Drive for Detroit: Week 1 in Review
September 3, 2013
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Let’s start our first weekly review of MHSAA football action with some of the results you won’t see among our list of most significant from opening weekend:
Kent City’s first opening night win over Ravenna in 15 tries and Beal City’s incredible 61-0 win over rival Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart. Kalamazoo Central’s 14-13 win over neighbor Loy Norrix and Kinde-North Huron’s 28-14 win over reigning MHSAA 8-player champion Deckerville.
All are big-time results, no doubt. But below I’ve tried to tell you about five more from each region of our state, organized by the winner in each game, that might have bigger impacts as we move immediately forward with most leagues schedules kicking off in three days.
West Michigan
Zeeland West 44, Detroit Country Day 28
Country Day came into this season with plenty of deserved hype returning most of its star power from last season’s run to the MHSAA Division 4 Final. But Zeeland West has plenty of championship experience too, and its tough running proved too much for the Yellowjackets. Click to read more from the Oakland Press.
Also noted:
East Grand Rapids 24, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 7 – The Pioneers began making up for last season’s first playoff miss since 2000 with a solid win over another perennial power.
Grand Rapids Christian 41, Grand Rapids South Christian 13 – New faces abound, but the reigning Division 3 champion won big over last season’s Division 4 title winner.
Muskegon Oakridge 31, Grand Rapids West Catholic 25 – The Eagles are soaring high to start this fall after finishing 2012 with a 13-6 District Final loss to West Catholic.
Rockford 23, Utica Eisenhower 6 – Given these teams’ histories, no one would be stunned if they met again in 13 weeks in the MHSAA Division 1 Final.
Greater Detroit
Oak Park 25, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 20
Oak Park entered its opener with the opportunity to show last season’s historic run wasn’t over with 2012’s final horn. Four touchdowns during the second half against the reigning MHSAA Division 3 runner-up proved the Knights will be talked about plenty again in 2013. Read more in the Detroit Free Press.
Also noted:
Detroit Cass Tech 18, Southfield 14 – Two-time reigning Division 1 champion Cass Tech and quarterback Jayru Campbell edged an improved Bluejays team to start 1-0.
Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 27, Dearborn 20 (2 OT) – Chippewa Valley also beat Dearborn on opening night last season on the way to its first playoff berth in three seasons; this one could be prove just as important.
Rochester Adams 12, Clarkston 7 – Coming off its first playoff miss since 1996, Adams won for the first time in its last four tries against one of the biggest and best programs in the state.
Lake Orion 35, Oxford 30 – If this was an indication, these two should again be contenders in their respective divisions of the Oakland Activities Association. Lake Orion has held the Double "O" Pigskin Trophy three of four seasons since the series was restarted in 2010; the teams formerly played for the prize from 1962-83.
Southwest and Border
Battle Creek Harper Creek 27, Mattawan 7
Both of these teams should be contenders in their respective divisions of the Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference, and both will run their way to success again this fall. It will be interesting to see in eight weeks just how similar their paths finish after a game that would’ve been much closer if not for some untimely Mattawan turnovers. Click to read more from the Battle Creek Enquirer.
Also noted:
Battle Creek Central 15, Benton Harbor 0 – The Bearcats ended their 18-game winless streak with their first shutout since 2007.
Portage Central 55, Sturgis 0 – Sturgis has a Division 1 college prospect in quarterback Chance Stewart, which made this arguably the most impressive defensive performance statewide.
Watervliet 43, Gobles 14 – Simply put, this was a solid nonleague matchup between teams that each won eight games last season. Watervliet has the head start on repeating that feat.
Edwardsburg 34, Otsego 7 – Different teams, same story as above as both are playoff regulars that should again be in the mix by the end of the season.
Bay and Thumb
Saginaw Swan Valley 27, Saginaw Nouvel 20
Both might end this season at Ford Field after Swan Valley missed by one win a year ago and Nouvel missed by two after winning Division 7 in 2011. But as for the best in Saginaw, it looks like the Vikings at this point after running back Alex Grace ran for more than 200 yards in one of the state’s most intriguing openers. Click to read more from the Saginaw News.
Also noted:
New Lothrop 28, Traverse City St. Francis 7 – The Hornets traveled north for a tough opener and came back with plenty of momentum for the Genesee Area Conference Blue schedule.
Hemlock 19, Frankenmuth 12 – Hemlock, the 2012 Tri-Valley Conference Central champion, held on to beat the 2012 TVC East winner.
Montrose 38, Reese 8 – This looked to be a close game between 10-win teams from a year ago, but Montrose instead avenged last season’s 21-point loss to the Rockets in a bigger way.
Saginaw Arthur Hill 24, Goodrich 14 – Arthur Hill has struggled since it last playoff berth in 2008, but appears on the rebound with this reversal of a 41-6 loss to Goodrich in 2012.
Mid-Michigan
Ithaca 57, Williamston 13
This wasn’t really close, but was significant nonetheless. The win was Ithaca’s 43rd straight, tying the record for longest victory streak in MHSAA history in which all games were won during the playoff era. This week, the Yellowjackets face rival St. Charles with a chance to move up the list again. Click to read more from the Lansing State Journal.
Also noted:
Jackson Northwest 35, Hillsdale 20 – Only a record performance by Ithaca could trump what might be Northwest’s best football win since the mid-2000s. Hillsdale is coming off an 11-win season, and Northwest has won one game in each of the last three years.
Lansing Sexton 21, Chelsea 14 – Beating a team with 14 straight playoff berths will no doubt help the Big Reds return to the postseason after missing last season.
Pewamo-Westphalia 20, Lansing Catholic 7 – This reversed a 24-point loss to the Cougars last season as the Pirates began their quest for a third straight MHSAA Semifinals run.
Eaton Rapids 44, Leslie 0 – New Greyhounds coach Mike Smith, most known from his success at Holt, started his Eaton Rapids rebuilding effort with the team’s biggest win since 1996.
Upper Peninsula
Negaunee 36, Manistique 30
Negaunee had to be on its game for a tough Mid-Peninsula Conference opener against another playoff team from 2012. But the Miners held on through a late Manistique run and scored last to open league play and the season 1-0. Big plays were key, as Negaunee scored on an 80-yard kickoff return and 66-yard run. The Miners continued claim of the Oscar Wassberg Trophy, named for the former coach of both teams. Click to read more from the Marquette Mining Journal.
Also noted:
Cedarville 42, Posen 40 – The Trojans didn’t feel much of a challenge until Week 8 last season, but survived this one to kick off its 8-player season.
Ishpeming 36, Iron Mountain 0 – The reigning MHSAA Division 7 champion kept rolling with a win over another playoff team from last season.
Bessemer 28, Hancock 26 (OT) – The last three games between these two have been decided by a touchdown or less, but all in favor of the Bessemer-led co-op.
Marquette 31, Traverse City Central 23 – Marquette should get a solid boost at playoff selection time from this win as it goes for a fourth straight postseason berth.
Lower Up North
Reed City 39, Big Rapids 26
As stated earlier last week, this game eventually decided last season’s Central State Activities Association title in favor of Reed City. This was the fourth straight opening-night win for the Coyotes over rival Big Rapids. This game is played for the Pioneer Trophy. Click to read more from the Cadillac News.
Also noted:
Alpena 15, Escanaba 7 – Alpena has won only one game in each of the last two seasons and was outscored by Escanaba by a combined 72-0 over 2011 and 2012.
Hillman 55, Gaylord St. Mary 54 – These teams combined for only 41 points when they met to open 2012. This time, they qualified for the MHSAA record book.
Charlevoix 20, St. Ignace 0 – Coming off one win in 2012, and against a team that was 24-2 combined over the last two seasons, Charlevoix pulled off one of the biggest upsets statewide.
Maple City Glen Lake 27, Boyne City 13 – Glen Lake continued rolling off last season’s best finish in more than a decade by beating again the team it defeated to open the 2012 playoffs.
Trophy Games
Each week the MHSAA highlights trophy games played across the state. A few were mentioned above, with these the rest we knew about heading into the weekend.
- Bull Bowl – This is one of our newest trophies, established in 2011 for the opener between Fremont and Sparta. The Spartans gained a 2-1 advantage in the series last week. Final: Sparta 6, Fremont 0.
- Battle of 127 Trophy – Hudson and Addison have met for a number of years for this trophy sponsored by a local insurance company and local automotive group. Final: Hudson 46, Addison 0.
- Battle for The Paddle – Neighbors Sanford Meridian and Bullock Creek have met on opening night for the last dozen seasons. Bullock Creek owns a 7-5 advantage during that time. Final: Meridian 26, Bullock Creek 22.
- State Bank Traveling Trophy – Linden and Fenton have played for this prize dating to 1976, including on opening night the last two seasons. Final: Fenton 39, Linden 27.
- Little Brown Jug – Two games were played for these last week: Napoleon and Brooklyn Columbia Central continuing a series begun in 1967, and Manton and Mesick. Finals: Manton 29, Mesick 0; Columbia Central 26, Napoleon 18.
- Border Battle Cheese Trophy – Hurley (Wis.) made it eight straight opening-night wins over rival Ironwood. Final: Hurley 47, Ironwood 7.
PHOTO: Grand Ledge made this stop, but fell a few short in a 16-14 opening-night loss at home against East Kentwood.
1st & Goal: 2021 Finals Review
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 30, 2021
Two of the longest MHSAA Finals days at Ford Field – capped by two of the most exciting championship games in recent memory – concluded the 2021 football season this weekend.
Fans were able to savor every moment until nearly midnight both nights, and more than 38,000 made the trip to Detroit over the two-day 11-player event. That was in addition to those who journeyed from near and far the weekend before for the 8-Player Finals at Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome, where a pair of repeat champions reigned again.
Second Half covered all 10 championship games, with quick recaps and links (click on the game scores) to those stories below followed by notations of performances entered into the MHSAA Finals record book and a report on some of the biggest and best stories to emerge from the championship weekends.
Finals in Review
11-Player Division 1: Belleville 55, Rochester Adams 33
After falling a win short of reaching the Final the last three seasons, Belleville advanced this fall and completed its first championship run. Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood showed on a statewide stage why he’s received lots of attention during his high school debut, and he was surrounded by seniors including receiver Jeremiah Caldwell who helped carry the Tigers to the win.
11-Player Division 2: Warren De La Salle Collegiate 41, Traverse City Central 14
After falling in last season’s championship game, De La Salle took the next step in winning its fourth Finals title – and with expectations we could see the Pilots back at Ford Field again in 2022. Junior quarterback Brady Drogosh has been a big part of both trips, and this time he had a hand in 316 total yards and four touchdowns either running or passing.
11-Player Division 3: Detroit Martin Luther King 25, DeWitt 21
Two of the state’s premier quarterbacks were on display, junior Dante Moore for King and senior Ty Holtz for reigning champ DeWitt. But the deciding play was a defensive stand – specifically, the Crusaders stopping a 4th-and-goal from their 1-yard line with 2:34 to play. Both teams brought interceptions back for touchdowns, Holtz making the grab and score for DeWitt.
11-Player Division 4: Chelsea 55, Hudsonville Unity Christian 52
This is the game from this weekend many will be referring to years from now. Take your pick why – the 11-Player Finals record 107 combined points, Chelsea’s also-record 28-point comeback over the final 23 minutes, the fact Unity Christian had set the season record for points scored during the game. Maybe the walk-off field goal by Hunter Shaw saved in part by the deft handling of a short snap by quarterback/holder Lucas Dunn.
11-Player Division 5: Grand Rapids Catholic Central 31, Marine City 7
The Cougars won their second-straight championship in Division 5 and fifth over the last six seasons to go with Division 4 titles in 2016, 2017 and 2019. They did so with what has to be one of the finest back-up quarterbacking performances ever – senior John Passinault stepped in for injured past Finals star Joey Silveri and threw for 2,307 yards and 37 touchdowns this fall.
11-Player Division 6: Lansing Catholic 16, Warren Michigan Collegiate 6
The Cougars have been known for their offensive production over the last decade or more, but the defense led the way to their second championship in three seasons – they had won Division 5 in 2019. Lansing Catholic gave up only 40 points – or eight per game – during this playoff run, and in this game took advantage of four interceptions and a fumble recovery.
11-Player Division 7: Pewamo-Westphalia 14, Lawton 10
The Pirates added their fourth championship in six seasons, capping a run which saw them win their league and defeat eight more league champions along the way – one of them Lansing Catholic, the eventual Division 6 title winner. P-W had accomplished most of it with key players out with injuries, but multiple returned to lead the Pirates past Lawton, which was making its first Finals appearance.
11-Player Division 8: Hudson 14, Beal City 7
Defense has reigned in Division 8 the last few seasons, with Hudson following recent champions Centreville and Reading in thriving on that side of the ball. The Tigers ended their undefeated season having given up only 99 points (7.1 per game), and this time stopped a Beal City team averaging 35.5 points per contest entering Ford Field.
8-Player Division 1: Adrian Lenawee Christian 31, Suttons Bay 20
A rematch of last season’s Division 1 Final was more closely contested, but with the same result as Lenawee Christian finished its second-straight undefeated campaign. Cougars quarterback Ashur Bryja is a name to remember – he opened the scoring 51 seconds in with an interception return touchdown, ran for two more scores and threw for 229 yards.
8-Player Division 2: Powers North Central 63, Colon 0
The Jets won their second-straight Division 2 title and fourth 8-player championship total, and put up a combined 133 points over those last two Finals wins. North Central had 520 yards of total offense this time. Wyatt Raab, Luke Gorzinski and Alex Naser all scored two touchdowns, and Gorzinski also was the team’s leading tackler.
Records Report
11-Player
Chelsea and Hudsonville blew past the previous record of 94 combined points in an 11-Player Finals game with their combined 107. Chelsea’s 55 tied for third-most, with Unity Christian now sitting at sixth on that list after Belleville also scored 55 in Division 1.
As expected from a 55-52 game, Chelsea ended up with the fourth-most total yardage in 11-Player Finals history, with 533, and the teams’ combined total of 1,024 ranks second. Chelsea’s 28 first downs are tied for third-most.
Chelsea’s Lucas Hanifan tied 11-player championship game records with 30 points and five touchdowns, and set the receiving touchdowns record by two with that total. His quarterback Lucas Dunn set the 11-Player Finals record with six touchdown passes while also making the yardage list with 308, pass attempts list with 36 and completions list with 25. Hanifan’s nine receptions also rank among the most in that category.
Belleville freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood may have even exceeded high expectations with his Finals debut, making the total offense list with a combined 346 rushing and passing yards (with 284 passing) and tying for second with four others with five touchdown passes. Senior receiver Jeremiah Caldwell played a big part, tying for second with 204 receiving yards (on only four receptions) and also tying for second with three touchdown catches.
Warren De La Salle Collegiate became the 22nd team to keep an opponent from completing a pass, shutting out Traverse City Central on its nine attempts. Detroit Martin Luther King became the 29th team to not punt in an 11-Player Final.
De La Salle quarterback Brady Drogosh also made the total yardage list with 316 (including 174 rushing). King’s Dante Moore made the completions list with 18 on 24 attempts.
Chelsea’s Hunter Shaw and Belleville’s Brayden Lane tied the 11-Player Finals record held by three others with seven extra points, while in Division 2, De La Salle’s Brady Lowe made the extra point list with five. Shaw and Adams’ Colin Timko became the 11th and 12th, respectively, to make two or more field goals, Timko hitting from 27 and 35 yards in the Division 1 game and Shaw from 26 and 33.
Hudson’s march to victory included 282 rushing yards on 64 carries, which tied for the eighth-most runs by one team in an 11-Player Final.
8-Player
Powers North Central’s big win was accompanied by multiple scoring record book entries, including for 29 points in a quarter (third most), 49 in the first half (first) and 63 for one game (also ranking third). The Jets also made the team rushing yardage list with 328 and the team first downs list with 20. North Central also became the first in the category for fewest rushing yards allowed, holding Colon to -14.
Adrian Lenawee Christian set the team first downs record with 24 against Suttons Bay.
Lenawee Christian quarterback Ashur Bryja earned the sixth-most total yards in 8-Player Finals history, with 372 including 229 passing.
North Central’s Jaden Walters set the standard for 8-player championship game kickers, making all seven of his extra point attempts.
Suttons Bay’s August Schaub set a record that will be tough to match, returning an interception 99 yards for a touchdown against Lenawee Christian.
Teammate Hugh Periard was added with the second-longest rushing play in 8-Player Finals history, 90 yards against Lenawee Christian.
Stories Behind the Scores
Winning streaks grow: A few of this season’s winners not only repeated as champions, but extended overall winning streaks that will be followed closely next season. Grand Rapids Catholic Central has won 36 straight games, tied for the sixth-longest undefeated run. Lenawee Christian has won all 24 8-player games it’s played over the last two seasons, and North Central also is 24-0 over the last two.
What’s new is new: Belleville and Chelsea were first-time champions after some just-misses over the last decade. As noted above, the Tigers made the Semifinals this season for the fourth straight year before reaching Ford Field for the first time, and Chelsea has made the Semifinals five of the last seven seasons and had lost in Finals in 2015 and 2018.
QB Power: Michigan is graduating another fine class of high school quarterbacks – DeWitt’s Ty Holtz, in particular, provided two seasons of memories leading the Panthers on back-to-back trips to Ford Field. But we should expect to see some of the other 2021 championship signal-callers a lot next season. King’s Dante Moore will close one of the most highly-followed careers in some time, and De La Salle’s Brady Drogosh will be watched just as much next fall. Belleville’s Bryce Underwood will generate plenty of statewide interest over the next three seasons. As noted, Lenawee Christian’s Ashur Bryja is one of the next stars among the small schools, and North Central’s Luke Gorzinski has led two championship runs and still is just a junior. Two more to remember: Marine City junior Jeffery Heaslip was a standout run/pass threat in leading his team to the Division 5 Final, and Rochester Adams junior Parker Picot became known at least in-state as much for football leading his team in Division 1 as he’s known as a top-level baseball prospect.
No taking ‘normal’ for granted: Those who experienced the start-stop-start 2020 season will never forget it, nor should any of us who had the opportunity to enjoy a more “normal” 2021. With COVID-19 ever present, Michigan high schools did their parts again to play safely this fall. And proper perspective remains a great teacher of just how much that’s worth.
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