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Drive for Detroit: Playoff Week 3 Review

November 13, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A longtime observer of Michigan high school football had a hard time remembering a playoff weekend with as many close finishes as fans enjoyed Friday and Saturday.

Start with the games in 11-player Division 1, where all four were decided by fourth-quarter scores or stops, and nail-biters dominated a weekend that saw 32 teams move on to 11-Player Regional Finals and the four finalists for 8-player championships book trips to Marquette’s Superior Dome.

We start with a brief glance below at all four 8-Player Semifinals and then move into all 32 11-player games. The MHSAA Playoffs are sponsored by the Michigan Army National Guard, and “Drive for Detroit” is sponsored by MI Student Aid.   

8-Player Division 1

Central Lake 54, Stephenson 20

The Trojans (12-0) rode a ravenous rushing attack in a snowstorm to earn its first MHSAA championship game berth while also tying its program record for wins in a season. Central Lake plodded to more than 400 yards against a Stephenson defense that had given up only 16.7 points per game entering the day. The Eagles finished 9-3. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Deckerville 52, Bellevue 18

Deckerville rattled off 44 straight points to earn a second straight trip to the MHSAA Finals. Bellevue led 12-8 early before the Eagles (11-1) went on their run against another otherwise-stellar defense – the Broncos (10-2) were giving up only 9.5 points per game entering the day and this season set a program record for wins. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.

8-Player Division 2

Crystal Falls Forest Park 36, Pickford 34

Forest Park will add to its 13 championship game appearances as an 11-player program with its first in 8-player after handing Pickford its lone loss this season. The Trojans (10-2) last made a championship game in 2009 and moved to 8-player a year ago. They put up the most points Pickford (11-1) gave up in a game this season by 12. The Panthers fell in their second straight Semifinal but moved to 27-7 in three years of 8-player. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Portland St. Patrick 33, Kinde-North Huron 14

The Shamrocks are 53-12 since moving to 8-player in 2012, and in their first Semifinal since that first season finally broke through to earn a first championship game berth since 1997. St. Patrick (11-1) scored 21 points during the fourth quarter to pull away against a North Huron program that also was playing in its second 8-Player Semifinal and finished 10-2. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

11-Player Division 1

West Bloomfield 28, Utica Eisenhower 25

Quarterback Bryce Veasley scored the winning touchdown with under a minute to play to send West Bloomfield (10-2) to its first MHSAA Semifinal in football. The Lakers edged an Eisenhower program much more familiar with this stage of the playoffs; the Eagles were playing for a third Regional title this decade and made the Semifinals a year ago. Eisenhower (11-1) had given up more than 20 points in a game to only one other opponent this fall. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

Other Regional Finals:

Clarkston 29, Holland West Ottawa 22 – The Wolves (10-2) scored 23 unanswered fourth-quarter points to win their second Regional title in four seasons and end West Ottawa’s winningest football season at 10-2.

Detroit Catholic Central 27, Canton 26 – The Shamrocks (8-4) stopped a Canton two-point conversion attempt with 34 seconds to play to win their fifth Regional title this decade while handing the Chiefs (10-2) their first loss since opening night.

Detroit Cass Tech 32, Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 26 – In maybe the most dramatic finish of all this weekend, Chippewa Valley (10-2) took the lead with 1:25 to play and Cass Tech (9-2) took it back as the clock ticked under 10 seconds to win an eighth straight Regional title. 

11-Player Division 2

Livonia Franklin 31, Flushing 29

Franklin (10-2) clinched its second Regional title in three seasons on kicker Brad Gibson’s 27-yard field goal with 13 seconds to play. Flushing had taken the lead just more than a minute before with a two-point conversion after a late score. Flushing was playing for its first Regional title and finished 9-3, tying its most successful season (2014) since 1997. Click for more from the Observer & Eccentric.

Other Regional Finals:

Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 28, Traverse City Central 10 – Forest Hills Central (12-0) won its first football Regional title since 1995 with 28 unanswered points over the second and third quarters; Traverse City Central (8-4) was playing for its first Regional title since 1991.

Detroit Martin Luther King 55, Ypsilanti Lincoln 14 – The Crusaders (11-1) won their third straight Regional title and fifth in seven years while finishing the most successful playoff run ever for Lincoln (9-3), which hadn’t lost since an 0-2 start.

Warren DeLaSalle 14, Oak Park 7 – A last-minute touchdown gave DeLaSalle (10-2) its first Regional title since 2014 as both teams scored their fewest points since opening night; Oak Park (9-3) tied its most successful season after also going 9-3 in 2012. 

11-Player Division 3

Riverview 36, Dearborn Divine Child 31

The Riverview dream season continues, this time after a close win over one of last season’s Division 3 semifinalists. The Pirates (11-1) won their first Regional title since 2002, with the reminder again that they went only 2-7 a year ago. Riverview led by 12 heading into the fourth quarter and held off Divine Child (10-2) during a late comeback attempt. Click for more from the Southgate News-Herald.

Other Regional Finals:

Muskegon 49, DeWitt 0 – The Big Reds (12-0) were great on offense as usual, but defensively this was the most impressive of their six shutouts this fall; DeWitt (10-2) was averaging 39 points per game entering the day.

Battle Creek Harper Creek 16, East Lansing 13 – The Beavers (12-0) scored all 16 of their points during the fourth quarter to clinch their first Regional title since 2012 and hand East Lansing (9-3) its first defeat this season since Week 3; the Trojans finished their best season since 2011.

Farmington Hills Harrison 34, Linden 21 – The Hawks (9-3) added to their inspired run with a first Regional title since 2014; Linden (9-3) was playing for its first Regional title but did finish its winningest season since 2012. 

11-Player Division 4

River Rouge 21, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood 14

The Panthers (10-2) reached 10 victories for the fourth straight season and fifth in six seasons by clinching this third straight Regional title. River Rouge never broke away but did go ahead to stay midway through the fourth quarter to seal its closest win of the season (the two losses were by nine and seven). Cranbrook Kingswood (10-2) did cap its winningest season in program history. Click for more from the Southgate News-Herald.

Other Regional Finals:

Escanaba 39, Williamston 21 – The Eskymos (10-2) began pulling away during the first half on the way to their first Regional title since 1981; for Williamston (7-5), it was the only loss this season by more than seven points.

Grand Rapids Catholic Central 42, Belding 3 – GRCC (12-0) rode another giant dose of running back Nolan Fugate to its 18th straight win; Belding (9-3) ended its most successful season since 1998.

Edwardsburg 52, Lansing Sexton 30 –The Eddies (11-1) won their second straight Regional title with their fifth game over 50 points this season; Sexton (8-4) did become the first team to top 30 against Edwardsburg this fall.

11-Player Division 5

Grand Rapids West Catholic 28, Portland 26

The latest of frequent playoff meetings between these annual contenders turned out to be another classic as West Catholic (10-2) stopped a late two-point conversion attempt to secure the win – after also beating Portland by three last season on the way to winning the Division 5 title. The Raiders (10-2) fought back from two touchdowns down in the fourth quarter. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Other Regional Finals:

Reed City 46, Menominee 34 – The Coyotes (11-1) closed this weekend’s action in Saturday’s final game by claiming their first Regional title against a Menominee team playing in its ninth straight Regional Final; the Maroons, last season’s Division 5 runners-up, finished 8-4.

Saginaw Swan Valley 48, Muskegon Oakridge 14 – The Vikings (11-1) will play in their third Semifinal in nine years as Alex Fries threw three touchdown passes and ran for a fourth score; Oakridge (9-3) was playing for its first Regional title since 2013.

Frankenmuth 17, Algonac 7 – The Eagles (12-0) won their second straight Regional title and set a program record for wins by outlasting the Blue Water Area Conference champion Muskrats (10-2) in a defensive struggle; Frankenmuth held Algonac to 161 yards. 

11-Player Division 6

Ithaca 33, Montague 23

Ithaca made a statement in a game pitting teams that have combined to win seven of the last nine Division 6 titles. Following quarterback Joey Bentley – 218 yards and four touchdowns rushing, one more touchdown passing – the Yellowjackets (12-0) led by 18 late before Montague added a final score. The Wildcats (11-1) did put up the most points Ithaca has given up this season – the Yellowjackets have now allowed only 101 over 12 games. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.

Other Regional Finals:

Traverse City St. Francis 33, Millington 26 – The Gladiators (11-1) hung on to win their second Regional title in three seasons as Millington (10-2) put up the most points St. Francis has given up this season – although the Gladiators also became just the second to score more than 30 on the Cardinals.

Jackson Lumen Christi 44, Watervliet 22 – The reigning Division 6 champion Titans (10-1) locked down a Watervliet offense that had scored at least 36 points every game and averaged 52 per game during the Panthers’ 11-0 start.

Warren Michigan Collegiate 32, Blissfield 6 – The Cougars (12-0) won their second Regional title in 10 seasons as a program, ending Blissfield’s first winning season since 2012 and winningest since 2009 at 7-5. 

11-Player Division 7

Lake City 20, Breckenridge 18

Someone was going to celebrate a major accomplishment after this game. Lake City improved to 12-0, extending its program record for wins in claiming its first Regional title and with last year’s 2-7 finish becoming tougher to believe by the week. Breckenridge was 0-9 only three years ago and won its first playoff game just two weeks ago on the way to finishing 10-2 this fall. Click for more from the Cadillac News.

Other Regional Finals:

Pewamo-Westphalia 34, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker 0 – The Pirates’ fifth shutout this season moved them to 11-1 and landed them their sixth Regional title in seven seasons; Laker (10-2) did contain P-W to its third-fewest points this fall.

Saugatuck 7, Cassopolis 6 – A go-ahead score with under three minutes to play pushed Saugatuck (9-3) just past the Rangers (10-2) for its first Regional title since 2010; Cassopolis had guarded that lead since the first quarter.

Madison Heights Madison 22, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 20 – Madison (12-0) will play in its first Semifinal since 2007 after coming back from two touchdowns down during the second half; the Falcons finished 7-5 after a 1-3 start this fall. 

11-Player Division 8

Iron River West Iron County 35, Frankfort 20

West Iron’s first Regional title since 1977 came with a program record-setting 11th win as the Wykons haven’t lost since falling by two points on opening night. West Iron scored the first 22 points and locked down a Frankfort offense that had scored 45 per game entering the game. The Panthers finished 8-3 after making the Regional Finals for the third straight season. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Other Regional Finals:

Saginaw Nouvel 54, Lincoln Alcona 34 – Nouvel (12-0) picked the best time to score its most points in a game this season, coming off a District Final scare against Harbor Beach; the Panthers opened a 28-0 lead on the Tigers (9-3), who were playing in their first Regional Final.  

Mendon 14, Climax-Scotts 6 – A week after stunning reigning champion Muskegon Catholic Central, Mendon (12-0) had to hold off the Panthers (9-3) for 2½ quarters to earn its first Regional title since 2011.

Ottawa Lake Whiteford 60, Clarkston Everest Collegiate 20 – Last season’s Division 8 runner-up Bobcats (12-0) clearly are intent on getting back to Ford Field; they finished this one on a 44-6 run to end the longest tournament run in the five-year history of Everest Collegiate (9-3).

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: Ithaca’s Devon Smith (51) closes in on a Montague ball carrier during Saturday’s Division 6 Regional Final. (Photo by Tim Reilly.)

A Montague ball carrier attempts to break free last week from multiple Forest Hills Eastern defenders, including Jordan Shabazz (23). FHE won the opener 48-7.

1st & Goal: 2024 Week 2 Preview

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 5, 2024

It’s only Week 2. We’re just getting started.

MI Student AidBut at least five games this week look likely to end up counted among the most notable of the regular season, statewide, when all is said and done Oct. 26. Another handful could eventually determine league championships, if past history holds again.

We’re back to our regular schedule, with six games played Thursday night, the great majority tonight and seven games set for Saturday. All listed below are today unless noted, and scores will be updated throughout the weekend on the MHSAA Scores page.

Bay & Thumb

Armada (1-0) at Croswell-Lexington (1-0) WATCH

The Blue Water Area Conference schedule begins tonight, and Croswell-Lexington owns a 19-game winning streak against Armada after claiming last year’s meeting 53-28. But the Tigers are coming off a third-straight winning season, and a third-straight victory last week over perennial power Marine City – and a historic Armada win tonight would throw a wrench into the Pioneers’ plans to take back the BWAC for the first time since 2021.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Haslett (0-1) at Fenton (1-0), Goodrich (0-1) at Linden (0-1) WATCH, Saginaw Heritage (1-0) at Midland Dow (0-1), SATURDAY Harbor Beach (1-0) at Marine City Cardinal Mooney (0-1).

Greater Detroit

Warren De La Salle Collegiate (1-0) at Detroit Martin Luther King (1-0)

This might be one of the most anticipated games statewide this year, not just one of the best of the week in Metro Detroit. The 2023 Division 2 runner-up Pilots began their pursuit of a fourth-straight trip to the Finals with a stunning defensive effort and 21-3 win over Davison last week. King is attempting to get back to the Finals this fall for the third time in four seasons after ending their run in the Division 3 Semifinals a year ago, and the Crusaders opened with a 25-21 win over Ohio powerhouse Cleveland Heights. King and De La Salle last faced each other in a 2017 Semifinal.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY West Bloomfield (1-0) at Birmingham Groves (1-0) WATCH, Clarkston (0-1) at Southfield Arts & Technology (1-0) WATCH, Jackson Lumen Christi (1-0) at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (1-0) WATCH, Muskegon Mona Shores (1-0) at River Rouge (1-0) WATCH.

Mid-Michigan

DeWitt (1-0) at Mason (1-0)

After falling to DeWitt five straight meetings over the eight seasons, Mason defeated the Panthers twice in 2023 – 42-23 during the regular season and 42-7 in a District Final – on the way to finishing Division 3 runner-up. The Bulldogs graduated nearly all of their starters from that run, but the new crew joined four-year starting quarterback Cason Carswell in downing Holt 26-7 to open this fall. DeWitt has nearly its entire lineup back from a year ago and also one of the top quarterbacks both in the Lansing area and statewide – Elliott Larner, who threw for four touchdowns and ran for four in the Panthers’ 69-42 win over Haslett.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Lansing Catholic (1-0) at Lansing Sexton (0-1) WATCH, Olivet (1-0) at Portland (1-0), Hastings (1-0) at Williamston (0-1) WATCH, Bath (0-1) at Pewamo-Westphalia (1-0) WATCH.

Northern Lower Peninsula

Kingsley (0-1) at Gaylord (0-1) WATCH

Forget for a minute that both fell in openers last week. Gaylord is coming off its best season since 2002 after finishing 11-1, and Kingsley is the reigning Division 6 champion with one of its two losses last fall in a 42-39 classic against the Blue Devils. Back to last week, Kingsley did lose 24-22 but it was a rematch of its 2023 Semifinal win over Reed City. Gaylord’s defeat came against longtime former league foe Traverse City West, but the defense that gave up only 14.5 points per game last season remained on point, allowing just six to the Titans.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Maple City Glen Lake (1-0) at Frankfort (1-0) WATCH, Boyne City (0-1) at Elk Rapids (1-0), Parma Western (1-0) at Traverse City Central (1-0) WATCH. SATURDAY Lawton (1-0) at Traverse City St. Francis (1-0) WATCH.

Southeast & Border

Saline (1-0) at Dexter (1-0)

The Southeastern Conference Red season also begins tonight, and with the matchup that eventually determined last year’s league championship. That went to Saline, thanks to a 41-25 victory over Dexter, and the Hornets opened last week by doubling up Brighton 41-20. The Dreadnaughts actually come into this rematch on a higher note than a year ago after edging Livonia Franklin 27-26 last week, avenging their 33-27 loss to Franklin from last season’s opener.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Whitmore Lake (1-0) at Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (1-0), Addison (1-0) at Manchester (1-0) WATCH, Three Rivers (1-0) at Adrian (0-1) WATCH, Jonesville (1-0) at Napoleon (0-1).

Southwest Corridor

White Pigeon (1-0) at Buchanan (1-0) WATCH

More statewide fanfare should be given to White Pigeon’s fantastic run over the last three seasons, as the Chiefs went a combined 29-7 with three trips to Division 8 Regional Finals. They opened in dominant fashion 52-14 over Reading last week, but get a Buchanan team that also has been quietly solid with a combined 15-6 record over the last two seasons – and with two of last year’s defeats by seven points apiece. The Bucks opened last week with a 32-6 rumbling over Saugatuck, which avenged a 25-14 opening loss to the Trailblazers from a year ago.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY St. Joseph (1-0) at Edwardsburg (1-0), Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (1-0) at Portage Central (0-1) WATCH, Battle Creek Central (0-1) at Battle Creek Harper Creek (1-0), Midland (1-0) at Portage Northern (0-1) WATCH.

Upper Peninsula

Calumet (1-0) at Ishpeming Westwood (1-0) WATCH

Both of these teams are looking for bounce-back seasons, and off on the right foot. Calumet went 3-6 a year ago, its first sub-.500 finish since 2013, but opened with a 50-0 shutout of West Iron County last week. Westwood won once in 2023, its fewest victories since going 2-7 in 2016, but opened last week with a 36-12 win over Bark River-Harris, which finished 5-4 a year ago and defeated the Patriots 50-14 to start last season. Calumet defeated Westwood in last season’s matchup 42-22.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Hancock (1-0) at Menominee (1-0) WATCH, Iron Mountain (1-0) at Bark River-Harris (0-1) WATCH, Houghton (0-1) at Kingsford (1-0) WATCH, Gladstone (0-1) at Negaunee (1-0) WATCH.

West Michigan

Muskegon (0-1) at Rockford (1-0) WATCH

West Michigan has several intriguing matchups this week, especially in places with new coaches this fall. But this one always will rise to the highest level of statewide interest. Rockford won their season-opening clash last year 27-7, and Muskegon actually started last year 0-2 before winning 12 straight games and the Division 2 title. Both programs surely benefit greatly from these mega matchups early, and that’s key perspective as the Big Reds also opened this season with a loss, 28-13 to Zeeland West. Rockford is a combined 32-3 over the last three seasons and may be on the verge of something even bigger this fall after defeating Detroit Cass Tech 30-23 in their opener.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY East Kentwood (1-0) at Byron Center (1-0), Grand Rapids South Christian (1-0) at East Grand Rapids (1-0) WATCH, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern (1-0) at Jenison (1-0), Caledonia (1-0) at Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (0-1) WATCH.

8-Player

Martin (1-0) at Bridgman (1-0)

With Martin the reigning two-time Division 1 champion, and Bridgman building a combined 35-game winning streak going back to 2020 (but with an enrollment too large to compete in the 8-player playoffs), it’s safe to say these have been two of the elite handful of teams in the state to start this decade. And their matchups have been must-see; Bridgman won 35-34 in 2022 and 14-12 last season. Although Bridgman also faces 2023 Division 1 runner-up Indian River Inland Lakes in Week 4, this could prove for both to be their biggest game of the regular season again.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Morrice (1-0) at Merrill (1-0) WATCH, Lake Linden-Hubbell (0-1) at Munising (1-0) WATCH. SATURDAY Newberry (0-1) vs. Climax-Scotts (0-1) at Gaylord, Marion (1-0) at Onekama (1-0) WATCH.

MHSAA.com's weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). 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 scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Click to connect with MI Student Aid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

PHOTO A Montague ball carrier attempts to break free last week from multiple Forest Hills Eastern defenders, including Jordan Shabazz (23). FHE won the opener 48-7. (Photo by Michigan Sports Photo.)