornfield tough – they are tough guys, man.”
Tom Spencer is a longtime MHSAA-registered basketball and soccer official, and former softball and baseball official, and he also has coached in the northern Lower Peninsula area. He previously has written for the Saginaw News, Bay County Sports Page and Midland Daily News. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco, Alcona, Oscoda, Crawford, Kalkaska, Grand Traverse, Benzie, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Presque Isle, Cheboygan, Charlevoix and Emmet counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Ogemaw Heights’ Karter Schmitt is tackled by Gavin Dear and Gavyn Merchant during the Falcons’ win over Kingsley this season. (Middle) Xander Kartes (9) tips a pass intended for Eli Graves. (Photos courtesy of the Traverse City Record-Eagle.)